Improvements in Mechanism for Synchronizing Clocks.
Year: 1898

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
Improvements in Mechanism for Synchronizing Clocks.
We, ANTON ZESCHALL and CARL RESCHI, both of Ebeusee, in Austria, Manu-
facturers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to an arrangement of mechanism for simultaneously
regulating (synchronizing) from a central station, a series of clocks situated in
various positions at a distance from the said central station.
The mechanism which is actuated by an electric current, is applied to each of
the clocks that is to be synchronized from the central station, and on the passage
of several electrical impulses through its circuit sets in motion certain mechanism
which acts on a regulating arm attached to the large hand of the clock, which
operate to bring the said hand into a position indicating the correct time.
In order to attain this result, each of the clocks to be synchronized-and which
are all intercalated in the same circuit-is provided with the following mechanism,
iz., two electro-magnets, the bobbins of which are wound in opposite directions
and are traversed by an alternating current. The end of a polarized armature,
capable of pivoting on trunnions fixed at a certain height on the armature, and is
able to oscillate between the two poles of the said magnets. The upper extremity
of this armature is composed of a prismatic escapement, connected with a prism
which descends between the poles of the two electro magnets during the oscillatory
movements of the armature. The said prism is attached to a check-lever, which,
after certain, say six, movements of the armature, will have descended sufficiently
to release a suitable train of wheels, setting in motion two shafts, each provided
with a crank acting upon the regulating arm already referred to, and which bring
the large or minute hand of the synchronized clock into the correct position for
indicating the correct time. The said cranks rotate at equal speed but in opposite
directions, and are fitted with studs which, by engaging with the regulating arm
already referred to, and connected with the large hand of the clock, bring the
said hand into the desired position; and at this instant a click restores the check-
lever to its normal position, thus arresting the movement of the train of wheels,
actuating the regulating arm, after the aforesaid cranks have made a complete
revolution. One of the said cranks is made longer than the other, with the object
of counteracting the effect of the play (between the cogs) usually met with in a
movement of this kind.
Each clock thus constructed, and intercalated in the electric circuit from a
central station, can, in turn, be made to serve for synchronizing several secondary
clocks, by closing the local circuit wherein such clocks are included. To this
end the principal clock may be provided with a contact appliance consisting of an
insulated flat spring, and a stud fixed on the said check-lever of the train of
wheels which actuate the regulating arm. The said stud is in electrical connec
tion with a terminal, and the spring is also connected, by a wire, to another
insulated terminal, both of which are situated in the local circuit, wherein the
electro magnets of all the secondary clocks are intercalated.
During the movements of the above described regulating cranks, the aforesaid

page_text: stud comes into contact with the above mentioned spring, and thus closes the local
circuit of the secondary clocks, this action effecting the release of all the regu-
lating mechanism of all these clocks simultaneously.
The alternating current employed may be drawn from an electric lighting instal-
lation, if passed through a suitable resistance coil. Or if a continuous current is
available, this may be transformed by the aid of any suitable commutator. An
electric battery, connected with a commutator, may also be employed as the source
of electricity, or a magnetic inductor may be used in combination with a train of
wheels fitted with an automatic stop action released by the current from the central
station, which said current by causing the rotation of the inductor may devolope
the current necessary for the synchronizing of the secondary clocks.
Dated this 17th day of December 1898.
GEO. THOS. HYDE,
. 1, Broad Street Buildings, Liverpool Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicants.
SEE A BIG COCKS.
We, ANTON ZESCIALL and CARL RESCH, both of Ebeusee, in Austria, Clock-
makers, do hereby 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:-
-
Our invention relates to an arrangement of mechanism for simultaneously
regulating (synchronizing) from a central station a series of clocks or other time
pieces situated in various positions or places at a distance from the said central
station.
This device actuated by an electric current is applied to each one of the clocks
or other time pieces desired to be regulated from the central station, and causes
a mechanism to be released, after a number of electric impulses have been sent
through its circuit, this mechanism acting upon a regulating arm or lever con-
nected to the large hand of the clock so as to pass the latter into the position
corresponding to the exact time.
This releasing mechanism consists preferably of one or more electro-magnets
which during their induction, impart an oscillating motion to a lever provided
with a prismatic escapement, and thus actuate a second lever which, by the releas-
ing of a special mechanism, passes the regulating arm or lever of the large hand
into the desired position. The setting of this hand is preferably effected by means
of two cranks or eccentrics turning at the same speed but in opposite directions,
and which act in succession upon the regulating lever placed between these cranks
or eccentrics. After the regulation or setting of the hand has been effected, the
releasing lever is returned by the said mechanism to its normal position in which
it stops the said regulating mechanism.
In the accompanying 3 sheets of drawings a constructional form of our inven-
tion is represented by way of example in which:-
Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a clock provided with the device constituting
our invention the dial plate of the said time piece being removed.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of same.
Fig. 2 is a section illustrating a well known manner of insulating the electric
terminals from the case of the time piece.
Figs. 3 and 4 indicate the manner in which the rotary cranks act upon the
regulating lever of the large hand.

page_text: Fig. 5 represents separately the device applied to the main or standard clock
and serving to close the electric circuit of the secondary clocks depending upon
the former.
Fig. 6 represents diagrammatically the general arrangement of a main or
standard clock, to which the secondary clocks are connected, the number of which
may be fixed according to the requirements of the locality.
Figs. 7 and 8 Sheets 2 and 3 are enlarged views of the electro magnets and the
prism escapement.
Each clock A (Figs. 1 and 2) may be actuated by a weight, spring or any other
motive power. Upon the arbour a of the large hand a (which is actuated in the
known manner by the friction of the hollow spindle of the minute wheel a²) a
regulating lever bis arranged, the end of which places itself during the synchroni-
zation between the cranks c c of the regulating shafts cc. The shafts & dare
connected with each other by two large toothed wheels and actuated by the
initial or working drum or other spindle B which under normal conditions is
stopped by the arm of a bell crank lever d adapted to oscillate at a point d².
For this purpose the arm carries or has a widened or extended end against
which abuts the pin or stud d of one of the wheels of the train. The hori
zontal arm of the bell crank lever d carries a movable slide f provided with a
prism f, which bears against the teeth of a prismatic escapement f² in the well
known manner. When in the position represented in the accompanying drawings,
the prismatic escapement would oscillate six times in a horizontal direction when
the horizontal arm of the lever d would arrive at its highest position, to which
corresponds the releasing of the wheel work. The escapement f2 can turn in f
and carries an arm f which limits its oscillations, and which is capable of displac-
ing itself between two abutment screws f³. To the prismatic escapement a
polarised magnetic armature g is connected, the lower end of which engages
between the poles of two electro magnets gl g¹ wound in opposite directions.
The wire ends of the coils of these electro magnets are connected to the
terminals gg2 which are inserted into the circuit of an electric regulating current
(preferably alternating).
The bell crank lever d is provided with a curved arm which intercepts the
passage of a click 62 arranged on the spindle of the wheel work.
When at a certain moment, for instance at noon, one closes the circuit of the
alternating current in which a certain number of clocks arranged in different
places are inserted, the armature g and consequently the prismatic escapement f³
will be set in oscillating motion and this end of the lever a will descend, while its
opposite end would rise clear of the pin and so release the train of wheels 13
to d³.
Upon the side face of the cranks e pins are arranged which, during their
rotation in the direction of the arrows (Figs. 3 and 4) would push the regulating
arm & into its medium position and thus set the large hand to the proper time.
The rotary speed of the spindle 6' is exactly the same as that of the spindle c',
so that the click after a complete revolution of the cranks will have returned the
lever d to its normal position.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8. In its position of rest the prism f¹ lies upon the
uppermost tooth of the left hand branch of the fork but when this fork is caused
to oscillate under the influence of the magnets g¹ the prism fl by becoming free
falls by the action of its own weight, and that of the piece f and arm d, on to
the first tooth on the right hand of the fork f and then on to the second tooth
on the left and then the second on the right and so on until it has reached the
position shown in dotted outline at which it arrives after six oscillations in the
manner described, and which has caused the downward movement of the arm
into the position shewn by dotted outline, when its extended arm will have
become disengaged from the stop d and the clockwork B will be free to operate.
The arm would now be in the position shewn by dotted outline, and the arm 2
(Fig. 1) after having accomplished a complete revolution would push the arm d

page_text: into its original position, thus raising the arm d and the prism f¹ until the stop d
collides with and strikes against the extended arm or stop piece ³, at this
moment the arm 2 (Fig. 1) will have passed before the arms (, when the arm d
would fall and the prism fagain be at rest upon the first tooth on the left of the
fork fas shewn.
In order to prevent the return movement of the large hand a from carrying
along with it the minute wheel a² which would turn again in the opposite direc-
tion thus causing the said hand to slightly advance, the crank which repels the
regulating arm is made a little longer than the second crank, and to prevent
them from then obstructing each other in their movement, these two cranks are
mounted at a certain angle upon their respective shafts.
The large crank first repels the regulating lever beyond its medium position,
this lever being subsequently returned to its exact medium position by the small
crank which has meanwhile approached this lever.
The releasing of the regulating mechanism may also be effected by a continuous
current with the use of a single electro-magnet and a spring armature g of soft
iron, and also with a corresponding device of the prismatic escapement, however
the releasing by means of an alternating current must receive preference owing to
its absolutely reliable operation, not being influenced either by atmospheric dis-
charges, nor by contacts with other electric conductors or the like.
Moreover in the first arrangement the releasing operation cannot take place
accidentally by mechanical exterior influences, as for instance, concussions, blows,
or the like, because in this case the effect, if any, should take place would have
to change at least six times.
Each clock or other time piece thus constructed and inserted in the electric
circuit of a central station may also serve for regulating a number of secondary
clocks or time-pieces because it closes the local circuit of these clocks, for this
purpose the standard or main clock is provided with a contact device which is
composed of a spring h, adapted to engage with a pin upon the arm b² (sec
Figs. 1 and 5).
The pin is electrically connected by the mechanism of the clock, to the ter-
minal, while the insulated spring his connected by a wire to the insulated
terminal. The terminals 3 being placed in the local circuit in which the
magnets of all the secondary clocks are inserted.
During the motion of the regulating cranks o, the pin of 62 comes into
contact with the spring h, and thus closes the local circuit of the secondary clocks,
whereby the regulating mechanism of all these clocks is released simultaneously.
The alternating current may be taken from a conductor serving for lighting,
by causing the same to pass through a corresponding resistance, or if a continuous
current be employed, this may be transformed by means of a commutator of known
construction. As a source of electricity, we may also employ an electric battery
connected to a commutator or we may employ a magnetic inductor in combination
with a wheel work with automatic stoppage, which is released by the current of
the central station, and which current would effect the rotation of the inductor,
thus generating the current required for the regulation of the secondary clocks.
In Fig. 6 of the accompanying drawings i and it indicate two standard or main
clocks arranged in series, which are regulated by a magnetic inductor actuated
at the central station, j is a secondary clock the local circuit of which is closed
by the main clock. The alternating local current is supplied by a battery j¹
which is connected to a commutator.
In order that a clock so constructed may be removed from its case without it
being necessary to dissolve a connection of the conducting wire, the back of this
case is provided with properly notched spring actuated plates K (Fig. 2), which
are connected by means of metal wires to terminals arranged on the upper part
of the case and which are easily accessible. The plates K are connected to the
terminals gg h³ h².
The clocks provided with the regulating device above described present the great

page_text: advantage that their actuation is in no way impeded by any breaking of the
electric circuit or the like, these clocks operate without interruption in case of
rupture of the conductor, and can be again regulated automatically after such
conductor has been restored, seeing that the differences in the action of the clocks
occuring within a few days are not generally important. The maximum of the
difference regulatable by the mechanism is dependent on the effective length of
the regulating cranks c.
This regulating mechanism is not restricted to a certain type of clocks and
may consequently be applied to clocks, timepieces, of all kinds."
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is;
-
1st. A device for simultaneously regulating a number of clocks arranged in
different places, by a clockwork placed at a central station, the characteristic
feature being an electric releasing mechanism which is composed of two electro
magnets g', wound in opposite directions, of a polarised armature 9 placed
between these electro-magnets and connected to a prismatic escapement, and
of a lever d carrying a prism f₁ which descends during the oscillating motion
of the armature g, this device being applied to each of the clocks desired to be
regulated from the central station, and effecting the releasing of the wheel work,
as soon as its circuit receives an alternating current or several electric impulses
in succession, the said mechanism placing the large hand in the position corre-
sponding to the exact time substantially as set forth.
2nd. In a device of the kind ascertained the application to the wheel work of
a time piece and actuated by its primary movement of two cranks c turning at
the same speed but in opposite direction, and which by their pins ³, seize the
regulating arm or lever 6 connected to the large hand a¹, so as to pass it in the
desired position, and of a click 62 which returns the lever d to its normal posi-
tion by producing the stoppage of the wheel work after a complete revolution of
the cranks c substantially as described and shewn.
3rd. In a device of the kind ascertained in the preceding claim a construction
in such a manner that the crank which repels the regulating arm or lever is of
a greater length in order to thus suppress or deaden the influence of the set of
gearings which generally occurs in clockwork of this kind substantially as
herein set forth.
4th. In clocks provided with the device described and serving to regulate a
number of secondary clocks by closing their local circuit, the application of a
contact device composed of a fixed spring h, and of a contact pin h¹ fixed to the
oscillating lever 62 actuated by the wheel work of the time piece, the said pin
closing temporarily the circuit of the secondary time pieces during the move-
ment of the wheel work of the first or primary time piece substantially as herein
set forth and shewn.