Improvements in and connected with Striking Clocks.
Year: 1896

page_text: Improvements in and connected with Striking Clocks.
I, JACOB FELLHEIMER, of Furtwangen, in the Grand Duchy of Baden, German
Empire, manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be a
follows:-
This invention refers to clocks with a striking-device, especially those constructed
after the American system, and relates, first to combining clocks of the said kind with
a contrivance for marking also the quarters (i.e. the first and third quarter) of the
hours besides the full hours and the half hours, and, second, to operating said
contrivance not from a special wheel-work, but from the ordinary or a common one.
The particular features of my improvements consist in the dimensions of the American
clocks of the kind hereinbefore mentioned remaining the same, and in the relative
simplicity of the work, as well as the exact working of the same, not being
impaired.
The gongs a a¹, figure 1, are operated by the clappers a² a³, figures 1, 2, and 3,
which are secured to the shafts e e¹, figures 3, 5 & 6. Said shafts are oscillated by
means of a cogged sector i¹, figures 1-6, the teeth proper of which co-operate with a
pin e2, figures 5 & 6, fixed to the shaft e, whereas a similar pin ea fixed to the
shaft e¹ is acted on by special pins 2, figure 5, which are secured to the cogged-
sector i¹.
The clapper as marks the hours, and the cogged sector is therefore furnished
with 12 teeth. The quarters of the hours are marked by the clapper a². Owing to
the fact that the first, second, and third quarter only is to be marked but not the
fourth, there are no more than three pins requisite for marking the quarters. The
distance between the pins e2 e3 of the shafts e el, or the distance between the pins 2, is
so measured, that on actuating the pin e2 by the last tooth of the cogged sector i¹ the
first of the pins 22 remains before the pin e³, i.e. does not touch this pin.
When the hours are marked by the clock the two teeth of the cogged sector move
from the left to the right, provided, the cogged sector be regarded from the back
elevation to the clock, as shown in figures 1, 2 & 5. In the position shown in figure 5
the cogged sector has reached its extreme right-hand position, and the pin e3 of the
shaft e has, therefore, been actuated by all the pins 2. The clapper a2 has thus
marked three quarters.
The cogged sector is allowed to move back, i.e. from the right to the left, in such
a degree only that the number of the teeth moving over the pin e2 (without, however,
touching this pin, as will be more fully described hereinafter) corresponds to the
number of marks next to be produced by the clapper a³. Supposing the three
quarters last marked by the clapper a² meant a quarter to 4 o'clock at its next
actuation, and the cogged-sector i¹ should, therefore, move only so far to the left that
four of its teeth are situated behind the pin e² of the shaft e.
The back-movements of the cogged-sector i¹ are effected by means of a poise i,
figures 1-5; the magnitude of every back-movement of said sector is determined
by an eccentric o¹, figures 1-4 & 7, which is arranged upon a shaft o, and serves for
arresting a pin that is secured to the sector 2. The eccentric o¹ is rotated a time

page_text: in 12 hours by an arın or lever u¹, figures 1, 2, 8 & 9, arranged upon the central
shaft u of the clock, and by a star-wheel of, figures 1 & 2, arranged upon the shaft o
afore mentioned. Said star-wheel is actuated intermittently by said lever or arm, in
such a manner, that 12 rotations of the latter result in one rotation of the said star-
wheel.
If the longest radius of the eccentric o¹ extends in the direction to the pin it of the
cogged sector i¹, the latter can only move back so far that but one of its teeth can take
over the pin e2 of the shaft e. If, however, the shortest radius of the eccentric o¹
extends in the direction to the pin the sector i may move so far back that all its
teeth take over the pin e (without however actuating this pin).
Before the eccentric o¹ allows of the back-movement of the cogged sector i¹ the
shafts e e¹ are turned to such an extent that the pins e e³ cannot be actuated by the
teeth of the sector and the pins 12 of the same. The means for effecting said turning
are described hereinafter. The pins are only permitted to return into their
original positions after the back-movement of the sector has been finished. When
thereafter the sector is moved outwards then the pin e is actuated by the respective
number of teeth of the sector, and the pin es is either not operated at all, or by one,
two, or all of the pins i, according to the time to be marked. The shaft i of the
sector is provided with an arm , figures 2-5, which extends in a direction.
opposite to that of the cogged portion of said sector. Said arm is may be acted on
by the bent portion of the lever r, figures 1, 2 & 4, which is held by a pin 8,
figures 1 & 2, situated above the central shaft u of the clock. The lever r is provided
with a downwardly extending lug situated at the left hand of the shaft u, and
carrying a projection 3. The latter co-operates with a ratchet-wheel u²,
figures 1, 2 &8, which is secured to the shaft u and is provided with four teeth, or
four recesses respectively. The ratchet-wheel u² is turned once in an hour, which is
already obvious from the fact that the lever or arm u¹ above mentioned is also secured
to the said shaft u. This shaft is further provided with a knob u³, figures 1, 2 & 4,
that serves for regulating the hands of the clock. The direction of rotation of the
shaft u, or of the ratchet-wheel u³ respectively, is indicated by an arrow in figure 8.
The depths of the recesses of the ratchet-wheel u are different; in other words, said
depths increase in a uniform degree. The position of the lever r is obviously
dependent on the depth of the re-pective recess which just contains the projection
of the lug, and said position will thus change from quarter to quarter of an hour.
In consequence of the bent end of the lever r laying against the arm of the
shaft i, or, more precisely, in consequence of said arm laying against said bent end,
the position of the cogged-sector is made dependent on the position of the lever r,
in such a way, that either none of the pins 2, or one, two or all of them, can act
upon the pine of the shaft e. During the rotation of the ratchet-wheel 12 the
teeth of this latter act one after the other upon the projection of the lug, in
such a manner, that the hent end of the lever r moves downwards. The cogged-
sector is thus allowed to move back into the interior of the clock-work until the
pin of the sector touches the eccentric o'. As soon as the ratchet-wheel u² has so
far rotated that the projection is left by the tooth, which up to then has acted upon
said pin, a pawl x, figures 1-4, held by an arm x², figure 3, of the lever r takes into
a ratchet-wheel m. The arm 2 is furnished with a poise ¹ which, of course, tends to
turn the lever r. Such turning, however, is hindered by the pawl a taking into the
ratchet-wheel m, ns just described. Said ratchet wheel is rotated by the wheel-work
of the clock, and the lever can thus be turned by the poise x only so slow as
allowed by the ratchet-wheel m.
Whilst the lever is thus turned, the bent end of said lever acts upon the arm
of the shaft i, and thus causes an outward movement of the cogged sector i¹ so that
the teeth of the cogged sector may actuate the pin of the shaft e, and cause the
clapper to produce as many marks as corresponds to the time then existing.
Instantly thereafter the pins of the sector act upon the pin of the shaft e
provided, the marks afore produced do not refer to a full hour; in no case the quarter
or quarters is or are marked without the full hour last completed, but this hour is

page_text: marked first and then the quarter or quarters is or are marked instantly thereafter.
Supposing the hands of the clock show a quarter after four o'clock then the clapper a³
will produce four marks, and the clapper a one mark. Of course, the sounds of the
gongs a¹ a are different.
In order to allow of the cogged sector i¹ returning into the interior of the clock-work
without acting on, or being impeded by, the pins e2 e3; in other words, in order to turn
the shafts e el in the manner afore indicated, said shafts are furnished with pins e*,
figure 6, which are acted on by pins w w' fixed to a lever w², figures 1, 2 & 10. u³ is
the fulcrum of said lever. The latter is provided with an upwardly extending bent
arm w which is acted on by the ratchet-wheel u³, i.e. by that tooth of this wheel
which lies diametrically opposite to the projection 3 of the lug 2. If, thus, the
lever w2 is turned by the influence of the respective teeth of the ratchet-wheel u2 upon
the bent arm w, this lever is turned in such a direction that its pins w w¹ cause the
rotation desired of the shafts e el with their pins e e³, and these latter are thus
brought out of the ways of the teeth and the pins of the sector i'.
The sector can thus freely turn back until the pin it is arrested by the eccentric o¹,
but the speed of said back-movement of the sector is determined by the speed of
the ratchet-wheel m, as described.
Dated this 28th day of November 1896.
Agent for the Applicant.
No. 1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street. E.C.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and connected with Striking Clocks.
I, JACOB FELLHEIMER, of Furtwangen, in the Grand-Duchy of Baden, German
Empire, manufacturer do hereby declare the nature of this my 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 refers to clocks with a striking-device, especially those after the
American system, and relates, first, to combining clocks of said kind with a
contrivance for marking also the quarters (i.e. the first and the third quarter) of the hours
besides the full hours and the half hours, and, second, to operating said contrivance
not from a special wheel-work, but from the ordinary or a common one, Particular
features of my improvements reside in the dimensions of American clocks of the kind
afore mentioned being the same, and in the relative simplicity of the work, as well
as the exact working of the same, not being impaired.
The gongs a a', see figure 1 of the drawing filed with provisional application,
are operated by the clappers a² a³, figures 1, 2 & 3, which are secured to the
shafts e e, figures 3, 5 & 6. Said shafts are oscillated by means of a cogged
sector, figures 1-6, the teeth proper of which co-operate with a pin e²,
figures 5 & 6, fixed to the shaft e, whereas a similar pin e3 fixed to the shaft e' is
acted on by special pins ", figure 5, which are secured to the cogged sector i¹.
The clapper marks the hours, and the cogged sector ¹ is, therefore furnished
with 12 teeth. The quarters of the hours are marked by the clapper a². Owing to
the fact that the first, second, and third quarter only is to be marked, but not the
fourth, as, there are no more than three pins 22 requisite for marking the quarters.
The distance between the pins e²e of the shafts e e¹, or the distance between the
pins 2, is so measured, that on actuating the pin e2 by the last tooth of the cogged
sector the first of the pins 22 remains before the pin ea, i.e. does not touch this
pin.

page_text: When the hours are marked by the clock the teeth of the cogged sector move from
the left to the right, provided, the cogged sector be regarded from the back side of
the clock, as shown in figures 12 & 5. In the position shown in âgure 5 the
cogged sector has reached its extreme right-hand position, and the pin e of the
shaft e has, therefore, been actuated by all the pins i. The clapper at has thus
marked three quarters.
The cogged sector is allowed to move hack, ś.e. froin the right to the left, in such a
degree only, that the number of the teeth moving away over the pin e (without,
however, touching this pin, as will be more fully described hereinafter) corresponds to
the number of marks next to be produced by the clapper a Presuming the three
quarters last marked by the clapper a meant a quarter to 4 o'clock then the
clapper a is moved four times at its next actuation, and the cogged-sector should,
therefore, move only so far to the left that four of its teeth are situated behind the
pin e² of the shaft e.
The back-movements of the cogged sector are effected by means of a poise 3,
figures 1-5; the magnitude of every back movement of said sector is determined
by an eccentric ol, figures 1-4 & 7, which is arranged upon a shaft o and serves
for arresting a pin that is secured to the sector. The eccentric o is rotated
once in 12 hours by an arm or lever u, figures 1, 2, 8 & 9, arranged upon the central
shaft u of the clock, and by a star-wheel o, figures 1 & 2, arranged upon the shaft o
afore mentioned. Said star-wheel is actuated intermittently by said fever or arm, in
such a manner, that 12 rotations of the latter result in one rotation of the said
star-wheel.
If the longest radius of the eccentric o extends in the direction to the pin it of
the cogged sector i¹, the latter can only move back so far that but one of its teeth
can take over the pin e2 of the shaft e. If, however, the shortest radius of the
eccentric o extends in the direction to the pin the sector i may move so far
back that all its teeth take over the pin e (without however actuating this pin.)
Before the eccentric o¹ allows of the back-movement of the cogged sector the
shafts e e¹ are turned to such an extent that the pins e2 e cannot be actuated by the
teeth of the sector and the pins 2 of the same. The means for effecting said turning
are described hereinafter. The pins are permitted to return into their original
positions only after the hack-iñovement of the sector has been finished. When
thereafter the sector is moved outwards then the pin e' is actuated by the respective
number of teeth of the sector, and the pin is operated either not at all, or by one,
two, or all of the pins , according to the time to he marked. The shaft i of the
sector is provided with an arm, figures 2-5, which extends in a direction
opposite to that of the cogged portion of said sector. Said arm may be acted on
by the bent portion of a lever r, figures 1, 2 & 4, which is fulerummed on a pin 8,
figures 1 & 2, situated above the central shaft u of the clock. The lever is pro-
vided with a downwardly extending lug situated at the left hand of the shaft u,
and carrying a projection . The latter co-operates with a ratchet-wheel u²,
figures 1, 2 & 8, which is secured to the shaft u and is provided with four teeth, or
four recesses respectively. The ratchet-wheel u2 is turned once in an hour, which is
already obvious from the fact that the lever or arm u¹ above mentioned is also secured
to said shaft u. This shaft is further provided with a knob u³, figures 1, 2 & 4,
that serves for regulating the hands of the clock. The direction of rotation of the
shaft u, or of the ratchet-wheel u respectively, is indicated by an arrow in figure 8.
The depths of the recesses of the ratchet-wheel u are different; in other words, said
depths increase in a uniform degree. The position of the lever r is obviously depen-
dent on the depth of the respective recess which just contains the projection
the lug, and said position will thus charge from quarter to quarter of an hour. In
consequence of the bent end of the lever r laying against the arm i of the shaft i,
or more precisely, in consequence of said arm laying against said bent end, the
position of the cogged-sector is made dependent on the position of the lever, in
such a way, that either none of the pins 2, or one, two or all of them, can act upon
the pin e of the shaft e. During the rotation of the ratchet-wheel u the teeth of
of

page_text: this latter act one after the other upon the projection 3 of the lug 2, in such a
manner, that the bent end rl of the lever r moves downwards. The cogged-sector i¹
is thus allowed to move back into the interior of the clock-work until the pin it of
the sector touches the eccentric o¹. As soon as the ratchet-wheel u² has so far
rotated that the projection is left by the tooth, which up to then has acted upon
said pin, a pawl r, figures 1-4, held by an arm a, figure 3, of the lever r takes into
a ratchet-wheel m. The arm is furnished with a poise ¹ which, of course, tends
to turn the lever 7. Such turning, however, is hindered by the pawl taking into
the ratchet-wheel m, as just described. Said ratchet wheel is rotated by the wheel-
work of the clock, and the lever r can thus be turned by the poise ¹ only so slow as
allowed by the ratchet-wheel m.
Whilt the lever is thus turned, the bent end of said lever acts upon the arm 5
of the shaft i, and causes thus an outward movement of the cogged sector i¹ so that
the teeth of the cogged sector may actuate the pin e of the shaft e, and cause the
clapper to produce as many marks as corresponds to the time then existing.
Instantly thereafter the pins of the sector i¹ act upon the pin e³ of the shaft e¹,
provided, the marks afore produced do not refer to a full hour; in no case the quarter
or quarters is or are marked without the full hour last completed, but this hour is
marked first and then the quarter or quarters is or are marked instantly thereafter.
Presuming the hands of the clock show a quarter after four o'clock then the clapper a³
will produce four marks, and the clapper as one mark. Of course, the sounds of the
gongs al a are different.
In order to allow the cogged sector ¹ to return into the interior of the clock-work
without acting on, or being impeded by, the pins e2e3; in other words, in order to
turn the shafts e e¹ in the manner afore indicated, said shafts are furnished with
pins e', figure 6, which are acted on by pins ww fixed to a lever up, figures 1, 2 and 10,
of which w is the fulcrum of said lever. The latter is provided with an upwardly
extending bent arm w which is acted on by the ratchet-wheel us, i.e. by that tooth
of this wheel which lies diametrically opposite to the projection of the lug r³. If,
thus, the lever w is turne.l by the influence of the respective tooth of the ratchet-
wheel u2 upon the bent arin w, this lever is turned in such a direction, that its
pins w w¹ cause the rotation desired of the shafts e e¹ with their pins e e³, and these
latter are thus brought out of the way of the teeth and the pins of the sector i¹.
The sector ¹ can thus freely turn back until the pin is arrested by the
eccentric o¹, but the speed of the return movement of the sector ¹ is determined by
the speed of the ratchet-wheel m, as described.
Concerning the complete action of the apparatus I will illustrate in detail a
complete exainple.
I will presume that the clock has just struck a quarter to four o'clock, in which
case the pin e2 has been ac'ed upon by three teeth of the cogged sector i¹, and the
pin e by the three pins 2 of said sector. The goug as thus been struck three
times by the clapper a³ and the gong a, three times by the clapper a. Therefore,
on the next occasion the gong a should receive four strokes, but the gong a none
at all.
When the clock has just struck a quarter to four, the position of the ratchet
wheel u is such that the pin 3 of the lever has been able to take into that recess
of said wheel which is least distant from the center of the said wheel. In consequence
thereof, the arm of the shaft i of the sector has heen raised to its highest possible
position, and the sector has so far beer: turned, that all the pins 2 have been able to
act upon the pin e³, as herein before mentioned.
But when four full hours are to be marked or struck, none of the pins shall
actuate the pin (this as beforesaid when only full hours (four) are to be marked).
To effect the latter, the next position of the ratchet wheel 2 must be such that the
pin of the lever r takes into that recess of this wheel which is most distant from
the shaft u.
The recess last mentioned follows that afore mentioned, but whilst the ratchet

page_text: wheel ts so far, or over the distance travelled in the course of fifteen minutes, the
weighted arm of the lever is raised by the teeth located between said two recesses,
and the arm of the shaft i thus becomes free from the bent end of said lever, so
that the sector can swing into the interior of the clock. At this time the position of
the eccentric o¹ is such that the pin of the sector strikes upon said eccentric when
four teeth of the sector have passed over the pin e3 of the shaft or axle e, and the
sector is thus prevented from any further movement in that direction, although the
arm is not supported or acted on by the end r¹ of the lever r.
When the teeth of the ratchet wheel just actuating the pin of the lever as
afore mentioned, leave that pin, the weighted arm of the lever r has reached its
highest position and from that point said arm of the lever is supported no longer by
the teeth in question but by the pawl a and the cog wheel m.
Owing to the teeth being slowly rotated in such a direction, that the weighted
arm of the lever r can sink or drop, this arm or lever 7 returns slowly to its former
position, and in doing so, the bent end of the lever, meets the arm 15 of the shaft i
and raises said arm or turns said shaft.
The sector is turned together with, or by, the said shaft i, and the four teeth
of the sector that formerly had passed away over the pin e2 of the shaft e, on the
sector moving inwards now actuate this pin four times, so as to cause the clapper a³
to strike four times upon the gong a."
Whilst the lever is returning from its oblique position (figure 2) into its
horizontal position (figure 1) the rotation of the ratchet wheel u proceeds and the
tooth of said wheel which first pressed against the pin of the lug comes
now to lie below that pin. The speed of the cog wheel is such that the pin 3
enters the next recess of the ratchet-wheel u2 at the proper time, this recess in the
case in question being that which is located most distant from the shaft u. The
end of the lever can thus be raised so far only, that the pins 2 of the sector
remain to the left of the pin e³, of the shaft e¹, so that only (four) full hours are
marked.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of Baid
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In a clock adapted to strike the hours as well as the quarters of the same, the
combination with the cogged sector having a pin and with the axle of said
sector, of an arm attached to said axle, a double-armed lever r having a bent
end adapted to operate said arm and a weighted end a provided with a pawl x
and a ratchet-wheel a rotated by the wheel-work of the clock, and adapted to
co-operate with said pawlx, and of an eccentric o' adapted to determine the position
of the sector 1, a star-wheel o² attached to the shaft of the sector o¹ and a rotary
arm attached to another shaft and adapted to operate said wheel, substantially as
described.
2. In a clock adapted to strike the hours as well as the quarters of the same, the
combination with the cogged sector and the pins of the same, the pins e
attached to the axle e e¹ of the clappers a² a³ and the pins et e also attached to said
axles, of a lever to having pins ww adapted to co-operate with said pins and
of an arm w, forming part of said lever and a ratchet-wheel u² arranged on the shaft
of the arm u and adapted to actuate the lever w² by means of said arm w¹,
substantially as described.
3. In a clock adapted to strike the hours as well as the quarters of the same, the
combination with the cogged-sector , the pin of the same, the eccentric o,
star-wheel of and the arm u, of the axle i of said sector, the arm attached to said
axle, the double-armed lever r arranged above the
downwanis from said lever and having a pin
ratchet-wheel w arranged upon the shaft of the
a pin carrying a poise al and a pawla, the latter
arm u and a lug extending
adapted to be operated by the
said arm u; the lever r having
being adapted to co-operate with

page_text: a ratchet-wheel m rotated by the wheel-work of the clock, substantially as
described.
Dated thin and dan of Aunct 1007
JACOB FELLHEIMER,
By Geo. Thos. Hyde,
1 Broad Street Buildings Liverpool Street London E.C.
Agent for the Applicant.