Page:Federal Reporter, 1st Series, Volume 1.djvu/320

 312 rZDBBAL BEFOBTEB. �and tlius we have a series of ehocks produced wîth a rapiditj dependent upon the strength of magnat e, and the adjustment of spring s by the set-acrew s'. The fine wire helix has its extremities connected with cups x, x, by wires p% p\ The shocks are obtained by immediate contact of the Angers with the cups X, X, or by other well-known modes of communicat- ing shocks. The figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6 represent different forma of compound magnets. The term, compound magnet, was originally applied to a bundle of iron plates, as in fig. 3, or a bundle of wire, as in fig. 4, but, as the scroll of thin plate iron, fig. 5, and an iron bar divided down to its center, as in fig. 6, act in a similar manner to the bundle of wires or plates, they are termed, also, compound magnats, though they are not so efficient as the two first named. The lower end or tip of the set-serew is armed with platinum, and the surface of the spring s, immediately under the set-screw, is covered with platinum in order to preserve a clean surface when the current is broken. The bundle, m, of iron or steel wires is generally inserted loosely in the helix for the purpose of graduating the shocks, the strength of the shocks depending upon the degree of insertion of the bundle of wires. Figs. 7 and 8 represent two varieties of electrotome, either of which may be substituted in place of the electrotome or interrupter shown in fig. 1. The drawings, without any special de- scription, will suffice to explain these interrupters to per- sons skilled in the subject, and full descriptions of both bave boen hitherto published by me in Silliman's Journal, vol. 35, pages 262 and 267." �The claim was in these words: "What I claim as my in- vention is, combining with a helix or helices, inclosing a compound eleotro-magnet, a self-acting interrupter or electrc tome, substantially in the manner herein set forth." �The patent office, on the fifteenth of February, 1854, ad- dressed Dr. Page as follows: "In the matter of your appli- cation for letters patent for an alleged improvement in ihagneto-electric machines, it is found you bave been antici- pated in the device of combining with a helix or helices, inclosing a compound eleetro-magnet, a self-acting inter. ��� �