US784605A - Telephone-operator's key. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED MAR. 14, 1905.

L. W. WANEMAKEE. TELEPHONE OPERATOR'S KEY.

APPLIOATION FILED MAY 11, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEIET 1.

PATENTED MAR. 14, 1905.

LLW. WANEMAKER. TELEPHONE OPBRATORS KEY.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 11, 1904.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED STATES -Iatented March 14, 1905.

LOUIS WILLIAM WANEMAKER, OF GENOA, ILLINOIS.

TELEPHONE-OPERATORS KEY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,605, dated March 14, 1905.

Application filed May 11 1904. Serial No. 207,355.

To (all whmn it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, Louis WILLIAM VVANE- MAKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Genoa, in the county of Dekalb and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telephone-Operators Keys, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to telephone-operators keys, and has for its object to provide a simple, eflicient, and durable structure of this character which shall be free from the multiplicity of wiper-springs or flat metal springs now usually employed in such structures, which will have no parts operating by gravity, so that it may be used in any posit-ion and mounted upon any style. of board, table, or frame, and which will be rapid in operation combining in itself the functions of a clear-out drop, relay, and key.

To these ends my invention consists in certain novel features, which I will now proceed to describe and will then particularly point out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view illustrating in the form of a diagram the connections of my improved key. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the key proper. Fig. 3 is a plan section taken on the line w a: of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, ona reduced scale, taken on the line 3/ y of Fig. 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows. Fig. 5 is a sectional view in the same plane, but looking in the opposite direction. Fig. 6 is a view of the rear of the base, illustrating the connections; and Fig. 7 is a view of a front portion of the base, showingthe contact-plates thereon.

Referring to the said drawings, in which there is shown a structure embodying my invention in its preferred form, 1 indicates a suitable base of insulating materiahpreferably vulcanized fiber, upon which the terminals of the various lines leading from the instrument are mounted.

2 indicates a supporting-frame comprising parallel members 3 and 4, connected at one end with the base 1, their other ends being connected by the member 5, extending parallel with said base 1. This base and frame support all of the operative parts and connections of the instrument. Mounted on the member 4 is a standard or support 6, which, in conjunction with the main member 5, serves as a guide and support for the keys 7 and 8. The key 7 comprises a shank or stem portion 9 and a terminal push-button 10, while the key 8 comprises a similar shank portion 11 and push-button 12, the two keys being parallel and passing through guiding-apertures in the frame member 5 and standard 6. In the present instance I have shown that portion of the stem which passes through the frame member 5 as circular in cross-section, while that portion which passes through the standard 6 is square in cross-section. A single spring 13, preferably a coiled spring, serves to so actuate both of these keys as to tend to move them outward or in the direction of their push-button terminals. To this end I employa bridge or link 14, to which one end of the spring 18 is connected between the ends of said bridge or link, the other end of the spring being connected to some fixed partas, for example, the frame-member 5. The link 14 is itself loosely connected at its ends to the shanks of the two keys, the connection being preferably a pivotal connection at one end and a sliding connection at the other end to allow for the swinging movement of the link in connection with the parallel movement of the keys. In the particular construction shown the link is pivoted to the shank 9 of the key 7 at 15, while its other end straddles the shank 11 of the key 8, said key being provided with a collar 16, forming an abutment against which the link is held by the spring 13.

17 indicates a trigger pivoted at 18 to lugs 19, projectingfrom the standard 6. This trigger comprises arms 20, lying on opposite sides of the shank 9 of the key 7 and a cross-piece 21, connecting said arms and forming a dog or tooth which cooperates with a shoulder 22 on the shank 9 of the key 7. One of the The part 24 of the trigger 17 lies between the projection and the lower end of the link 14, so that inward movement of the key 8 will disengage the tooth or dog 21 from the shoul-- der 22 by lifting it up clear of the same.

, When the dog is thus lifted, the key 7 is free contacts being connected in the manner hereinafter described. Inward motion of the key 7, on the other hand, will break this circuit by separating the contacts 27 and 28. The contacts 28 are insulated from the shank 9 and from each other by means of a block of insulating material, 29, to which they are fastened and which is in turn fastened to the shank 9.

The key 7 is provided at its inner end with a cross-piece 30, of insulatingmaterial, and the key 8 is provided at its inner end with a similar cross-piece 31. These cross-pieces serve to operate contact- levers 32 and 33, respectively, which levers are electrically connected with the cords and plugs which form a part of the operators outfit. There are two of the levers 32, each comprising an arm 34, extending into a recess 35 in the base-plate 1 and there pivoted on an axis or pin 36, of conducting material. Each lever 32 further comprises anarm 37, lying in the path of the block 30, and an arm 38, extending in the opposite direction from the arm 37. The levers 32 are of conducting material and are united mechanically, but not electrically, so as to move in unison by means of a cross-bar 39, either insulated or of insulating material. Similarly, the levers 33 are two in number, each comprising a pivot-arm 40,mounted on a pivotpin 41, and two contact-arms 42 and 43, extending in opposite directions, the former lying in the path of the cross-piece 31 on the key 8. The two levers 33 are mechanically united by across-bar44,of insulatingmaterial. These levers are normally held in the position shown by means of a coiled spring 45 connecting the cross-bars 39 and 44, and it will be observed that this spring 45 and the spring 13, hereinbefore referred to, are the only springs employed in the en tire device. Moreover, these springs are coiled springs, easily removed and replaced, their ends being formed into hooks which engage eyes 46 on the parts to which they are connected.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 6, A indicates a subscribers telephone,

which in the present instance we will assume to be that of the calling party, and B another subscribers telephone, assumed to be that of the party to be called. Their circuits terminate in jacks U and D on the switchboard. E and F represent the plugs of the operators outfit, the cord-circuits of which are indicated in Fig. 1 by the lines or wires 0 and f, respectively. The lines 0 are connected to projecting terminals 47, mounted on the block or base 1 and in electrical connection with the pivot-pins 41 of the contact-levers 33. The lines or wiresf are connected to projecting terminals 48, mounted on the block 1 and electrically connected with the pivot-pins 36 of the contact-levers 32. The base or block 1 has on its front face, on each side thereof, acontact-plate 49, with which the arms 38 and 43 of the levers 32 and 33 are normally held in contact by the spring 45. By reason of this construction when the plugs E and F are inserted in the jacks C and D the telephones A and B will be connected. The operators instrument or set(indicated by the referencelettcr G) has its lines or wires g connected with terminals 50, mounted on the block 1. WVires 51 extend from the terminals 50 to the contact-pieces 28, and other Wires, 52, extend from the contact-pieces 27 to the contact plates 49, so that when the circuit is closed between 27 and 28 the operators set is looped with the circuit connecting A and B or with either the one or the other when the proper plug is inserted in the corresponding drop. The block or base 1 is also provided with two contact strips or plates 53, provided at the back of the block 1 with terminals 54, to which are connected the wires 55 of a generator or ringing circuit including a suitable generator 56. The contact strips or plates 53 are so located that theyextend under and in the path of the arms 37 and 42 of the contact- levers 32 and 33. i

The construction and arrangement of the parts-is such that when a slight pressure is exerted on either push-button 10 or 12, the first movement disconnecting the operators telephone and the second movement connecting it, the keys 7 and 8, which move readily under this slight pressure, tend to come to rest as soon as the operators circuit has been made or broken, and any further inward movement of either key requires a much stronger pressure to overcome the combined action of the springs 13 and 45. By means of such stronger pressure, however, the key 8 may be moved in until its block 31 comes into contact with the arms 42 of the levers 33, tilting said levers upon their pivots until the arms 42 comein contact with the plates or strips 53. When this has been accomplished, telephone A is connected with the ringing-circuit, and a signal is thereby given at said telephone. Similarly-increased pressure upon key 7 will tilt levers 32 so as to bringtheir arms 37 into contact with the plates or strips 53, thereby connecting the ringing-circuit with telephone B. Either telephone may thus be readily signaled or both at once, if desired, and it will be understood that the connection of the ringing-circuit breaks the connection with the contact-plates 49, and thus breaks the talking-circuit.

The instrument is also provided with what is known as a clear-out signal, preferably in the form of a lamp 57, operated from a suitable source of electricity, such as a battery 58, one wire from which (indicated by the numeral 59) leads directly to a terminal 60, mounted on the block 1, from which contact a wire 61 leads directly to the lamp. The other wire of the lighting-circuit (indidated by the numeral 62) leads to a terminal 63, also mounted on the block 1 and connected with a contact-plate 64, mounted on the side of the block.

65 indicates a relay comprising an electromagnet 66, mounted in a housing 67 and provided with an armature 68, pivoted to the housing at 69.

70 indicates a lever located within the housing 67, to which it is pivoted at 71. Said lever has one of its arms, 72, extended into the path of the armature 68, while its other arm, 73, is extended through a slot 74 in the housing 67 and carries a contact-piece 75, which when the armature 68 is in the position shown in Fig. 2 is not in contact with the plate 64. hen the armature 68 is attracted by the magnet 66, it comes into contact with the arm 72 of the lever 70 and moves the contact-piece 75 into contact with the plate 64, thus closing the clear-out circuit through the lever 70, housing 67, "frame member 3, and a connecting-strip 76 or in any other suitable manner. The coil of the magnet 66 is connected by wires 77 with the contact-plates 49, so that when the ringing-circuit of either telephone A or B is closed-as, for instance, in the usual way in a magneto system by placing the re ceiver on the hook and giving the generatorcrank a turn or twothe magnet 66 will be energized, the lightingcircuit closed, and the clear-out light will indicate this fact. To restore the relay and clear-out light to their normal position, I employ a lever 78, pivoted on the housing 67 at 79 and having one arm 80, which lies in the path of the arm 72 of the lever 70. The other arm, 81, of the lever 78 lies in the path of a shoulder or projection 82 on the shank 9 of the key 7. The construction is such that when the key 7 is released from the trigger 17 by pressing inward lightly upon the key 8 the shoulder 82 will come into contact with the arm 81 of the lever 78 and will move the arm and bring it into contact tact-piece 75 away from the contact-plate 64, thus breaking the lighting-circuit and extinguishing the clear-out light, at the same time setting the armature and lever 70 in position to again operate in the manner already described when the magnet 66 is again energized.

The operation of the device will be readily understood from the preceding description. The ordinary or normal position of the parts when the apparatus is not in use and when the plugs are not connected to the jacks is such that the contacts 27 and 28 are in engagement with each other and the operators telephone is connected with or cut into the circuit between said plugs. l Vhen the calling party at telephone A signals, the usual shutter or other signaling device on the switchboard will indicate the fact. The operator then inserts plug E in jack C, whereupon his telephone is connected with telephone A, and he asks the calling party what number is wanted. Having received this information, he places plug F in jack 1) belonging to telephone B, the party called. He thereupon presses firmly upon push-button 10 and moves key 7 inward until the arms 37 ot' the levers 32 touch the contact-strips 53. This connects jack D with the ringing-circuit and signals B i that he is wanted, at the same time and by one and the same movement cutting out the operators telephone by separating the contacts 27 and 28. When pressure is removed from key 7, it moves outward until shoulder 22 comes into contact with the dog or tooth 21 of the trigger 17, which prevents further outward movement of key 7, and thereby prevents the operators telephone from being again out in. At any time, however, the operators telephone may be cut in by pressing in lightly upon key 8, thus lifting the trigger 17 sufliciently to permit key 7 to move outward and bring the contacts 27 and 28 together. At any time a light inward pressure on key 8 will permit the operator to listen, while light pressure on key 7 will cut out the operators telephone without in any way affecting the connection between the telephones A and B, the conversation between the con nccted parties being in no way interrupted and said parties having no knowledge of the fact that the operators telephone has been cut into the circuit. Similarly, either A or B may be signaled by pressing in key 8 or 7 with suiiicient force to accomplish this result in the manner already described. It will thus be seen that the operator can ring either party independently of the other while both plugs are connected in circuit, this operation being known as ringing back and the key thus constructed being a ring-back key. Generally speaking, the normal position of the parts during the conversation between A and B is that shown in Fig. 2, and at the end of said conversation the closing-signal operates the clearout relay in the manner already described,

lighting the lamp 57. This notifies the operator that the conversation is finished, and pressure upon key 8 will release trigger 17 and permit the key 7 to move outward, bringing shoulder 82 into contact with arm 81 of lever 78' and so operating lever as to break the clear-out circuit between contacts 64 and 7 5. If sufficient pressure is exerted on key 8 during this operation a signal will be given to the calling party, indicating the fact that the operator has taken cognizance of the clearout signal. In fact, it enables the operator to answer the ring-oli signal if he so desires with the same movement that restores the relay and signal to normal or inoperative position.

It will be seen that l have done away entirely with the numerous flat or wiper springs employed in operators keys as usually constructed and that the instrument is capable of being constructed as an operative device with the employment of only two springs and these coiled springs, which are durable, readily ad usted, and readlly removed and replaced when necessary or desirable. Moreover, these springs are so connected to the moving parts and the moving parts so connected to each other as to render the springs practically self-adjusting in equalizing their action upon the movingparts. The instrument combines in itself in a single structure an operators key, clear-out signal, relay, and ringback and is compact and self contained. Owing to this fact and to the further fact that none of the moving parts thereof are actuated or controlled by gravity, it can be mounted in any desired position and upon any portion of the board either in the drop-'lrame or in the front or top of the operators table, with the base 1 either upright or horizontal. It is simple in construction and very rapid in operation. Finally, it fullils the conditions required of a device of this character in that it provides means for readily connecting the operator with the calling party and for readily connecting the calling party and party called; second, that it provides means for the operator cutting into or out of the circuit of the parties when connected without aliecting their connection; third, that it provides a means for ringing or signaling either party without ringing or signaling the other party, and, fourth, that it provides means for indicating to the operator when the parties are through talking and for enabling the operator to set said signal to its normal position again.

The particular construction chosen for purposes of illustration is that which embodies my invention in. its preferred form; but it is obvious that modification thereof may be made without departing from the principle of my invention. For instance, although 1 prefer to emgloy only two springs to operate the parts it is manifest that a greater number may be employed. Furthermore, although I prefer to employ coiled metal springs other forms of springs may be employed. Again, the instrument in the particular form shown is one particularly designed for use with complete metallic circuits throughout; but by obvious modifications the instrument may be adapted for use where the earth is employed as a return-circuit. Various other modifications will readily suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and I therefore do not wish to be understood as limiting myself strictly to the precise details of construction hereinbeforc described, and shown in the accompanying drawings.

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

1. In an instrument of the character described, spring-controlled' rocking contact-levers, contact-plates on which said levers normally bear for connecting them electrically, signaling-circuit contact-plates on the opposite sides of said levers, and separate keys for independently moving said levers into contact with said last-mentioned plates, substantially as described.

.2. An operators outfit comprising rocking contact-levers respectively connected to the cord-circuits of the plugs, contact-plates arranged in the path of said levers in one direction to electrical] y connect said levers, springactuated means for holding said levers normally in contact with said contact-plates, signaling-circuit contact-plates arranged in the path of said levers in the opposite direction, and separate keys for independently moving said levers into contactwith said last-mentioned plate, substantially as described.

3. An instrument of the character described comprising rocking spring-actuated contactlevers, means for electrically connecting said levers with the telephones of the respective parties, contact-plates lying between and on opposite sides of levers, the intermediate plates electrically connecting said levers, which are normally in contact therewith, the other plates being connected with the signaling-circuit, and separate keys for independently rocking said levers to connect either telephone with the signaling-circuit, substantially as described. I

4. In an. instrument of the character described, rocking contactlevers connecting with the plug-circuits, contact-plates located between said levers to connect them electrically, a spring connecting said levers and holding them normally in contact with said plates,

signaling-circuit contact-plates located on the opposite sides of said levers, and means for independently rocking said levers into contact with said last-mentioned plates, substantially as described.

5. In an instrument of the character denecting the levers of each pair, and a coiled scribed, an insulating-base, rocking contact levers pivotally mounted therein and mechanically connected in insulated pairs to move in unison, each pair of levers being electrically connected to the respective wires of a plugcircuit, contact-plates located between the opposite levers of the pairs, a spring connecting the two pairs to hold them normally in contact with said plates, signaling-circuit contactplates located on the other side of each pair, and spring-controlled push-keys in the path of which said pairs are respectively located, whereby said pairs may be independently moved into contact with the signaling-circuit contact-plates, substantially as described.

6. In an instrument of the character described, the combination, with rocking contact-levers having arms extending in opposite directions, contact-plates in the paths of said arms, and a spring connecting said contact levers, of push-keys arranged to contact with the respective levers, a link connecting said push-keys, and a spring connected to said link and to a fixed point, substantially as described.

7. In an instrument of the character described, the combination, with two pairs of rocking contact-levers, an insulated bar connecting the levers of each pair, and a coiled spring connecting said insulated bars, of a push-key reciprocating in line with the springlifted portion of each pair of levers, and provided with aninsulated contact-piece to bear thereon and tilt said pair, substantially as described.

8. In an instrument of the character described, the combination, with tWo pairs of rocking contact-levers, an insulated bar conspring connecting said insulated bars, of a push-key reciprocating in line with the springlifted portion of each pair of levers. and provided with an insulated contact-piece to bear thereon and tilt said pair, a link loosely connected to said push-keys, and a coiled spring connected to said link between said push-keys and to a lixed point, substantially as described.

9. In an instrument of the character described, the combination, with parallel-moving spring-actuated push-keys controlling the signaling-circuits, of an operators set and aloopcircuit therefor, one pair of terminals of which is carried by and moves with one of said keys, and a latch normally engaging said key to hold said terminals out of contact with the other terminals of said circuit, said latch being operated by the other key, substantially as described.

10. In an instrument of the character described,the combination, with spring-actuated rocking contact-levers connected with the respective plugs, intermediate contact-plates for electrically connecting them, and signaling circuit contact-plates arranged on opposite sides of them, of independent spring-actuated parallel-moving push-keys for rocking said contact-levers into connection with the signalcircuit contact-plates, an operators set connected with the intermediate contact-plates by a'loop-circuit, said circuit being divided to form opposite fixed and movable terminals, the movable terminals carried by one of said push-keys, and a latch normally engaging said last-mentioned push-key to separate said terminals, said latch being operated by the other key, substantially as described.

11. In an instrument of the character described, the combination, with rocking contact-levers and cooperating contact-plates controlling the talking and signaling circuits, an operators set and loop circuit connected with the main talking-circuit, and means for making and breaking said loop-circuit, of two springcontrolled push-keys, one of which controls the loop-circuit making and breaking means, and a latch controlling said key and itself controlled by the other key, whereby a light pressure on said circuit-controlling key will break the loop-circuit, a light pressure on the other key Will close said circuit, and a heavy pressure on either key will connect the corresponding subscribers telephone with the signaling-circuit, substantially as described.

12. In an instrument of the character described, the combination, with two push-keys for ringing the respective subscribers signals, of a clear-out signal, and a circuit therefor comprisinga battery or generator and a switch for opening and closing the circuit, a relay connected with the subscribers circuits and provided with an armature to operate the switch to close the signal-circuit, and a lever arranged in the path of one of said push-keys, and serving to open said switch when said pushkey is moved in the proper direction, substantially as described.

13. An operators instrument comprising a frame, a clear-out signal and relay mounted thereon, said relay controlling the clear-outsignal circuit toclose the same when its magnet is energized, spring-actuated push-keys mounted in said frame and controlling the ringing and listening circuits, one of said push-keys being provided with a projection, a lever mounted in the path of said projection and operating the clear-out-signal switch when engaged by said projection, and a latch engaging said lever-operating key and controlled by the other key, whereby the initial pressure on said other key will release the lever-operating key to open the clear-out switch, while further pressure on said latch-operating key will close its ringing or signaling circuit, substantially as described.

1 1. In an instrument of the character described, the combination,with parallel-moving push-keys for separately controlling the signaling-circuits of connected subscribers telephones, of a link pivotally connected to one of said keys and having a sliding connection In testimony whereof I affix my signature in with the other key, and a coiled spring havpresence of tWo Witnesses.

ing one of its ends connected to said link be- I LOUIS WH LIAM WAYEMAKER tween its connections With the two keys,- the 1 L other end of said coiled spring being connected Witnesses:

to a suitable fixed part, substantially as de- ALoNz H. HOLROYD, scribed. E. A. BROWN.

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