Improvements in Electric Clocks.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 15th July, 1898
Improvements in Electric Clocks.
We, HARRY WHIDBOURNE, of 30, Greenbank Avenue, Plymouth, in the County
of Devon, Watch and Clock Maker, and ALFRED ERNEST JOSEPH BALL, of West
Hooe, near Plymouth, aforesaid, Watch and Clock Maker, do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object the construction of mechanism for the purpose
of making reliable periodical contacts, for operating electric dials, releasing time
balls, or completing the circuit of similar apparatus of precision.
In obtaining a periodical electric contact from a controlling or master clock, we
consider it desirable to effect it in such a manner, that power is not taken from the
train and that the timekeeping properties of the clock are not interfered with.
In order to obtain these desirable results, we construct a regulator clock with
say a seconds pendulum, and a dead beat escapement and we mount on the 'scape
arbor a disc, into which we fix at equal distances from the centre, one or more
studs according to the number of contacts we desire to make during each revolu-
tion of the 'scape wheel. When one or two contacts only are required for each
revolution, the disc may be replaced with a poised cross-bar. We fix rigidly to
the upper part of the pendulum-or by preference on to the pallet arbor-a lever,
at an angle to the perpendicular, so that its lower end stands either to the right or
left hand side of the 'scape arbor, its end extending somewhat below it. To the end
of this lever we pivot at about its centre, a short lever free to move in the same
plane and having its ends both bent or turned towards the 'scape arbor. It will be
seen that by this arrangement, the long lever on oscillating with the pendulum,
carries the short lever (which is connected pivotally to it) with it. The upper
bend or turn in the short lever, is made at a suitable height, so that when oscil-
lating with the pendulum, it describes a segment of a circle which bisects the
'scape arbor. The long lever is fixed at such an angle from the perpendicular that
during its normal oscillation, the upper bent end of the short lever just enters
the circle described by the studs in the disc. On to the plate, but insulated from
it and each other, we fix two platinum tipped contact springs approximately
parallel to each other and to the lever, so fixed that they are close to, but not
touching the lower bent end of the short lever, when the pendulum swings to its
normal extent. The spring next the lever we usually construct very thin while we
make the other spring strong enough to offer sufficient resistance to make a firm
electric contact.
The action of the mechanism is as follows:-
During the time the clock is not making contact, the long lever, together with
the short lever connected pivotally to it, oscillates idly with the pendulum, but on
the 'scape arbor bringing a stud of the disc or cross-bar within the
arc of the upper bent or turned end of the pivoted lever, its forward
motion is arrested, causing it to turn on its pivot, thereby causing
the lower bent end to advance and press one of the platinum tipped

page_text: contact springs against the other, & so make the desired firm contact of short
duration, for on the next oscillation of the pendulum, the contact is broken and on
the next advance of the lever, the stud on the disc or cross-bar, has passed out
of position.
It will be readily seen that with this mechanism, the work of making contact
is not imposed on the train, the contact being made chiefly or wholly while the
'scape wheel is still and the slight resistance offered to the pendulum being at
regular intervals, it is not found in practice to affect its rate when a pendulum
ball of moderate weight is employed. The regulator movement may be of the
ordinary weight-driven type or may be electrically wound each half minute or
minute as the case may be, the electric winding magent being energized each time
contact is made by the pendulum.
It will be obvious that the arrangement & position of the differed parts, may be
varied to better suit different requirements or for other reasons without departing
from the nature of this our invention.
י
T
3000
HARRY WHIDBOURNE,
ALFRED E. J. BALL.
We, HARRY WHIDBOURNE, of 30, Greenbank Avenue, Plymouth, in the County
of Devon, Watch and Clock Maker, and ALFRED ERNEST JOSEPH BALL, of West
Hooe, near Plymouth, aforesaid, Watch and Clock Maker, 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 has for object, the construction of mechanism for the purpose of
making reliable periodical contacts for operating electric dials, releasing time balls,
or completing the circuit of similar apparatus of precision.
In obtaining a periodical electric contact from a controlling or master clock we
consider it desirable to effect this function in such a manner as to ensure that
power is not taken from the "train," and that the timekeeping properties of the
clock are not interfered with.
In order to obtain these results, we construct a regulator clock with say a
seconds pendulum and a dead beat escapement, and, we mount on the 'scape
arbor, a disc, into which we fix at equal distances from the centre, one or more
studs according to the number of contacts we desire to make during each revolu-
tion of the 'scape wheel. When one or two contacts only are required for each
revolution, the disc aforesaid may be replaced with a poised cross-bar.
We fix rigidly and by preference on to the pallet arbor or otherwise, to the
upper part of the pendulum,-a lever disposed angularly, and so that its lower end
is located either to the right or left hand side of the 'scape arbor and extends
somewhat below it. To the end of this lever we adapt at about its centre an
articulated member hereinafter termed "the pivoted bracket"-free to move in
the same plane as the lever and having both its ends bent or deflected towards the
scape arbor. It will be seen that by this arrangement, the lever on oscillating with
the pendulum, carries the pivoted bracket (which is connected pivotally to the lever)
with it. The upper bend or deflection of the pivoted bracket is made at a suitable
height so that when oscillating with the pendulum, it describes a segment of a
circle which bisects the 'scape arbor. The rigidly fixed lever aforesaid is inclined
at such an angle from the perpendicular that, during its normal oscillation, the
upper bent or deflected end of the pivoted bracket just enters the circle described

page_text: by the studs in the disc. On to the front plate of the clock but insulated from it
and each other, we fix two platinum tipped contact springs approximately
parallel to each other and to the lever. They are fixed so as to be close to, but not
touching, the lower bent end of the pivoted bracket when the pendulum swings
to its normal extent. The spring next the lever, we usually construct very thin;
while, we make the other spring, strong enough to offer sufficient resistance to
make a firm electric contact.
Referring to the annexed drawings (Fig. 1) A shews the cross-bar into which is
fixed the studs or pins B & B, C the lever above referred to and which is here
shewn fixed to the pallet arbor. D) is the pivoted bracket fulcrumed at E. F & F',
shew the platinum tipped contact springs. The action of this mechanism is as
follows:-
During the time the clock is not making contact, the lever C, together with the
pivoted bracket D being fixed to the pallet arbor oscillates idly with the pendulum
(not shewn) but on the 'scape arbor bringing one of the studs 13 & 13 of the
cross bar A within the arc of the upper end of the pivoted bracket D its forward
motion is arrested, which causes it to turn on its pivot E, thereby, as result,
causeing its lower end D2 to advance & press the contact spring F against the
contact spring F¹, and so make the desired firm contact of short duration; for,
on the return oscillation of the pendulum, the contact is broken, and, on the next
advance of the lever C with the pendulum the studs B & B have passed out of
position.
Fig. 2 shews another arrangement of the parts constituting the contact making
device according to our invention. Under this modification we invert the pivoted
bracket & make its upper end of such a length that it terminates at or near the
pallet arbor by this disposition of the pivoted bracket, its upper end does not
vibrate with the pendulum, and in consequence it advances only when its lower
end D is arrested by one of the pins in the cross bar or equivalent; thus permitting
the contact springs to be placed very close to the upper end of the pivoted bracket
without risk of touching should the vibration of the pendulum be increased by
handling or other cause. Said advantage makes this form of contact useful for
clocks in which it is preferred that the pendulum should swing in a short arc. In
this figure, A shews the cross bar or equivalent carrying the pins B and B, C the
main lever rigidly fixed to the pallet arbor; D the pivoted bracket fulcrumed
at E. F shews a pivoted arm which with its hooked end H constitutes a connection
between the pins B or B in the cross bar or equivalent and the lower end D³ of
the pivoted bracket D. G and G¹ shew the platinum tipped springs hereinbefore
referred to, which are brought in contact by the upper end of the lever D pressing
one in contact with the other by the motion given it by the pendulum on the
hooked end H of the pivoted arm F engaging with one of the pins B or B in the
cross bar or equivalent. It will be readily seen that with the mechanism herein-
before described the work of making contact is not imposed on the "brain," the
contact being made chiefly or wholly while the 'scape wheel is still and the slight
resistance offered to the pendulum being at regular intervals, it is not found
in practice to affect its rate when a pendulum ball of moderate weight is employed.
The regulator movement may be of the ordinary weight-driven type, or, may be
electrically wound each half minute or minute as the case may be, the electric
winding magnet being energized each time contact is made by the pendulum. It
will be obvious that the arrangement & position of the different parts may be
varied to better suit different requirements or for other reasons without departing
from the nature of this our said invention.
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 electric master or controlling clocks the obtainment of a reliable electric
contact by the action of a pendulum or a part in motion with a pendulum pressing

page_text: against a pin or pins or equivalents therefore, fixed to and carried by the 'scape
arbor or other moving part of the "train," in such a manner that the inertia of
the pendulum is used to supply the power necessary to make the said contact
reliable.
2. In electric master or controlling clocks the obtainment of an electric
contact by the action of mechanism impelled by a pendulum pressing against a
projection or against projections carried by, or fixed to the 'scape arbor or other
moving part of the "rain" as herein described and illustrated in Fig. 1 of the
accompanying sheet of drawings.
3. In electric master or controlling clocks the obtainment of an electric contact
by the action of mechanism impelled by a pendulum pressing against pins or pro-
jections fixed to and carried by the 'scape arbor or other moving part of the
thrain as described herein and illustrated in Fig. 2.
4. The improvements in electric clocks substantially as described herein and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 14th day of April 1899.
HARRY WHIDBOURNE,
ALF. E. J. BALL.