AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF PUBLIC AND OTHER CLOCKS
Year: 1876

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John George Henry Hoch, of 283, Brixton Road, Brixton,
in the County of Surrey, Watch and Clock Manufacturer, for the Invention
of "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF PUBLIC AND OTHER CLOCKS."
ealed the 16th June 1876, and dated the 29th February 187
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John George Henry Hoch at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th February 1876.
JOHN GEORGE HENRY HOCH, of 283, Brixton Road, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Watch and Clock Manufacturer. "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF PUBLIC AND
OTHER CLOCKS."
The movements or works are enclosed in the minute and hour hands severally
outside the dial; the connection of the movements causes the hands to work
without the aid of further mechanism to protect the works from the effects of the
atmosphere or other causes, and when necessary the said movement or works are
placed within the dial and affixed thereon, working the hands by the same principle
as first mentioned above.
The figures and minutes of the dial to be illuminated from within the chamber
of the dial by any known means.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patents filed by
the said John George Henry Hoch in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 29th
August 1876.
JOHN GEORGE HENRY HOCH, of 283, Brixton Road, Brixton, in the County of
Surrey, Watch and Clock Manufacturer. "AN IMPROVED SYSTEM OF PUBLIC AND
OTHER CLOCKS."
The nature of my Invention consists,―
1st. In the novel arrangement or construction of the face or dial.
2nd. In the new calculation of the different wheels and pinions of the movement,
and in a new arrangement whereby the hour hand wheel is made independent of
the minute hand wheel, and whereby the said hour hand wheel receives direct
power from the first or barrel wheel.

page_text: 3rd. In the concentration of the works or movement on an horizontal bed or
frame into as small a compass as is compatible with the free action of the same, or
with the strength required fully to withdraw atmospheric disturbances.
4th. In the non-liability of the works having its minute performance affected by
sudden vibrations arising from outward causes.
5th. In the easy adjustment of the works or movement close to and within the
chamber of the dial, thereby avoiding a special place or room now commonly
required for public clocks.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention I next proceed to explain
the same, reference being had to the accompanying Drawings and to the letters and
figures marked thereon.
1st. The face or dial. It is made of zinc, copper, or iron, in sizes varying from two
to sixteen feet in diameter. The central part of the dial consists of a round piece
of plate or opal glass, either ground or embossed, its size in harmony with the
general outlines. The figures and minutes being pierced through the metal are
glazed from within with opal glass. The dial thus shows white figures and
minutes on an opaque surface: it is affixed to a suitable framework, and may be
illuminated by night from within its chamber by any known means.
2nd. The works or movement a represents the bed or frame on which the
different wheels and pinions revolve, and to which they, together with the several
other parts of the mechanism, are horizontally fixed. b represents the barrel; c, the
first or barrel wheel with 96 teeth, and which is fitted with maintaining power in
the usual known way; the pivots on either side revolve in brass bearings & fixed to
the bed or frame by means of screws; e represents the pinion wheel of 24 teeth,
which joining into the first or barrel wheel receives its rotary motion from it;
frepresents the second wheel containing 84 teeth, and is fixed to the pinion wheel e
by means of an arbor; g represents the third wheel containing 96 teeth fixed to a
pinion joining into the second wheel receives its rotary motion from it. The said
third wheel is fitted with maintaining power in the usual way, when the diameter of
the dial exceeds six feet, for the purpose of reducing to a minimum the action of
atmospheric pressure upon the escapement; represents the forth wheel containing
84 teeth fixed to a pinion with 12 leaves, which pinion joining into the third
wheel receives its rotary motion from it.
These four wheels and pinions now described form the train, through which in a
direct manner power is imparted to that part of the movement which regulates its
minute performance, and which is commonly called an escapement.
In connection with my works or movement I intend to use what is known by
the name of the lever escapement. It is constructed on a metal plate, which is
fixed horizontally close above the fourth or
The size of the several parts
The
of the escapement are in proportion to the other dimensions of the works.
lever escape wheel contains 15 teeth, is fixed to a pinion with 12 leaves, and
receives its rotary motion from the fourth wheel. According to this calculation
the balance will make 7776 single vibrations in the hour.
I next proceed to explain in what manner the minute and hour hand wheels
perform. represents the minute hand wheel containing 28 teeth, and which
revolves on a pivot formed out of the arbor of the barrel. To the said wheel is
affixed a tube which reaches through the dial and to which the minute hand is
joined; and m represent two adjunct wheels fixed to one arbor, each containing
48 teeth; joins into the first or barrel wheel, and m into the hour hand wheel n
containing 96 teeth; thus the hour hand wheel revolves by direct power obtained
from the barrel wheel. In like manner as with the minute wheel so also is a tube
affixed to the hour hand. wheel, which likewise reaching through the dial has the
hour hand joined to it. The weight is wound to the barrel by two conical wheels o
and p standing to each other in a right angle, the wheel o being fixed to the arbor
of the barrel outside the brass bearing d. The works may be wound up from a
distance by simply making the rod to which the conical wheel p is attached of the
length required. The works are resting on an iron bracket fixed opposite the

page_text: centre of the dial at the back of the dial chamber, into the one side of which is also
guided up the weight. The works will perform eight days without rewinding, and
the weight during that time will fall the space of 2 feet 8 inches.
Lastly. Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the manner in
which I prefer to carry the same into effect, I do hereby declare that I do not
confine myself to the precise details shown in the Drawing hereunto annexed; but
what I claim as my improvements in public and other clocks is,-
1st. The novel construction of the dial.
2nd. The concentration, arrangement, calculation, and adjustment of the works or
movement.
In witness whereof, I, the said John George Henry Hoch, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Twenty-eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
JOHN GEORGE HENRY HOCH. (L.S.)