Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Feb., 1898-Accepted, 27th Aug., 1898
A communication by THE SELF WINDING CLOCK COMPANY, a corporation organized
under the laws of the State of New York, and doing business at 163, Grand
Avenue, in the Borough of Brooklyn, in the County of Kings, and State
of New York, United States of America.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, F.C.S., M.I.M.E., of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both
in the County of Lancaster, 118, New Street, Birmingham, in the County of
Warwick, and 322, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer,
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 improvements in electric clocks and time switches and
comprises a novel system of circuits and devices whereby electric circuits of con-
siderable energy may be brought under the control of the comparatively delicate
mechanism of an electric clock, by the intervention of a secondary apparatus
which is controlled by the clock, and is of sufficient strength and power to do
the work required.
The invention is particularly intended for turning on and off the current of arc
lights on incandescent or multiple circuits, where it is desirable that such are
lights shall be turned off and on at regular intervals, without interfering with the
main line current which may be required for other lamps or translating devices.
The arc lamps being arranged in separate branches, generally a pair of lamps in
each branch, they are cut into or out of circuit by individual or separate switches,
one placed in each branch or controlling a group of branches. The invention com-
prises means whereby such switches may be controlled to open and close these
branch circuits automatically at predetermined times, on schedule, as above men-
tioned. For this purpose direct interposition of the clock mechanism or of contacts
forming a part thereof, in the arc lamp circuit is not desirable, for the reason that
the clock mechanism and contacts are necessarily delicate and comparatively slow
in motion, while the arc light current being of considerable volume and potential
requires switching devices of strong and heavy construction, and rapid movement,
especially in breaking the circuit, so as to prevent undue damage to the contacts
thereof by arcing. A secondary controlling device is therefore employed com-
prising an electro-magnetic device connected to a source of electric current through
contacts controlled by said clock, and operating a quick break electric switch
included in the circuit of the arc lamps. This secondary controlling device
comprises also other contacts and connections whereby when it has once been set
in motion through its connection with the clock, it will continue to operate inde-
pendently of such clock connection till its function has been performed, whereupon
a different connection with the clock will be established. These two different
connections with the clock are controlled respectively by two sets of contacts in
the clock, which are operated alternately, so that the operation of either will set
Di Q71

page_text: the secondary controlling device in motion, cause it to perform its function and to
connect itself to the other set of contacts, which then after a predetermined lapse
of time, are in turn operated by the clock to start a further movement of the
secondary controlling device, causing it to perform the reverse operation to its
previous one, and to then restore the clock connection to the original condition.
For rewinding the electric clock at intervals and for impelling the secondary
controlling device it is preferred to use step by step electro-magnetic mechanisms,
and a further feature of the invention relates to a special construction of the
make-and-break contacts of such mechanism.
The invention is also applicable to the control of electrical or electro-mechanical
devices of any kind which it is desired to operate at stated times according to
schedule.
Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this speci-
fication:-
:-
Figure 1 is a front elevation of an electric clock and controlling switch em-
bodying the invention.
Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof.
Figure 3 is a detail view of the clock circuit controlling device
Figure 4 is an elevation of a part of the electro-magnetic step-by-step mechanism,
showing the improved make-and-break device.
Figure 5 is a horizontal view of same, looking from below.
Figures 6, 7 and 8 show modifications.
Figures 9 and 10 are detail views of the rewinding contact devices.
A represents an electric self-winding clock and the seccudary contiulling
device, both of which may as shown, be mounted on the same supporting base C
of wood or other insulating material, to which the various terminals for the
circuits are also secured.
The mechanism of the clock A is in the main identical with that of self-winding
clocks now in common use and well known, differing only in certain details of the
step-by-step winding mechanism. This comprises a magnet D, armature E, :
special make-and-break devices hereinafter more fully described, and a pawl
mechanism which imparts a step-by-step motion to the winding arbor of the
clock when the armature E is vibrated.
On the arbor or sleeve 1 of the clock which is preferably geared to make one
revolution every 24 hours, is fastened a dial 2, marked circumferentially with
numbers indicating the hours from 1 to 12 in two series. Two disks 3, 4 are
supported on the arbor 1 in such a manner as to normally rotate therewith, but are
capable of being adjusted by hand to any angular position, the disks being held
in place by frictional devices, as by flat or spring washers 5, 6 interposed re-
spectively between disks 3 and 4 and between disk 4 and dial 2, and a screw
head H pressing disk 3 toward the dial. On loosening the screw head 6, the
washers 3 and 4 may be adjusted to any desired angular position with reference
to each other and to the dial 2 and may then be clamped in this position, or the
pressure on the washers may be adjusted to a degree which will cause the disks
to revolve with the arbor under ordinary conditions of working, while permitting
them to be adjusted by hand whenever desired.
4
Two sets of contacts 7, 8 and 9, 10 are controlled respectively by the disks 3
and 4, the ends of contacts 7 and 9 being formed as fingers which are adapted
to rest on the peripheries of the disks, thereby holding the contact 7 or 9 away
from the contact 8 or 10, or to fall into notches 11, 12 in said disks, in which case 5
the contact 7 or 9 which is thus allowed to fall makes connection with the
corresponding contact 8 or 10.
Terminals tt on the base are connected to the mains or leads S S¹ of an clectric
supply circuit as for example the mains of a constant potential incandescent light-
ing circuit and terminals are connected to the leads LL' of an electric con- 6
sumption circuit or branch circuit, which may include in multiple connection any
number of pairs of arc lamps each pair being connected in series across said leads.

page_text: A connection or shunt leads from contact t through wire 13, carbon resistance 14
and suitable wiring to the rewinding magnet D and thence through the circuit breaker
thereof to the clock frame. On the winding arbor or drum of the train is arranged
an arm 15 which when the driving spring of the clock has about run down,
makes contact with a contact spring 16 and so completes the shunt aforesaid from
the clock frame and the arm 15 to contact 16 and so by wire 17 out to the other
side of the circuit at t. The magnet 1 then operates, under the control of its
circuit breaker, to rapidly vibrate the armature and rewind the clock, suitable
devices being present as usual in such cases to maintain the operation of the
rewinding magnet until the clock is fully rewound.
Such devices are shown in Figures 9 and 10. The contact arm 15 is loosely
mounted on the main arbor 60 of the clock and an intermediate plate 61 is also
loosely mounted on said arbor, this plate engaging with an extension 15° from the
arm 15 by a projection 62, and engaging also with a pin 63 carried by the gear
wheel 64. A pinion 65, fast on the same shaft as the winding ratchet wheel 66,
see Figure 2, gears with the gear wheel 64 so that the latter is rotated by the
action of the rewinding magnet on the ratchet lever F which engages with ratchet
wheel 66. The spring barrel 67 is fastened to wheel 64 and the main spring in-
dicated at 67 in dotted lines in Figure 10, is connected in the usual manner, at
one end of this barrel and at the other end to the main arbor 60. This main
arbor carries fast thereon a collar 68, and a pin 69 projecting from this collar
engages with the arm 15. The parts are so arranged that as the clock runs down
the arm 15 will be brought, by the operation of parts 68, 69, into contact with
contact spring 16 and this contact will continue during the re-winding by reason
of the length of the outer end of contact 15 and the slowness of the motion of the
main arbor, it being understood that the rewinding only takes a minute or less.
When the winding has proceeded far enough however to bring the wheel 6+ around
a little beyond the position shown in Figure 9, the pin 63 thereon engaging with
plate 61 and thus bringing the projection 62 against arm 15, will throw said arm
forward and.it will fall out of contact with contact spring 16. Such a position of
wheel 64 corresponds to a rewound condition of the main-spring, so that the circuit
will not be broken until the clock is rewound. The main arbor 60 is connected
to the hour hand arbor 1 through the usual gearing 60º.
The secondary controlling device B consists essentially as a quick break switch,
controlling the consumption circuit, and a set of contacts and connections con-
trolled by the operation of the switch and controlling the connections with the
clock. To ensure the proper operation of these controlling contacts and connec-
tions it is preferred to make them responsive to the condition of the consumption
circuit, rather than to the condition of the switch controlling said consumption
circuits, so that, if for any reason the said switch fails to operate, although portions
thereof have turned through the proper distance, then the circuit will still be left
under the control of the proper contacts in the clock, as will hereinafter appear.
The switch controlling the consumption circuit is preferably e. double pole
quick break switch comprising a cylinder 18 with contacts thereon, and fixed
contacts 21, 22, 23 and 24 co-operating with the contacts on the cylinder. When
this switch is in a closed position connection is made from the main line at t
through wire 25 to contact 21, through the switch to contact 22 and so through
wire 27 to the arc lamp branch circuit at t. From the other side of this branch
circuit at connection is made through wire 28, switch contacts 23 and 24 and
wire 29 to the other side of the main line at t¹.
It is preferred to include in the branch circuit so formed an electro-magnetic
device for controlling the connections to the clock-the magnet thereof being
interposed, for example, in the wire 28 as shown.
The switch cylinder 18 is operated by an electro-magnetic actuating device,
consisting of an electro-magnet D' armature E¹ and pawl mechanism F¹, which
through a train of wheels G causes the switch arbor 34 to be rotated in a step by
step manner by the vibrations of the armature of electro-magnet D¹. A shunt or

page_text: branch circuit leads from the main line at t through wires 13 and 35, carbon re-
sistance 36, wire 37 and suitable connections to magnet D¹ and thence through
the automatic circuit breaker of said magnet to the metal frame 38 of the secondary
device, and from thence to the armature of magnet L. From this point the
course taken by the circuit depends both on the position of the contact controlling
devices in the clock A, and the position of the armature and therefore the
condition of the consumption circuit, that is to say, the arc lamp circuit. Assuming
the latter circuit to be closed at the switch cylinder 18, then the armature will
be in its attracted position, and the circuit above traced will lead from armature /
to contact and through wire 40 to contact 7. When the clock brings the notch
in disk 3 under spring 7, the latter will strike contact 8 and the above connection
will be continued through wire 39 and so to the other side of the circuit. This
shunt armature through the magnet D¹ being thus completed the said magnet
under the control of its circuit breaker operates the train G in a step-by-step
manner and thus rotates the switch cylinder 18. This switch is provided with the
usual devices such as lost motion connection and internal spring for giving a quick
break and the contacts 21, 22, 23 and 24 thereof snap into the notches of cylinder 18,
the latter is thus suddenly thrown to give a quick break. This opens the arc
lamp branch circuit and the magnet L connected therewith being de-energized, the
armature thereof will be retracted and the connection above traced be broken
thus removing contacts 7, 8 from the control of the secondary device.
armature at the same time makes contact with contact 3 and a new connection for
the electro-magnet D' is established, the same leading as before until the urmature /
is reached and then leading from said armature through contact 13, and through
wire 44 to contact 9. After a certain lapse of time determined by the adjustment
ef disks 3 and 4. the contact 9 will be allowed to fall on contact 10, and the above
connection will be continued through contact 10 and wires 39, to the other side
of the circuit, whereupon the electro-magnet D¹ will again operate the switch
cylinder 18 and will continue to do so until the arc lamp branch circuit is closed
by the operation of said switch. When this occurs the magnet L will at once
attract its armature and remove the controlling electro-magnet D' from the
control of the clock contacts 9, 10 and put it again under the control of contacts 7
and 8.
The
It will be noted that the clock contacts have in no case to break circuits, as the
circuits they establish are broken by the armature l as soon as the desired operation
has been performed. While it is preferred to control the connections between
the clock and the secondary device by an electro-magnet response to current in the
branch or consumption circuit, the invention may be carried out in other ways, as
for example, the switch for the consumption circuit may directly operate those
contacts. Such a modification is shown in Figures 6 and 7. In this case the
secondary controlling device B consists preferably of a double pole quick break
switch comprising a contact cylinder 18 and contacts 21, 22, 23 and 24 which
co-operate with contact plates on the cylinders in the usual manner When this
switch is in a closed position, connection is made from the main line at t through
wire 25 to contact 21 through the switch to contact 22, and so through wire 27
to the arc lamp branch circuit at . From the other side of this branch circuit
at connection is made through wire 28, switch contacts 23 and 24 and wire 29
to the other side of the main line at t. Two sets of contacts 30, 31 and 32 33 are
also controlled by the operation of the secondary device, one contact 30 or 32 of
each set engaging with a notch-disk 18" on the same shaft as the cylinder 18 and
being thus held against its corresponding contact 31 or 33, or allowed to spring
away therefrom, according to whether the plain portion or a notched portion of
the disk is opposite the end of the contact 30 or 32. This secondary controlling
device is operated by an electro-magnetic device consisting of an electro-magnet D¹,
armature E¹ and nawl mechanism F¹ which through a train of wheels G causes
the switch arbor 34 to be rotated in a step-by-step manner by the vibration of
the armature of the electro-magnet D'. A shunt or branch circuit leads from.

page_text: the main line at t through wires 13 and 35, carbon resistance 36, wire 37 and
suitable connections to magnet D¹ and thence through the automatic circuit
breaker of said magnet to the metal frame 38 of the secondary device. From
this point the course taken by the circuit depends both on the position of the
contact controlling devices in the clock A. and the position of the secondary con-
trolling device. In the position of such devices shown in Figure 6, the connection
leads from the frame 38 to contact springs 30 and 31, and by wire 39 to contact 8
of the clock. The disk 3 now presenting its notch to the spring finger 7, the latter
makes contact with contact 8 and thus continues the aforesaid connection through
wire 40, 41 and 42 to the other side of the circuit. This shunt connection
through the magnet D¹ being thus completed, the said magnet under the control
of its circuit breaker, operates the train G in a step-by-step manner and thus
rotates the switch cylinder 18. The first effect of this rotation is to cause the end
of notch 19 to strike and raise contact spring 32 closing the contact 32, 33. This
furnishes an additional or auxiliary connection for the magnet D' the circuit in this
case leading as above stated until it reaches frame 38, and springs 30 and 31,
and then passing by wire 43 to contacts 32 and 33 and thus directly to wire 41
and to the other side of the circuit. This path is a shunt to that through the
contacts 7 and 8 of the clock and it will thus be seen that the operation of the
secondary device immediately closes a circuit which will continue to operate its
controlling electro-magnet D₁ independently of the clock contacts which started
such operation.
The switch cylinder 18 in the position indicated in Figure 6, closes the circuit
to the arc lamps or other translating devices and the rotation of this switch as
above described eventually breaks this circuit, the spring terminals of contacts 21,
22, 23, 24 snapping into notches therein in a well known manner, giving a quick
break. At the same time or a moment thereafter, the spring contact 31 falls into
notch 19, breaking contact 30, 31. Now as both of the circuits above traced for
magnet D included this contact 30, 31 it will be seen that the motion of tho
switch cylinder is at once arrested.
After a certain lapse of time, however, depending on the relative positions to
which the disks 3 and 4 have been set, another circuit will be established for
magnet D', owing to the fall of contact 9 into notch 12 of disk 4 thereby allowing
contact 9 to close with contact 10, and form a branch circuit as follows: from
main line at t as before through wires 13, 35 resistance 36, wire 37, magnet D¹ and
its circuit breaker to frame 38. The new connection now leads from this frame
through wire 44 to contact 9, contact 10, wires 39 and 43, contacts 33 and 32,
and wires 41 and 42 to the other side of the line. The magnet D¹ will therefore
again operate and rotate the switch. As before the first effect of this rotation will
be to give an additional circuit for the magnet D¹ independent of the clock
contacts, this circuit being closed by the forming of contact 30 against contact 31
by the passing away from under it of the notch 19, and the connection leading from
the frame 38, through contacts 30, 31 wire 43 and contacts 32, 33 to wire 41,
The switch
thus forming a short circuit around the clock contacts 9, 10.
cylinder 18 thus continues to rotate until it has again closed contacts 21, 22
and 23, 24 and thereupon it allows contacts 32, 33 to separate and is thus brought
to rest, by the opening of its operating circuits.
It will be seen that each operation of the secondary device so changes the con-
nections that the electro-magnetic device operating the switch is brought under
the control of a different set of clock contacts than that which started its operation,
or in other words, the two sets of contacts, operated by the secondary device, put
the said electro-magnetic device alternately in connection with two different circuits,
controlled by two different sets of contacts in the clock. Furthermore, that these
two sets of contacts in the clock are controlled by different and relatively adjust-
5 able parts of the clock, which may each be set to operate at any required time in
the 24 hours of the day so that the time at which the switch is opened and the
time at which it is closed will be determined daily by the clock according to any

page_text: predetermined schedule, and without any attention on the part of an operator. A
further point to be observed is that the clock being rewound as required, by electro-
magnetic devices energized from the supply circuit itself, and the switch itself
also being operated by energy similiarly applied, the system is complete and self-
contained and, neglecting accidents, will run indefinitely without any attention in
the way of rewinding. Of course, it is to be understood that the contact con-
trolling devices in the clock are to be reset at certain intervals during the year
according to the changing hours of darkness or for other reasons, but as regards
the repeated and absolutely automatic carrying out from day to day of a pre-
determined schedule of operations, the device is, as above stated, complete in
itself.
The interposition of a secondary device to control the branch circuit has the
advantage that the secondary device, not being in any sense a time-keeper does
not need to have the delicacy of construction or operation incident to a time
piece and can be made with sole reference to its appointed function, namely, to
break currents of considerable potential and intensity in an efficient manner. For
this purpose a switch having strong frictional contact of its surface and a quick
snap on the break is essential, and neither of these functions is compatible with
the delicacy accuracy and slow movement of a time piece.
A further feature of importance is that when the clock controlled contacts have
started the operation of the secondary device, the latter at once removes itself
from the control of the clock device so that it is compelled to continue running
until it has accomplished its function, whether the clock contacts are opened in
the meantime or not. A more important point, however, is that the secondary
device, in addition to immediately diverting a part of the current from the clock
contacts, then proceeds to break the circuit through said contacts by a quick snap
break between contacts on the secondary device, so that there is no possibility of
the clock contacts, which are necessarily delicate, being called upon to break a
current, which might injure them.
While the above-described invention is particularly intended for application
to the switching of an arc lamp on or off of incandescent circuits, it is clear that
in some of its general features it is applicable to other purposes, the arbor of the
switch being in that case supposed to represent the actuating shaft of any apparatus
to be operated intermittently and at predetermined intervals, such as a signalling
or display apparatus, etc.
The circuit breakers for the magnets which form no part of the present invention
as any suitable make and break device operated by the electro magnet may be
employed. In Figures 4 and 5 one form of a current breaker is shown comprising
contact springs 46, 47 which are capable of contacting with one another, and
normally tend to spring into contact. The armature E or E¹ as the case may be,
carries a pine which engages with spring 46 when the armature is attracted, so
as to separate the springs and break the circuit, this action taking place repeatedly
in well known manner. 6b are buffer springs against which the armature strikes
at each end of its stroke, the main retractive force on the armature, however,
being the action of gravity. The springs in Figure 4 are shown as crossing one
another, spring 47 is behind 46, and has an up turned end which contacts with
the little knob or enlargement on spring 46.
The secondary device is not necessarily capable of complete rotation or of rota-
tion always in one direction, it may be a vibrating device, such for example, as
that shown in Figure 8, the same consisting of a switch lever X closing or opening
contacts 48, 49 which control a branch circuit LL and this lever may be operated
directly by two electro-magnets 50 and 51, connected respectively to the two
sets of clock contacts 7, 8 and 9, 10 which are controlled by a clock in the manner
above described. The switch lever X carries contacts 52. 53 which co-operate
with fixed contacts 54, 55 to alternately complete a circuit for magnet 50 through
contacts 52, 54 and clock contacts 7. 8 and a circuit for the magnet 51 through
contacts 53, 55 and clock contacts 9. 10. Thus, if the switch be assumed to be

page_text: in the position shown in the drawing, the branch circuit L, L will be open and
a circuit may be traced from main line S at t to magnet 50, contacts 52, 54 and
clock contacts 7, 8. As soon as the clock closes contacts 7, 8 the magnet 50 will
at once pull down its armature and the circuit LL will be closed, while at the
same time the circuit just traced will be opened and a connection will be established
from the line S at through magnet 51 and contacts 53, 55 to the clock
contacts 9, 10. The switch is thus put alternately under the control of the two
sets of clock contacts.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. In a system of electric distribution, the combination with a circuit forming
a part of such system, of a switch controlling such circuit, an electrically energized
clock, and electric connections for energizing same, a separate electrically energized
secondary device acting under the control of the clock to open and close the switch
in indefinite repetition, and electric connections for energizing said secondary
device.
2. In a system of electrical distribution the combination with an electric supply
circuit and an electric consumption circuit, of a switch controlling the supply of
current to the latter circuit and an electric self-winding clock energized from said
supply circuit, and controlling the operation of said switch to open and close the
same.
3. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with an electric supply
circuit and a circuit supplied therefrom, of a switch controlling the supply of
current to the latter circuit, a clock and an electrically operated secondary devico
energized from the supply circuit and acting under the control of the clock to open
and to close the switch.
4. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination with an electric supply
circuit and a circuit supplied therefrom, of a switch controlling the supply of
current to the latter circuit, an electric self-winding clock energized from the
supply circuit, and an electrically operated secondary device also energized from the
supply circuit and acting under the control of the clock to open and to close
the switch.
5. The combination with an electric supply circuit and an electric consumption
circuit supplied therefrom, of a switch controlling the supply of current to the
latter circuit, an electro-magnetic device controlling the operation of said switch
and a clock comprising relatively adjustable contact operating devices controlling
said electro-magnetic device, to effect the opening and closing of said switch at
predetermined times.
6. The combination with an electric supply circuit and an electric consumption
circuit supplied therefrom, of a switch controlling the supply of current to the
latter circuit, an electro-magnetically controlled device for operating said switch,
and a clock and circuit connections controlling said electro-magnetically controlled
device through two circuits, one operating to open and the other to close said
switch, said clock comprising separate and relatively adjustable contact controlling
devices for controlling said two circuits respectively.
7. The combination with an electric supply circuit and a consumption circuit
supplied therefrom, a switch controlling the supply of current to the latter circuit
and an electro-magnetic device controlling said switch, a clock and two sets of
contacts controlled thereby, and contacts controlled by the operation of said switch
and connecting said electro-magnetic device alternately to the two sets of contacts
controlled by the clock, according to the position of the switch.
8. The combination with an electric circuit, and a switch controlling same, of
an electro-magnetic device controlling said switch, a clock and two sets of contacts
controlled thereby, and an electro-magnetic device responsive to the current in the
aforesaid controlled circuit and connections controlled thereby connecting one or

page_text: other of the sets of contacts controlled by the clock, with the switch-controlling
electro-magnetic device, according to whether the controlled circuit is open or
closed.
9. The combination with a switch, of an electro-magnetic device controlling the
operation thereof, two circuits connected to and controlling said electro-magnetic
device, an electric clock with contacts controlling one of said circuits to start tho
operation of the switch and contacts controlled by the operation of the switch and
controlling the other circuit after such operation has been started, to maintain the
operation of such electro-magnetic device.
10. The combination of a clock, a secondary device, an electro-magnetic con-
trolling device, controlling the operation of such secondary device, two sets of
contacts controlled by the clock, contacts controlled by the operation of the
secondary device and connecting the electro-magnetic controlling device, alternately
to the two sets of contacts controlled by the clock, and contacts and connections
controlled by the operation of the secondary device, and operating, when the said
device has been set in operation, by the connection with one of the clock contacts,
to remove the electro-magnetic device from the control of the said clock contact
and put it in control of an auxiliary operating circuit, and on the stoppage of the
secondary device under the control of the auxiliary circuit, to put the electro-
magnetic controlling device under the control of the other set of clock contacts.
11. In an electric time control apparatus, the combination of a clock, a plurality
of disks mounted frictionally on an arbor of the clock, so as to revolve therewith
but to be relatively adjustable thereon, to different angular positions, two sets
of contacts controlled respectively by said disks and two electric circuits controlled
by suid contacts.
12. The combination with a magnet and its pivoted armature, of a make and
break device controlling the circuit of said magnet and consisting of two contact
springs, meeting at an angle so as to produce a rubbing contact, one of said springs
engaging with the armature of said magnet
Dated this 31st day of January 1898