US2087576A - Annunciator construction - Google Patents

Description

July 20, 1937. Q MILLER 2,087,576

ANNUNCIATOR CONSTRUCTION July 20, 1937. C, M|| ER 2,087,576

ANNUNG IATOR CONSTRUCTION Cfzrisian Miller INVENTOR ATTORNEYS patented July 20, `1937 UNITED STATES ANNUNCIATOR CONSTRUCTION Christian Miller, New York, N. Y., assignor to Edwards and Company, Inc., a corporation of New York Application March 7, 1932, Serial No. 597,133A

10 Claims.

This invention relates to signaling apparatus and more particularly to visual and audible signaling devices such as are more commonly called "annunciatcrs".

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character that will be simple, inexpensive, compact, and of dependable and reliable action in practical use. Another object is to provide an apparatus' of the above-mentioned character which is capable of rapid assembly, easily and quickly installed and the parts of which are quickly and readily accessible for replacement or repair.

Another object of this invention is to provide an annunciator construction which may be dependably and inexpensively installed in a suitable recess in a wall and more particularly to provide such a construction which will leave the wall and hence the room devoid of ugly or unsightly projecting parts. Another object is to provide an annunciator construction which can be progressively installed as the building construction itself proceeds and approaches completion. Another object is to provide a construction of the above-mentioned character in which precision of installation and variations in the building or wall construction itself need not be coped with while at the same time achieving low cost and. emciency of installation and compactness of construction and neatness of appearance. Other objects will be in part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts as will be exemplified in the structure to be hereinafter described and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

ln the accompanying drawings in which is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus as installed in the wall of a room;

Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional View on an enlarged scale, as seen along the line 2-2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a horizontal sectional view, as seen along the line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is an exploded perspective View of a single-signaling unit;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of a portion of the back wall of the supporting frame shown in Figures 2 and 3, showing one o the guides or supports for a restoring device;

Figure 6 is a perspective View of part oi the signal-restoring mechanism, where the signal (Cl. f77- 326) units are arranged in two gangs or two vertically displaced rows;

Figure '7 is a fragmentary front elevation of the lower left-hand corner portion of the frame, more particularly as seen along the line 'l-l of Figure 3, and

Figure 8 is a fragmentary end elevation, more particularly as vseen along the line 8-8 of Figure 3.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring again to the drawings and more particularly to Figures l, 2 and 3, I have generally indicated at l@ a wall of any suitable or usual construction employed in building interiors and in this wall I form, in any suitable way, a suitable recess generally rectangular in shape and of suitable depth; this recess is generally indicated at ll (Figures 2 and 3) and is preferably formed in the wall before the plastering has been completed. In the bottom of this recess I secure, in any suitable manner, a strut l2 preferably of wood or, the part l2 may be considered to represent part of the woodwork embodied in the wall in case a wall embodying wooden members is em.- ployed.

The recess ll is substantially rectangular and its length and breadth as well as depth are so proportioned that a sheet metal outlet box generally indicated at i3 may be received therein; the box t3 has its bottom wall l5a (Figures 2 and 3) provided with suitable openings to re ceive screws lll which are threaded into the strut l2, thus to securely hold the box i3 in place.

The box i3 is provided with suitably positioned knock-outs l5, one of which is shown in Figure 2 as having been removed so as to permit the cable that is strung through the conduit buried or concealed in the wall to be passed into the box i3 and the conductors thereof connected, in a manner described hereinafter, to the signaling apparatus housed within the box it.

vrThe box J3 is made of a suitably heavy sheet metal and its side walls lh and its (Figure 3) are bent over and inwardly to form vertically extending flanges lSk and i3d, respectively. Its upper and lower walls E36 and |13 (Figure 2) terminate preferably in the plane of the anges itk and i3d and they may, if desired, be flanged or they may be left plain.

then provide a frame or main support generally indicated at lil (Figures 2 and 3) and preferably made of a suitably heavy sheet metal; it is bent or stamped into an inverted U-shaped form, as viewed in Figure 3, to provide a main back wall IGa, side walls I6b and IBC, and flanges IISd and |68. The horizontal length of the side walls I6b and ISC, as viewed in Figure 3, is somewhat less than the depth of the outlet box I3 so as to provide adequate space between the walls I6a and I3a (Figure 3) for leading in the conduit and conductors should it be necessary to use a knock-out in the back wall I3a of the box I3. Similarly, the horizontal spacing between the side walls I6b and IIic of the main frame I6 is such that there is provided adequate space between the side wall member I3b (of the box I3) and I6b (of the frame I6) and between the side wall members I6c and I3c for the entry of conduit and cable should circumstances dictate the use of a knock-out in either or both of the side walls I3b and I3c of the box I3.

As is better shown in Figure 2, the vertical dimension of the sheet metal frame I6 is also preferably less than the vertical dimension of the box I3, thus to provide also adequate space above and below the frame I6 and the parts carried by it for the accommodation of the conduit ends and conductors should it be necessary to use one or more knock-outs in the upper or lower walls I3e and I3f of the box I3.

The flanges I6d and IISe of the main frame I6 (Figure 3) will be seen to extend laterally somewhat considerably beyond the side walls I3b and I3c of the box I3. This is an important feature, as will be more clearly pointed out hereinafter; sufilce it at this point to point out, however, that, after the box I3 has been installed in the recess II as above noted, the plaster or like nish of the wall may be applied, as is indicated at II in Figures 2 and 3. Thereafter the frame I6, with the parts, all as described hereinafter, is inserted into the box I3 whence the flanges IId and I6e (Figure 3) overlap and rest against the finished wall, more particularly against the plaster II if plaster is used for the finish, all as is clearly shown in Figure 3.

The frame I6 is then secured in place by a suitable number of screws, preferably four in number but only two of which are shown at I8 and I9 in Figure 3; the screws I8, I9, etc. pass through inclined or arcuate slots 20 (see Figure 7) provided in the flanges I6d and I'Iie and are threaded into suitable threaded openings provided in the box flanges I3c and I3d (Figure 3).

The arcuate or inclined slots 2|) (Figure 7) permit the frame I6 to be tilted or swung about a horizontal axis and thus adjusted into a truly horizontal position, the flanges IISd and I6e, projecting beyond the finished wall surface II, permit the application of a spirit level or the like to assure accuracy of horizontal position of the frame I6; the screws I8, I9, etc. may then be driven home or tightened up, the flanges I6d and |68, furthermore, being virtually held in the plane of the nished wall surface II against which they abut, thus bringing the back wall I6 of the frame I6 and related parts carried by the frame, into zontal rows of signaling units and in F1guie z will be seen a signaling unit 2| of the upper row and a signaling unit 22 of the lower row. These signaling units are of identical construction and hence it will suice to describe in detail only one of them.

Accordingly, turning now to Figure 4, I rst provide a sheet metal frame generally indicated at 23 and preferably made of magnetic material such as sheet steel or sheet iron and bend it so as to provide a vertically extending plate 23a and a horizontally extending plate 23h, the latter being provided with horizontally spaced upstanding arms 23c and 23d punched or stamped out to provide upper apertures or bearings 23e and lower apertures or bearings 23k (only one of the latter being visible in Figure 4).

Extending above and parallel to the horizontal portion 23b of the frame 23 is an electromagnet generally indicated at 24; the latter comprises a winding 25 about a core 26 of magnetic material and extending between end insulating members 21 and 28, the latter being preferably substantially square in shape. Core 26 extends through a suitable opening in the plate portion 23 where it is riveted over or otherwise secured in place, thus holding the electromagnet 24 in position.

Still referring to Figure 4, it will be seen that I provide an armature generally indicated at 29 adapted to be actuated by the electromagnet 24 and to form part of the magnetic circuit of which the core 26 and the frame 23 form parts. Armature 29 is made of sheet metal of suitable magnetic characteristics and is provided at its upper end with two ears 29 and 2!)b through which extends a pin 30 held against displacement or dislodgrnent therefrom by any suitable means such as by flattening out the pin 30 as at 30 and 30h, within and adjacent to the ears 29a and 29h. Thus, there are provided two projecting portions or trunnions 30 and 30d adapted to be received in the bearings 23e of the upstanding arms 23c and 23d, the latter being sprung or bent apart to receive the trunnions and then returned to normal position.

Armature 29 is thus pivotally mounted to swing, in depending relation, toward or away from the left-hand end of the magnet core 26; it is normally held in a position away from the armature core by a leaf spring 33 preferably of bronze or other suitable substantially non-magnetic spring material so that its lower end, which has a transversely extending opening or slot 29C, may coact with the so-called annunciator drop 3|, in a manner described in detail below.

The annunciator drop 3| is of sheet metal construction and includes a portion 3|a and a portion 3|k extending substantially at right angles to each other; portion 3|8L is provided with two upstanding ears 3|b and 3|c which are apertured as shown in Figure 4 and are adapted to be received between the lower left-hand portions of the arms 23c and 23d, the apertures being alined Y- with the bearing openings 23k to receive a pin or rivet 32 (Figure 2); thus the drop 3| is pivotally supported by the frame 23 to swing from the position shown in Figure 4 to a position substantially like that shown in Figure 2 with respect to the signaling unit 2|.

Intermediate of the ears 3|b and 3|c (Figure 4) the member 3| is provided with an upstanding lug 3|d which has at its upper end a tongue 3|e adapted, when the member 3| is swung in clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4, to ride down along the left-hand face of the amature 29 and to be received within the slot 23 of the latter as the armature 23 is pressed in clockwise direction by the spring 33.

When the drop 3i is thus swung into uppermost position, as Vshown in the upper part of Figure 2, it is held in that position by the' coaction of the latch member 3| and the armature 29, but as soon as the magnet 24 is energised armature 2S is swung in counter-clockwise diection, the latching tongue 3|? is disengaged from the armature 2l, and the drop 3l is free to drop or swing in counter-clockwise direction, thus to display, in a manner more clearly described hereinafter, a suitable call indicia' such as a number or designation or the like that is to indicate the origin of the closure of the circuit of the magnet. is

For this purpose, the part 3i* of the dropV l suitably flanged to receive preferably removably a suitably shaped card bearing the number, name, or other indicia. that may be employed. These flanges for holding the indicator card extend preferably at the two sides and across the bottom of the part 3|l .of the drop 3l and are indicated in Figures 4 and 2 at 3|.

y Referring now again 4to Figure 4, the back or vertical plate portion 23* in the frame 23 is provided with openings preferably two in number, as shown at 34 and 35, so that the assembled signaling unit may be secured in place to the back wall I6* or the' frame I6, as by screws I33 (Figure 2). An'y suitable number ofv signaling units may thus be secured to the back wall i3* and they are preferably arranged in suitable horizontal and vertical rows. In Figure 2 thereare shown two such units 2| and 22 each being one o f several arranged and alined horizontally. The device 2l (Figure 2) may be considered to be one of several arranged in the-upper horizontal row and the device 22 typifles one of seyeral arranged in another and lower horizontal row. Thus, the drops 3l of allof the units are; nicely alined. Normally all of the drops 3| are held in the position of the drop 3l as shownineonnection with the signaling unit 2i of Figure 2, by their respective latch and armature members .3 Id and 23 (Figure 4).

The horizontal portion 23b of the frame 23, moreover, is provided at its left-hand end with an upwardly bent tongue 23 (Figure, 2) positioned in the path of downward movement of the portion 3l* of the drop 3| as the latter swings in counter-clockwise direction about itspivoting pin a2, the parts being so proportioned that the fall of the drop 3| is halted at such a point that the indicator-card-bearing portion llbfcomes to rest in a'horizontal position, as is shown inconnection with the unit 22 of Figure 2, thu's'to display the indicator card and hold it ih* a Vertical plane so that it may be easily read or visually identified when viewed from the left in Figure 2 or in Figure 4.

Suitable means are provided for restoring the actuated drop or drops to uppermost or latching position but inasmuch as the preferred form of restoring means coacts in a unique wat' with certain other features of my invention, such other features will first be described in detail.

Accordingly, it is first tobe recalled, referring now to Figure 3, how, irrespective of any misalinement in the mounting or positioning of the wall box I3, the frame I6, when secured to the wall box I3, may be alined into true horizontal position, thus to aline all of the drops into true horizontal position, and how also the front nanges |34 and I3 of the frame I3, referring still to Figure 3, overlap the plastered or finished wall portions I1, thus in turn to bring the plane of the indicator cards on the drops, when the latter are all actuated, into exact parallelism with the plane of the finished wall. After these parts have thus been mounted, and it will be noted how speedily this alinement and accurate mounting may be achieved, a finish or cover plate 33v (Figures 1, 2 `and 3) is ready to be placed lin position.

This cover plate 36, which embodies certain other features fully described hereinafter, is preferably made of a suitable sheet metal and may be given any desired exterior finish which may or may not match the flnish of the wall or which may be of a character to give an appropriate contrast with the. finish of the wall.

The plate 33 is of sufficient vertical and horizontal dimension to extend preferably well above and below the upper and lower walls of the box I3 (see Figure 2) and is of sufcient horizontal dimension to extend beyond and overlap the flanges ltd and I6 (see now Figure 3) of the frame I3. Preferably, the cover plate 38 has a peripherally extending ange'36n (Figures 2 and 3) which is adapted to rest against the finished wall portion I'i whether the latter is plaster or of any other construction.

As appears better in Figure 1, the finishing plate 36 is provided with suitable openings preferably four in number and preferably countersunk adapted to receive screws 31 which are threaded into correspondingly spaced openings 33 (see Figure 7) in the flanges |6d and Iiie of the frame I3, thus to secure the cover plate 36 in place and to draw it and its peripheral flange 38* snugly against theiinished wall portion I1 and thus to seal the installation against access to the various apparatus of dust, dirt, and other foreign material.

The four screw holes 38 in the flanges ltd and I3 (Figure '1) are appropriately alined so that, when the frame I6 itself is leveled off, the subsequent attachment of the cover 36 insures that the latter likewise assumes a position with its horizontal and vertical edges properly alined respectively with the horizontal and vertical, a feature of importance in insuring a neat and proper appearance.

The cover plate 36 (Figures 1 and 2) is punched out to provide horizontally extending slots which in number correspond to the number of horizontal rows of signaling units carried by the frame I3. Thus, in the illustrative embodiment shown in the drawings, where I have provided two horizntal rows of signaling units, the cover plate 36 is given two horizontal slots 36b and 36 (Figures 1 and 2) one for each row of signaling units.

These slots are virtually windows and have a vertical dimension substantially equivalent to the vertical dimension of the indicator card carried by the drops. 'I'he length of the slots depends, of course, upon the number of signaling units that are arranged in the row or rows. Moreover, the windows or slots are positioned, as is better shown in Figure 2, so that when a drop is actuated and moved into the position of the drop ofthe unit 22, the indicator card carried thereby is positioned directly adjacent the slot, the card being otherwise invisible when the drop is in its upper or restored position.

Upon the interior of the cover plate 36 and extending over the slot or slots is a suitable sheet 33 of transparent material, such as glass, held in place by any suitable means, such as sheet metal end straps 40 which are preferably spot-welded to the inside face of the cover 36.

Purely by way of illustration, I might note that, by reason of certain features of my invention, I am enabled to achieve such compactness of construction that the vertical dimension of the window or slot above-mentioned can be as small as one-half inch and its horizontal dimension equivalent to about one inch or less per signaling unit. If, for example, there are three signaling units arranged in a single horizontal row, the length or horizontal dimension of the window need not be greater than three inches.

Underneath the window or windows and preferably intermediate of the vertical side edges of the cover plate 36, the latter is provided with a round opening stamped to provide a cylindrical guiding flange 36e to slidably receive a cylindrical push button 4| (Figures 1, 2 and 3). 'I'he push button 4| is mounted, as is better shown in Figure 2, upon the left-hand end of a heavy sheet metal member 42 whose right-hand end is reduced as at 42a to be slidably received in a suitably shaped opening 43 (see Figure 5) formed in the vertical portion 44 of a bracket member 44 which, as is better shown in Figure 5, is preferably formed by stamping a tongue or strip out of the back wall I6EL of the frame I6 and bending it into the shape shown in Figures 2 and 5.

'Ihe parts 4|-42 (Figure 2) are thus dependably supported and guided for movement in a horizontal direction by the front plate 36 and by the bracket 44; a cotter pin 45 or the like extends through the right-hand end of portion 42a (see Figure 2) to prevent disengagement of the member 42 from the bracket 44, the pin 45, moreover, also acting as a stop to limit the movement of the parts 4|-42 in a direction toward the left, as viewed in Figure 2, under the action of a spring 46 which extends about the portion 42 and between the bracket portion 44a and a shouldered part 42b of the member 42. The spring thus also normally holds the push button 4| in its projected position as is better shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The left-hand portion of the member 42 (Figure 2) is stamped or shaped to provide a cam portion 42c which coacts with certain other parts to cause the actuated drop or drops to be restored when the button 4| is moved to the right as viewed in Figure 2.

Considering now the parts which are actuated by the cam portion 420, I provide a restoring member for each of the vertically displaced rows of signaling units; thus where I employ two such rows of units, I provide two restoring members which are better shown, in detached perspective, in Figure 6, wherein the member 46 is adapted to restore the drops of the signaling units 22 in the lower row and the member 41 is adapted to function similarly with respect to the drops of the upper row of signaling units 2|.

These members are made of a suitably heavy strap metal and are substantially U-shaped, having therefore side arm portions 46 and 46b for the member 46 and side arm portions 41a and 41b for the member 41. These side arm portions are bent at their ends substantially as is shown in Figure 6 and are preferably cut down to form trunnions or pivots 48 which are loosely received in openings 49 suitably positioned and formed in the side portions I6b and I6c (Figures 3 and 2) of the frame I6, these openings being so positioned with respect to the rows of signaling units that, when the restoring members 46, 41, etc. assume and retain their normal horizontal positions, las is better shown in Figure 2, the main portions thereof extend virtually in the path oi' downward swinging movement oi any of the drops of the signaling units. Note, i'or example, in Figure 2, how the member 43 extends underneath and crosswise o! the actuated drop Il of the signaling unit 22.

II the pivotaliy mounted restoring members 46, 41, etc. are swung in clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 6, they carry and swing upwardly with them such oi the drops 2| of the signaling units in the several rows as have been actuated into signal-displaying position, swinging them upwardly suillciently to cause the latching tongue 3| (see Figure 4) to become engaged and latched by the armature 29, the latter acting under the action of spring 33. The pivotal mounting of the restoring members is preferably relatively loose so that the members are restored to their normal horizontal position (as shown in Figure 2) by their own weight and hence by gravity.

'I'he several vertically displaced restoring bars or members 46, 41, etc. are connected as by links 50 (Figures 6 and 2) so as to be swung in unison. One of the restoring members, preferably the lowermost and hence member 46 (Figures 6 and 2) is provided with a depending plate 6| which acts as a cam follower with respect to the cam portion 42c of the push button member 42 (Figure 2). With the push button 4| held in its outermost position by spring 46 -cam follower 5| and hence the restoring member or members are permitted to assume their normal or lowermost position as shown in Figure 2. However, when the push button 4| is pressed inwardly (to the right, as in Figure 2) member 42, which is prevented from rotating by the coaction of the portion 42" with the rectangular guiding hole 43 in the supporting bracket 44 (see Figure 5), likewise is moved to the right and cam follower 6| and hence the restoring member are raised and swung upwardly due to the action oi the cam portion 42c of member 42, thus restoring any actuated drop or drops to normal non-indicating position.

Release of the button 4| permits the spring 46 to return the member 42 and hence the button 4| to their normal left-hand position (see Figure 2) the cam 42c permitting the restoring members to reassume their normal horizontal positions as shown in Figure 2.

The coaction of the spring 46 with the bracket portion 44l and the coaction of the cotter pin 45 with the bracket portion tend normally to hold the member 42 and the button 4| in substantially the position shown in Figure 2 so that the cover plate 36 may be easily attached or removed even though the push button 4| is coactingly related to the cover 36 itself.

Referring to Figure 4, it will be noted that the insulating member 28 associated as part of the electromagnet 24 has projecting therethrough two connecting studs 52-53 which conveniently can take the form of headed brads force-tted into suitable openings in the insulating plate 23; to the headed ends thereof the two terminals of the winding 25 of the magnet 24 are connected as by solder.

In assembling the unit or units to the back wall i6u of the frame I6, these connectors 52-53 of each of the units are passed through suitably positioned relatively large openings 54 (Figure 2) in the back wall |63 and thence force-fitted through suitable openings in a sheet 55 (Fig- -ures 2 and 3) of insulating material such as ber, pressboard, or the like, whereupon the conductors, generally indicated in Figure 2 at 56 and preferably insulated, are soldered to the connectors 52-53 and the superfluous lengths of the connectors cut off. The signaling units being securely fastened to the back wall IIa of the frame I6, the sheet 55 of insulating material becomes held in place by the coaction of the connectors 52--53 with the soldered connections thereto of the wires of the insulated conductors 56. Moreover, the bared ends or connecting portions of the insulated conductors 56 are held out of contact with the frame I6 as are also the connectors 52-53 of the signaling units.

The conductors 56, depending in number upon the number of signaling units employed and in the manner of connection thereof, are led downwardly along the insulating member 55 (see Figure 2) whence they are carried toward the front of the frame (to the left as viewed in Figure 2) where they are secured to binding posts or connecting devices mounted and arranged so as to be accessible from the front of the frame I6 or box I3 when the cover 36 is removed.

More specically, I provide a relatively heavy and rigid sheet or plate 51 (Figures Zand '1) of insulating material, such as ber, pressboard, hard rubber, or the like, carrying a suitable number of connecting devices 58 which may be of any suitable construction and which in number correspond to the number of electrical connections which the number of signaling units employed require. An illustrative construction for the devices 58 is shown in Figures 2 and 7; they may, for example, comprise a sheet metal U-shaped member 58a having ears 58b and 58C that pass through suitable openings in the insulating plate 51 whence they are bent over (see Figure 2) to hold the member 58a in place; the latter is threaded to receive a binding screw 58d, the latter extending into a suitable opening in the insulating plate 51.

The conductors 56 that lead from the connecting members of the signaling units are brought down to the right-hand or rear face oi the panel or insulating plate 51 (see Figure` 2) where they vare soldered to a rearwardly exposed portion,

such as one of the ears 58b or 58C, of the connecting device 58. These connections are made at the factory prior to the installation of the apparatus in the wall and thus the conductors 5E, only two of which are Shown in Figure 2, from the cable or from the conduit that is brought into the box I3 through a knock-out i5, may be brought to the lower front part of the assembled apparatus (lower left-hand part as seen in Figure 2) where the individual conductors or the conductors of the cable, if a cable is used, may be fanned out if desired and in any event readily, quickly, and easily connected electrically by the connectors 58 to the respective signaling units.

The connector-carrying insulating plate 51 extends crosswise of the lower portion of the frame i6; its left-hand end is supported in place by a sheet metal yoke 60 (see Figure 3) which has two horizontally spaced flanges lilla and llb, the former of which is secured to the back wall ita of the frame I6 as by the screws 6l and the latter of which has secured thereto as by they screws G52 (Figures 3 and 7) the left-hand end of the insulating plate 51. The screws 6i incidentally (see Figure 3) also hold the insulating sheet 55 in place against the back of the back wall iSa.

The yoke 60 thus holds the left-hand end of the insulating member 51 spaced forwardly away from the rear wall I6a and is, moreover, so constructed as above described and as shown in the drawings, to resist any tendency for the part 51 to swing in its own plane.

The member 51 lies in a plane that is spaced rearwardly of the plane of the flanges I6d and I6e of the frame I6 and hence also rearwardly of the plane of the cover 36 (see Figures 2 and 3), thus to provide adequate. space between the cover 36 (see Figure 2) and the insulating support 51 for bringing the numerous conductors 59 around in front and to make the connections thereof to the binding posts 58.

The right-hand end of the insulating plate 51 is received in a vertically extending slot I6k (see Figures 8 and 3) provided in the lower forward portion of the side wall H5c of the frarne I6 and spaced rearwardly of the flange I6e (see Figure 8). Thus, the right-hand end of the connector plate or panel 51 is held against movement in al direction transversely of its plane.

Where the apparatus is to be operated from a source of low voltage alternating current such as commercial GO-cycle alternating current, the energization of any one signal unit, as by closing the circuit between its electromagnet and the source by means of a push button positioned at any remote point, achieves not only the release of the signal-carrying drop 3| into the signaldisplaying position above described, but also an audible signal or buzzing sound which thus audibly signals the fact `that a drop on the annunciator has just been actuated.

This audible signal is achieved by the coaction of the electromagnet 24 with the spring-opposed armature 2Q (Figure ci) which vibrates synchronously with the frequency of the alternating current employed, its vibrating contact with its coacting parts achieving an appropriate audible signal.

However, in case the source of energy from which the signaling devices are actuated is a direct current source or a source otherwise not adapted to cause the pivoted armatures to vibrate audibly, l'. prefer to provide a separate audible signaling device which is common to all of the signaling units and which is connected in any suitable way (not shown) so that the actuation of any one signaling unit 2l, 22, etc. at the same time also actuates the audible signaling device; the latter preferably takes the form of a buzzer generally indicated in Figure '7 at 63.

The buzzer 63 includes a magnetic core 56 about which is wound the energizing winding G5 and coacting with the core 64 is a Vibratable. armature 66 with which coacts any suitable circuit-interrupting arrangement whereby the attraction of the armature t6 and its movement in a downward direction as viewed in Figure '7 interrupts the circuit of the winding 65 to cause a spring 61 to move the armature 66 upwardly and thus complete the circuit again, thus achieving a vibrating of the armature 66 at an audio frequency rate.

The buzzer or equivalent audible signaling device is carried by the sheet metal yoke 60 (Figure 3), the yoke El) having a horizontally extending arm @de (Figure '1) that extends virtually across the botto-in of the space between the left-hand wall ith or" the frame i@ and the yoke 6B.

The buzzer is secured to the arm 6l]c (Figure '1) by a screw lit which passes through a suitable opening in the arm @llc and is threaded into the lower end of the core Git.

The conductors (not shown) that lead from the buzzer 63 may be brought in back of the connecting panel 51 to be connected to connecting devices 58 as by soldering to the ears thereof exposed to the rear of the insulating plate 51.

Thus, all of the internal connections of the apparatus may be made in the factory and the 4conductors brought to connecting terminals or binding posts 58 on the connecting panel 51 `and the latter may bear suitable identifying indicia for the numerous connecting devices 58 that it carries, identifying the connectors 58 with their respective signaling units.

The box I3 (Figures 2 and 3) may be installed in the course of construction of the wall or building and the conduit led thereto through any desired knock-out I5. 'I'he cable or individual conductors that lead from the source of current or from the various push buttons or circuit-controlling device from which a signal is to be initiated may be strung through the conduit and into the box I3 at any suitable or appropriate stage of the building construction work. The frame I6 with the signaling units and restoring mechanism, forming a unit' by themselves all wired up internally as above described, may then be installed and this is preferably done after the wall has been plastered or otherwise finished, and the connections of the conductors 59 (Figure 2) made to the binding posts 58 on the front of the connecting panel 51, and the entire electrical installation tested and completed. The making of the electrical connections and the testing will be seen to be easily and quickly carried on, particularly'since the connecting terminals 58 are not only faced toward the open end of the box I3, but are also positioned toward the front thereof where they are readily accessible.

The cover plate 36 may then be mounted in place, all as above described, it being recalled how conveniently and easily the frame I6 and hence the annunciator drops, likewise also the cover plate 36, are alined to the horizontal and the vertical.

In case of need for replacement or repair of any of the parts, or in case of a need for changing the connections, the mere removal of the cover plate 36 makes such parts readily accessible, it being in this connection particularly noted that the restoring mechanism is virtually undisturbed by the removal of the cover plate 36 and that in any event no troublesome alinement of restoring devices with the annunciator drops need be resorted to.

If, for example, a new armature 29 (see Figure 4) has to be substituted for an old one, the upstanding arms 23c and 23d are simply sprung apart, the old armature taken out and a new one substituted.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided in this invention an apparatus in which the various objects above noted, together with many thoroughly practical advantages, are successfully achieved. It Will be seen that the apparatus is compact and is efficient and reliable inaction, is neat in appearance and is readily and quickly installed, and that it, moreover, may be installed with a. minimum of skill or labor.

As many possible embodiments may be made in the above invention and as many changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a sheet metal frame having an aperture therein, an electromagnetic signaling device having a terminal and having projecting therefrom a stud-like conductive member in electrical connection with said terminal of said device, said stud being of smaller cross-section than the aperture in said frame, a sheet of insulating material secured to saidframe and extending over the aperture therein, said stud passing through said insulating material and said device resting against said frame, an extraneous conductor, and means securing said conductor to said stud and acting to prevent retrograde movement of said stud, whereby said device is secured in position.

2. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support including a sheet of insulating material, a signaling device having projecting therefrom a metallic stud-like member in electrical connection with a terminal of said device, said stud-like member passing through said sheet of insulating material, and means in mechanical connection with said stud-like member for connecting thereto an extraneous electrical conductor, said means engaging said sheet and preventing retrograde movement of said member through said sheet and thereby holding said device to said sheet support.

3. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a support including a sheet of insulating material having a plurality of apertures therein, a plurality of signaling devices, each having a terminal and having projecting therefrom a metallic stud-like member in electrical connection with said terminal of said device, said studlike members passing respectively through said apertures of said sheet of insulating material, means carried by said support and forming a panel having a plurality of binding posts, a plurality of extraneous conductors respectively connected to said plurality of binding posts, and means securing each conductor to a projecting stud-like member, said means engaging a face of said sheet support and being larger than the apertures through which said stud-like member passes, thereby acting to prevent retrograde movement of the member.

4. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a box dimensioned to be seated in a recess in a wall, a frame removably received within said box, a plurality of signaling units carried by said frame, said units having terminal connectors exposed rearwardly of said frame, a

Panel 0f insulating material exposed forwardly i of said frame and having a plurality of binding posts on the front face thereof, a plurality of conductors permanently interconnecting said binding posts and said terminal connectors, said box having a knock-out through which conductors may be introduced into the box and connected to said binding posts.

5. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a box dimensioned to be set into a recess in a wall and having means for securing it in position and means for leading a conductor through a wall thereof, a frame having plane end portions dimensioned to extend beyond opposed sides of said box and to rest against the face of said wall, thereby to aline said frame with respect to said wall face, said frame supporting interiorly of said box a plurality of electroresponsive visual signaling devices with means for actuating them into signal-displaying position and means for restoring to non-displaying position, means for securing said frame to said box, said securing means being operative throughout a plurality of positions of said frame relative to said box whereby said frame with its Visual signaling devices may be alined to a true horizontal position irrespective of misalinement of said box in said recess, and said securing means holding said plane end portions against said wall face, a cover plate peripherally iianged to engage said wall face and dimensioned to encompass within its flange the area of said recess in the wall and also said opposed frame end portions, said cover plate having window means through which said signaling devices, when in signal-displaying positions, are visible, and means securing said cover plate to said frame and op-erative always to aline said window means with said signaling devices.

6. In apparatus of the character described, in combination, a box dimensioned to be set into a recess in a wall and having means for securing it in position and means for leading a conductor through a wall thereof, a frame having plane end portions dimensioned to extend beyond opposed sides of said box and to rest against the face of said w'all, thereby to aline said frame with respect to said wall face, said frame supporting interiorly of said box a plurality of electro-responsive visual signaling devices each capable of assuming either a signal-displaying condition or a non-displaying condition, said frame carrying means for activating said signaling devices into signal-displaying condition and carrying also means including a forwardly projecting reciprocable member, said frame having bearing means for slidably supporti-ng the rear end of said member, means adjustably securing said frame to said box and capable of giving the former any one of a plurality of positions relative to the latter whereby said signaling devices may be alined with respect to the horizontal independently of said box, a cover plate of an area sufficient to close over said recess and said frame end portign'swand having aperture means through which said signaling devices are visible when activated into signal-displaying conditions, said cover plate having bearing means for slidably supporting the forward end of said reciprocable member, the latter projecting through said cover plate, and means securing said cover plate to said frame in such relationship that said aperture means is alined with said signaling devices and said bearing means in the cover plate is alined with respect to the bearing means in said'frame.

'7. A construction as claimed in claim 6 in which said frame bearing means comprises a lug with an aperture therein in which the rear end .portion of said reciprocable member is slidably received, said end portion having thereabout a spring abutting against said lug for biasing said reciprocable member forwardly of said frame and hence for normally causing said forward portion to project forwardly through said cover plate for manual actuation.

8. A sub-assembly for. an annunciator construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a sheet metal frame substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross-section and hence having a rear wall portion and Jtwo side wall portions, a p-lurality of signaling units each comprising a movable signal member with means for holding it in non-signal-displaying position and electromagnetic means for eiecting release thereolf by said holding means, means supporting said signaling units from said frame, and means for restoring said signal members to non-signal-displaying position comprising a U-shaped member, means pivotally connecting the arms of said U-shaped member to the respective side wall portions oi said frame whereby the cross-bar portion of said U-shaped member is given a path of movement about the axis of said pivotal connection to restore said signal members from displaying position to non-displaying position, and means for actuating said U-shaped member about said axis.

9. A sub-assembly for an annunciator construction of the character described, comprising, in combination, a substantially U-shaped sheet metal frame hence having a rear wall portion and two arm-like portions, the latter having means for mounting the frame to a suitable support, a plurality of electro-responsive signaling devices carried by said frame in the space between said two arm-like portions and said rear wall portion, the latter having a plurality oi apertures therein, said signaling devices having electrical terminals extending through said apertures and henge exposed to the rear of said rear wall portion, a connecting panel having connecting terminals, means securing said panel to said frame and positioning it so that the connecting terminals thereof are accessible from a side of said frame otherAthan the rear of said frame, and electrical conductors permanently connecting said rearwardly exposed terminals torespective terminals oi said connecting panel.

10. In annunciator construction, in combination, a U-shaped sheet metal i'rarne whose rear wall portion and two arm-like portions extend into a box, a plate extending parallel to said rear wall portion to close over said box, means securing said plate to said two arm portions, said plate having a window and an aperture in an area juxtaposed to said rear wall portion, a movable signal member having means for holding it away from said window and electromagnetic means for releasing said holding means, all carried by said frame and to the rear of Said window, a springopposed reciprocable member projecting through said aperture in said plate and slidably guided thereby, movable means mounted in the space between said plate and said rear wall portion for restoring said signal member to a position to be again held by said holding means, and means whereby movement of said reciprocable member actuates said movable means.

CHRISTIAN MILLER.

Images