IMPROVE- MENTS IN CLOCKS OR TIMEKEEPERS
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ROBERT
WEARE, of Argyle Street, Birkenhead, in the County of Chester, Watch and
Clock Maker, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Third day of
July, One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, in the eleventh year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Robert Weare, my exors, adññors, and assigns, Her especial
license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Robert Weare,
my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Robert Weare,
my exors, admors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no others,
from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein expressed,
should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within England,
Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN CLOCKS OR TIMEKEEPERS;" in which said Letters Patent is contained
a proviso that I, the said Robert Weare, shall cause a particular description
of the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be
performed, by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be
inrolled in Her said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar
months next and immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters
Patent, as in and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.

page_text: NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Robert Weare, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention,
and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following statement thereof, reference being had
to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say :-
My improvements in the construction of magnetic and electro-magnetic
clocks and timekeepers consist in the particular application of magnetism and
electricity to the vibrations of a balance, and also a pendulum, which will be
explained as follows:-
Sheet 1, Figure 2, is two semicircular permanent steel magnets, with their
positive poles facing each other at N, and consequently their negative poles
facing each other at S. These magnets are fixed from their centre to an
upright staff by means of a brass arm A, as shewn in Diagram, and made to
vibrate freely on their own axis through the brass barrel E, Figure 4, in
which barrel is contained an helix or coil of copper wire covered with cotton
for the purpose of insulating the coils of wire from each other. The wire is
wound upon a wooden reel or bobbin with its centre hole sufficiently large to
allow the magnetic balance to pass freely into it. Upon this reel or bobbin is
about five hundred convolutions of wire for the purpose of containing a suffi-
cient quantity of electricity as will act powerfully on the poles of the balance.
In order to produce the electric fluid required to keep the clockwork in
motion I require a permanent and constant battery, as shown at B, B,
Figure 1, Sheet 2, and on a large scale in section at Figure 1*. I take a single
plate of copper, or silver platinized, or any other negative metal, of such shape
and size as may be required, and two amalgamated zinc plates of equal size,
through which are several perforations, and which are placed in such a
manner as to shew a novel construction of battery by one or either side of the
copper, and at the distance of half an inch from it. The space between the
plates is then filled up with sand, or by preference with sponge filled with
sand, the plates of metal being kept apart, and supported by cockspurs x of
glass, china, or earthenware. The battery is charged by wetting the sponge
and sand, to which a fresh supply of air is constantly admitted through the
perforations in the zinc plates. The oxygen of the air in the presence of the
moisture acts upon the zine and produces the electricity. But as pure water
would soon evaporate when exposed to the air, I have found it necessary to
add a.substance to it having a powerful affinity for moisture, and thus prevent
it from drying. For this purpose, therefore, I take chloride of calcium, one
of the most delequiescence of known salts, and I cause the battery to be

page_text: saturated with it. I find a battery thus arranged can be exposed to the air,
even in a dry place, without losing the requisite moisture, and by such
arrangement of battery I am enabled to obtain a constant current of electricity.
The arrangement of the battery or pile is as follows:-A mahogany or other
hard wood box (B, B, Figure 1 and Figure 1*, Sheet 2,) is made of such
dimensions as is suitable for the size of the plates as shewn. A zinc plate Z³,
perforated, is first laid near the bottom of the box B, B, Figure 1; a bed of
sponge and sand is next laid down upon the zinc, as may be seen at S,
Figure 1*, Sheet 2, about half an inch deep; then a plate of copper C, or
other negative metal, is laid down; then a bed of moistened sponge and
sand S, and then a perforated zinc plate Z₁ at the top.
The top and bottom
zinc plates being connected to the binding screw Z³ by a wire or strip of
metal forms the zincode of the pile, and the copper plate C being connected to
the binding screw C¹ by a wire or strip of metal forms the positive of the
pile. The advantage derived from this arrangement above all others hitherto
employed are, in the first place, that the chloride of calcium has such an
affinity for water, that so long as a current of air is admitted a sufficient
quantity of watery vapor is extracted from it as will always keep the sand
saturated.
Another way by which this clock or timekeeper can be kept in motion is,
by placing in the earth a positive and negative metallic substance, videlicit,
amalgamated zinc and copper, say two plates of each, fifteen inches square,
placed in a perfectly upright position. The zinc plates should be kept as
near each other as possible without touching, and also the copper plates, but
the zinc and the copper should be at least four feet apart. Common coke may
be used instead of copper. There are many ways of generating a weak electric
current; I have found that amalgamated zinc and common gas coke are the most
durable substances that can be applied for such purposes. While the current is
traversing the coil it renders it magnetic, so that when the current is passing
through the coil from N to Sit attracts the N pole of the balance at S,
sends it through to the N pole, which, by the laws of attraction and repulsion,
propels the balance still further, and must consequently remain so; but in
order to obviate this, I have contrived to reverse the polarity of this magnetic
coil by placing between it and the battery an arrangement for that purpose, as
shewn in Diagram, Figure 3, Sheet 1. A, A, is an ivory ring, or it may be of any
convenient non-conducting substance, such as wood, stone, glass, &c. A circular
groove is cut in this ivory ring or other non-conducting substance, with eight
pieces of gold let into it, as will be seen at N, N, S, S, D, D, and C, C. To

page_text: these pieces of gold or other conducting substance must be attached small
brass studs to go through the ivory ring for the purpose of connecting the
wires with the pieces of gold. These pieces of gold must also be of equal
length, and divided at equal distances round the circle by small inlets of
agate stone or other non-conducting substance. These pieces of agate and
gold I let in flush with the ivory ring, and perfectly flush with each other, so
as to render the tops of each conducting and non-conducting substance one
smooth surface; I then connect a wire to the copper pole of the battery,
and also connect it to two of these pieces of gold, as will be seen at N, N,
and another wire from the zinc pole of the battery at S, S, as shewn in
Diagram; then I take the end of the wire coming from the N pole of the coil
or helix, and attach it to the two pieces of gold D, D, and in like manner I
connect the wire from the S pole to the coil to the two pieces of gold C, C,
when this is completed so far as it is ready for the reversing points. Upon
the bottom of the staff a, Figure 4, Sheet 1, as will be also seen in an
enlarged form at D, Figure 3, I place a small collett or ring of ivory, being a
non-conducting substance. Upon this collett I put two pieces of steel, being
conductors, each piece having two points, as may be seen at a, a, a, a,
Figure 3, these points of steel having points of gold soldered to them,
projecting downwards, so as to rest upon and make contact with the gold
plates in the ivory ring A, A. The wires being fixed to the gold plates, as before
described, there is no current passing to the coil, because metallic contact is
broken by means of the agate stones; but so soon as metallic contact is made by
means of four steel points resting upon four gold pieces the circuit is completed,
and the electric fluid is allowed to pass freely in one direction to the coil of wire,
and consequently magnetizing that coil so as to attract the steel balance in the
opposite direction; but when the balance is moved it also changes the steel
conductors to the other four gold surfaces in the ivory ring A, A, and therefore
the points that before conducted the fluid positively now conducts it negatively,
and by that means the end of the coil that was previously magnetized
positively is now magnetized negatively, so that the balance is attracted
in the opposite direction to what it was before; therefore, and for that
reason, by the alternate reversion of the magnetic polarity of the coil or
helix, the continual and perpetual motion of the balance is kept up. A spiral
spring L, Figure 4, Sheet 1, is fixed at one end to the balance staff, and at
the other end to a brass stud fixed to the back plate of the clock, for the
purpose of regulating the time, and also to counteract the power of the coil
upon the opposite poles of the balance. By a simple mechanical arrangement,

page_text: upon the principle of the lever escapement, the motion of the balance is
applied to the machinery of the clock or timepiece, which balance may be either
common or compensation.
Secondly, my improvements relate to the motion of a balance by means of
a magnetic needle passing through a coil or helix of copper wire of different
dimensions, as the one used in Figure 4, Sheet 1. This coil is of an oval
shape, such as that used in a common galvanometer, as shewn in Diagram
at E, Figure 1, Sheet 2; and also the coil and needle in another view may
be
seen at E, N, Figure 2, Sheet 2. This needle is fixed upon the balance staff f,
Figure 1, and made to pass freely through the coil E; the two ends of the wire
upon this coil are attached to the two wires from the perpetual battery B, B,
Figures 1 and 3. or to the earth battery, as herein-before described. When the
electric current is traversing the coil it attracts the needle at P1, S2, Figure 2,
and when it passes the centre of the coil it repels it at P2, S', Figure 2;
the magnetic influence still being in the same direction, the needle would not
be allowed to return, only for this purpose I have contrived to break con-
nection with the battery by having on the bottom of the balance staff an ivory
collett b, Figure 1, with a gold spring a, a, fixed to it. This spring is carried
backwards and forwards by the motion of the balance, and made to make and
break contact with the gold stud P, which stud is fixed to the wire from
the Z³ pole of the battery. A spring L is fixed on the balance staff to move
the balance in the contrary direction to the magnetic coil, so that when the
magnetic influence of the coil brings the needle in one direction the gold
spring a, a, breaks contact with the stud P, and allows the spring to bring it
in the other direction, so that by simply making and breaking contact with the
battery at proper intervals the motion of the brass balance F is continually
kept up, and applied to the clock, as herein-before described.
Thirdly, my improvements relate to the obtaining motion to a balance by
having an electro bar magnet (E, Figure 3, Sheet 2,) fixed to the balance
staff f. It is composed of soft iron coiled round with covered copper wire; I
find a bundle of iron wire covered with cotton more suitable than an iron bar,
but either will do. I have placed in contact with the poles of this electro
magnet a permanent magnet of a long shape, curved at both ends, as shewn
in Diagram P, N, Figure 3, so that the ends of the permanent magnet will.
come opposite and close to the ends of the electro magnet. This bundle of
covered iron wires, coiled round with covered wire, is only a magnet while it
is in contact with the light steel springs a, a, which are fixed to two studs
of brass b, b, Figure 3, at which time it is strongly repelled by the permanent
magnet P, N, at both ends being repulsive, but so soon as it breaks contact

page_text: with the springs, being repelled by the permanent magnet, and assisted by the
spring L on the balance staff, it loses its magnetic properties, and being only soft
iron, is attracted in the other direction by the permanent magnet till it comes
in contact with the springs a, a, when it is again repelled by the permanent
magnet, and consequently, by the power of the constant battery, the motion
is kept up as before described in Sheet 1, and also at Figure 1, Sheet 2.
Fourthly, my improvements relate to obtaining motion to a pendulum in
the same manner as it is given to a balance in Figure 1, Sheet 3. An electro
bar magnet is fixed to the bottom of the pendulum rod A at E, and is
attracted and repelled by the poles of the permanent magnet P, N. When it is
free from the springs f, f, it is only soft iron, and will be attracted by either
pole of the permanent magnet, but so soon as it comes in contact with either
of the springs f, f, it is repelled. The perpetual battery B, as berein-before
described, is at the bottom of the case, and the current passes from the Z pole
of the battery to either of the springs f, f, and passed into the electro magnet
by either of the studs a, a, being both the same end of the coil. The other end
of the coil is attached to a wire running up the back of the pendulum rod to
the suspension spring at the top, and thence by a wire down the inside or
outside (as shewn by the arrows) of the case to the C pole of the battery B.
By this means the motion of the pendulum is constantly kept up.
Fifthly, my improvements relate to obtaining motion to a balance by
electricity alone by means of what is called a dry pile, some kinds of which
are well known, as those of De Luc and Zamboni, but I prefer the use of one
made of plumbagoe, zinc, and paper, as follows:-I take writing or other
paper and prepare one side with plumbagoe, and rubbing it upon the paper by
means of a rag or other soft substance until it attains a high polish. The
zinc I roll as thin as possible, and finally I pass it through rolls between
sheets of sand paper, or other rough substance. The sheets of zinc and
plumbagoed paper are then arranged similar to the above-mentioned piles,
namely, zinc, plumbagoed paper, zinc, and so on through the series, the
whole being placed in glass tubes, as will be seen in the Diagram, Figure 2,
Sheet 3, and then the whole is to be imbedded in melted shellac to protect
it from atmospheric changes. B, B, are a series of glass tubes filled with
thin discs of zinc and plumbagoed paper, having brass caps upon each
tube, as shewn in Diagram, Figure 2, with their positive and negative poles
connected together, terminating with a positive and negative pole, a wire
being brought from the P end of the pile to S, and also a wire brought from
the N pole of the pile to the point S¹. Upon the bottom of the balance
staff A is fixed a glass rod or arm E, shellaced over to prevent the current

page_text: running up, with a small bulb b at the end covered over with gold leaf or tin foil,
or a little knob of pith or cork gilt will do, so as to carry the charge from the
positive to the negative pole of the pile. When the little knob is brought in cou-
tact with the positive pole S' it receives a portion of electricity, and is repelled
from it, and as it goes off it is attracted at the negative pole S¹, where it
discharges its positive electricity; then it receives the negative electricity, and
is repelled again as before, and so on the knob or bulb travels between the
poles, charging and discharging itself alternately, consequently the continual
motion of the balance F is kept up and applied to the clockwork, as herein-
before described. Figure 3 shews the manner in which the glass rod is fixed
to the balance staff, and travels backwards and forwards between the points.
Sixthly, my improvements relate to the application of electricity alone to
the vibrations of a pendulum. Upon the bottom of the pendulum rod A is
fixed a glass rod or arm, shell laced over, with a bulb or knob, as before
described in Figure 2; the motion of the pendulum is kept up in like manner
as herein-before described. A sliding ball F is also upon the bottom of the
rod, to be raised or lowered to regulate the time.
Seventhly, my improvements in the working of clocks or timekeepers relate
to obtaining motion to the balance axis by means of horseshoe magnets acting.
with the poles of a magnetic needle, causing attraction and repulsion every
alternate vibration of the balance F (Fig. 1, Sheet 4,) by means of a lever
L, which is worked by a small brass collett a fixed upon the bottom of the
balance staff A. This small collett is working inside a brass roller, which has a
ruby or metal pin P in it, and at proper intervals moves the lever L from one
side to the other, the other end of the lever having also a ruby or metal
pin R as a roller working in the fork of the horseshoe magnet M. Another
view of the balance and magnets may be seen on a larger scale at Figure 2,
Sheet 4. M is the permanent horseshoe magnet; N, the needle, which is
attracted and repelled by the magnet M; L is the brass lever which moves
the magnet by the collett on the balance staff. The manner in which the
motion of the permanent magnetic needle is kept up is as follows:-When
the magnet is in the position as shewn at A, Figure 2, the N pole of the
permanent magnet attracts the magnetic needle at S; but so soon as it comes
near the pole the magnet reverses its position by the lever L, when it is.
immediately repelled back again, and the N pole of the needle is attracted till
it comes near to the S pole of the horseshoe magnet, when its position is
again changed backwards by the reverse power of the lever L. In this manner
therefore, by the assistance of the spring S, Figure 1, the motion of the brass
balance F is kept up; it is regulated and applied to the clockwork, as herein-

page_text: before described. The motion of the balance may also be kept up by one
single pole of a permanent magnet by attraction only, or any other convenient
way. I would remark, that it will be evident that instead of the permanent
horseshoe magnet M, an electro horseshoe magnet might be used and still
obtain a similar result, but not so conveniently.
Eighthly, my improvements relate to the application of horseshoe magnets
to the vibrations of apendulum having a magnetic needle or bar applied to it,
as may be seen in Diagram, Figure 3, Sheet 4. A is the pendulum rod, upon
the bottom of which is fixed a permanent magnetic bar N, which is attracted
and repelled alternately by the changing of the horseshoe magnets. M, M,
are two permanent magnets fixed upon arbors to the sides of the case at S,
the position of which magnets is changed by the action of the pendulum upon
the levers L, L; the action of the magnets in this case is precisely the same
as before described in Figure 1, Sheet 4. One magnet may be only used to
the pendulum, but two is more equal in power, or a permanent magnet may
be suspended from the centre of the case and allowed to fall from side to side
by a spring at the bottom in order to attract the magnet on the bottom of the
pendulum rod backwards and forwards, and keep it in motion. In all these
cases a ball is required to be raised and lowered to regulate the time. Here,
as in the preceding Figure, electro magnets may be substituted for the
permanent horseshoe magnets.
Having thus described the nature of my Invention, and the best means of
performing the same, I would state that I do not confine myself to the details
shown, so long as the peculiar character of either part of my Invention be
retained; but what I claim is,―
First, the mode of giving motion to the works of a clock or timekeeper by
a magnetic balance and coil, arranged as herein described.
I also claim the application of a ruby or other pin on the balance staff for
propelling the train of wheels, and showing a second to every vibration.
I also claim the application of the pallets of a pendulum of an electric time-
keeper as the driver or propeller of the train of wheels, showing a second
every vibration.
I also claim the arrangement of apparatus for reversing the polarity of the
coil as shewn.
And I also claim the mode of constructing a battery suitable for electric
timekeepers to act with the chloride of calcium, as herein described.
Secondly, I claim the mode of giving motion to clockwork by acting on
the balance axis by means of a magnetic needle, arranged as in a galvanometer,
as herein described.

page_text: Thirdly, I claim the application of an electro magnet fixed to the balance
staff between the poles of a permanent magnet as applied to clockwork, as
herein-before described.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of applying an electro magnet upon a pendulum
rod between the poles of a permanent magnet, and the manner in which the
contact is made and broken, as herein described.
Fifthly, I claim the application of electricity from dry piles to give motion
to the balance axis of clockwork or timekeepers.
And I also claim the mode of making a dry battery, suitable for electric
timekeepers, by employing plumbago and zinc with paper, as herein described.
Sixthly, I claim the application of electricity from dry piles to the vibrations
of a pendulum, as herein-before described.
Seventhly, I claim the mode of applying horseshoe magnets to obtain motive
power to the axis of a balance of timekeepers, as before described; and,
Eightly, I claim the mode of applying horseshoe magnets to obtain
motive power to a pendulum of timekeepers, in the manner as herein-before
described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Robert Weare, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Third day of January, in the year of our Lord