Improved synchronizing and time signalling mechanism for clocks
Year: 1888

page_text: I, WILLIAM SAMUEL HARRISON, of Kentish Town, in the County of Middlesex,
Clock Maker and Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This Invention relates to certain improvements upon the Invention described in the
Specification of Letters Patent No. 3578 Dated 20th July 1883 granted to me for
the Invention of "Improved synchronizing and time signalling mechanism for
clocks," the special object of the Invention being to simplify and improve the
operating and controlling mechanism of the synchronizing mechanism in such a
manner as that its action may be rendered more direct and certain.
On the accompanying drawings Figures, 1, to, 3, represent rear elevations of the
improved mechanism showing the parts thereof in different relative operative positions
as hereinafter described, and Figs. 4, and, 5, represent front elevations of the
mechanism, also showing the parts thereof in different relative operative positions as
hereinafter described. Fig. 6. represents a plan view of the mechanism the parts
being in the respective positions indicated in Figs. 1. and, 4.
In carrying the Invention into effect, I cause the synchronizing arms, 7, to be
operated directly from a front disc, 8, on a spindle, 9, which is in continuous
connection with the operating mechanism of the sychronizing mechanism, providing
the disc, 8, with a series of operating pins, 10, and causing such pins to engage with
a lever, 11, on one of two spindles, 12, on which are secured toothed segments, 13,
in gear with each other and with pinions, 14, on spindles, 15, which project through
the clock dial, 68, and carry the synchronizing arms a little forward of the face
thereof, the connection of the parts between the arms, 7, and disc, 8, being such that
the operative movements of the arms, 7, in setting the hand are effected by the direct
action of the synchronizing mechanism, and the return movements thereof and of
such parts (upon the lever, 11, becoming disengaged from the pin, 10, operating it,
as hereinafter described) by means of a spring, 16, balance or equivalent self-acting
means adapted to operate on one or both of the spindles, 12. Or in lieu of such

page_text: toothed segments, 13, I can use a horizontally sliding toothed rack suitably guided,
the opposite ends thereof respectively gearing with opposite sides of the pinions, 14,
so that horizontal movement of the rack in either endway direction whether imparted
by the said pins, 10, and lever, 11, or its equivalent, in operating the arms, 7, or by
the said self-acting means in returning the arms, 7, is effective in giving the required
reverse movements to the pinions, 14. By such means I dispense with the
interruptedly toothed wheel intermittently connecting and disconnecting the train of
gearing operating the fly and the train of gearing operating the synchronizing arms
(connecting such trains of gearing at the commencement of the operation of the
synchronizing mechanism and disconnecting the same at the termination of the
operation of such mechanism) as hitherto used, and the use of which wheel was
disadvantageous in wasting the power of the mainspring, in not being in gear with
the train of gearing operating the synchronizing arms at the moment of the fly
being released from the armature, and in its liability after operating such train of
gearing to overrun its position of disengagement therefrom before the spring provided
for returning the synchronizing arms to their normal position had time to effect such
purpose.
The spindles, 9, 12, 15, and others, 17, 18, 19, 20, hereinafter referred to, are all
carried by opposite front and rear plates, 21, 22, kept apart by pillars, 23.
The rear end of the said spindle, 9, carries a locking disc, 24, which is provided
with a series of peripheral notches, 25, equal in number to the pins, 10, on the disc, 8,
on the front end of such spindle, and into one of which notches at the conclusion of
each operation of the synchronizing mechanism a pin, 26, projecting from the
warning or releasing lever, 27, enters, vide Fig. 1. and against the periphery of
which disc, 24, at a point adjacent to the beginning of another of the notches, 25, a
pin, 28, on a lever or extension, 29, of the armature, 30, remains engaged, (after
having been caused to engage therewith as hereinafter described,) another pin, 31,
on the lever, 27, at the same time engaging with the end face of an undercut snail, 32,
on the fly spindle, 18, by which means the rotation of the fly, 33, is stopped, whilo
the armature remains locked against the electro-magnetic coils, 34, by reason of the
said pin, 28, remaining engaged with. the periphery of the disc, 24. The lever, 27,
is centred on the spindle, 20, and is provided with a third pin, 35, which at such time
aforesaid also enters a peripheral notch, 36, in a disc, 37, on the rear end of the
spindle, 17, and on which spindle there is a second undercut locking disc, 38, formed
with a peripheral notch, 39, hereinafter referred to.
Such parts remain in such position until the minute hand, 41, of the clock has
travelled beyond the range of the fast synchronizing arm, vide Fig. 2, at which timo,
or at any subsequent time before the hand gets within the range of the slow
synchronizing arm, as may be required, the periphery of an undercut disc, 42,
(attached to the minute wheel, 43, of the clock, if an operation of the synchronizing
mechanism is required every hour, or to the hour wheel thereof if an operation of
the synchronizing mechanism is required only every twelve hours,) by means of a
lever, 44, centred at, 45, to the front plate of the clock mechanism, and a pin, 46,
thereon engaging with the periphery of such disc, 42, and an upper extension thereof
engaging with an extension, 47, adjustably secured to the lever, 27, is caused to raise
the lever, 27, out of engagement with the snail, 32, on the fly spindle, and to release
the fly from its control, vide, Fig. 2. the armature is at the same time also released
from the locking disc, 24, which upon the fly being released is rotated sufficiently to
permit of the spring, 48, of the armature causing the pin, 28, of its extension, 29, to
fall into the next notch, 25, presenting itself, the pin, 40, of the armature extension, 29,
simultaneously falling into the said peripheral notch, 39, in the disc, 38, which,
together with the disc, 37, (upon the fly being thus released) also partially rotate,
and to a greater extent than the disc, 24, rotates, the periphery of the disc, 38,
sufficiently advancing to permit of the said pin, 40, falling into the said notch, 39,
and the periphery of the disc, 37, sufficiently advancing to support the lever, 27,
in such raised position as aforesaid, the pin, 35, of the lever, 27, then resting on the
periphery of such disc.

page_text: The said operation of the lever, 44, by the clock, is also, in accordance with the
present improvements, caused to be effective in simultaneously setting an auxiliary
lever, 49, (centred at, 50, to the plate, 22,) into such a position as will arrest the fly
after it has been released from the lever, 27, and before it engages with the armature,
vide, Fig. 2. this is effected by the lever, 44, bearing against a pin, 51, on one arm
of the lever, 49, causing a pin, 52, on the other arm thereof to get in the path of
peripheral pin, 53, on a disc, 54, on the fly spindle, 18, and to arrest the fly at such
time. The said parts are retained in such relative positions until the hand, 41, of the
clock is again within the range of the slow synchronizing arm, and by such
means until such time, any attraction of the armature caused by any stray current of
electricity will be prevented from releasing the fly or causing the operation of the
synchronizing mechanism.
When, however, the hand of the clock gets within the range of the slow
synchronizing arm, a notch, 69, in the periphery of the minute or hour wheel disc, 42,
permits of the lever, 44, falling or being pressed back, upon which occurring, the
auxiliary lever, 49, assumes the position shown in full lines, in Fig. 3, which releases
the fly from its control, and permits of its pin, 53, engaging with the pin, 55, of the
armature as represented in such, Fig. This movement of the fly permits of corre-
spondingly proportionate movements of the said discs, 37, 38, and, 24.
When the electric time signal is received at the true hour, the armature is attracted
to the coils, and the fly is released from its control, upon which occurring, the
independent instantaneous operation of the synchronizing mechanism is effective in
causing the synchronizing arms to sweep together, and catch the minute hand of the
clock, whether it be fast or slow, if it be within their range, and set the hands to
true time, and the said operating parts then immediately resume the positions
represented in Figs. 1 and, 4.
Before the fly (during such action of the synchronizing mechanism) has completed
its first revolution after being released from the armature, the locking disc, 38, has
so far advanced as to have caused the pin, 40, of the armature lever, 29, to mount
upon its periphery, which is effective in locking the armature against the coils, and
the armature is detained in such locked position by such means until the disc, 24,
has so far advanced as to have caused the pin, 28, of the lever, 29, to mount upon
its periphery, which is effective in raising the said pin, 40, of such lever from contact
with the periphery of the disc, 38, and the armature is by such latter means kept
locked against the coils during the remainder of the operation of the synchronizing
mechanism and until released by the next operation of the clock as hereinbefore
described. Immediately before or at about the time the locking of the armature is
taken up by the periphery of the disc, 24, as hereinbefore immediately described, the
support of the raised lever, 27, is also taken up by the disc, 24, an opposite part of
its periphery causing the pin, 26, to mount thereon, which is effective in raising the
said pin, 35, of such lever from contact with the periphery of the disc, 37, and the
lever is thus kept raised during the remainder of the operation of the synchronizing
mechanism until such pin, 26, ceases to be thus supported and falls into the next
notch, 25, which presents itself, such fall of the lever, 27, being operative in arresting
the fly and stopping the operation of the synchronizing mechanism as hereinbefore
described.
If, however, the electric time signal does not for any reason arrive, then the
synchronizing mechanism remains in the position represented in Fig. 3. until the
minute hand of the clock has again passed the fast synchronizing arm, or arrives at that
position in which the clock is set to release the fly of the synchronizing mechanism
from the control of the said lever, 27, at which time, in such event of inaction of the
synchronizing mechanism, the clock merely resets the auxiliary lever, 49, vide the
dotted position thereof in Fig. 3. causing its pin, 52, to engage with a shorter
peripheral pin, 56, of the fly disc, 54, and to set back its pin, 53, from engagement
with the armature pin, 55, and the parts remain in such position (in which the fly or
synchronizing mechanism cannot be released by any stray current of electricity) until
the minute hand is again within the range of the slow synchronizing arm.

page_text: Fig. 4. represents the position of the parts directly acting upon the synchronizing
arms, during the time the fly is locked as aforesaid. Upon the fly being released
from the armature, the said independent operation of the synchronizing mechanism is
effective through the said disc, 8, in causing the pin, 10, thereof which is in engage-
ment with the lever, 11, to bear against the same in the direction indicated in such
Figure, and to operate the arms, 7, through the medium of the segments, 13, (or of
the said double acting rack) and pinions, 14.
At the moment the synchronizing arms assume the positions indicated in Fig. 5.
the operating pin, 10, slips past the end of the lever, 11, and immediately it has so
done, the said spring, 16, balance or other self-acting means used is effective in
instantly returning the arms, 7, and lever, 11, to the position indicated in Fig. 4. the
reverse movements of the synchronizing arms being arrested by a pin or pins, 67,
inserted in the face of the clock dial, 68, and the lever, 11, engaging with the next
following pin, 10, of the disc, 8, as such pin arrives at its dotted position, Fig. 5. at
which time the operation of the synchronizing mechanism is arrested by the fall of
the lever, 27, (owing to its pin, 26, ceasing to be supported by the periphery of the
disc, 24, and falling into one of the peripheral notches, 25, thereof, and to the operation
of its spring, 66,) which causes its said pin, 31, to engage with the said snail, 32,
vide, Fig. 1. and arrest the fly.
The synchronizing mechanism derives its movement from a mainspring coiled
around the main spindle, 19, and which operates a casing, 57, attached to a spur
wheel, 58, which actuates a pinion, 59, on the spindle, 9, a spur wheel, 60, on which
actuates a pinion, 61, on the spindle, 17, a spur wheel, 62, on which actuatos a
pinion, 63, on the fly spindle, 18, the spindle, 19, being provided with a ratchet
wheel, 64, and with a spring pawl, 65, for preventing the reverse action of the
mainspring.
The time signals or impulses may be transmitted to the armature, or its equivalent,
by means of air, water or other liquid, or by other means than by an electric
current.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what
I claim is
In synchronizing mechanism constructed and operating substantially as hereinbefore
referred to and described-
1. Keeping the synchronizing arms in continuous direct connection with tho
operating mechanism of the synchronizing mechanism excepting during the time the
arms are being returned to their normal position.
2. The application for such purpose, of the front disc, 8, in continuous connection
with the operating mechanism of the synchronizing mechanism, and provided with
a series of operating pins, 10, in combination with the lever, 11, toothed segments, 13,
(or equivalent double-acting rack) and toothed pinions, 14, substantially as hereinbefore
described.
3. Locking the armature or its equivalent to the electro-magnetic coils or their
equivalent immediately upon receipt of the time signal and attraction of the
armature, before the fly has completed one revolution after being released from the
armature, and until the completion of the operation of the synchronizing mechanism
and the next release thereof by the operation of the clock.
4. The application for such purpose, to the armature, 30, or its equivalent, of the
lever or extension, 29, adapted with pins, 40, 28, in combination with the locking
discs, 38, 24, adapted for consecutively locking the armature to the coils as herein-
before described, and provided with peripheral recesses 39. 25. permitting of the
armature being released simultaneously with the first movement of the discs, 38, 24,
upon the fly being firstly released by the next operation of the clock, substantially as
herein before described.
5. Keeping the fly of the synchronizing mechanism arrested by means under the
control of the clock, during the time subsequent to its having been firstly liberated

page_text: from the warning lever of the synchronizing mechanism by the operation of the
clock, until the hand is within the range of the slow synchronizing arm, for the
purpose hereinbefore described, and then releasing it from such operation for engage-
ment with the armature.
6. The application for such purpose, of the auxiliary lever, 49, or of equivalent
means under the control of the clock while the minute hand thereof is not within the
range of the synchronizing arms, substantially as hereinbefore described.
7. Setting the fly back from engagement with the armature at the time hereinbefore
indicated.
8. The application for such purpose, to the fly disc, 54, of the peripheral pin, 56,
acting in combination with the lever, 49, or its equivalent, for setting back its
peripheral pin, 53, from engagement with the armature pin, 55, substantially as
hereinbefore described.
9. The application of such herein before described improvements in any combination
or combinations.
10. The herein before described improved arrangement and construction of
synchronizing mechanism, and the operation of such mechanism in the improved
manner hereinbefore described.
Dated this 28th day of February 1888.
DAY, DAVIES & HUNT,
321, High Holborn, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.