An Improved Hammer-lifting Device for Time-pieces with Striking Mechanism.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 14th July, 1897
Complete Specification Left, 9th Apr., 1898-Accepted, 14th July, 1898
1
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Hammer-lifting Device for Time-pieces with Striking
Mechanism.
We, JACOB JOSEF STEINER, Merchant, and JACOB GUTEKUNST, Watchmaker, both
of E. 211, Ausseres Plaffengasschen, Augsburg, in the Empire of Germany, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to a hammer lifting device for use in time pieces provided
with mechanism for striking the quarters and repeating the hours, the said lifting
device being distinguished by its very small expenditure of energy required; whilst
noreover the striking mechanism (of this time piece) which lifts out the hammers
announcing the quarters in double strokes as well as the hammers announcing the
full hours in single strokes, according to the positions occupied by the respective
step wheel, is likewise characterized by its great simplicity and reliable action
The striking mechanism itself or its combination, respectively, with the hammer
lifting device may be arranged in various ways; two such striking mechanisms in
combination with the hammer lifting device being illustrated in the accompanying
drawing, in which
Fig. 1 represents the one striking mechanism without the parts located between
the two plates, in elevation ;
Fig. 2 shows in elevation those parts located between the two plates, the front
plate being removed.
Fig. 3 is a respective plan view of Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is a top view of the upper half.
Fig. 5 is an inverted plan showing the lower half of the portion located before
the front plate.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the left half and
Fig. 7 a side elevation of the right half of the whole work.
Figs. 8 to 19 represent detail parts of this striking mechanism, while
Fig. 20 shows in elevation the other striking mechanism without the parts lying
between the two plates.
Fig. 21 an elevation of those parts located between the plate, the forward plate
being removed;
Fig. 22 is a top view appertaining to Fig. 21;
Figs. 23 to 27 represent diagrammatically various positions occupied by the
several parts during various periods of the release or position respectively of
the hammer levers.
The checking of those hammers which are to operate at the time, is, in the
constructional device represented in Figs. 1 to 19, effected by projections which are
provided on the under side of the thrust-rods and which are lifted by suitably
shaped segments, the position of which is made dependent upon the fall of a single
rack. The method of operation of these segments and their relative position for
ensuring their purpose in view and the method in which these respective positions
are influenced by the striking mechanism will be best seen from the description of
the latter.

page_text: The striking mechanism consists of a single rack a (Figs. 1, 4 to 7 and 14 to 16)
pivotally arranged on a¹. A spiral spring a² placed around the axis of rotation, has
the tendency of always turning the rack toward the left (Fig. 1). Upon the rack
an easily rotatable axle b is suitably arranged which carries at or near its centre a
broad piece b¹, which is held in position by a spring 62. On the side of the shaft b
which lies opposite the spring, pins 63 63 are provided which serve to limit the
extent to which the rack has to turn according to the position of the step wheels or
discs. With the teeth of the rack engages a toothed wheel c (Figs. 1, 4, 6 to 9),
which is made in one piece or rigid with the ratchet wheel c' and the three guide
wheels c² 3 for throwing the hammer, striking the quarters and full hours, out of
action. With the ratchet wheel engages the pawl d, which stops the ratchet wheel
in its position and prevents the spring a² from moving the rack. At the left hand
of the rack a the step wheel e (Figs. 1, 5, 6, 10, 11) for the quarters is provided.
which is made in one piece with the spur wheel e¹, for releasing the striking
mechanism, and is actuated by the arborf of the minute-hand through the medium
of the gear wheels g g¹ e². The toothed wheel g by which the hour hand is moved
through the medium of the gear wheelsh h¹, is provided with pins g2 upon its rear
surface, by which the hour-step wheel i is actuated.
This hour step wheel i (Figs. 1, 5, 7, 12, 13) is rotatably arranged within an
arm, rotatable on its part, around 2, and is rigidly connected with the spur
wheel 23. This spur wheel serves on the one hand for actuating the step wheel,
through the medium of the pins g² of the wheel g engaging with said spur wheel,
whilst on the other hand by this latter the step wheel is stopped through the
medium of the piece k and spring k¹ and is forced to the left, so that the said step
wheel always bears or abuts against the right hand pin 63 of the rack a. When,
however, the rack is released, the spring k¹ forces the arm to the left until the
latter strikes against the stopping pin or catch it.
The method in which the striking mechanism is released is as follows:-
By the rotation of the toothed wheel e² one spur of the spur wheel e' is brought
into contact with the spring-actuated arm 1 of the releasing lever m. Thus the
arm is moved to the right, whilst the releasing lever m is lifted. (To cause a
repetition of the stroke the striking mechanism can also be released by hand through
the medium of the arm m¹ of the releasing lever.) The releasing lever m is pro-
vided with a pin m², by which the pawl is supported and this pawl is raised. By
this latter the arm d provided on the axle d' of the pawl is simultaneously lifted
and thereby the wheel work actuating the fly is released by the arm d. Mean-
while however the arm m³ of the releasing lever m has stopped this wheel work.
The pawl d is placed out of engagement with the ratchet wheel c' and the rack can
fall, which is effected by the spring ². The falling movement of the rack is then
limited by the left hand pin 63 striking against the step wheel for the quarters. At
the same time the spring k¹ forces the piece k and step wheel for the hours toward
the left, so that the arm i bears against the pin 4. Finally the tooth or spur of the
spur wheel e² slides down the piece m² arranged on the lower end, the releasing
lever drops and thus fully releases the wheel work. As however, the arm
forced slightly to the left, the pawl d now rests thereon to such an extent that the
wheel work remains free, whilst the ratchet wheel is still just stopped by the said pawl.
The fly is actuated by the wheel n through the medium of the gear wheels n¹ to nº.
(The axles of the wheels n³ nª aud n³ nº have their front extremities located in a
bridge, which for the sake of clearness is not represented.) Upon the axle of the
wheels n³ no or cam o is fixed which serves to engage with the ratchet wheel and
which at each revolution of said axle lifts this ratchet wheel and through the
medium of the toothed wheel c likewise the rack a to the extent of one tooth.
Upon the toothed wheel n a series of pins o¹ is provided. The number of these
latter and the ratio of transmission from n¹ to n5 is so fixed that at each one
revolution of no a pin o³ actuates the hammers of the striking mechanism.
is
The axles p of the hammers p¹ have arms p² arranged on their front extremities

page_text: to which the thrust rods p³ p¹ are fixed. These thrust rods p³ p¹ are provided
with projections pa at their under side above the guide wheels c² c³.
The thrust rods rest upon a pin q. During the rotation of the wheel n*, its
pins o¹ strike against these thrust rods and thus lift the hammers. In order to
attain that only the two quarter hammers for producing the double stroke or that
only the hour hammer be actuated, as desired, the projections p³ are provided,
which according to requirement are lifted out of reach of the pins o¹ by the guide
wheels c² c³. For this purpose the guide wheel c² for disengaging the hour hammer
extends in length only as far as four teeth of the ratchet wheel c', whilst the
wheels c³ are at this place provided with an opening. The segment c² is keyed on
in such a manner as to move the thrust rod for the hour hammer out of engagement
with the pins o' during the falling of the rack a. According to the step of the
step wheel e by which the rack is stopped this disengaging operation lasts through
1, 2, 3 or 4 strokes, struck by the double hammers, the projections of which latter
are during this period located in the opening of the guide wheels c³. Subsequently
the quarter hammers are brought out of engagement with the pins o¹ by the
wheels c³, whilst the hour hammer, actuated by the pins o', repeats the full hour
strokes, until it strikes against the hour-step-wheel i. When the last hour-stroke
is being struck, the pin 63 forces the hour step wheel and thereby the arın i¹ to the
left, so that the pin 3 no longer rests upon the arm i¹ and that the pawl is enabled
to completely engage with the ratchet wheel, during which operation also the arm d²
descends on the axle d¹ and stops the fly.
As long as the wheel work is free, the cam o gradually lifts the ratchet wheel c
and the rack a, while the pawl d prevents the rack from falling back. The pins o'
actuate the hammers and their fall as well as the position of the thrust rods p³ p
are limited by pins q¹, against which the arms p² bear. The actuation of the hour
step wheel i is effected in such a manner that at one revolution of the quarter hour-
step wheel e, the toothed wheel e², firmly connected therewith, will, through the
medium of the toothed wheel g¹ and a pin g2 connected thereto move forward the
spur wheel 3 and thus the hour step wheel i to the extent of one step.
The spring is located in the spring barrels and the going train of the time piece
is worked from the cog wheel 8' made in one piece with said train, through the
medium of the cog wheels t t'.t².
Whereas in the constructional form, described, the disengagement of those
hammers, which are not to act at a given time, is effected by projections arranged
on the under side of the thrust rods, by which projections the latter are lifted out
by suitable shaped segments, the respective position of which is dependent upon
the fall of one single rack, this disengagement in the constructional form repre-
sented in Figs. 20 to 27, is effected by suitable prolongations of the haminer-
thrust-rods, by which those hammers, which are not to act, are thrown out of
engagement by a pin, the position of which is fixed by the pawl.
J.
In these figures 20 to 27 the hammers, themselves, as well as the fly actuating
mechanism and the going train of the clock are not represented. Upon the
arbors p p p, on which, behind the second plate, the (not represented :) hammers
themselves, are arranged (see Figs. 21 and 22) other vertical arms p2 are provided.
At the upper ends of these arms the rotatable thrust rods p³ + are arranged which
rest upon a seat The ends of these thrust rods are so constructed that, according
to the position occupied by a pin c, either the thrust rods p³ for the hour stroke or
those p for the quarter double-strokes are moved out of contact with that
mechanism which actuates the thrust rods. For this purpose spur wheels o² are
arranged on one of the shafts ensuring the transmission from the spring barrel to
the fly. The number of spurs is so calculated that at each one revolution of the
lifting piece, one spur actuates the respective hammer-thrust rods.
The pin c is arranged on the extremity of an arm c. This arm c is firmly
mounted upon the axle d³ of the pawl, so that accordingly the position of this pin c
and arm c, respectively, is dependent upon the position of the pawl. To ensure a
better understanding of this disengaging device, I will now proceed to describe

page_text: the constructional arrangement of the striking mechanism and its connection with
the pawl, on which latter indirectly depends the disengagement of those hammers
which are not to act at a given time.
As to be seen from Fig. 20, the hour-step wheels i and the quarter-step
wheels e are arranged in succession of one another upon the same arbor.
The two racks a³ and at are pivotally arranged on a5 and each of them
is provided with an arm and a7, respectively, which fall upon the step
wheels for the hours and quarters respectively, by which the extent of the fall of
the respective racks is limited. The pawl d is fitted with a pin by which the
same is actuated when the preliminary release takes place, further with a
bolt serving as a support for the hour rack, and finally with another pin ², the
object of which will be explained hereinafter. Upon the axle d¹ of the pawl
the arm c5 with a pin c and another arm m³ are mounted rigidly between the
plates u of the casing and serve for stopping the fly. Further a three armed lever
pivotally connected to v and actuated by a spring v³, is arranged. One arm w of
this lever is acted upon by the pins g³ of the quarter-step wheel and the
second accordingly acts by the pin upon the pawl d. The third arm w²
supports the arm x of a bell crank lever which is pivotally connected at x² and
which through the action of its excess weight has the tendency to turn the other
arm x to the right, so that the pin a³ of the latter, during the preliminary release of
the striking mechanism will stop the latter, when the arm m³ has released the
stopping piny upon the shaft or spindle y¹. The lifting piece o has two
projections 0304, arranged at right angles relatively to each other, which engage
with the two racks. One of them of further lifts an arm 2 which in co-operation with
the pin effects the completion of the last stroke in the manner hereinafter
described.
The action of the striking mechanism and the device for operating the lifting of
the hammers is as follows:-
In proportion as the going-train proceeds, the quarter step wheel e is jointly
rotated, and a pin g³ of the latter passes into reach of the arm w (Fig. 20). In the
further going process the pin g³ overcoming the power of the spring v¹ forces down
the arm w, until the arm w¹ arrives into contact with the pin r, thereby the pawl
and the arms em mounted on its shaft dare lifted. During this operation now
first the forward hour-rack a³ drops from the pin carrying the same, its fall being
limited by the arm and the hour-step wheel i. Simultaneously the arm w²,
which supports the arm x of the two-armed lever pivotally connected to x², descends,
so that also this lever, owing to its excess weight descends and that the pin a³ of the
arm x¹ passes into reach of the check pin y. When the pawl is further lifted, the
arm m³ moves out of engagement with the pin y, whilst the pin ³ then effects
the stopping of the striking mechanism. (Fig. 23). During the further action of the
going train the pawl & is further lifted, so that also the quarter rack at falls away
from the back of the pawl, its fall being limited by the quarter step wheel e and the
arm u. The parts remain in this position until the arm w slides off the pin g³
(Fig. 24). As soon as the pin 93 has left the arm w, the latter is lifted by the
spring v.
The pawl falls back but is checked in its movement by the fallen
rack, so that the arm m³ is unable to stop the fly. Simultaneously the arm w²
lifts the two-armed lever xx¹³, so that the pin 23 releases the check pin y and that
the striking mechanism is thus released. (Fig. 25).
By the striking mechanism the lifting piece o is rotated in direction of the
arrow (Fig. 20) and the spur wheels o² in direction of the arrow (Fig. 21). The
noses or projections 03 04 of the lifting piece lift the racks, but as the hour
rack is too far distant from its supporting bolt r₁, it continuously falls back
again, whilst the quarter rack a is lifted and held in position by the end of the
pawl. After the last quarter stroke the pawl falls forward to such an extent
that the bolt bears against the hour rack a³, so that during the lifting of
the same by the nose of the lifting piece o, the said rack is held in lifted out
position by said bolt. During the time that the nose o has lifted the quarter

page_text: rack, the nose o³ lifts the hour rack. When the last tooth of the hour rack
has been lifted, the pawl would continue to fall until the arm m³ has stopped
the fly and consequently the hammer would not be lifted to effect the last
stroke. To prevent this, the arm zis provided which at this moment rests upon
the shaft of the lifting piece, so that the pin 2 of the pawl can bear against
the same.
After the lifting piece has fully lifted the hour rack and after the
hammer has executed the last stroke, the nose of lifts up the arm (Fig. 20)
so that the pawl for stopping the striking mechanism is enabled to fall and
continue falling until the arm m³ abuts against m³.
During this period the spur wheels o² have once at each revolution of the
lifting piece, moved the thrust rods p³ to the left and have, through the
medium of the arms p², slightly turned the shaft p, so that the corresponding
hammers (either the two quarter hammers or the hour hammer) have thus been
lifted. Now according as the pawl was either bearing with its extremity against
the quarter rack or with its bolt r¹ against the hour rack, the arm c³ through
the medium of its pin 4, has lifted the thrust rod p³ for the hour hammer
(Figure 27) or the thrust-rod pt for the quarter hammers (Figure 26), respectively,
out of reach of the appertaining spurwheels e².
I would further observe, that the two racks cover each other, and are solely
for the sake of clearness, shown in the drawing side by side and behind one
another.
The construction of each striking mechanism may also be employed in cases
where no repetition of hours is desired, or where no double strokes to announce
the quarters are required. In each case the respective constituent parts then
become simplified.
The going-train may in each case be arranged in any suitable manner, the
same applies to the device for actuating the striking mechanism. The time
piece may further be fitted with a device for disengaging the repeating
movement, for stopping the striking mechanism and so forth.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Patent Agents for the Applicant,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 322, High Holborn, London, W.C.
An Improved Hammer-lifting Device for Time-pieces with Striking
Mechanism.
We, JACOB JOSEF STEINER, Merchant, and JACOB GUTEKUNST, Watchinaker, both
of E. 211 Ausseres Plaffengässchen, Augsburg, in the Empire of Germany, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
This invention relates to a hammer lifting device for use in time-pieces provided
with mechanism for striking the quarters and repeating the hours, the said lifting
device being distinguished by its very small expenditure of energy required; whilst
moreover the striking mechanism (of this time-piece) which lifts out the hammers
announcing the quarters in double strokes as well as the hammers announcing the
full hours in single strokes, according to the positions occupied by the respective
step wheel, is likewise characterized by its great simplicity and reliable action.

page_text: lifting device inay be arranged in various ways; two such striking mechanisms in
combination with the hammer lifting device being illustrated in the drawings
accompanying the Provisional Specification in which
Figure 1 represents the one striking mechanism without the parts located between
the two plates, in elevation;
Figure 2 shows in elevation those parts located between the two plates, the front
plate being removed.
Figure 3 is a respective plan view of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a top view of the upper half.
Figure 5 is an inverted plan showing the lower half of the portion located before
the front plate.
Figure 6 is a side elevation of the left. half and
Figure 7 a side elevation of the right half of the whole work.
Figures 8 to 19 represent detail parts of this striking mechanism, while
Figure 20 shows in elevation the other striking mechanism without the parts lying
between the two plates.
Figure 21 an elevation of those parts located between the plate, the front plate
being removed;
Figure 22 is a top view appertaining to Figure 21;
Figures 23 to 27 represent diagrammatically various positions occupied by the
several parts during various periods of the release or position respectively of the
hammer levers.
The checking of those hammers which are to operate at the time, is, in the con-
structional device represented in Figures 1 to 19, effected by projections which are
provided on the under side of the thrust-rods and which are lifted by suitably shaped
segments, the position of which is made dependent upon the fall of a single rack.
The method of operation of these segments and their relative position for ensuring their
purpose in view and the method in which these respective positions are influenced
by the striking mechanism will be best seen from the description of the latter.
The striking mechanism consists of a single rack a (Figures 1, 4 to 7 and 14 to 16)
pivotally arranged on a¹. A spiral spring a² placed around the axis of rotation, has
the tendency of always turning the rack toward the left (Figures 1, 6 and 7).
Upon the rack an easily rotatable axle 6 is suitably arranged which carries at or near
its centre a broad piece b¹, which is held in position by a spring b (Figures 14, 15
and 16). On the side of the shaft b which lies opposite the step discs e and i,
pins 63 63 are provided to come in contact with said step discs and thus limit the
extent to which the rack can turn according to the position of the step wheels or discs
whereby the number of strokes is determined as will be hereinafter seen. The
object of mounting the shaft b with a spring action is to allow it to yield with its pin b³
of the hour step disc i when the hands are turned backwards.
With the teeth of
the rack engages a toothed wheel c (Figures 1, 4, 6 to 9), which is made in one
piece or rigid with the ratchet wheel c¹ and the three guide wheels c² c³ for throwing
the hammer, striking the quarters and full hours, out of action. With the ratchet
wheel engages the pawl d, which stops the ratchet wheel in its position and prevents
the spring a from moving the rack. At the left hand of the rack a the step wheel e
(Figures 1, 5, 6, 10, 11) for the quarters is provided which is made in one piece
with the spur wheel e¹, for releasing the striking mechanisin, and is actuated by the
arbor of the minute-hand through the medium of the gear wheels g gi e².
toothed wheel g by which the hour hand is moved through the medium of the gear
wheels h h¹, is provided with pins g2 upon its rear surface, by which the hour-step
wheel is actuated.
The
This hour step wheel i (Figures 1, 5, 7, 12, 13) is rotatably arranged within an
arm ¹, rotatable on its part, around 12, and is rigidly connected with the spur wheel i³.
This spur wheel and therewith the step wheel is moved by the pins g² of the
wheel g which engage said spur wheel and move it one tooth or spur at every third of
a revolution of the wheel g, there being three pius on the wheel g. The spur wheel

page_text: and therewith the step wheel is stopped against any rotation other than that
imparted by the pin wheel g by means of the piece k and spring ¹ and the step
wheel is forced by said piece / and spring to always bear or abut against the right
hand pin 63 of the rack a and the arin to bear against the pin d³ of the pawl d.
When, however, the rack is released by the pawl d being lifted, the spring k¹ by.
means of the piece k forces the arm and therewith the step wheel i to the left until
the arm strikes against the stopping pin or catch it.
The method in which the striking mechanism is released is as follows:-
By the rotation of the toothed wheel e² one spur of the spur wheel e¹ is brought
into contact with the spring-actuated arm of the releasing lever m. Thus the
arın is moved to the right, whilst the releasing lever m is lifted. (To cause a
repetition of the stroke the striking mechanism can also be released by hand
through the medium of the arm m¹ of the releasing lever.) The releasing
lever m is provided with a pin m², by which the pawl d is supported and on
the lever m rising said pawl is raised. By this movement of the pawl d the
arın 2 (Figure 2) provided on the axle di of the pawl is simultaneously lifted
and thereby the wheel work actuating the fly is released by the arm d².
Meanwhile however the arm m³ of the releasing lever m engages the fly so that,
during the preliminary releasing, the fly is retained by the arin m³ instead of d².
The pawl d is placed out of engagement with the ratchet wheel c¹ and the rack
can fall, which is effected by the spring a². The falling movement of the rack
is then limited by the left hand pin 63 striking against the step wheel e for the
quarters. At the same time the spring forces the piece and step wheel i
for the hours toward the left, so that the arm bears against the pin it.
Finally the tooth or spur of the spur wheel e2 slides down the piece m¹ arranged
on the lower end of the arm l, the releasing lever m drops and thus fully releases
the wheel work. As however, the arm is forced. slightly to the left, the pawl d
now rests thereon to such an extent that the wheel work remains free, whilst
the ratchet wheel is still just stopped by the said pawl. The fly is actuated by the
wheel through the medium of the gear wheels n¹ to nº. (The axles of the
wheels n³, n and no no have their front extremities located in a bridge, which
for the sake of clearness is not represented.) Upon the axle of the wheels ns no
a cam o is fixed which serves to engage with the ratchet wheel and which at
each revolution of said axle moves this ratchet wheel and through the medium
of the toothed wheel c likewise the rack a to the extent of one .tooth. Upon
the toothed wheel n¹ a series of pins o¹ provided (Figure 1). The number of
teeth on the wheel n relative to those on the wheel 5 is so selected that for
each single revolution of the wheel n one pin o¹ will engage the rods p³ p4 and
actuate the hammers of the striking mechanism. For this purpose the axles p
of the hammers p¹ have arms p² arranged on their front extremities to which the
thrust rods p³ p are pivoted, so that each time a thrust rod is moved endwise by the
engagement of a pin o¹ it will turn an axle p by means of the corresponding arm p²,
and thus actuate the corresponding haminer p¹ fixed on said axle. These thrust
rods psp are provided with projections 5 at their under side above the guide
wheels c² c³ to be lifted independently at the required periods by said guide wheels
so that only certain hammers at certain times will have their thrust rods low enough
to be engaged by the pins o' as will now be explained.
The thrust rods rest upon a pin q. During the rotation of the wheel nt, its
pins o strike against these thrust rods and thus lift the hammers. Three hammers
are provided namely one for striking the hours actuated by the push rod p³ and
guide wheel c, and two for striking the quarters actuated by two push rods pt and
two guide wheels c³. In order to obtain double strokes at the quarters, the two
quarter hammers have their push rods so shaped at their ends as to slip off the
pins o successively and not together, whereby the two quarter haminers are caused
to strike in succession. In order to attain that only the two quarter hammers for
producing the double stroke, or that only the hour hammer be actuated, as desired,
the said projections 20 are provided which according to requirement are lifted by

page_text: the guide wheels c² c³ thus lifting the push rods out of reach of the pins o¹. For
this purpose the guide wheel c² for disengaging the hour hammer extends in length
only as far as four teeth of the ratchet wheel c¹, whilst the wheels are at this place
provided with an opening. The segment is keyed on in such a manner as to move
the thrust rod for the hour hammer out of engagement with the pins of during
the falling of the rack a. According to the step of the step wheel e by which the
rack is stopped this disengaging operation lasts through 1, 2, 3 or 4 strokes, struck
by the double hammers, the projections of which latter are during this period
located in the opening of the guide wheels c³. Subsequently the quarter hammers
are brought out of engagement with the pins o¹ by the wheels c³, whilst the hour
haminer, actuated by the pins o¹, repeats the full hour strokes, until it strikes
against the hour-step-wheel i. When the last hour-stroke is being struck, the
pin 63 forces the hour step wheel and thereby the arm to the right, so that the
pin d³ no longer rests upon the arm and that the pawl is enabled to completely
engage with the ratchet wheel, during which operation also the arm d² descends on
the axle d¹ and stops the fly.
As long as the wheel work is free, the cam o gradually lifts the ratchet wheel c
and the rack a, while the pawl d prevents the rack from falling back. The return
of the hammers and of the thrust rods p³ pt is limited by stop pins q', against
which the arms p² bear. The hour step wheel i is moved one step for each revolu-
tion of the quarter hour-step wheel e. For this purpose the toothed wheel e² which
is firmly connected with the step wheel e is driven by the toothed wheel g which
gears with it and which also carries three pins 92 which engage the spur wheel 2³
and thus move the hour step wheel i which is connected with the wheel ³ to the
extent of one step, the number of teeth on the wheels e² and g being proportioned to
secure that end.
The driving of the going train of the clock and also of the striking mechanism is
effected by means of a single spring which is located in a spring barrel s.
A spur wheel is mounted firmly on the arbor of the spring barrel and is pre-
vented running backwards by means of a pawl and ratchet arranged on a pinion n¹
which gears with the said wheel n. A spur wheel 81 is inade in one piece with the
spring barrel. The spring has one end attached to the spring barrel arbor and the
other end to the spring barrel. The pinion n' gears with the spur wheel n and
transmits the movement to the fly and striking mechanism by means of the train
of wheels n¹³, as before described. As the fly is usually stopped however the
wheel n is prevented rotating. If the striking mechanism be released however the
spring can then revolve the wheel n and by means of the train n¹-n³ also the fly
and thereby operate the striking mechanism. The wheel s¹ is as already mentioned
made in one piece with the spring barrel s and gears with a pinion on the arbor of
which a toothed wheel t¹ is mounted which engages with a pinion 2 on the hands
arbor and thus drives the going train (Figure 3). In order to prevent the going
train running down an escapement (anchor or other suitable escapement) is usually
employed which on the one hand renders the going of the mechanism regular, and
on the other hand checks and regulates the driving action of the main spring, and
which escapement when the clock is stationary, that is to say when the clock is
allowed to stop, arrests the action of the spring on the train. When the clock is
going and striking both the wheel s¹ and the wheel n revolve in opposite directions,
and these wheels are hindered in their constant rotation by the escapement acting on
the train and also by the arrest of the fly.
Whereas in the constructional form described, the disengagement of those hammers,
which are not to act at a given time, is effected by projections arranged on the under
side of the thrust rods, by which projections the latter are lifted out by suitable
shaped segments, the respective position of which is dependent upon the fall of one
single rack, this disengagement in the constructional form represented in Figures 20
to 27, is effected by suitable prolongations of the hammer-thrust-rods, by which
those hammers which are not to act, are thrown out of engagement by a pin, the
position of which is fixed by the pawl d (Fig. 20).

page_text: In these figures 20 to 27 the hammers, themselves, as well as the fly actuating
mechanism and the going train of the clock are not represented. Upon the
arbors p p p, on which, behind the second plate, the (not represented :) hammers them-
selves, are arranged (see Figures 21 and 22) other vertical arms p² are provided. At
the upper end of these arms the rotatable thrust rods p³ pt are arranged which rest
upon a seat q. The ends of these thrust rods are so constructed that, according to
the position occupied by a pin c*, either the thrust rod p³ for the hour stroke or
those pt for the quarter double-strokes are moved out of contact with that mechanism
which actuates the thrust rods. For this purpose spur wheels o² are arranged on the
shaft of one of the wheels of the train of wheels between the spring barrel and the fly.
The number of spurs is so calculated that at each revolution of the lifting piece o
(Fig. 20) which will be hereinafter described one spur of the wheel o² will actuate the
respective hammer thrust rods.
The pin is arranged on the extremity of an arm c5. This arm 5 is firmly
mounted upon the axle d³ of the pawl d, so that accordingly the position of this
pin and arm c³, respectively, is dependent upon the position of the pawl. To
ensure a better understanding of this disengaging device, we will now proceed to
describe the constructional arrangement of the striking mechanism and its con-
nection with the pawl d, on which latter indirectly depends the disengagement of
those hammers which are not to act at a given time.
As is to be seen from Figure 20, the hour-step wheels i and the quarter-step wheels e
are arranged in succession of one another upon the same arbor. The two racks a³
and at are pivotally arranged on a³ and each of them is provided with an arm a³ and a³,
respectively, which fall upon the step wheels for the hours and quarters respectively,
by which the extent of the fall of the respective racks is limited. The pawl d is
fitted with a pin by which the same is actuated when the preliminary release takes
place, and it is further provided with a bolt. 1 serving as a support for the hour rack,
and finally with another pin 2, the object of which will be explained hereinafter.
Upon the axle d³ of the pawl d the arm with a pin c and another arm m³ are
mounted rigidly between the plates u of the casing and serve for stopping the fly.
Further a three armed lever is pivoted at vand actuated by a spring v¹.
One arm w
of this lever is acted upon by the pins g³ of the quarter-step wheel and the second w¹
accordingly acts on the pin of the pawl d. The third arm ² supports the arm x
of a bell crank lever which is pivoted at 2 and which through the action of its excess
weight has the tendency to turn the other arın ¹ to the right, so that the pin x³ of
the latter, during the preliminary release of the striking mechanism will stop the
latter, when the arm m5 has released the stopping pin y upon the shaft or spindle y¹.
The lifting piece o has two projections o³ 04, arranged at right angles relatively to
each other, which engage with the two racks. One of them of further lifts an arm z
which in co-operation with the pin 2 on the pawl d effects the completion of the
last stroke in the manner hereinafter described.
The action of the striking mechanism and the device for operating the lifting
of the hammers is as follows:-
In proportion as the going-train proceeds, the quarter step wheel e is jointly rotated,
and a pin g³ of the latter passes into reach of the arm w (Figure 20). In the further
going process the pin g³ overcoming the power of the spring vi forces down the
arm w, until the arm w¹ arrives into contact with the pin r, thereby the pawl d and
the arms c5 m³ mounted on its shaft d³ are lifted. During this operation now first
the forward hour-rack a³ drops from the pin carrying the same, its fall being
limited by the arm a and the hour-step wheel i. Simultaneously the arin w², which
supports the arm x of the two-armed lever pivoted at 2 descends, so that also this
lever, owing to its excess weight descends and the pin of the arm a¹ passes into
reach of the check pin y. When the pawl d is further lifted, the arm m³ inoves out
of engagement with the pin y, whilst the pin then effects the stopping of the
striking mechanism. (Figure 23.) During the further action of the going train
the pawl d is further lifted, so that also the quarter rack a falls away from the back
of the pawl, its fall being limited by the quarter step wheel e and the arm a². The

page_text: parts remain in this position until the arm w slides off the pin g³ (Figure 24). As
soon as the pin g³ has left the arm w, the latter is lifted by the spring v¹. The pawl
falls back but is checked in its movement by the fallen rack, so that the arm m³ is
unable to stop the fly. Simultaneously the arm w² lifts the two-armed lever x x¹, so
that the pin x releases the check pin y and that the striking mechanism is thus
released (Figure 25).
When
By the striking mechanism the lifting piece o is rotated in direction of the arrow
(Figure 20) and the spur wheels o² in direction of the arrow (Figure 21). The noses
or projections 03 04 of the lifting piece lift the racks, but as the hour rack is too far
distant from its supporting bolt r, it continuously falls back again, whilst the
quarter rack a is lifted and held in position by the end of the pawl. After the last
quarter stroke the pawl falls forward to such an extent that the bolt bears against
the hour rack a³, so that during the lifting of the same by the nose of the lifting
piece o, the said rack is held in lifted out position by said bolt. During the time
that the nose o' has lifted the quarter rack, the nose o³ lifts the hour rack.
the last tooth of the hour rack has been lifted, the pawl would continue to fall until
the arm m³ has stopped the fly and consequently the hammer would not be lifted to
effect the last stroke. To prevent this, the arm z is provided which at this moment
rests upon the shaft of the lifting piece, so that the pin 2 of the pawl can bear
against the same. After the lifting piece has fully lifted the hour rack and after the
hammer has executed the last stroke, the nose of lifts up the arm z (Figure 20) so
that the pawl for stopping the striking mechanism is enabled to fall and continue
falling until the arm m5 abuts against m®.
During this period the spur wheels o² have once at each revolution of the lifting
piece, moved the thrust rods p p to the left and have, through the medium of the
arms, slightly turned the shaft p, so that the corresponding hammers (either the
two quarter hammers or the hour hammer) have thus been lifted. Now according as
the pawl was either bearing with its extremity against the quarter rack or with its
bolt against the hour rack, the arm c5 through the medium of its pin c, has lifted
the thrust rod på for the hour hammer (Figure 27) or the thrust-rod p4 for the
quarter hammers (Figure 26), respectively, out of reach of the appertaining
spur wheels e².
We would further observe, that the two racks cover each other, and are solely for
the sake of clearness, shown in the drawing side by side and behind one another.
The construction of each striking mechanism may also be employed in cases where
no repetition of hours is desired, or where no double strokes to announce the quarters
are required. In each case the respective constituent parts then become simplified.
The going-train may in each case be arranged in any suitable manner, the same
applies to the device for actuating the striking mechanism. The time-piece may
further be fitted with a device for disengaging the repeating movement, for stopping
the striking mechanism and so forth.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An improved hammer-lifting device for time pieces with striking mechanism,
having this characteristic feature, that for lifting the hammers p¹, thrust rods ps pí
are arranged, which are longitudinally displaced by means of pins o¹ of a wheel n¹ or
of a spur wheel o²; this longitudinal displacement of said thrust rods causing a
rotary displacement of the hammer shafts p and a consequent lifting of the hammers
by means of the arms p², substantially as described.
2. In a hammer lifting device such as described, a constructional arrangement for
disengaging those hammers which are not to act (the hour hammer or the two
quarter-haminers respectively), distinguished by guide wheels or discs c² c³, the
periphery of which is of such a shape, that, according to the respective position of
the quarter-step wheel (e), the wheel or disc c², during the quarter strokes, withdraws
the thrust rod (p³) of the hour-hammer from the action of the pins o³, for which

page_text: purpose the thrust, rods p³ pt have projections p³ provided upon their under side,
which slide upon the guide wheels or dises substantially as described.
3. In a hammer lifting device such as described, the arrangement of prolongations
on the thrust rods p³ p, which are bent in such a manner that, according to the
respective position of the pawl, either the thrust rods p for the quarter hammer or
the thrust rods 3 for the hour hammers are lifte out of reach of the spur wheels o²
actuating the thrust rods; this lifting being effected by the pin c of an arm c³
mounted on the axis d³ of the pawl, substantially as described.
4. In a hammer lifting device such as described, a striking mechanism for the
respective rotary displacement of the guide wheels or discs c² c³, characterized by a
rack a provided with pins 63 for limiting the fall, between the step wheels e and i;
this rack transmitting its movement, through a toothed wheel c, which is rigidly con-
nected with the guide wheels or dises c³ ³ for disengaging those bammers which are
not to act, and with the wheel c¹ moved by the lifting piece, to the said wheel c¹, so
that during the falling of the rack a, the guide wheel or disc c², according to the
respective position of the stop wheel e, for the quarter hours, receives a rotary
displacement to such an extent, that the hour hammer is during the striking of the
quarters placed out of engagement and is brought into action after the completion of
the quarter strokes, whilst the quarter hammers are placed out of engagement by
the wheel or disc c³, substantially as described.
5. In a hammer lifting device such as described a striking mechanism for ensuring the
respective displacement of the arin c upon the shaft d³ of the pawl, according to
the strokes to be produced, the characteristic feature being a three-arined lever w w₁ w²,
the arm w of which is actuated by pins of the quarter-step-wheel e and the arm w¹
of which consequently lifts the pawl d, so that the racks and a held in position
upon said pawl or on a bolt thereof, respectively, drop successively; whilst
the arm 2 enables the two-armed bell crank lever x x', during the period of the
preliminary release, to stop by its pin the fly when the arm m³ upon the
shaft d³ of the pawl has released the same, substantially as described.
1000
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, Agents for the Applicants.