US1309413A - A corpora - Google Patents

Description

R. HOPKINS. BECORDINQ SYSTEM AND APPARATUS. APPLICATI OKHLE D DEC. 28. 19H. I 1,309,41 3. Patented July 8, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET I- IN VEN TOR.

W NESSES:

' ATTORNEY" R. M. HOPKINS. RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED DEC.28. 1917.

1,309,41 3, v Patented July 8, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

e a Q N v v l INVENTOR. g f W Qw/W M M ATTORNEY mm. HOPKlNS.

- RECORDINGSYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED DECJB. 19H.

1,309,413. I Patented July 8, 1919.

3 SHEETSSHEET 3.

1 INVENTOR.

BY ATTORNEY UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

RICHARD M. HOPKINS, OF RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN DISTRICT TELEGRAIH COMPANY, OF JERSEY CITY, NEW'JERSEY, A CORPORA- 'IION OF NEW JERSEY. 1

RECORDING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 8,1919.

Application filed December 28, 1917. Serial No. 209,258.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RICHARD M. IIOPKINS, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of Rutherford, in the county of Bergen and State of New Jersey, have invented a certain new and useful Recording System and Apparatus, of which the following in a specification.

My invention relates to systems for recording the signals of watchmens signal boxes and the like, and constitutes a modification of, and improvement on, the system for the same purpose set fonth in my application for Letters Patent, Serial No. 144,952,

filed January 27, 1917. In that application.

I have described a system and apparatus wherein a suitable record sheet or surface, mounted upon a movable carrier is arranged to have marks .or impressions formed upon it by means of so-c'alled punches. This recording sheet or surface is divided up into separate zones or areas corresponding to different groups of signal boxes or transmitters, and there is a single punch or marker for each such zone or area, together with means, under the control of the signals of the several signal boxes, for selecting a particular punch or that punch or marker to a particular position with respect to the said recording sheet or surface; theresult being that such selected punch the said recording sheet or surface, a mark distinctive, by reason of its position, of the particular signal box or transmitter which was operated.

According to my present invention, instead of employing punches or markers, one for each such zone or area of the record sheet or surface, I employ spark points together with means for making, :by an electric spark a perforation or other mark in corder, and shows in marker and for moving or marker is caused to make on or in groups of signal boxes The object of my invention is to simplify recording systems and apparatus involving the use of selecting means for determining a particular point on the record sheet or surface on which a mark is to be made.

I will now proceed to describe my invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, showing, more or less diagrammatically, apparatus in circuits constituting one embodiment of my invention, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the said drawings:

Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a signal box circuit with a plurality of groups of signal boxes therein, and also illustrating diagrammatically the several selectors, relays, and record making devices of the system.

, istic break wheel and its co-acting brush or pen, such as may be used in signal boxes, sBuch as are illustrated. diagrammatically in ig. 1. Fig. 2 shows, diagrammatically, a rotary drum or record-sheet carrier, such as may be used for carrying the record-sheet of a reconnection therewith spark points and contact wheels whereby sparks may be projected through the paper or record-sheet for the purpose of making records on such sheet.

Fig. 2" shows, more or less diagrammatically, mechanism formoving this drum or record-sheet carrier.

Fig. 3 shows a side elevation of the master selector and the primary selector, combined to form one mechanism; Fig. 4 is a central longitudinal section of the mechan-ism shown in Fig. 3 with the central portion of the mechanism broken away.

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective fragmentary elevation of the release magnet, pole piece, and armature of the primary selector; Fig. 6 is a top view of the selector mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Referring first to Fig. 1; A designates a signal box circuit comprising a plurality of B, the number of, boxes in each group being variable. Each such box may be understood to comprise a signal-transmitting mechanism of the familiar toothed wheel and pen type, as shown, for example, in Fig. 1 which mechanism, when operated, will break-and complete the subscriber, z'. e;, the initial ductor l to circuit A according to some prearranged signal, distinctive of the particular box to which the transmitting mechanism operated belongs. Such signal may be considered to be a box number, each number to consist of two digits; one digit, preferably the initial digit, of the signals of the boxes of any one digit of all of the boxes of any one group, will be the same.

In other words, the signals of all of the boxes of one group will begin with the digit 2; the signals of all of the boxes of another group will begin with the digit 3; and so on. It should be explained, further, that the term digit is employed herein in a special sense. In the ordinary sense the term digit includes any of the numerals from one to nine inclusive. The break wheels of the signal boxes comprise teeth, with intervening notches, arranged in two groups separated by spaces; and the number of teeth in any one of these groups may exceed 9; yet it is convenient to speak of the numeral represented by the teeth of any one such group as a digit, and no departure from principle is involved in so doing. a

C designates a battery or other source of current supply, in circuit A, and D designates a main line relay, in said circuit A, which repeatsthe signals of boxes B in the local or central station circuits, as hereinafter described. The elements of the digits of the box signal are repeated by said relay D into the actuating magnet a of a primary selector G as follows:

From supply conductor X through conthe ratchetmagnet a of.selector G, (hereinafter described), conductor 2, the first contact point and contact arm b of a master selector F, (hereinafter described), and conductor 3 to the armature and rear contact stop of main line relay D, and thence v through conductor 4, and common return lay, the mag c1.-

conductor 7, to the other supply conductor Y. As the armature of main line relay D falls and rises during the operation of any one of the call boxes, this circuit 12-3- r-7 will be closed and broken successively, and it will be obvious that the impulses of the first digit of such signal box so operated, as such impuises are transmitted through magnet a of selector G, will cause the contact arm 6 of that selector to travel successively over the contact points of the selector until, at the end of the first digit of the box number, that contact arm I) will have come to rest on a particular contact point of the selector G, thereby forming a circuit through one of the res 21-26 l contact poin said selector 1: teens of the selecting magnets L@ (the function of which magnets will be explained hereinafter).

' E designates slow acting governor re- L of which is connected by net of series L@ and eadin from the conductor 8 to supply conductor X and is connected by conductor 9 to the armature of line relay D. It will be obvious that each time the armature of relay D is retracted, circuit is completed through the magnet or relay E, and through conductor 7. However, this relay E is so slow in action that while its armature e is moved away from the corresponding rear contact stop during the first closure of the contact of relay D in the transmission ofa digit, it does not again contact with its rear stop during the spaces between closures by relay D during the transmission of that digit. The longer spaces, between the digits of the box signals, do, however, cause the armature of relay E to close contact with its rear contact stop, thereby closing a circuit from conductor X through conductor 10, the ratchet magnet a of master selector F and conductor 11, the rear contact stop of relay E, armature e and thence through conductor 7 to supply conductor Y. Closing this circuit l011 causes the contact arm 6 of selector F to move to the second contact point of that selector, thereby cutting out of circuit the ratchet magnet a of selector G and cutting into circuit l-l2-3+7 the ratchet magnet a of a third selector,

The armature of relay E is attracted during the transmission ofthe impulses of the second digit of the box number; but during the space following the second digit, the armature of relay E is again released, thereby operating magnet a of master selector F and moving the contact arm 72 of that selector to the third contact point of the selector. The instant master selector F has been so energized, and has moved arm 6 of master selector F into contact with the third contact point of that selector, a circuit is completed from supply conductor X through conductor 8, magnet E, conductors 9 and 3, contact arm Z) of selector F, the third contact of that selector, dividing point :r, the release magnet m, of selector H, the contact arm I) of selector G, the contact point of that selector on which such arm Z2 is then resting, the selected magthe return conductor to which those magnets are connected, to supply conductor Y. The armature e of relay E being thereby attracted, the circuit of magnet a of the master selector F is broken; and as the release magnets m of selectors F and G have been energized simultaneously by closure of a circuit from supply conductor X, conductor 8, magnet E, conductors 9 and 3, contact arm I) of selector F the third contact of that selector, point an, conductor 18, and conductor 18 to the other supply conductor Y, the arms 5 of selectors F, and H are also returned. As hereinafter described, the release of arm Z) of selector G occurs upon the breaking of the ratchet magnet a of moves such arm I) to G, and H. The arms b-of selectors F, G,

and Hwhen permitted to return, move to a point somewhat heyond or in rear of the rst contact points of those selectors. The ma 'et a of selector. F bein -in acircuit which is normally closed, an that magnet a being energized immediately upon the return of the arm I) to normal, immediately the first contact point holds it there until, the circuit of magnet a being broken and subsequently completed, the ratchet pawl, hereinafter referred to, operated by such magnet a, retreats, engages another tooth of the ratchet operating-mechanism of that arm I), and moves such arm I) to the second point of the selector.

Magnets a of selectors G and H are each in a normal open circuit, and, therefore,

of selector F and the arm b'corresponding. to each such magnet 0, when returned, remains in rear of the first of this series of contacts of the selector until, through the receipt of a corresponding digit of the signal of a box, advanced to the first of such series of contacts, and. possibly to somev other contact point of the selector.

n designates a, so-called spark relay connected in multiple with the release magnets m of selectors F, G, and H. When the magnet of this relay n is energized, it closes the primary circuit of a spark coil 0. Each of the relays 'LQ, gized, closes a circuit path from the secondary of the spark coil 0 to a contact wheel p opposite a corresponding sectional contact LQ, on the drum 51 of the recorder; such drum, as indicated in Fig. 2, being divided into sections each having a conductive surface, L or N, etc., insulated from all of theother such conductive surfaces but arranged to be connected by its wheel p and by the contacts of-its correspondin relay H to the secondary of the' spar coil 0. It will be apparentithat selector G, b its operation, selects a parof spark ticular one 0 such sectional contacts. Op-

osite each of these sectional contacts '-Q is a row of spark points L-Q,",

set is connectedto a corresponding contact of selector H. "It'will be apparent that the effect of the operation of selector H is to select a particular spark point of a set.-oppositethe particular sectional contact al- J read selected by selector G. Since the at the instant ofspar relay n is energized energization of release magnet m. of selector H, at the instant of closure of the contacts relay n a spark is pro agated across the gap between the articu ar.sec tional contact of series already 'se-' that arm I) is when its magnet is enerso permitting return movement of rate points of each such .a number of spaces correspon lected, to the particular spark point of series L -Q," already selected, and thereby a mark is. made on the paper sheet carried b the recorder drum, in accordance with signal transmitted by the particular call box operated. From the sectional contacts the spark current passes back through rollers p to return. j

' While the record sheet intervenes between the roller 17 and the conductive surfaces L'-Q, yet the current of the spark, being of high tension, will pass through the pape; from the conductive surface L.-Q to such roller p; and in practice itis found that no mark is made by the current in so passing, this being due probably to the fact that the rollers 12 are in actual contact with the- 55,,(Fig. 2) itself operated by a time movement R and relay S (Fig. 1).

Selectora-The selectors F, G, and the recorder are similar in construction; and H being identical, except as to the number of contact oints, while s ecific differences between se ector F and se H will be pointed out hereafter. I will describe only selector G, since selector H is exactly similar except in the difference in contact points. 7

Each of these selectors. comprises a row of contact oints, a contact arm 6 adapted to travel over'these points successively and to make contact therewith, a ratchet wheel 81 connected to sucharm b to move the same, a ratchet magnet a, an armature 82 therefor, a

spring-returned ratchet-pawl 83 o erated bysaid armature 82, and engaging t e teeth of ratchet wheel 81 to rotate said wheel, a holdawl 8 1, and a release magnet m which, in t e case of selector F, when energized, pulls pawl 84 clear of the ratchet wheel g1, t at et wheel and contact arm I) under the influence of a spring 85. The manner of releaseof'arm b of selector G will be explained hereinafter. When ratchet magnet a of selector G is energized, the first portion of the resulting movement of the ratchet awl -83 of that selector moves that pawl into engagement with, a tooth. of the correspondin ratchet wheel 81;.further movement 0 that pawl-advancing the ratchetwheel through-the space of one tooth, whereupon the ratchet wheel is held, temporarily,

against return, by holding pawl 84:. Successive energizations of the ratchet magnet a of either selector advance the ratchet wheel 81 dmg to the numerical value of' he digit of the box signal The p'awl 84 0f selector G (the righthand selector shown inFigs. 3 and 1) carries a ectors G and.

l-lof by which that ratchet magnet is being operated pawl 84 which, when the ratchet wheel 81 is in normal position, is held in the pos1- tion shown by a pin 81 carried by ratchet wheel 81. When wheel 81 of selector G is advanced by ratchet pawl 82, a Spring 84 forces a pawl 84- into. position for engagement with an extension of armature 84. When magnet m of selector G is energized, the armature 84 is pulled up so that the extension of said armature engages with the hook'of pawl 84. Upon den'ergization of such magnet m and consequent retraction of armature 84, the extension of such armature, being still in engagement with pawl 84, will raise that pawl, and with it, the holding pawl 84, Soermitting return of ratchet wheel 81; and at the end of such return pin 81' disengages 84 from 84.

Fire signaZa-Fire signals are usually d1stinguished from watchmens signals by a dash, or by a Morse character contalmng a dash, preceding or following the box num-' her; also, by giving the box number of signal a greater number of times than for the watchmens signal. Signal boxes which distinguish in this manner between fire signals and watchmans' signals are well known and in common use. Such boxes commonly comprise means whereby the distinguishing signal (the dash of the Morse letter containing the dash) is omitted when sending watchmens signals. The break wheel 90 shown in Fig. 1*, which wheel is characteristic of break wheels forming a part of the transmitting mechanism of com ined Watchmen and fire alarm boxes, has teeth for transmitting not only the box number (42, in the particular instance shown) but also the MOISe letter F (dot, dash, dot). It is to be understood that, for watchmens signals, the boxes B are provided with one of the Well-knOWn means for eliminatin this letter F from the watchmans signal; ut that when a fire signal is sent from any of these boxes the said Morse letter F is included as a part of the signal. This special fire signal is made evident at the central station as follows: a

U and V, Fig. 1, are slow-acting relays, preferably similar to the relay E already described. These two relays are connected in what may be termed cascade series; that is to say, the contacts of relay U control the magnet circuit of relay V. The circuit for the magnet of relay U is from supply conductor X through conductor 8 to magnet of relay U, thence through conductor 13 to the armature of relay D, thence through conductors 4 and 7 to return at Y. This circuit'isclosed each time the pen 91 (Fig. 1) of the box rides upon one of the teeth of the signal wheel 90, and when in consequence, contact is broken between 91' and 92, and thearmature of relay D drops. The circuit for relay.V is from X and 8 through the contacts of relay U and thence,

' 4 and 7 to return at .1.

drop relay W, as

when these contacts are closed, through the magnet of relay V and to the armatureof relay D and thence through the conductors The retardation obtained by employing two such relays in cascade series, and by the proper adjustment of the relays, is such that the contacts of relay V are not closed while en 91 is passin over the short teeth'of the x number of reak wheel 90, but are closed during the passage of pen 91 over the dash of the Morse letter F. The contacts of relay V, so closed, complete a circuit throu h the magnet of a Follows: from supply conductor X, conductor 14, conductor 3, conductor 15, magnet of relay W, contacts of relay V, conductor 16, magnet m of selector F, ma et m of selector G, and back to return at This relay W has a drop armature, which, when attracted toward the magnet of the relay, brings together contacts 5 and 6, and thereby places a register 17 in circuit between the armature of relay D and supply conductor X. The register will then record subsequently received box number signals.

The drop armature of relay W is restored by hand (or otherwise) to open contacts 5 and 6 and throwthe register 17 out of action. The mere denergization of the magnet of the relay W does not restore the armature.

The sending of the Morse letter F (dot, dash, dot) does not affect the selectors and H, because there being in this letter F no space equivalent to a space between digits, governor relay E is not operated. Selector G may be operated, but will be re stored automatically. The relay E is operated by the impulses of the letter F, breaking the circuit of magnet a; of selector F; and since relays U and V close the circuits 01' release magnets in of selectors F and G during the dash of the letter F, by a circuit from conductor X through conductors l4 and 13, magnet of relay W, contacts of relay V, conductor 16, magnets m of selectors F and G, and thence to drops back of the first contact point of selector F, and arm I) of selector G also drops back; but when, during the long space following the letter F, the armature of relay E drops, the circuit of magnet (11. of selector F is completed again, and arm 6 of that selector is brought :back to the first contact point of that selector.

Imperfect or clash signala-1t does not always happen that signals received are perfeet. Through various circumstances signals are sometimes incomplete or faulty, and sometimes two or more boxes are operated simultaneously (that is to one box is started before another box has finished) roducing what are known as clashes. T ese clashes, or false signals, usually occur Y, arm I) of Selector F through i so sist of a single impulse only -s1st of a plurality of impu "a regular signal, and

. cade series constitutes,

through one watchman sending in a signal out of time and while another watchman is already sending in :1 signal, or through a fire signal being sent from one of the boxes while a watchmans signal, or a fire signal, is bein sent from another of the boxes. Such c ashes or false signals maybe of various characters. A false signal may conor it may. conreater than rst digit of ses the number of impulses 1n the such as separates the digits of a regu r signal; or a false signal. may be divlded into digits, but

comprised in the first digit of a regular signal; or, the false signal, or clash signal, may contain a dash similar to that of the Morse character F, with or without a long space, such as the spaces between di its.

It is desirable, when possi 1e, to record such false signals, or clashes; and to that end upon the drum 51 of the recorder has been provided a separate section 93v for the pur-. clashes or other imperfect pose of recording signals. Referring to Fig. 1 it will be noted that there are two relays, and T, connected in cascade series in the conductor 10 on opposite sides of theresistance 94. v. By cascade series'is meant that the magnet circuit of one relay, T for exam le, passes the armature contacts 0 relay, T, so that the circuit of relay T must be closed before the circuit of relay T can be closed (a series of relays connected in casin effect, a single rela of very slpw acting character, and in the 0 lowing claims such-a series of relays connected in cascade series is to be considered as included within the, term relay") Another resistance, 94, usually a tungsten lamp of about 25 wa. ts, is alsointerposed in the circuit 10, and serves both as a resistance and as an indication of the condition of the circuit in which it is interposed. a

On the drum is provided. a conductive section, 96, corresponding to a spark point, 97,

and a roller 12, whereby a record may be made of clashes and imperfect signals, in the same manner that records are made on other portions of the record sheet, by sparks propagated I rom the vsets of spark points It is important, not only that clash signals or other imperfect signals, including false signals, shall berecor ed on theportion of the record sheet corresponding'to the portion 93 of the drum, but also it is important that such a clash signal, or imperfect s' a1, shall not be recorded in any of the co umns allotted for regular si als; likewise, it is important that no clas signal, or other false signal, shall leave the arm I) of the master selector F on the sewnd or inter- 171,940, filed May other companion applicationfof even date herewith, filed Dec. 209,257 I have illustrated and described without any long space the first. digit may comprise a greater number of impulses than can be my said application the other nal to resting,

mediatecontact oint of that selector; for, if

- this arm were le 'on this second or intermediate contact point, the selecting mechanism would be 1 locked up,

In my. companion application, Serial No.

31, 1917', and also in an- 28, 1917, Sr, 7N0.

lmeans for the recording of clash signals and other imperfect signals,

for preventing such clash, or imperfect, signals from being recorded in the columns allotted for regular signals, and for preventing the locking up ofthe selecting mechanism through the leaving of arm b second .or intermediate contact point of that selector. In the present application I illustrate, and will now describe, means for such purposes, corresponding to the means for such purposes illustrated and described in filed Dec. 28, 1917, Sr. No. 209,257, but adapted for making records ofclash signals and other imperfect signals by means of spark apparatus.-

Obviously, in the case of aclash signal, rality of dots greater than those in a regular digit signal, there will follow a space until the restoring devices, such as herein described function. The slow action rela s T and T. (together constituting, as alrea y stated, a single slow acting relay) or false contained are provided to distinguish between the long I spaces between digits of a regular si and the longer spaces ollowing a false sigthat is to say, these relays are provid permit of time intervals, in excess of the length of the spacesbetween digits of regular signals, after which the said restoring means shall come into action, together with the clash recording relay Z. The circuit connections b which the circuit of the magnet of relay is closed through the contact points of relays T and T are as follows:

from conductor X, through conductor 14,

conductor- 3, conductor 95, magnet of relay Z, conductor 98, contact points of relay T conductor 99, contacts 19 and 20 .of master selector F (contact being closed between 19 and 20 when arm 6 of master selector F is on its second contact point) point 21, release In et m of selector F, release magnet m of selector G, and through conductor 18 to return conductor Y; also from point a: through magnet mof selector H, the contact arm I) of selector G and the particular contact point of that selector, on which arm b is then and the spark relay to return conductor Y By the closing of the circuits mentioned all of the selectors ofthe recorder magnet Z, and also the return ofthe selectors consisting of a 'single'dot,'or of a pluof master selector F on the clash column, by

case the false impulses greater than the impulses in the to normal, in case the signal containing the clash is of such a nature as to leave the contact arm I) of selector F upon the second contact point of that selector.

A false signal, consisting of a single impulse only, will have the effect of mo the contact arm Z) of selector F to its second contact point; and will also have the efiect of moving the arm I) of selector G to the contact point connected to punch magnet L; but since selector H has not been operated by such a signal, no registration by spark points of series L will occur, the clash being represented only by the record made by the clash magnet. Similarly, other false signals consisting of a plurality of impulses not separated by a long space, such as a space between digits, 'will not cause the operation of the selector H, and so will be represented on the record sheet only by the mark made by the spark point of clash magnet Z. In signal contains a number of first digit of a regular signal (and with -no long space between impulses) or, in case the false signal consists of a plurality of digits, the first of which contains a number of impulses greater than the impulses in the first digit of a regular signal, then the arm 6 of selector G will come to rest on a final contact point of that selector which is connected through the circuit closed by relay T and through the contacts of magnet Z to this final contact point of the selector and thence through the arm I) of that selector to the restoring circuits; and thereby the various selectors will be restored to zero.

There are certain other kinds of clashes,"

namely, those which contain a dash similar to that of the Morse character F and which do not contain spaces, other than those between the regular. impulses of a digit, which will not be recorded in the the means just above described. Such signals, however, viz., clash signals containing a dash similar to that of the Morse character F and not containing long spaces, will operate the drop rela W through the action of the relays U and V and so Wlll cause the operation of the register 17 and the return of the recorders to normal, substantially in the same manner as described in my said prior application, Serial No. 171,940, 11. e., as follows:

Should, for any'reason, asignal containing a dash similar to that of the Morse character F and not containing spaces other than those between digits be received, then, upon the reception of the dash, U and V will be operated, relay V closing a circuit as follows: from conductor X, through conductor 14, armature of relay D conductor 3, ma et of drop relay W, contacts of relay to point 0:, and --thence through the clearing circuits containing the relays release magnets, as described heretofore. The magnet of drop relay W being energized, the register 17 is placed in circuit, and the remainder of such a clash signal will be recorded on the register.

my prior application, Serial No. 171,940, above referred to, I have disclosed recording apparatus wherein a master selector F, similar to the master selector F of the present application, is provided with contact points similar to the contact points 19 and 20 of the present invention; and have also provided a slow acting relay in series with a ratchet magnet of the master selector. But the connections of the contact points 19 and -20 and of the slow acting relays T and T of the present case are quite difl'erent from the connections of the corresponding parts in my said prior application; and attention is drawn to this fact to avoid possible confusion.

What I claim is:

1. In a recording system, the combination with signaling means adapted for producing signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, of a plurality of recording means each comprising a plurality of spark points adapted to project electric sparks and thereby to make records on a recording surface, and selecting means adapted to be actuated by the signals of said signaling means and adapted to select a particular recording means and a particular spark point of that recording means, under control of said signals.

2; In 'a recording system, the combination with a line relay and signaling means adapted for actuating said relay by signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, of a plurality of recordin means each comprising a plurality of spar points adapted .to roject electric sparks and thereby to ma e records on a recording surface, a plurality of selectors arranged to be connected successively to said line relay for actuation thereby, and a master selector arranged to switch said first mentioned selectors into connection with said line relay successively, said selectors arranged to select a particular recording means and a particular spark point of that recording means, under control of said signals.

3. In a recording system, the combination with a line relay and signaling means adapted for actuating said relay by signals comprising a plurality of groups of im pulses, of a plurality of record means each comprising a plurality of spar points adapted to project electric sparks thereby to make records on a recording surface, a plurality of selectors arranged to be connected. successively to said line relay for actuation thereby, a. master selector arranged to switch said first mentioned selectorsinto connection with said line relay and successively, and a governor relay controlling said master selector and itself controllled by spaces between digits of the sig na s.

4. In a recording system, the combination with a record-sheet carrier divided into a plurality of sections each having a sectional contact, of a plurality of recording means located opposite said sectional contacts respectively and each comprising a plurality of spark points adapted to project electric sparks to said sectional con tacts, and thereby to make records on said record sheet, signaling means adapted for producing signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, and selecting means adapted to be actuated by the signals of said signaling means and adapted to select a particular recording means and a particular spark point of that recording means, under control of said. signals.

5. In a recording system, the combination with a record-sheet carrier divided into a plurality of sections each having a sectional contact, of a plurality of recording means located opposite said sectional con-' tacts respectively and each comprising a plurality of spark points adapted to project electric sparks to, said sectional contacts, and thereby .to make records on said record sheet, signaling means adapted for producing signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, selecting means adapted to be actuated by the signals of said signaling means and adapted to select a particular recording means and a particular spark point of that recording means, under control of said signals, a spark relay arranged to be operated by the final selector upon completion of the selection operation, and a spark coil controlled by said spark relay and arranged upon actuation of that relay to project a high tension current impulse through the selected spark point to the selected sectional contac 6. In a recording system, the combination with a record-sheet carrier divided into a plurality of sections each having a sectional contact, of a means located opposite said sectional contacts respectively and each comprising a lurality of spark points adapted to proect electric sparks to said sectional conlurality of recording tacts, and thereby to make records on said record sheet, signaling means adapted for producing signals comprising a plurality of groups of impulses, selecting means adapted to be actuated by the signals of said signaling means and adapted to select a particular recording means and a particular spark point of that recording means, under control of said signals, said selectors comprising restoring means actuated upon ing a plurality of spark points adapted to project electric sparks and thereby to make records ona recording circuit carried by said carrier, and a plurality of return current devices likewise located opposite said sectional contacts and adapted to provide a return path for the current from said sectional contacts through the record-sheet to said return contact devices.

8. In a recorder, the combination with a record-sheet carrier divided into a plurality of sections, and provided with a sectional 'contact for each such section, of a plurality of recording means each comprising a plurality of spark points adapted to project electric sparks and thereby to make records on a recording circuit carried by said carrier,-and a plurality of return current rollers likewise located opposite said sectional contacts and adapted to provide a return path for the current from said sectional contacts through the record-sheet to said return contact rollers.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RICHARD M. HOPKINS.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR ECKERT STEARNS, ABIGAIL FAY MCGLEAN.

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