IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC BELLS AND ALARM CLOCKS AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.”
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Browne Wolsey Webb of Harrington Square, and Hans
Peter Frederik Jensen, and Jens Jensen, both of Wardour Street all in the
County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING
TO ELECTRIC BELLS AND ALARM CLOCKS AND APPARATUS TO BE USED IN
CONNECTION THEREWITH.”
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Browne Wolsey Webb, Hans
Peter Frederik Jensen, and Jens Jensen at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents on the 3rd October 1882.
BROWNE WOLSEY WEBB, of Harrington Square, and HANS PETER FREDERIK
JENSEN and JENS JENSEN, both of Wardour Street, all in the County of Middlesex,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC BELLS AND ALARM CLOCKS AND
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH
"
Our invention relates to electric bells and alarm clocks and apparatus to be used
in connection there with and the said invention comprises various improvements and
novel features hereinafter described.
According to one part of our said invention we combine with a clock of suitable
construction an electric battery and bell, and apparatus whereby the said clock can
be set (in a similar manner to an ordinary alarm clock) so that it will complete the
circuit at a given time and cause the bell to be sounded. We preferably arrange
the battery and bell within the clock-case which is made of suitable size to receive
them and fix the bell and its operating mechanism to a removable plate sliding in
grooves in the said case; the circuit wires are made of any desired length and are
wound upon a drum or roller in the said case, this drum or roller is made of two
metal plates insulated from one another and is operated by hand or by a spring
arranged within the said drum or roller. One end of each wire is connected to one
of the said plates the other ends being suitably connected with the electric bell
mechanism. By this arrangement the bell can be withdrawn from the said case
and fixed at some distance therefrom, the connections still remaining intact. Ono
pole of the battery is connected to one of the said plates by means of a contact

page_text: spring and another contact spring connects the other plate to one end of a wire, the
other end of which is attached to a contact spring fixed behind the face or dial of
the clock. Near this spring is fixed a similar spring which is connected to one pole
of the battery; the circuit through the clock is completed through these two springs
as soon as one hand of the clock coincides with another hand provided for setting
the alarm device. In some cases a second or branch circuit is provided which is
normally opened but can be completed by a push knob so that the apparatus can
be used as a call bell or for signalling purposes if desired.
use.
According to another part of our invention we provide electric bells which can
be operated by a smaller battery power than is necessary with those at present in
For this purpose we construct the said electric bells as follows that is to say,
we fix the hammer of the bell to the armature of the electro-magnet and pivot the
said armature in such a manner that it is acted upon by both the poles of the
magnet, or so that it is in direct magnetic connection with the core of the electro-
magnet and forms a kind of polar extension of the same and the current passing
through the coil of the electro-magnet magnetises the said armature. According to
one method we employ an electro-magnet provided with a polar extension at one
end projecting at right angles to the axis of the magnet and we arrange the
armature nearly parallel to the axis of the electro-magnet and pivot the said
armature at or near its centre of gravity upon a pivot of magnetic material; the
base is made of magnetic material and one pole of the magnet is connected thereto;
· a spring is attached to the side of the armature next the magnet, one end of which
spring bears upon the said polar extension and the other end against an adjusting
screw; the bell is fixed so that it covers the mechanism for sounding it, and in
some cases it is arranged to enclose or cover the battery.
According to another method we arrange the armature at right angles to the axis
of the magnet and pivot the said armature at one of its ends to a projection from
the base plate; a spring is secured to each side of the armature, one bearing upon
the magnet pole and the other upon an adjusting screw passing through a standard
fixed to the base plate. The magnet is fixed, at one end, to the standard
carrying the bell. In another arrangement the electro-magnet has two polar
extensions, to one of which the armature is pivotted. In some cases we make the
electro-magnet with two polar extensions and arrange the armature nearly parallel
with the axis of the magnet and pivot the same in any suitable manner.
In another arrangement the armature is curved to correspond with the curvature
of the bell and is pivotted at, or near, its centre so that it requires very little power
to operate it and it is so arranged that both poles of the magnet will act upon it.
The shape of the armature ensures its striking the bell in such a manner as to obtain
the full tone of the same, and also gives more space for enabling us to enclose within
the bell (or two bells if desired) a battery, magnet and armature, and parts connected
therewith. We prefer to fix the contact springs longitudinally upon the armature,
or to employ one spring upon the end of the armature carrying the hammer, in
which case the spring is arranged to move between the adjusting screw and a pin
or stud to make and brake contact.
According to another part of our invention we construct electric bells with
the mechanism enclosed within the same; these bells are applicable for domestic and
other purposes, and are also designed to be used as musical bells. The clapper and
armature in these bells are attached one to each end of a piece pivotted at the top
of the bell inside the same in a similar manner to the clapper of an ordinary house
bell, so that very little battery power is required to operate the clapper and
armature. The electro-magnet is suitably attached to a bracket fixed to the upper
part of the bell, and a battery is sometimes placed within the bell. In some cases
the clapper is fixed to the armature which is pivotted at or near its centre of gravity.
For musical purposes we use a number of these bells having different tones, and
employ in connection therewith, a number of keys similar to those of a pianoforte
which are each arranged in any suitable manner to complete or break the circuit in
connection with one of the said electric bells.

page_text: The electric bells above described are sometimes used as burglar alarms for which
purpose we combine with them the mechanism or device hereinafter described, that
is to say, we connect the wires from the battery with the bell through a device
which can be secured to a window or door in such a manner that when the same is
opened the circuit will be completed. The said device consists essentially of a lever
pivotted to a bracket provided with a pin or the like for securing it to a door or
window; to one end of this lever is attached a cord or wire, which has at one end
a clip designed to engage with similar clip secured to the door post or to another
part of the window. The other end of the said lever has a contact point or pin
acted upon by a spring. The circuit is normally broken but is completed by the
pull upon the said cord occasioned by the opening of the door or window, and a spring
is so arranged in combination with the said lever that the contact is maintained
after the said clips are disengaged from one another. The said spring is preferably
attached to the said bracket and provided at one end with a catch to engage with
the end of the lever.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Browne Wolsey Webb, Hans Peter Frederik Jensen, and Jens
Jensen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd April 1883.
BROWNE WOLSEY WEBB, of Harrington Square, and HANS PETER FREDERIK
JENSEN, and JENS JENSEN, both of Wardour Street, all in the County of Middlesex,!
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC BELLS AND ALARM CLOCKS, AND
APPARATUS TO BE USED IN CONNECTION THEREWITH,”
Our invention relates to electric bells and alarm clocks and apparatus to be used
in connection therewith, and the said invention comprises various improvements
and novel features hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 is a rear view of our improved electric alarm clock, with the cover
removed to show the internal mechanism.
Figure 2 is a partial front elevation and
Figure 3 is a partial sectional elevation of the same
Figure 4 is a plan, partly in horizontal section, showing the arrangement of the
contact springs in the said clock
Figure 5, is a sectional elevation of one form of our improved electric bell.
Figure 6 is a side elevation showing a peculiar arrangement of the magnets, clapper
and armature, for one of our electric bells.
Figure 7 is a side elevation of another form or modification of our improved
electric bell.
Figure 8 is an inverted plan of the same.
Figure 9 is a side elevation showing a further modification thereof.
Figure 10 is a plan illustrating another form of our improved electric bell.
Figures 11 and 12 represent, in side elevation and plan, a modification of the bell
illustrated in Figure 5.
Figures 13 and 14 show, in side and front elevation, one form of indicator which
we employ with our improved electric bell.
I
Figure 15 is a rear elevation of another form of indicator.
Figures 16 and 17 represent, in side elevation and plan, a device for enabling the
said bells to be used as burglar alarms.
Figure 18 represents another device for the same purpose
Figure 19 is a side elevation of an improved core which wo prefer to use in
making electro-magnets for our improved bells.
Like letters indicate the same parts throughout the drawings.
According to one part of our said invention we combine, with a clock of suitable
construction, an electric battery and bell and means whereby the said clock can be
set (in a similar manner to an ordinary alarm clock) so that it will complete the
circuit at a given time and cause the bell to be sounded. This part of our inven-
tion is illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, in which A represents the clock-case which is
made of suitable size to receive the battery B and bell C; the latter, with its
operating mechanism, is fixed to the removal plate D which is capable of sliding
in the grooves E; the circuit wires are made of any desired length and are wound
upon a drum or roller F mounted upon an axle F' carried in suitable bearings in
the brackets A¹, the drum or roller F is made of two metal plates F³, F³, insulated
from one another and connected by means of a wooden bobbin or the like, and the
said drum or roller is operated by hand or by a suitable spring; when it is to be
operated by hand, the axle F' is made to project through an aperture in the case A
to receive a key or a crank-handle. One end of each wire is connected to one of

page_text: the said metal plates, the other end being suitably connected with the electric bell
mechanism. By this arrangement the bell can be withdrawn from the said case
and fixed at some distance therefrom, the connections still remaining intact. For
example, the clock may be placed in one room and the bell in an adjoining room, if
desired. One pole of the battery is connected to the plate F by means of the
contact spring G, and the plate F is connected by the contact spring G¹ to one end
of the wire H the other end of which is attached to the contact spring G2 fixed
behind the face or dial of the clock. Near this spring, and preferably at right
angles thereto, is fixed a similar contact spring G³ which is connected to the other
pole of the battery, the circuit is completed through the springs G2, G3, as soon as
the hour hand of the clock coincides with the hand or pointer I, which should be
moved in the direction indicated by the arrow (Figure 2) and set at the time when
it is desired the alarm should be sounded. The hand or pointer I is attached to a
boss or hub a having a notch inclined at one side, as shown in Figure 4; and the
toothed wheel b, to the hub of which the hour hand is attached, is provided with a
pin or stud b' which is caused to bear against the hub a by the spring c. One end
of this spring is secured to the plate d and the said spring extends as far as the
point where the contact springs G³, G³, intersect each other. When the hour hand
coincides with the pointer I, the pin b' coincides with the notch in the hub a and
is forced therein by the spring c, which then presses the spring G³ into contact
with the spring G³ and completes the circuit. We sometimes employ a clock which
strikes the hours and provide a device consisting of two light springs connected at
one cud by a block of insulating material and each connected to one wire of the
circuit in which the electric bell is included. We arrange these springs so that,
when the hammer is raised by the clock for striking the bell thereof, it will press
one of the springs against the other and complete the circuit. By these means
every hour will be struck upon the electric bell as well as upon the bell of the
clock. In some cases a second or branch circuit is provided, which is normally
open but can be completed by pressing in the push-knob J, so that the apparatus
can be used as a call-bell or for signalling purposes, if desired.
According to another part of our invention we provide electric bells which can
be operated by a smaller battery power than is necessary with electric bells as
heretofore constructed. For this purpose we make the said electric bells as shewn
in Figures 5 to 15, that is to say, we fix the hammer or clapper f to the armature g
of the electro-magnet h and pivot the said armature in such a manner that it will
be attracted by both the poles or polar extensions of the magnet, or so that it is in
direct magnetic connection with the core of the electro-magnet and forms a kind
of polar extension of the same, and the current passing through the coil of the
electro-magnet magnetises the said armature. In the arrangement shown in
Figure 10, we employ an electro-magnet h provided with a polar extension h¹ at
each end, projecting at right angles to the axis of the magnet, and we make the
armature g and polar extensions h¹ curved to correspond with the shape of the bell,
the said armature is carried at, or near, its centre of gravity upon a stud i and is
secured thereon by a fine rod j of brass or other suitable material one end of
which passes through the pin i and the other end of which is inserted in a hole in
the armature. This rod forms a spring for vibrating the armature. The contact
spring jis secured to a piece of insulating material and can be adjusted by means
of the screw. By constructing the mechanism in this manner, we are enabled to
place the whole of it at one side of the centre of the bell and thus leave space for a
battery. The bell is fixed so that it covers the mechanism for sounding it, and, in
some cases, is arranged to enclose or cover the battery.
According to another method we arrange the armature at right angles to the
axis of the magnet and pivot the said armature at one of its ends to a projection
from a base-plate; a spring is secured to each side of the armature, one bearing
upon the magnet pole and the other upon an adjusting screw passing through a
standard fixed to the base-plate. The magnet is fixed at one end of the standard
carrying the bell. In another arrangement the electro-magnet has two polar

page_text: extensions, to one of which the armature is pivotted. In some cases we make the
electro-magnet with two polar extensions and arrange the armature nearly
parallel with the axis of the magnet and pivot the same in any suitable manner.
We sometimes construct the electric bells similar in shape to ordinary house bells
and enclose the mechanism within them, as shown in Figure 5, these bells are
applicable for domestic and other purposes, and are also designed to be used as
musical bells. The clapper or hammer fand the armature g, in these bells, are
attached one to each end of a piece suspended by a gimbal ring & that is to say, a
ring pivotted at diametrically opposite points from the top of the interior of the
bell, in a similar position to the clapper of an ordinary house bell, and are so
constructed and arranged that the one counterbalances the other and, consequently,
very little battery power is required to operate tho clapper and armature. The
electro-magnet h is suitably attached to the upper part of the bell and a battery is
sometimes placed within the bell. In some cases the clapper is fixed to the
armature which is pivotted at, or near, its centre of gravity.
For musical purposes we use a number of these bells having different tones, and
employ, in connection therewith, a number of keys similar to those of a pianoforte,
which are each arranged in any suitable manner to complete or break the circuit
in which one of the said electric bells, is included.
In this form of bell we employ one or more electro-magnets; when more than
one are employed the magnets may be placed either side by side or one above
another. In some cases, we attach one of the electro-magnets h³ to the armaturo,
as shown in Figure 6, and arrange the electro-magnets within a frame h³, the
extremities of which serve as polar extensions of tho magnets. By this means we
increase the effect produced by the electric current and we are enabled to employ a
heavier clapper than could otherwise be used, without affecting the sensitiveness of
its action, as the electro-magnet 2 will counterbalance the additional weight of
the clapper.
We sometimes adopt a similar arrangement of the clapper and armature with
bells of different shape, as shown in Figures 7, 8 and 9. In these figures, the bell
and its sounding mechanism are mounted upon a bracket n, which may be secured
either to a base-plate to be placed on a table or other horizontal surface, or to a
wall or other suitable part of a building or the like. We prefer to form the bell
with a projection o on its inner circumference, as shown in Figure 8, in order
that the clapper may strike the projection more directly than it would strike
upon the inner circumference of the bell. We thus improve the tone produced
when the bell is sounded.
Figure 9 shews a bell suitable for use upon a table or the like. The electric
circuit, in this case, is completed by pressing down the push-knob p and thereby
causing the spring q to come in contact with the spring g', which is insulated from
the bracket n The push-knob p may be arranged to complete an electric circuit
for sounding either the bell to which it is attached or another bell at some
distance therefrom. In the latter case, both springs must be insulated from the
bracket n.
In Figures 5 and 8, the spring r for vibrating the armature is shewn secured to
the inner side of the same in the ordinary manner, and we employ a spring 8, as
shewn in Figure 8, for making and breaking the circuit. A similar spring can, if
desired, be fixed on the opposite side for vibrating the armature and clapper.
The
Figures 11 and 12 shew an improved construction of spring for making and
breaking the circuit. This spring t is made in the form of a semi-circle, as shown
in dotted lines in Figure 12, and can be adjusted by means of the screw t¹.
spring t is secured at one end to the plate u and its other end bears upon the
piece carrying the armature and clapper. A similar spring can be arranged on
the opposite side for vibrating the armature and clapper, if desired.
In Figures 13 and 14 we have illustrated an improved indicator which we
employ with our electric bell when it is desired to indicate which one of a number
of bells has been sounded: The indicator tablet K is pivotted to the lower end of

page_text: the electro-magnet h and a catch L is secured to it and arranged to enter a notch
in the armature g when the tablet is raised by hand. As soon as the circuit is
completed and the armature is attracted, the latter is disengaged from the said
catch and the indicator tablet falls into the position shewn in Figure 14 and in
dotted lines in Figure 13, so as to be plainly visible.
A modified form of indicator is illustrated in Figure 15; in this device a rod or
arm M is pivotted at, or near, the lower end of the bracket n and a clip or catch n¹
is secured to the upper part of the said bracket and arranged to hold the rod or
arm M in a vertical position. An arm N is fixed to the piece k so that, when the
circuit is completed and the armature is attracted by the magnet, the arm N will
disengage the rod or arm M from the clip or catch n¹ and the said rod M will fall
into a horizontal position. This rod or arm may carry an indicator tablet or other
suitable device, and is provided with a bent lever or arm M' to which a cord can
be attached for the purpose of readjusting the rod or arm M, and again engaging
the same with the said clip or catch.
In some cases we employ the above described electric bells as burglar alarms for
which purpose we combine with them the device shewn in Figures 16 and 17,
which device can be secured to a window or door in such a manner that, when the
same is opened, the circuit will be completed. The said device consists essentially
of a lover or spring secured at one end to a block P of insulating material
provided with one or more pins or the like for securing the device to a door or
window; a contact spring wis secured to the opposite side of the insulating block,
and an adjusting screw a passing through the lever or spring vis arranged to
normally bear upon the free end of the contact spring w. The outer end of the
lever or spring has an adjusting screw y designed to press against one part of a
door or window when the said block is fixed on another part, so that, when the
device is fixed to a door or window the circuit is normally broken but is completed
when the door or window is opened and the adjusting screw y is released. For
example, if the device is properly secured to a door, the screw y will press against
the door post and thus bend the lever or spring v and break the circuit, which will
be completed when the door is opened.
Another device suitable for this purpose is shewn in Figure 18, in which is a
plate of brass or other suitable material designed to be secured by a pin or the
like to a door or window. To this plate is fixed a piece R of good conducting
material having a groove R¹; and a spring S is also fixed to the said plate but is
insulated therefrom. This spring is normally in contact with the picce R, but
when the device is fitted to a door or window, a pin T, which is secured to the
other part of the door or window by a pin and a cord or chain is inserted in the
said groove R¹ so as to press the spring Ŝ away from the piece R. and thus break
the electric circuit, which will be again completed by the withdrawal of the pin T
when the door or window is opened.
In order to prevent the armature from sticking to the magnet pole or poles we,
in some cases, make the core of the magnet tubular and form a slit in the same as
shown at 2, Figure 19.
Having thus fully described our said invention and the manner of performing
the same we wish it understood that we claim
First. The combination, with a clock, of an electric bell and battery and means
whereby the said clock can be set so that the electric circuit will be completed and
the bell sounded at any desired time, (with or without the branch circuit and the
push-knob), all substantially as, and for the purposes, set forth.
Second. An electric bell provided with the peculiar arrangement of electro-
magnetic apparatus whereby both poles or polar extensions of a magnet wound
with only one coil will attract the armature, substantially as set forth.
Third. The modification of our invention wherein the clapper or hammer and
the armature are secured to each other and suspended at, or near, the top of the
bell, the springs for making and breaking the circuit or for vibrating the armature

page_text: being arranged as described with reference to Figures 8, 11 and 12 or otherwise, all
substantially as, and for the purposes, specified
Fourth The modification of our improved electric bell wherein we employ a
push-knob for completing the circuit, substantially as described with reference to
Figure 9 of the drawings.
Fifth-The modification of our improved electric bell wherein we employ the
curved armature and polar extensions and the spring or rod for holding the
armature in place and vibrating the same, substantially as described with reference
to Figure 10 of the drawings.
Sixth-The projection on the interior of the bell substantially as described with
reference to Figure 8 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Seventh-The combination, with our improved electric bell, of an indicator
constructed and arranged according to either of the modifications described with
reference to Figures 13, 14 and 15 of the drawings for the purpose specified.
Eighth The combination, with our improved electric bell, of the device
constructed according to either of the modifications described with reference to
Figures 16, 17 and 18 of the drawings for enabling the said bell to be used as a
burglar alarm, substantially as set forth.
Ninth A hollow or tubular electro-magnet core cut or slit longitudinally,
substantially as, and for the purpose, set forth.
In Witness whereof we the said Hans Peter Frederik Jensen and Browne
Wolsey Webb for ourselves and on behalf of the said Jens Jensen have
hereunto set our hands and seals this third day of April in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty three.