US294371A - Watchman s electric time-recording system - Google Patents

Description

name SrA'rEs Aren't @rrrca GEORGE \V. DAVIS, OF FREEPORT, MAINE.

WATCHMANS ELECTRIC TIME-RECGRDENG SY$TEM- SPECIFXCA'IION forming part of Letters Patent No. 29%,3'71, dated March 4, 1884.

Application filed December 17, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. Davis, of Freeport, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain Improvements in W'atchmens Electric Time-Recording Systems,of which the following is a specification. 1

This invention relates to systems of electric circuits and apparatus arranged for the purpose of furnishing a guard upon the proceedings of watchmen, whereby a record is made of their visits to the several posts of their beat, and whereby any dereliction or neglect of their periodical visitations is made manifest.

The special objects-of my invention are as follows: to provide apparatus whereby the sending of the signal from any given post automatically sets the mechanism at the next post, so that the posts must be visited in the order before determined; to so arrange circuits and apparatus that electric signals cannot be sent to the reeorderby any other method than the one described; to give an alarm at any predestined pointin case any of the alarmboxcs at the several posts are tampered with; to provide suitable instrumentalities whereby an alarm may in like manner be manually sent in any unusual contingency; and to prevent any watchman from using the same box twice in succession. To this end, although my invention is of course applicable for use at single stations, it is specially adapted to places where there are a number of points to be visited, as in buildings of factories containing many separate rooms, or as in the beat of a policeman, where as many watch-boxes may be operated as are found desirable. Prior to my invention systems of electric circuits and apparatus have been used "for a like general purpose-i. 0., to keep a check upon the movements of watchmen by making it obligatory upon them to make at different points such manipulations as to produce a record at a desired point and I will briefly refer thereto as an acknowledgement of the state of the art at thepresent time. In one arrangement patent ed by E. T. Quimby, January 4, 1881, numbered 236, 257, a clock-work transmitting-instrument is used, so constructed that when the signal is sent in from the proper station, the clock-work is released and sends a record to the distant recorder, after which ,it switches the battery onto the next regular station, and the clockwork cannot then be again released, except by going to the proper station; A second method is to use a separate clock-work at each signaltransmitting point, such clock-train being adapted to send to the recording-clock a series of numbeis differing from any of the others. It is evident that the clock-work required in boththese systems is an objectionable feature,

for several reasons. Besides the complication inherent therein,it must bekeptin order, must be regularly wound, and must be entirely se cured from the watchman. In the former plan,

moreover, if any of the stations is remote, the watchman can send a false signal simply by connecting for a moment the two wires of the loop leading to the station, or, in the event of an earth return, by grounding the signal-wire leading thereto. In the second method it is also obvious thatif the watchman can once obtain access to the inside of the watch-box he can ascertain the numbers sent from each box, and can there send in the regular order of signals from any single point by making and breaking the circuit to correspond with the proper number.

By my invention I am enabled to dispense with the complicated transmitter shown and described in the 'hereinbeforecited patent of E; T. Quimby, and to use signal-sending apparatus of a very simple construction, and adapted, also, to work in combination with a recording-clock of like simple and uncomplicated character, the record also being simple and easily read.

It consists, generally, in a recording-station at which a clock rotates continuously a disk carrying a suitably-graduated ribbon or tape of paper, an electromagnet, the armature of which carries a stylus, being placed adj aeent thereto, so that the said stylus is adapted, upon the encrgization of the said magnet, to strike the paper and emboss marks thereon, and a series of signal-stations, each provided with circuit-closing devices, and a circuit-wire connecting all of the signal or alarm stations with the recording-stations.

The apparatus which constitutes the prin-.

cipal embodiment of my invention provides that the line-circuit shall be grounded in the inst-rument'at but one station at once, and that when that instrument is manipulated to send a signal the said manipulation shall in turn ground the line at the next instrument, and so on until the operation of the last instrument once more causes the replacement of the ground-terminal of the first. An energizingbattery common to the series is provided, and enters each watch-box by a normally-open branch. The electricity generated thereby serves the purpose of sending signals to the recording-clock, and also causes the device to become operative. It furthermore, under certain conditions, causes a special device (which I have shown in connection with a modified apparatus, but which may be equally well applied to the foregoing) to become operative when any attempt is made to tamper with the watch-box, and thereupon to send an alarm to the desired station.

In the drawings which illustrate and form a part of this specification, Figure l is a diagrammatical representation of a system of signal sending and recording apparatus connected by suitable circuits. Fig. 2 is a modified plan for a watch-box instrument adapted to be opera-ted by a push-button instead of a key. Fig. 3 is a modification of Fig. 1, by means of which, in addition to the regular recordingsignals, reversecurrent signals may be trans mitted for the purpose of sounding an alarm. Fig. 3 is a detail of Fig. 3, showing the circuit-closing springs of the alarm-circuit. Fig. A: is an improved form of the apparatus used in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a key for operating the instruments and sending the signals.

Referring first to Fig. 1., 0 represents a clock at the recording-station, provided with and rotating a wheel or drum, Z, which has a suitable recording strip or ribbon, preferably of paper, fastened thereon and graduated for time. in immediate proximity to the said drum, as shown, is an electro-magnet, j, in the circuit of a line leading to the watch-boxes, and the armatin'e-lever i of the electro-magnet carries an embossing point or stylus, 76, which, when actuated by the attractive power of the magnet, is adapted to imprint marks upon the paper ribbon or tape, and as the drum is constantly rotated at a steady rate of speed the marks are necessarily made at a dis tance apart from one another, the said distance depending upon the length of time elapsing between the transmission of signals. The clock 0 is connected by a linewire, L, with the posts or watch- boxes 1, 2, and 3, and although I have shown but three stations, it is obvious'that any number may easily be arranged for. The instruments Nos. 1 and 2 are represented as having their covers removed to show the mechanism, while No. 3 shows the mechanism covered by a suitable box fastened by ascrew, p, and perforated withahey-hole, a, through which may be seen the key-post 0. Such signalboxes may be located at as many different points about the premises as may be desired. The internal mechanism of each box is as shown in the lignres.

On a suitable base, A, is placed an electromagnet, in, provided with an armature-lever, 13, pivoted on a standard, a, and cornlterbalanced by an adjustable weight, B. All the instruments but one of the series have their armatures normally retracted by the weight B; but in every case the instrument from which the signal is next to be sent-in this case No. 1the armature is in the forward position, being retained there by the detent u, the same being controlled by the spring I). A screw, 8, limits the backward play of the an mature. Fastened to the armature, butinsulated therefrom by a non-conducting block, b, is a contact-spring, O, which projects forward and is adapted to make contact, when the armature is in its forward position, with the con tact-point], which is united to the ground wire 6.

In front of the detent a is a standard, (.1, which, in conjunction with its complementary standard on the other side of the base, (not shown supports a shaft, ending in a key post, c, and carrying the arm (Z an d the ratchetwheel 1). A pawl, supported by a standard or bracket, h, engages with the teeth of of the ratchet-wheel, and prevents its backward movement, consequently preventing, also, any backward motion of the shalt and arm (1'.

All of the instruments of the series are constructed precisely alike, and I will now trace the connections of the several circuits. The line-wire L from the recording-clock branches on arriving at the building where the watchboxes are, a branch wire, 3, running to each box, where it is connected with the arnniturespring 0. Abattery, E, is connected by wire and branch wires 2 and 2", &c., to the standards 0 of the several instruments. The contactscrcw f is connected with a ground-wire. A wire, 5, runs from the detent c of box 1 to one side of the electro-magnetm of box 2, the other side of the said magnet being connected by the wire 7 to earth. Similarly, a wire, 5, runs from the detent a of box 2 to the magnet of box 8, which has its out-wire connected to earth by a wire, 7". In turn, the detent c of box 3 is united by wire 5" to the electromagnet of the next box, which, in the present instance, is box 1, there being but three boxes shown, the out-wire of said magnet being grounded by wire 7.

\Vhenever Ihave in t-hel'oregoingdescription and in the drawings used the term groundwire, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that a return-wire to the opposite pole of the battery might be substituted.

Having fully described the instruments used in this form of my invention and the several circuits connected therewith, I will now describe their manner of operation. \Ve will suppose that the order in which they are to be operated is l 2 8,1 2, &c. Commencing at box 1, the watchman inserts the key (shown in ITO when 3 Fig. 5) through the key-hole in the casing of box, (which is merely to prevent tampering with the mechanism,) and turning to the right makes a complete revolution, then withdraws key, and goes on to box 2. This operation of course revolves the key-post e, carrying arm (I, and brings the said arm (1 into contact with the spring 0, lifting it at the same time from its contact with the point f, and thus separating the line from the ground or return wire 6. As arm (I is permanently connected with thebattery E by wire 2, the battery is, by the contact between the said arm and the spring 0, connected for a moment with the main line L, over which it flows, energizing the recording electro-magnet j, and producing the required record upon the paper carried by the drum or roller Z. If, now, at this point the key'could be turned back and withdrawinthe next record and any number could easily be sent from the same box; but the ratchet-wheel D and pawl 9 prevent this; hence to withdraw the key the watchman must continue to turn in the same direction until the key is in position to be withdrawn. hen the arm din its revolution has completed one-half of its course, it comes into contact with the catch or detent, pressing it back and releasing the armature B, which springs up against the back stops, the spring G thus being separated from the groundc-ontact f until the armature is again attracted. Simultaneously the circuit of the battery E is again closed, but this time through the electro-magnet m of the second watch-box m'a wire 2, standard 0 and arm d, detent a, wire 5, electro-magnet m, and groundwire 7 The electro-magnet on of box 2 being thus energized attracts its armature B, and the spring 0, attached thereto, is brought into contact with the ground-screw f. This being accomplished, the watchman, arriving at box 2, turns the key there, and the entire process is repeated, box 3 being in turn set thereby, and so on until the last box is reached, this being adapted to reset the armature of box No. 1.

The object of the device for raising the armature of each apparatus as it is manipulated, and for severing the line-ground thereof, is to putit out of the power of the watchman to continue sending signals from the same box, for in case such attempt should be made the arm (Z could not come in contact with the spring 0, and therefore no current could be sent to line. Furthermore, if any attempt should be made to send the second signal to the recording-clock by connecting a wire from the battery-wire direct to line, there would not be sufficient current pass to the recording station, as a branch circuit from the line to the second watch-box short-circuits the battery through a route having a resistance so Fig. 2 is a modified form of watch-box apparatus, by which the sending-key may be dispensed with, a press-button, q, being substituted therefor. The spindle of the button (1 passes through the standard h, which supports the ground-contact f, on which the spring 0 of the armature B rests when the box is set. The button-spindle has a vertical arm, 1', which engages with the spring when the button is pushed in, performing the same work as in the other plan. Continuing inward, the spindle trips the detent a, allowing the armature to rise. The spindle has a ratchet on its upper edge, and a pawl, g, engages therewith, preventing the retraction of the button until the completion of the operation. WVhen, however, the armature is tripped, an extensionbar, 12 lifts the pawl, permitting the automaticretraction of the button by means of the retracting-spring s. The circuit-connections are in no way different from those shown in Fig. 1.

Although I prefer the specific apparatus for electrically setting thenext box and the mode of manipulating the same which I have hereinbefore deseribed, I do not confine myself thereto, but may, if I so elect, employ an ordinary press-button circuit-closer, to be used in conjunction with the signal-sending key or butt-on.

Fig. 3 shows a modified watch-box and recording system, which includes a device for the prevention of tampering with the boxes. This modification is intended to be operated with reverse currents and a polarized relay. The watches- boxes 1 and 2 are, as before, connected by a main wire, L,with the recording instrument at the main station S. I have not regarded it as necessary here to show the clock,

since the drum will operate in the same manner already described. The mechanism of the switch-boxes differs from those shown in Fig. 1 only in one or two particulars. The line ground-wires fare dispensed with, to avoidcomplication, and an alarm device is combined with each box, whereby any person attempting to remove the cover of the box sends an alarm to an appointed place. To achieve this result, I provide an amount of battery, half of which is sufficient to operate the recordingmagneuand by splitting this and running a ground or return wire from the center of the battery, and introducing mechanism, as hereinafter deseribed, I am enabled to send currents of either direction to line to effect definite and differing results. The ordinary watch-signals are sent, as in Fig. 1, the line-wire L being connected by branch wires 3 withthe armature-springs O of the several boxes, while the transmitting-arms d of w contact-spring, I, which, by means of the wire 11,1's permanently united with the line L. By the pressure thus n'iaintained the said spring tis kept away from the block a of conducting material, this block a being by wire 12 connccted with the reverse side of the battery. A press-button circuit-closer, .r, also is connected between the branch line-wire 11 and the battery-wire 12. If the watchman attempts to tamper with the box and turns the screw p,the spring i, no longer withheld from the block a, is brought in contact therewith, and closes the circuit from the battery to line, and sends currents of reverse direction to those sent by the .regular signal. All of the screws holding the box in place may be so connected, and, if preferred, the cover maybe constructed of two metallic linings insulated from one another-one connected with line and the other with battery so that an attempt to evade the screws by a violent entrance may also be dctected. The pressbutton m is for giving an alarm manually in case an emergency arises for which help is required. The recordingnnag not adapted to operate in combination with the clock-rotated disk, instead of being in the main circuit, is included in the circuit of alecal battery, F, which circuit is controlled by means of a polarized relay, T. One pole of the local battery I is united with the pivoted armature of the polarized relay,and the other pole, by wire 1, with one side of the electromagnet J. The other side of the electro-magnet is connected with the contact-point in of the polarized relay by wire 2. The same pole of the local battery F also connects by wire 4t with the eleetro-magnetj of an electro-magnetic alarm-bell, R, the leading-out wire of the said bell-magnet being connected by wire 3 to the remaining contact-pointw of the polarized relay. Thus "when the regular watch-signals are sent the armature of the relay is at tracted to the left, and closes the local circuit through the recording-magnet; butif the box is tampered with or the press-button operated, reverse currents are sent to line, the relay-armature is oppositely attracted, and closes the circuit through the alarm-bell magnet, energizing the same and actuating the alarm.

Instead of a polarized relay, it may be convenient in some cases to providctwo separate electro-magnets, and a double line-wire be tween the watclrboxes and the recording-station, and in that-case a smaller battery may be employed, and the local battery and circuit dispensed with altogether. I may also place the alarmbellat any distance from the recording-clock, since it is not essential to the spirit of my invention that these instrtunentalities should be near together.

Inasmuch as I have, to avoid complication, omitted the terminal grounds f, I show also in Fig. 4 a non-interlering device, which may be substituted for the ground attachment, and which shows one form of an alarmcircuit closer, by which the watchman attempting to send the regular signal from the same box twice is prevented from doing so, and in place thereof transmits an alarm. This instrument is provided with a loclcingbar, pivoted to a lever, 9 which in turn is pivoted to an arbor, y. The lockingbar is operated by a link, .2 from the end of the armature, and when the station is not the proper one from which the record must be sent, the armature remains up and brings theJOcking-bar in the path of the stud .2, so that it cannot be turned. The arm (1 is not in the same vertical plane, and hence is permitted to pass round as far as its normal position. If the attempt is made to turn the key, the spring '6 is brought against the screw a, closing the alarm-circui t through the wires 11 and 12.

Although I have referred to the recorder as embossing a record by means of a point or stylus, it is evident that I may, without dc parting from the spirit of my invention, use an ink-writer, or a record produced by the decomposition of a chemical compound on the passage of an electrical current.

I claim.-

1. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore described, in an electric signaling system for watchmen, of a main-line circuit extending outward to a reeording-instrument, and inwardly terl'ninating in a series of branch circuits, one of which is normally grounded, a ground-wire for each branch circuit, a battery and normally-open battery-wire, means, as indicated, for sending the signal by conne'cting the battery to the mainline circuit, and simultaneously severing the line from the normal ground, and other means,whereby the act of sending the signal grounds the line through another of the said branch circuits, for the purposes described.

2. An electric signaling system for watchmen, consisting of a recording-station and a recording-instrument located thcrcat, two or more signaling-stations, a signaling-instrrr ment at each signalingstation, provided with devices for setting the succeeding instrultnent, a connectingdine circuit extending between the said recording and signaling stations, and having a separate branch to each signalinginstrument, a normally-open battery-circuit branching to each signaling instrument, and a normally-open controlling-circuit extending from each signaling-instrunlent to the electro magnet of the next in order, and adapted to be closed by the act of sending the signal, whereby the next instrument to be operated may be automatically set in operative post tion, substantially as hereinbefore described.

3. In a system of electric signaling for watch men, the method of preventing false signals from being sent to line, which consists in causing the act ofsending the legitimate signal from any given signaling-instrument to ground or short-circuit the mainline at the next station, substantially as described.

at. A signalinginstrument adapted to form one of a series in an electric system for record ing the movements of watchmen, consisting of 1 semen the following instrumentalities: an arbor carrying a revolving arm, and adapted to be man ually rotated in sending a signal, the said arbor being connected with a battery, a ratchet-wheel fixed-upon and adapted to be rotated with the arbor, and a pawl engaging therewith to prevent retrograde movement; a ground-terminal; an electro-magnet in a local circuit normally open at a point external to the instrument, an armature and detent therefor, and a contact-spring in electric connection with a mainline circuit, supported by but insulated from the said armature, and adapted, when the armature is in its forward position, to rest 011 the said ground-terminal in the path of the revolving arm, and a normally-open circuit-wire connected with the armature-detent and leading to the electro-magnet of the succeeding instrument, all in combination and for the purposes specified.

5. The combination, ina signaling-instrument for an electric watch-box system, of a main line, a battery-line, a ground-wire, a normallyopen local circuit leading to another instrument, and means, as indicated, for disconnecting the line from its ground-wire and connecting it momentarily with the batterywire, and for connecting the said battery-wire immediately thereafter to the normally-open branch circuit, whereby the signal is sent and the succeeding instrument set, for the purposes specified.

6. A series of watchmens signaling-instruments, adapted, when manipulated, to send electric signals to arecording-instrument, each of the series being connected with a line branch, a ground-wire, a battery branch, and a normally-open circuit leading to the next instrument, and provided with an electro-magnet,

adapted, when energized, to ground the main line, and each provided with devices for manual operation, so arranged that the act of sending the signal successively breaks the mainline ground from its own instrument, sends the signal to line, and closes the circuit of the succeeding electro-magnet, whereby the next instrument is put into operative position.

7. The combination, in an instrument for use in a system of electric signaling for watchmen, of a signaling instrument, an inclosingcase therefor, and circuit-closers attached thereto, and amain battery having its ground or'return wire connected as hereinbefore described, whereby the proper manipulation of the signal-instruments causes currents of definite direction to flow to line and work the recorder, and whereby an attempted removal of.

the case causes reversed currents to flow to line for the purpose of sounding an alarm, substantially as specified.

S. The combination, in a system of electric signaling apparatus for watchmen, of a recording system consisting of a polarized relay and a local recorder and alarm-bell adapted to be actuated thereby, a series of signaling-stations to be visited in turn by the watchman, a main battery, a signaling-instrument of the character described at each station, and connections whereby when the regular signal is transmitted currents of definite direction aresent to line, operating the recorder, and if the signalbox is tampered with currents of opposite direction are sent, operating the alarm, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 14th day of December, A. D. 1883.

GEORGE XV. DAVIS.

Witnesses:

ARDON "W. OooMns, I. H. FARNHAM,

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