Improvements in Electric Time Counters.
Year: 1890

page_text: of Application, 12th June, 1890-Accepted, 30th Aug., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Time Counters.
I, JEAN JAQUES AUGUSTE AUBERT of Lausanne, Switzerland, Gentleman, do
bereby 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:-
The present invention has for its object a new electric counter of very simple
construction.
The counter consists of a clock movement and a commutator which, by closing and
opening the circuit, causes simultaneously and respectively the starting and stopping
of the clock movement. The commutator acts mechanically upon the balance of the
clock movement as is hereafter described. There is a key at the front face of the
counter; this key is moved by hand or by the aid of any suitable arrangement.
The annexed drawing represents my new counter-1 have not shewn in the drawing
the clock movement which does not present any special feature, it is an ordinary
cylinder movement.
In the drawing Figure 1 is a back view of the electric counter, also of the lever
which serves to stop the movement of the balance.
Figure 2 is a side view showing the electric connections and the conductors.
Figures 3 and 4 shew a portion of a front view, the face being removed.
Figures 5, 6 and 7 shew details.
Figure 8 is a diagram shewing the manner of arranging the counter in circuit. In
these figures A is the back plate-A¹ the front plate, B the balance wheel of the
clock movement. C the stop pin of the balance. D the insulating plate carrying
two clamping screws d d to which the exterior. conductors are brought. E E are two
contact blades in which slits are cut as the drawing shows, they are mounted upon an
insulating block F arranged between the plates A and A'. The clamping screws d d
are connected respectively with the blades E, E¹, as is seen in Figure 2. G is the
commutator or key which carries a block of insulating material furnished with a
copper plate. intended_to_establish communication between the blades E, E'.
Figure 6 shews the arrangement of the key when communication is not established.
Figure 7 shews the position of the key when the blades are connected.
The key G carries two pins g³, g. The pin g³ bears against the spring I when the
key turned. The spring I is intended to give to the key a rapid movement when it
is turned.
The pin g' acts upon the lever H mounted upon the axis H'. The relative positions
of the spring I and the key G and of the lever H are represented in Figures 3
and 4.
Upon the rear end of the axis H is mounted the bent arm or brake H2 which,
when it is lowered, stops the movement of the balance, as is seen in Figure 1. The
spring wound around the axis H tends to lower the brake H. The rod H controls
the brake H2; in the position which it occupies in Figure 3 the brake H2 is lowered
whilst in the position represented in Figure 4 the brake is raised.
When the block upon the key is in the position of Figure 6 the pins stand as is
seen in Figure 3. When the block is in the position of Figure 7 the pins are placed
as is shown in Figure 4.
In Figure 8 K is a dynamo or other source of electricity. L L are the lamps or
other appliances for the utilization of the current.

page_text: Figures 3 and 6 the current is interrupted and the brake H2 lowered, preventing
consequently the movement of the balance, the current does not pass and the counter
does not move.
If it be desired to light the lamps L La quarter turn is given to the key G, as is
shown in Figures 4 and-7, the circuit is thus closed and the brake H² raised. The
clock movement which has been previously wound, immediately commences to run,
and registers the duration of the passage of the current.
When it is desired to extinguish the lamp the key G is moved back to the position.
shown by the Figures 3 and 6, and the counter stops the moment the circuit is
broken.
I may further remark that the clock movement which I employ in my counters is
able to run with one winding for 420 hours and that my counter works as well with
continuous currents as with alternate currents.
The details of construction, may be varied according to circumstances.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is
1. In an electric counter the combination of a cylinder clock movement with a
commutator which on closing the circuit mechanically starts the clock movement and
in opening the circuit stops the movement.
2. The commutator or key with its insulating block furnished with a copper plate
to make contact.
3. The combination with a commutator such as I have described of split contact
blades, as shown in Figure 2.
4. The combination with the commutator such as I have described of the pins g³ g³,
the spring I and the lever El controlling the brake H².
5. The electric counter such as I have described in the present Specification and
represented by the annexed drawings.
Dated this 12th day of June 1890.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant. .