IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TELEGRAPHS AND ELECTRIC CLOCKS AND TIMEKEEPERS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEX-
ANDER BAIN, of Beevor Lodge, Hammersmith, Gentleman, 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 Twenty-ninth day of
May (One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two, in the fifteenth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the
said Alexander Bain, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial licence, full
power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Alexander Bain, my
exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander Bain,
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, and in the Islands of Jersey,
Guernsey, Alderney, Sark, and Man, and also in all Her said Majesty's
Colonies and Plantations abroad, my Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
TELEGRAPHS AND ELECTRIC CLOCKS AND TIMEKEEPERS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Alexander Bain, 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 imme-
diately 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: Daily
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 Invention consists, -
First, of improvements in electric telegraphs, whereby a series of signs or
indications are retained in sight for any desired length of time whilst the
electric apparatus which has caused such signs or indications to come into view
is being used for producing other signs or indications.
Secondly, my Invention consists of improvements in electric telegraphs,
whereby a succession of the same or of different signs or indications are
obtained without reversing the direction of the currents of electricity.
And, thirdly, my Invention consists of improvements in electric clocks and
timekeepers, and apparatus connected therewith, whereby the clockwork or
power employed to give motion to a magnet is constantly controlled and
regulated by a second system of clockwork.
And in order that the Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the means pursued by me.
The first part of my Invention has for its object so to arrange electric appa-
ratus and mechanical apparatus that the electric apparatus having been the
means of producing a sign or indication, such sign or indication may be
retained in sight whilst the electric apparatus may be used in obtaining other
signs or indications, thus ensuring the succeeding signs or indications being
read correctly.
This part of my Invention is capable of assuming a great variety of forms,
but I believe the arrangement shown in the Drawing, and which I will now
proceed to describe, will be found the most convenient.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a side elevation of apparatus arranged suitably for carrying
out the first part of my Invention; Figure 2 is a cross section of part thereof
through A, B; Figure 3, an end view; Figure 4 is a cross section through
C, D; Figure 5 is a plan, and Figure 6 shows an elevation of three such
apparatus in a circuit, in the manner they would be arranged in case of having
an intermediate station between two terminal stations. In each of these
Drawings the same letters are used to indicate the same parts. The apparatus
consists of two trains of wheels, each put in motion by its own spring; the one

page_text: train is for giving motion to an endless band, which is arranged to have parts
of one of its edges to be selected by the electric apparatus from other parts,
and thus offer means of keeping in sight the parts so selected. The other
train of wheels is caused.to operate on an instrument which selects and retains
in sight parts of the edge of the band before mentioned, the quantity or extent
of the parts so selected depending on the electric apparatus and the time the
person operating retains the apparatus in position to cause a current of elec-
tricity to pass.
a is an endless band, which I prefer to be of woven fabric
woven with bristles as weft, and having at one edge the ends of the bristles,
projecting. This endless band a carried by two drums b, c, the axis of the
drum 6 receiving motion from one of the trains of wheels; or it might be by
other convenient means, but I believe clockwork to be the most convenient
power for such purpose, as any slight inequality or difference of going in
regard to the several systems of clockwork in a line of telegraph will not inter-
fere with the correctness of the telegraphic indications made by each. When
the apparatus is at work the endless band a is kept constantly moving. (1) is
the spring barrel; (2), the chain; (3), the fuzee; (4), cog wheel on axis of
fuzee, which drives the pinion (5) on the axis of the cog wheel (6). The
wheel (6) gives motion to the pinion (7) on the axis of the cog wheel (8).
The cog wheel (8) gives motion to the pinion (9) of the cog wheel (10), which
gives motion to the pinion (11) on the axis of the fly (12). And on the axis
of the wheel (8) there is a bevilled toothed wheel (13), which takes into and
drives the bevilled toothed wheel (14) on the axis of the drum b, and thus is
the endless band a kept in motion. d is a thin blade or plate which is fixed to
the standards e, e, so that it is retained straight, and according to the length of
this plate and the length and speed of the endless band a, so will be the length
of time that signs or indications are retained in sight; and supposing several
such instruments are used in an electric circuit, like signs will be at the same
time on each of the plates d, by which not only will the sender of the tele-
graphic communication have before his eyes several succeeding signs at the
same time, but such will also be the case with the receivers of the com-
munication at distant stations.
And in order to make this more completely understood, I will now describe
the action of the electric apparatus, by which the actuated and pointed end of
the plate d is caused to operate in separating or selecting more or less of
the fringe of the band a at intervals, in order to produce alphabetical signs
or indications, the signification of which will be arranged according to any
code parties may compose. (15) is a spring barrel of the second arrangement
of clockwork; (16) is the fuzee, on the axis of which is a cog wheel (17),

page_text: which takes into and drives the pinion (18) on the axis of the cog wheel (19),
which wheel (19) takes into and drives the pinion (20) on the axis of the cog
wheel (21), which wheel (21) takes into and drives the pinion (22) on the axis
of the cog wheel (23), which wheel (23) takes into and drives the pinion (24)
on the axis of the eccentric (25), which eccentric, by the connecting rod (26),
moves the pointed end of the plate d; and it will readily be understood that
so long as the end of the plate d is not pulled inwards, as hereafter explained,
that it will remain stationary, and the fringe at the one end of the band a will
move behind the plate d. And it will further be readily understood that if
the pointed end d' of the plate d be pulled in towards the band a, so that the
point d' will pass behind the fringed end of the band a, the fringed edge will
pass in front of the plate, and will continue to pass in front so long as the point
d' is retained out of the straight line, but immediately the end d'assumes the
straight line the fringe will again move at the back of the plate d, only so
much of the fringe as has been selected remaining in front of the plate d; and
such selected portions of the fringe will remain in sight till they come to and
pass beyond the end d' of the plate d. And it will be obvious to persons
accustomed to the preparations of codes for electric telegraphs that various
alphabets or codes may be composed and used according to the signification
given to the larger and smaller quantities of the fringe which are selected in
succession and remain in sight, as above explained. In order to cause the end
d' of the plate d to be drawn or moved inwards, so that it may come behind
the passing fringe of the band a, the electro magnet f is used, which acts on
the keeper g on the lever h, such lever being constantly acted on by the
vulcanized india rubber or other spring i, to remove the keeper armature g
when a current of electricity is not passing. j is a finger key by which metallic
connections are made and broken, as is well understood, and the quantity of
fringe which will at any time appear in front of the plate d will depend on the
time that this key is depressed, for so long as there is metallic contact, and the
circuit is complete, so long will the end d' of the plate d be drawn behind
the fringe by the electro magnet, and the clockwork by which such movement
of the end d¹ of the plate d is accomplished as above explained will be stopped;
and such will also be the case so long as there is no electric circuit complete.
It will therefore be understood, that when a sign or indication is to be trans-
mitted, the communication will successively depress the key, each depression
being for longer or shorter time, by which the fringe of each instrument in the
circuit will be caused to appear in front of the plate d in longer or shorter
quantities, according to the arrangement of code. On the axis of the excen-
tric (25) is a fork k, which is intercepted by a projection from the lever of the

page_text: keeper or armature, which in its moving up and down intercepts one or other
of the prongs of the fork. By the arrangement shewn in the Drawings the
batteries Z, Z, Figure 6, are constantly in action, and in order to maintain
a complete circuit through an instrument when that instrument is not
the communicating instrument the key is at all. times kept down by the
screw k
From the above description, aided by the Drawings, the nature of and mode
of carrying out the first part of my Invention will be seen. I do not, however,
confine myself to the mode shewn and explained, as the same may obviously
be greatly altered and different apparatus used without departing from this
first part of my Invention, so long as the signs obtained in succession by the
electric apparatus (by the solution of part of a mechanical system) be retained
mechanically in sight after selection.
I will now proceed to describe the second part of my Invention.
Figure 7 shows a front view of an apparatus arranged according to this
part of my Invention; Figure 8 is a plan thereof; Figure 9 shows a side
view; Figure 10 shows another front view with the dial or face removed in
order to show the screen which works behind the dial or face; Figures
11, 12, 13, show three views of the face or dial with the screen behind it in
the three positions it is caused to assume when working. a is an axis which
when the instrument is at work is kept constantly rotating by suitable clock-
work, which I have not thought it necessary to shew in the Drawing. On
the axis a is a bevilled toothed wheel, which takes into and drives another
bevilled toothed wheel on the axis b. On the axis b is a disc c; the object of
this rotating disc is that when the keeper or armature d of the electro-magnet
is attracted by its electro-magnet e, it shall cause the screen f to come in
contact with and be moved by the rotating disc c a shorter or a greater quantity,
according as the electric circuit is kept closed a longer or shorter time. The
screen is carried by the arm f¹, which moves on an axis g on the armature
or keeper of the electro-magnet, and in order that the screen shall again
assume its proper position after it has moved, the spring his used, and the
projection i and stop j are employed to prevent the spring h moving the screen
too far. The keeper or armature of the magnet is mounted on the arm k,
which is fixed on the axis l, which is constantly drawn on by the spring m so
as to remove the armature or keeper from the magnet when the electric circuit
is not complete. In using this instrument only two signs are obtained, and it
is the order in which they are caused to appear that the desired signification
according to a code will be obtained, and in this respect the instrument is
similar to a single ne edle telegraphic instrument which moves to the right

page_text: and left of a zero point by reversing the direction of the currents of electricity;
but by the arrangement above shewn and described the electric currents at all
times pass in the same direction. The two signs obtained by this instrument
are, first, when the slit or opening n in the dial is half covered, and, secondly,
when the slit is opened or wholly covered, and the half movement or whole
movement of the screen will depend on whether the circuit is made and
instantly broken, or whether it is retained for a time to allow of the revolution
of the disc to act for such a time on the screen as to move it the whole length
of the slit or opening in the face or dial.
I will now proceed to describe the third part of my Invention.
Figure 14 is an elevation of several coils of wire, each having a bar or core
of soft iron therein; Figure 15 shows a plan thereof; Eigure 16 a plan in
section, and Figure 17 an elevation in section. These coils of insulated wire
are fixed in a circle, as shewn, and on a central axis a are fixed back to back
two magnets, having their similar poles upwards and downwards, as shewn;
and rotatory motion is to be communicated to the axis, a by means of suitable
maintaining power, which I prefer to consist of strong clockwork actuated
by a weight or weights, as is well understood. In arranging the coils of wire,
one end of the wire in each coil descends into the earth, and is connected to a
plate buried in earth, and so as to be constantly moist, as well understood.
The other end of the wire of each coil is to be kept well insulated, and to be
connected in the usual manner with any desired number of electro-magnetic
clocks or timekeepers or indicators of time, as is well understood, and having
passed from the last of its group it is caused to descend into the earth and be
connected with a metal plate constantly subject to the moisture thereof, or the
wire may be in metallic connection with gas or water pipes under the earth,
or by a return wire, as is well understood.
Figure 18 shows a Diagram by which the wires leading from the several
coils are indicated communicating with six groups or separate systems of
clocks, one to each coil of wire; and it also shows how I prefer to arrange
apparatus for governing or controlling the working of the maintaining power.
I would remark that it is not new to give motion by clockwork or maintaining
power to magnetic apparatus for obtaining electricity for working clocks, as
the same has been before described by me in a former Patent; but the clock-
work power was not regulated or controlled in its action, and it is difficult to
have sufficiently powerful works to drive the magnets, and yet also keep good
time by one arrangement of clockwork mechanism.
And my present improvements have, as above stated, for their object the
regulating and governing the action of the actuating clockwork or power by

page_text: means of a second or regulating clock, which being made in the best manner
will go correctly, as it will only have to remove at intervals a slight impediment
or stop to the going of the other clockwork, and I prefer that the axis a of
the magnets b, c, should be arranged to make one revolution per minute, and
that the regulating clock should remove a detent or stop from the fly of the
actuating or driving system of clock work. I have not thought it necessary to
show the two systems of clockwork, as a workman will readily arrange such
works. d is a wheel of the regulating clock, which is arranged to make a
revolution in a minute; e is a pin or projection thereon, which coming against
the lever moves it away, by which means the other end of the lever f is
moved away from the end of an arm g on the axis of the fly of the other
system of clockwork, and allows that system of clockwork to come into motion,
and by the axis h and bevilled toothed wheels i, j, to give motion to the axis a
of the magnets b, c.
On the axis h is a notched disc k, within which an arm
or detent rests, as is shewn. The detent or arm 7 moves on an axis m fixed to
the framing, and the axis of the lever fis fixed on the boss or nave of the arm
or detent l; and as the axis h which is put in motion by the stronger system of
clockwork at a speed of one revolution in less than a minute, the working will be
as follows:-When the pin e comes in contact with the lever f and moves its
other end out of the way of the arm 9, the stronger or actuating clockwork
will come into action, and the disc k will by its revolution lift the arm out of
its notch, and the arm will remain out, and resting on the periphery of the
disc till the axis h has made a complete revolution, when the arm or detent /
will fall into its notch in the disc k, and the lever f will intercept the arm g of
the actuating clockwork, and that system of clockwork will stop till again
released, as before explained.
I would remark, that I do not confine myself to this arrangement of
mechanism for causing the more powerful of the two systems of clockwork to
be controlled or regulated by the other clock, as the same may be varied
without departing from the peculiar character of this part of my Invention,
which consists of giving motion to the magnet or magnets used by one system
of clockwork or actuating mechanism, and regulating such actuating mechanism
by means of a regulating clock or timekeeper.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner of
performing the same, I would have it understood that what I claim is,--
First, the mode of arranging or combining apparatus herein described,
whereby mechanical signs or indications brought into view by electric apparatus
are kept mechanically in view for a time.
Secondly, I claim the combining apparatus acting by electric influence, as

page_text: herein explained, so as to obtain successive signs without changing the direction
of the currents of electricity. And,
Thirdly, I claim the improvements herein described in electric clocks and
timekeepers, and apparatus connected therewith.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Bain, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.
ALEXAND
(4.8.) AIN.
AND BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the Twenty-ninth day of November,
in the year of our Lord 1852, the aforesaid Alexander Bain came before
our said Lady the Queen in Her Chancery, and acknowledged the Specifica-
tion aforesaid, and all and every thing therein contained and specified, in form
above written. And also the Specification aforesaid was stamped according to
the tenor of the Statute made for that purpose.
Enrolled the Twenty-ninth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-two.