IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOCK SYNCHRONIZING APPARATUS
Year: 1886

page_text: We, ALFRED RAMEL and WILLIAM W. DEAN, both of Washington University,
in the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri, United States of America, Electrical
Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CLOCK SYNCHRONIZING APPARATUS" and in what manner the same is to be
performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
:
Our invention relates to improvements in the construction and arrangements of
clock synchronizing apparatus whereby a current of electricity transmitted once
every hour from any central clock, which is presumably on correct time, is caused
to synchronize or regulate a clock (or clocks) with which the apparatus is directly
combined, by drawing its ininute hand at such times exactly to the point of twelve
on the dial
And in order that our invention may be well understood we shall now proceed to
describe the same, reference being made to the accompanying sheet of drawings, on
which Figure 1 is a front elevation partly broken away, representing a clock fitted
with our invention; Figure 2 a side elevation thereof; Figure 3 a detached front
view of the principal parts of the same, and Figure 4 a plan of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a front elevation representing a modification of our invention;
Figure 6 an end view and Figure 7 a plan thereof. Figures 8 and 9 detached
views of parts of figures 5, 6 and 7, like letters of reference denoting like parts in
the respective figures.
According to one arrangement of our invention as shown by figures 1 to 4 we
mount within the framework A of a clock two cog wheels B B₁ of equal diameter
gearing into each other and fixed respectively on axles CC. The cog wheels B B¹
are rotated in opposite directions when required by the spur wheel D which is
fixed on shaft E, whereon is pinion F geared into by spur wheel G, which is fixed
on shaft H driven by coiled spring L The cog wheels B B' and their axles C C¹
with the various wheels and shafts throughout the described system of gearing are
respectively rotated in the directions indicated by the arrowe
On the ends of the axles C C³, of the cog wheels B B¹ are fixed respectively two
regulating arms K K which are of equal length radially with the axles C C' and
are projected forwards or cranked at their ends as shown. These regulating
arms K K rotate as do the cog wheels B B' in opposite directions that is to say,
from each other in an upward, then downward direction, and in planes parallel
with that of minute hand L of the clock, Projecting radially from the hub M (or

page_text: -
other convenient part) of the shaft or spindle N of the minute hand L is an arm o
the direction of which when the minute hand L is at the point of twelve on the
dial will be exactly midway between the centres of the cog wheels B B' and will
be between, and in contact with, the cranked portions of the regulating arins K K
when these are nearest to and in horizontal line with each other.
On the axle C of the cog wheel B is an arm P from one side of which at its
outer end projects a bolt or stud Q which when the apparatus is not in action
normally bears against the rebated hooked or broadened portion R of one end of a
lever S which is pivoted at T within the framework A of the clock and terminates
at its other end in the armature U which,, with the lever S, is normally retained
against the upper end of the fixed upright bar or equivalent stop V, at a suitable
distance from the electro magnets W, by a light spring (or weight) ✗. Above its
rebated hooked or broadened portion R the lever S extends over, and terminates
beyond the bolt or stud Q (when the latter is in its normal position as shown) in a
hooked or broadened end Y.
The operation of the above described apparatus is as follows:-The spring I
being wound up and lever S in its normal position as shown the cog wheels B B¹
will be prevented from rotating by the bolt or stud Q of the arm P bearing against
the rebated hooked or broadened portion R of the lever S, but directly a current of
electricity is transmitted from the central clock (at every hour) through the electro
magnets W the armature U is attracted to the magnets W and overcoming the
tension of the spring (or inertia of the weights as the case may be) X the lever S
moves over on its pivot T so as to lower the rebated hooked or broadened portion R
of its end out of contact with, and clear of, the bolt or stud Q, which, with the
arm P, being then free, the cog wheels B B¹ are rotated by the force of the spring I
but are prevented from performing more than one revolution by the bolt or stud Q,
which, in returning to its normal position, if the armature U is still in contact with
the magnets W, comes in contact with, and bears against, the outer hooked or
broadened end Y of the lever S, or if the armature U and lever S have been
released from the magnets W and returned by the spring (or weight) ✗ to their
normal position as shown, the bolt or stud Q is stopped by the rebated hooked or
broadened portion R of the end of lever S as before.
As the cog wheels B B¹ revolve the regulating arms K K also rotate and
approaching each other in opposite directions catch the radial arm O (if this is
within their circuits) and constraining it to a central position between the meeting
ends thereby draw the minute hand L to the point of twelve on the clock dial.
In the modification of our invention as illustrated by figures 5 to 9 on the
drawing a a¹ are the cog wheels and 6 6¹ the regulating arms which correspond in
every respect with the like parts in figures 1 to 4 and are rotated in opposite
directions by a suitable train of spur wheels, pinions and shafts arranged as shown
or in any other convenient manner and driven by the coiled spring o the whole
being mounted within a frame-work d which is separate from, but combined with,
the clock e, the regulating arms 6 61 projecting through the clock dial and arranged
to perform their respective circuits on each side of the point of twelve so that
when they have approached nearest to and in horizontal line with each other the
space between their cranked portions will be equal to and occupied by the width of
the index end of the minute hand f when exactly on the point of twelve.
The upper part of the framework d is pivoted transversely thereto a lever g
which is pivoted at one end furthest from the clock e with an armature h placed
over the electro magnets i its outer end being connected with a pawl; the plane of
which is at right angles with that of lever g. The end of the pawlj on one side
of the lever g. is hinged to the framework d whilst its other or pawl end / on the
other side of lever g is provided with a projection or shoulder m having a lug n.
The play of pawlj in its upward and downward movement is limited preferably
by a slot o cut into it and working over a lug p, which is fastened to the frame-
work d. On the face of the cog wheel a near its periphery are studs or stops q q¹
which are arranged relatively to each other so that one stop q is above and slightly

page_text: to one side of the other stop q¹ thereby leaving a space between them as shown in
figures 8 and 9.
On the face of the cog wheel a near its periphery is attached a
segmental spring ŕ which terminates at one end within a short distance of stop q
and is for the purpose of checking the velocity of cog wheel a as it completes
one revolution by bearing up against lug n on the shoulder m of pawl j.
When the apparatus is at rest and the pawl ; down or in its normal position
(Figure 8) the lug n on shoulder m bears against the stop q¹ and will be between
the latter and stop a thereby preventing the cog wheels a a¹ from rotating. The
regulating arms b b at the same time will be out of reach of the minute hand ƒ in
describing its circle.
On a current of electricity being sent every hour as before described through
the electro magnets i the armature of lever g is attracted to the magnets ¿ thus
overcoming the resistance of pawlj (normally held down by spring 8) and lifting
it as far as the slot o and lug p will permit; and as pawlj is lifted its lug n on
shoulder m is lifted out of the way of stop q¹ on cog wheel a and the cog
wheels a a¹ are thereby free and are rotated in opposite directions as indicated by
the arrows by the force of spring c; but they are prevented from performing more
than one revolution by the stops q q¹ that is to say-Owing to slot o working over
lug p the lug n of pawlj can only be lifted sufficiently to allow of the escape of
stop q¹. Should the armature h still be down upon the magnets i after one
revolution of cog wheel a the latter is stopped by stop q coming in contact with
lug n so that after cog wheel a has been allowed to make one revolution by reason
of the armature h being attracted to the electro magnets i and lug n lifted away
from the stop q' the cog wheel a will be stopped either by the stop q or q¹ coming
in contact with pawl j.
1 1
As the cog wheels a a' revolve the regulating arms 661 also rotate and approaching
each other catch and draw the minute hand f (if within their circuits) of the
clock e exactly to the point of twelve on the dial.
According to another arrangement of our invention as illustrated by figure 10 on
the drawing, we dispense with spring mechanism for rotating the cog wheels and
regulating arms as before described and effect the necessary movement of the
grared cog wheels A³ A³ with the regulating arms B2 B3 in the following manner:--
On the spindle C² of one of the cog wheels A' is a spur pinion D₁ which is geared
into by the toothed radial end of an arm or lever E¹ pivoted at its other end to
framework F¹. On the upper edge of the arm or lever E¹ at a short distance from
its hinge or pivot is fixed the armature G₁ above which are arranged the
magnets H¹.
Directly a current of electricity is sent through the magnets H¹ (once every
hour) the armature G¹ is attracted thereby and raises the arm or lever E¹ the
toothed end of which partially rotates the pinion D¹, and with it the cog
wheels A' A³ and regulating arms B2 B3 in the direction indicated by the arrows
so as to draw the minute hand I to the point of twelve on the clock, as in the
foregoing cases.
On the current of electricity ceasing, the arm or lever E¹ (with armature G¹),
falls by its own weight radially on its hinge and in so doing, its toothed end
returns the pinion D¹, cog wheels A2 A3 and regulating arms B2 B³ to their original
position as shewn.
The arm or lever E¹ is prevented from falling too far by a pin or stud J1
projecting from the side of one of the cog wheels A³ and which, when the cog
wheels A A³ and regulating arms B2 B³ have returned to their normal position
comes against a stop K¹ at the side of the framework F¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1. In a clock synchronizing apparatus, the cog wheels B B₁ mounted on
axles CC regulating arms K. K, arm P on axle C, and projecting bolt or stud Q

page_text: all rotated substantially as described in combination with the double hooked
end R. Y of lever S having armature U and with electro magnets W spring X and
upright bar or equivalent stop V substantially as hereinbefore described and
illustrated by Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 on the accompanying drawings.
2. In a clock synchronizing apparatus the cog wheels B B¹ mounted on
axles CC, regulating arms K K, arm P on axle C, and projecting bolt or stud Q,
all rotated substantially, as described in combination with arm O of minute
hand L, and with the double hooked end R Y of lever S having armature U
electro magnets W, spring X, and upright bar or equivalent stop V substantially
as and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by figures 1, 2, 3,
and 4 on the accompanying drawings.
3. In a clock synchronizing apparatus, cog wheels a a¹ rotated substantially as
set forth, one of said cog wheels having stops q q¹, rotary regulating arms 6 b¹
mounted on suitable shafts and controlled in their rotation by the cog wheels a a¹;
pivoted leverg having pawl; said pawl; having lug n to engage with stops q q¹
of cog wheel a and an armature h, and electro magnets i all combined and operating
substantially as and for the purposes herein before described and illustrated by.
figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings.
4. In a clock synchronizing apparatus, the combination of cog wheels a a¹
rotated substantially as set forth, one of said cog wheels having stops q q¹; rotary
regulating arms b b₁ mounted on suitable shafts and controlled in their line of
rotation by the cog wheels a a¹; pivoted lever g having pawl j, said pawl j having
lug n and slot o and an armature h, electro magnets i and .lug p substantially as
hereinbefore described and illustrated by figures 5, 67, 8 and 9 of the drawings.
5. In a clock synchronizing apparatus, the combination, of cog wheels a a
rotated substantially as set forth, one of said cog wheels having stops q q', rotary
regulating arms 6 61 mounted on suitable shafts and controlled in their line of
rotation by the cog wheels a a', pivoted lever g having pawl j, said pawl; having
lug n and slot o working on lug p and an armature h and electro magnets i the
whole operating in connection with a clock dial and minute hand, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated by figures 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9
of the drawings.
6. In a clock synchronizing apparatus the cog wheels A* A³ and regulating
arms B B³ mounted respectively on spindles C2 C3, said spindle C³ having pinion D¹
geared into by toothed pivoted arm or lever E¹, provided with armature G¹ in
combination with magnets H¹ for regulating minute hand I¹ of clock substantially
as herein before described and illustrated by figure 10 on the accompanying
drawings.
7. In a clock synchronizing apparatus the cog wheels A* A³ and regulating
arms B³ B³ mounted respectively on spindles C² C³ one of said cog wheels having
projecting stud J¹ and spindle C2 having pinion D³ geared into by toothed pivoted
arm or lever E¹ provided with armature G₁ in combination with stop K¹ and
magnets H for regulating minute hand 1¹ of clock substantially as hereinbefore
described and illustrated by figure 10 on the accompanying drawings.
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