An Improved Electric Tell-tale Apparatus.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1889-Accepted, 16th Nov., 1889
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric Tell-tale Apparatus.
I, HENRY HAYMAN, of No. 3 Coleman Street, London S.E. Middlesex, Export
Merchant, (a communication to me from abroad by Albert Gundersen, of the City
of Christchurch in the Provincial District of Canterbury New Zealand, 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 my invention relates to a new and improved tell-tale clock more especially
applicable for use on board ship, but which is also applicable for use in ware-
houses and other buildings wherein watchmen are employed.
The said invention has for its object to indicate and register at any given time
the presence of watchmen or look-out men at their posts.
I now proceed to describe my said invention, reference being had to the accom-
panying drawings and to the Figures and letters of reference marked thereon; like
letters referring to like parts throughout.
Fig. 1. is a perspective elevation of my invention complete. Fig. 2. is a plan
view thereof with the lid removed. Fig. 3. is an elevation of the electro magnets.
Fig. 4 is a detail view in part section of the plungers or indicators; and Fig. 5
is a detail end view in part section thereof.
In this my invention I employ an ordinary lever movement clock A. Upon the
arbor of the hour wheel is secured in any suitable way a disc of metal B. A dial
of paper C is placed upon the disc B and extends over the edges thereof about
14 inches, leaving a free edge of paper beyond the periphery of the metal disc.
The circumference of the paper disc is divided and graduated into five minutes
divisions in circles, D. D₁ corresponding in number (in the present instance two)
to the required number of stations. The paper dial is held in position upon the
metal disc, by a similar disc of card board (not shown) which is placed over it and
secured by a thumb and finger nut E. The paper dial is removable as often as
required by unscrewing the binding nut, lifting the card disc and then placing a new
dial paper upon the supporting metal disc.
Two pairs of electro magnets F, F¹, are placed within the case G in such a position
that the extremities of the armatures H which are suitably elongated for the
purpose, are brought beneath the circumference of the time disc C. On the passage
of an electric current through the coils shown in detail in Fig. 3. the armatures H
are depressed and the extremities thereof are correspondingly elevated; the arma-
tures being pivoted at I. When the extremities of the armatures are elevated they
are brought into contact with and operate upon the indicators J. The return of
each armature to its normal position is ensured by the action of a spring H', when
the current ceases.
The purpose of the indicators J is to perforate the time disc at each passage of the
electric current, thereby leaving a permanent record of the presence of look-out men,
or watch-men at their stations. The indicators are shown in detail in Figs. 4 and 5.
They are supported upon a brass pillar J³ and consist of two or more steel points or
plungers J, J. These are elevated by the armatures previously described and in their
ascent perforate the paper disc, which passes between the piece of metal J³ and the
plate J secured to the piece of metal Ja by screws. The return of each plunger is
ensured by spiral springs J¹ which surround them as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The
pillar J2 is supported upon a slide K, which is pulled back out of position when the
paper time disc is being removed. The pillar returns automatically to its normal
position by reason of the springs K¹.

page_text: The electric circuits are produced preferably by two Leclanché dry cells joined for
intensity. A press button is secured in the circuit at each station for look out man
or watch-man. Upon one of the buttons being pressed the current passes along the
corresponding loop line and through the coil of that line, thus causing the armature
to operate the indicators and perforate the time disc within the circle corresponding
to that particular station.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1) In an electric tell-tale clock, hereinbefore described, an ordinary lever movement
clock A, a metal disc B, a paper dial Ca cardboard disc, and a binding screw E, all
arranged in combination, substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
2) In an electric tell-tale clock herein before described, two or more pairs of
electro magnets F F¹, arranged within a case G, armatures H pivoted upon pillars
at I, and the spring H', all arranged in combination, substantially as and for the
purposes herein before set forth.
3) In an electric tell-tale clock hereinbefore described, two or more indicators or
plungers J, springs J', piece of metal J³, plate J4, pillar J³, slide K and spring K¹ all
arranged in combination, substantially as and for the purposes herein before set forth
and illustrated in the drawings hereunto annexed.
Dated this 14th day of October 1889.
HORN & SON,
Agents on behalf of Applicant.