A MACHINE AND APPARATUS CALCULATED TO ANSWER THE PURPOSES OF A FIRE AND BURGLARY ALARUM
Year: 1819

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, we, JOSEPH
GLENNY, of St. John's Square,,Clerkenwell, in the County of Middlesex, Watch
Case Maker, and JOHN DARBY, of Gee Street, Goswell Street, in the said
County, Watchmaker, send greeting.
WHEREAS His late most Excellent Majesty King George the Third, did,
by His Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland called England, bearing date at Westminster, the Twenty-
third day of November, in the sixtieth year of His reign, give and grant unto
us, the said Joseph Glenny and John Darby, our exors, ádmors, and assigns,
His especial, licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that we, the
said, Joseph Glenny and John Darby, our exors, adñors, and assigns, during
the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully might make, use,
exercise, and vend, within England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-
Tweed, our Invention of "A MACHINE AND APPARATUS CALCULATED TO ANSWER
THE PURPOSES OF A FIRE AND BURGLARY ALARUM;" in which said Letters Patent
there is contained a proviso that if we, the said Joseph Glenny and John Darby, .
or one of us, shall not particularly describe and ascertain the nature of our said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under our hands and seals, or under the hand and seal of one of us,
and cause the same, to be inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery
within six calendar months next and immediately. after the date of the said

page_text: Letters Patent, that then the said Letters Patent, and all liberties and advan-
tages whatsoever thereby granted, shall utterly cease, determine, and become
void, as in and by the same, relation being thereunto had, will more fully
and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, we, the said
Joseph Glenny and John Darby, do hereby declare that the nature of our
said Invention, and the manner in which the same is to be performed, are
particularly described and ascertained in and by the Drawing hereunto
annexed, and the following description thereof (that is to say):-
The object of our Invention is to indicate or point out in writing or in words
the actual part or situation of any dwelling house, warehouse, or other pre-
mises where a fire or burglary has taken place, immediately after either may
have happened, by letting off an alarum in the sleeping or other room where
the machine may be fixed, which also brings into sight a plate, label, slider, or
other moveable part, bearing such an inscription as will shew whether a fire or
burglary has happened in any part or place with which it is connected. And
we hereby claim every method by which this our Invention can be accom-
plished. As, however, it is desirable to point out some of the many various
instances by which this object can be effected, we shall proceed to do so by a
reference to the Drawing accompanying this Specification, in which the same
letters refer to the same parts in all the Figures.
Fig. 1 is a front view of the alarum; A, A, the frame or case of it, having
a part of the bar which goes across its front removed (as shewn by the
fractures) and the flap B at its lower part let down, and also the door in the
upper part of it removed. In Figs. 1 and 2 the flap B being turned down
exposes to view those plates, labels, or sliders which may have fallen when the
alarum has gone off, one of which is shewn at C, in Fig. 1, and by dotted
lines in Fig. 2. D, D, &c., those plates, labels, or sliders which remain sus-
pended. E, E, &c., the iron bars or guides which direct the action of the
plates, &c., in their motion upwards and downwards, by entering into grooves
made in each side or edge of the plates to receive them. These iron bars
E, E, &c., are firmly secured at top to the bar F, F, and below to the bottom
of the frame A, A. These plates, labels, or sliders may be made of cast iron,
or any other fit and proper material, and of sufficient weight to draw back the
conducting lines or wires affixed to each by means of a projecting knob or
stud at the back of thein, and likewise to discharge or let go the alarum M.
G, G, is a roller acting upon pivots at each end of it, let into holes in the sides
of the frame A; A, and having arms II, H, &c., projecting from it, corre-
sponding with the studs at the back of each of the sliders D, D, &c. I is

page_text: another arm at one end of the roller G, G, to which is affixed a wire and
helical spring J, the other end of which wire is affixed to the frame A, A, and
which spring raises the arm I up into its resting place, after the roller G, G,
has been depressed by the studs at the backs of any of the sliders D, D, &c.,
striking or falling upon any of the arms II, H, &c., of the roller. To the
arm I is also affixed another wire and helical spring K, which communicates
with the detents L, of the alarum M, which is affixed to the inside of the frame
A, A, and discharges the alarum when either a fire or burglary takes place in the
premises connected with it. The alarum M may be of the common construction,
and with a wheel and pinion to make it act longer with a short run down of the
weight or spring which actuates it, and which need not therefore be described
here. Other wires and springs may also be affixed to the arm I, which may
either communicate with the handle of a Volta's lamp so as to kindle it or to stop.
a watch or other timepiece at the moment when the alarm is given, or to fire
a pistol or other firearm, to to ring an aların bell fixed outside of the premises,
&c. N, N, N, is a wire conductor, having a chain at that part of it which
passes over the pulley O, and which wire is affixed at one end of it to the stud
of one of the sliders D. To the other end of it is attached a detent hook P,
which has several holes in it, either of which may be hung upon a pin or
stud Q, fixed into a door frame, and so that the lower end of the detent hook
P may hang down over the upper part of the door in such a manner that the.
door cannot be opened or pushed inwards without at the same time forcing the
detent hook P off the pin or stud Q, and thereby discharging the alarum.
When the alarum is not set the detent hook P may be hung upon the other
stud R, which is also fixed into the door frame. S, S, are two other wire con-
ductors to be fixed to another door or window, as shewn by the inscriptions on
the plates or labels. T, T, T, T, are four other wire conductors, the remote
ends of which are however to be made of wool, silk, or catgut, so as to be
easily burnt through or broken by heat in case of a fire breaking out in any
of the rooms or places they are connected with; one of these being broken
shews the slider C connected with it as having fallen down, and as pointing out
the place where the fire has begun,-for instance, in the nursery.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section or plan of the alarum
Fig. 4 shews another mode of applying a detent hook P to a door opening
inwards, and in which a forked or cleft arm U is screwed to the door, its
cleft end projecting over the door frame, and embracing the stud Q fixed
therein; the detent hook P being then hung upon the stud Q, as in the former
case, the door, on being pushed inwards, will throw off the detent hook P and
discharge the alarum,

page_text: Fig. 5 exhibits a method of connecting a detent hook P with a door opening
outwards, in which an additional piece V with a hole in it, and having a
hook W affixed to it, is hung upon the stud Q, and the hook W is fixed into
a loop or eye attached to the door, and on the door being forced or pulled
open the loop draws the piece V towards it, which acts as à lever turning upon
the angle or corner of the door frame as a fulcrum and pushes the detent
hook P off the stud Q, and thus discharges the alarum. In order to keep
the piece V in a horizontal position in use, a stud X is fixed into the door
frame underneath it. When not in use the piece V hangs on the stud Q
perpendicularly, and as shewn by the dotted lines.
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section of parts of a window-frame and shutters,
shewing the mode of connecting the alarm with the shutters. P is a section
of the detent hook, which is hung upon a stud Q 'fixed into the back part of
one of the shutter cases; under the detent hook P rests one end of the bent
lever Y, having a hole or slit in it for the stud Q to pass through; to the other
end of the lever Y (which has a hole in it) is hooked a metal rod Z, the
other end of which is made into a loop which acts in a staplé a, is fixed into
one of the shutters, and and is extended beyond the loop so as to reach over to
another of the shutters, and so that on either of them being opened the end
of the lever Y, to which the rod Z is hooked, is pushed inwards, and the other
end of it being thereby raised, it forces the detent hook P off the studd Q, and
discharges the alarum.
J
Fig. 7 is a front view, and Fig. 8 is a side view and section of parts of a
sash window and frame, shewing the manner of connecting the alarum with
the window. 'P is the detent hook, and Q a stud fixed into the window frame.
b is a moveable inclined plane turning upon the pin C as a centre (which is
also fixed into the window frame) and having a part d bent at right angles to
the side b, with a hole or slit in it for the stud Q to pass through. The lower
sash on being lifted acts against the inclined plane of the piece b, so as to
throw the detent hook P (lying upon the part d) off the stud Q, and discharges
the alarum.
Figs. 9, 10, and 11, shew a combination of pullies and lines or chains,
whereby three or four windows may be connected with one slider or label.
e, c, e, the lines coming from the sliders. ff.fpullies in frames affixed to
the lines e, e, e, and having studs g, g, g, at the back of each frame with
projecting heads to them, which slide along grooves or slits made in a metal
plate h, h, which is affixed to the wall or wainscot so as to allow the heads of
the studs to move freely therein. Over or around the pulley f of Fig. 10
another line or chain passes, which is connected with one of three windows

page_text: by either of the methods already described; the other end; of which line.or
chain is united with the frame of another pulley i, having also a stud.g.at
the back of it running in the groove or slit in the plate h, h.. Over or around
this pulley i is passed another line or chain, each end of which is to..be
connected with a window as before described; and on either of the lines being
set at liberty the alarum is discharged. In Fig. 9 is exhibited an arrange-
mert, of the same kind for four windows, but without using. the grooved
plate h, h.
"
Fig. 12 an apparatus to be used to connect three windows or doors with
one label or slider, where assistant springs are. required to draw back
conducting lines of considerable length. j. j, the main plate of the apparatus,
to which is affixed the three metal tubes k, k, k, one of which is shewn.in
section. In each of these tubes is a helical wire spring and a wire or, rod,
with a loop at one end of it, and a boss or circular plate near the other end,
which nearly fills the tube. one end of the belical spring abuts or lodges
against a plate, which covers one end of the tube, having a hole in it.to.suffer
the rod to pass freely through it, whilst the other end of the spring. acts;
against the boss or circular plate on the rod, so as to draw the loop inwards.
To each loop is affixed a conducting line or wire attached by a detent hook.to
the window or door of any particular room or place indicated by the label or
slider. 1, 1, the frame of the ratchet pulley m, having a catch or click n
pressed against the ratchet by the spring o, the tail of which: click is
lengthened so as to stand before the open ends of the tubes.k, k, k.: When
either of the lines affixed to the loops are set at liberty the end of the, rod
strikes against the tail of the click, and sets the pulley. m at, liberty; also
around the pulley m is wound another conducting line which passes around
another pulley p, to the plate or label of the alarum. .
Fig. 13 is the ratchet pulley shewn edgewise, and Fig. 14 the winch or
handle to wind up the label or slider to its required height....
In Fig. 15, q is a spring barrel pulley, having its, sides made excentric at r,
so as to throw off a detent hooks, with projections t,. t, Fig. 17, on each side.
of it, which lodge against the two projections u, u, made in the frame of the
pulley to receive them, as shewn in Fig. 16. v is a line affixed, to, the pulley.
and wound around it, the other end of it being, connected with any door..or;
window; the spring in the barrel not being entirely wound up, whether the
line v be let go or pulled tighter, it will in either case, by turning the pully.
half round, bring the excentric. parts of it
push the projections t, t, upon it off the other
frame, and thus discharge the alarum.
against the detent hooks, and
projections u, u, of the pulley

page_text: Fig. 18 shews another mode of discharging the alarum. w is a bent lever
moveable on its axis in a slit or groove made through the plate a. One of
its ends has a hook or stud y which passes through a hole made in the plate x,
and projects sufficiently for the detent hook P to be hung upon it. The other
end of the lever w has an eye or hole in it, to which three conducting lines as
there shewn, or more (if necessary) may be affixed, any one of which being
pulled will throw off the detent hook P, and discharge the alarum.
Fig. 19 is another mode of producing the same effect, in which the bent
lever w, instead of passing through the plate a, has its axis turning its ears
fixed upon
the plate. One end of it has a slit or hole in it which allows the
stud Q (which is secured to the plate a) to enter into it, and over it is hung
the detent hook P. In the other end of the lever w is likewise an eye or hole
for three or more conducting lines to be affixed to, any of which, on being
pulled, also discharge the alarum.
Fig. 20 is a front view of an alarum constructed in a different manner from
that shewn in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and in which the front parts are also removed;
and Fig. 21 is a section of the same. In this construction the weights 2, 2, &c.
(which may be made of lead or other metal) are cast with iron rods or
wires, 1, 1, &c. firmly united with them, the rods extending above and below
them, and passing through holes made in the bars 2, 2, and 3, 3, fixed to the
back of the frame of the machine, and by which holes they are guided in their.
motions up and down. The upper parts of the rods 1, 1, &c. are made into.
loops to receive the conducting lines or wires which pass over pulleys above
the machine, as in that already described, and they are shortened below the
weights sufficiently to allow the weights to descend as described hereafter. At
the upper end of the front of each weight a loop 4, 4, &c. is fixed, to which is
fastened a line or chain, the other end of which is affixed to another loop 5
on the backs of the swinging or hanging plates or labels 6, 6, &c., and which,
when the weights z, z, &c. are drawn up, are suspended horizontally, and the
inscriptions upon the under sides of them are out of sight; but, upon any of
the conducting lines being let go, they fall into a perpendicular situation as
shewn at 7, and exhibit the inscriptions upon them. The weights z, z, &c.
falling upon the arms 8, 8, in the roller g, give motion to it, so as to cause it
to let off the alarum, &c. as before described in the reference to Figs. 1, 2,
and 3, and the motion of the roller g is limited downwards, and it is again
raised up in a similar manner to that there described. Those parts of the
conducting lines for the fire alarum which may be made of silk, catgut, or
wool, so as to be as aforesaid easily broken or burnt by the heat, must be
conducted around by passing over pullies fixed in the corners or angles of the

page_text: rooms or other places for that purpose, and the other parts of the conducting
lines must be conveyed to the machine in the shortest and most convenient
way by pullies in the ordinary manner of bell-hanging.
In witness whereof,. I, the said Joseph Glenny, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Twenty-third day of May, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty.