IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN CLOCKS." A communication from abroad by Frederick Almon Lane, of
New Haven, in the County of New Haven, State of Connecticut, United
States of America Clock Manufacturer.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 6th December 1880.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS." [A communication from
abroad by Frederick Almon Lane, of New Haven, in the County of New Haven,
State of Connecticut, United States of America, Clock Manufacturer.]
The object of this Invention is to construct a clock more compact and with fewer
parts than those now in use.
According to this Invention three upright plates are employed set parallel with
each other face to face and carrying the clock movement, the back plate serving as
a back to the case as well as a back to the clock movement, the intermediate plate
in combination with the back plate constituting a movement frame supporting the
actuating mechanism independently of the train, and the front and intermediate
plates holding the ordinary train which is connected to the actuating mechanism
by an arbor supported in the back and intermediate plates, and carrying a pinion,
whereby the gearing of the clock is shortened, and the parts got in less compass by
having the train nearer the main wheel and spring. The intermediate plate is of
the same dimensions as the back plate, and the two are held at a sufficient distance
apart by posts or distance pieces to afford ample room between them for the main
spring and main wheel. The front plate is of smaller dimensions than the two
other plates, and is held in position by suitable pins or posts. The tops of these
plates are level with each other, whereas in ordinary clocks the front plate is
relatively higher, so that the clock train supported by it is farther removed from.
the main wheel and spring than in the present clock.
The main spring and main wheel are secured on an arbor that passes horizontally
through the back and intermediate plates, one end of the spring being secured to a

page_text: stud projecting inward from the back plate. Above this arbor and parallel
therewith is an arbor passing through the three plates and projecting beyond the
front plate to carry the clock hands, and on this arbor is the pinion which meshes
into the main wheel, and transmits the movement of the latter to the train that is
supported in position between the front and intermediate plates, said train being
similar in all respects, except that of location, to other clock trains requires no
further description, but by this Invention it is brought over or nearer to the main
wheel, and hence shorter gearing is required to connect the one with the other.
Another point of superiority of this clock over others is due to the almost
unobstructed space between the back plate and intermediate plate, whereby a
longer main spring can be used. A further great advantage in constructing clocks
of this design of different sizes and rates of time is, that the arrangement of the
train never requires changing, the only changes being in parts supported between
the back and intermediate frames, hence but few changes will be required in the
manufacturing of tools.
In some instances it may not be necessary or desirable to have the back plate to
form the back of the clock case, as bridges or arms may be substituted for said
plate to accomplish the purpose of holding the back ends of the main and centre
wheel arbors.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Melville Clark in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
4th June 1881.
ALEXANDER MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS." A communication from
abroad by Frederick Almon Lane, of New Haven, in the County of New Haven,
State of Connecticut, United States of America, Clock Manufacturer.
The object of this Invention is to construct a clock more compact and with fewer
parts than those now in use.
The Invention consists of three upright plates set parallel with each other and
face to face, with their tops on the same level, and carrying the clock movement,
the back plate serving as a back to the case, as well as a back to the clock
movement, the intermediate plate in combination with the back plate constituting
a movement frame supporting the actuating mechanism independently of the train,
and the front and intermediate plates holding the ordinary train, which is connected
to the actuating mechanism by an arbor supported in the back and intermediate
plates, and carrying a pinion whereby the gearing of the clock is shortened, and
the parts got into less compass by getting the train nearer the main wheel and
spring.
In the accompanying Drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of the clock devoid
of a case, and with a portion of the dial face broken away to exhibit other parts;
Figure 2 is a side elevation of the clock partly in section; Figure 3 is a front
elevation of the clock with the back plate removed; Figure 4 is a rear elevation of
the clock with the back plate removed.
A represents the back plate that serves as a back to the clock movement, and is
designed also to serve as a back to the clock case. B represents an intermediate
upright plate of the same dimensions as the plate A, and held face to face and
parallel with said plate A by the posts a, a, and a sufficient distance apart to afford
ample room between said plates A, B, for the main spring E and main wheel F, the
plates A, B, it will be seen forming a frame supporting the main wheel F and
spring E independently of the train G. C represents the front plate of smaller
dimensions than the plates A, B, set face to face, and parallel with the intermediate
plate B, and held in position by the pins or posts b, b, as shown. The tops of these
plates A, B, C, are level with each other, whereas in ordinary clocks the front
plate C is relatively higher, so that the clock train supported by it is farther
removed from the main wheel and spring than in the clock herein shown. On the
arbor D that passes horizontally through the plates A, B, the main spring E and
main wheel F are secured between the plates A, B, one end of said spring E being
secured to a stud c projecting inward from the plate A, as shown in Figure 4.
Above this arbor D, and parallel with it is the arbor d passing through the
plates A, B, C, and projecting in front of the latter plate to carry the clock
hands f, g, and on this arbor d is a pinion h meshing into the main wheel F, and
transmitting the movement of the latter to the train G that is supported in position
between the plates B, C; said train G being similar in all respects, but that of
location, to other clock trains requires no further description. In the matter of
location, said train G is brought over or nearer to the main wheel F than in other
clocks, and hence shorter gearing is required to connect the one with the other, and
consequently a clock of this construction is more compact than others. Another
point of superiority of this clock over others is due to the almost unobstructed
space between the back plate A and intermediate plate B, whereby a longer main
spring can be used in this than in other clocks. Another great advantage in

page_text: constructing clocks of this design of different sizes and rates of time is, that the
arrangement of the train never requires changing, the only changes being in parts
supported between the frames A, B, hence but few changes will be required in the
manufacturing of tools.
I am aware that clock frames somewhat resembling the above are not new, but I
am not aware of any having an intermediate plate in combination with the back
and front plates, and with its top on a level with said plates, nor do I know of any
clocks in which the combination and connection of a back and intermediate plate
affords ample room for main spring and wheel. I do not broadly claim the clock
train or other moving or operating parts, being aware that they are not new.
In some instances it may not be necessary or desirable to have the plate A
constructed in the manner herein shown to form the back of the clock case, as
bridges or arms may be substituted for said plate A to accomplish the purpose of
holding the back ends of the main and centre wheel arbors, without varying the
essential features of the Invention.
Having described the nature of the said Invention, and the manner of performing
the same, I declare that what I claim as the Invention to be protected by the
hereinbefore in part recited Letters Patent is,-
1st. In a clock as a means for supporting the clock movement, the combination
of the back plate A, intermediate plate B, and front plate C set face to face and
parallel with each other, and with their tops on the same level, substantially as
herein shown and described, whereby the train is brought nearer to the main wheel,
and the clock rendered more compact..
2nd. In a clock as a means for supporting the train G over or near the main
wheel F, the intermediate plate B of equal height with the back plate A, substantially
as set forth, said plate constituting a front plate for the main wheel arbor, and a
back plate for all gearing beyond the centre.
3rd. The combination of the clock movement with the parallel and equally
elevated plates A, B, C, as and for the purposes set forth.
4th. In a clock as means for supporting the main spring and wheel E, F,
independently of the train, the frame formed by the plates A, B, set and secured
parallel and face to face, substantially as herein shown and described.
5th. A clock consisting of the back plate A and intermediate plate B, the
actuating mechanism being supported between the lower parts thereof, in combi-
nation with the short front plate C attached to the upper part of plate B, the train
being arranged between said plates B, C, and connected to the actuating mechanism
by arbor d, supported in plates A, C, and carrying pinion h gearing directly with
the main wheel, as shown and described.
In witness whereof; I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Third day of June, A.D. 1881.