IMPROVEMENTS IN BELLS AND IN THE MODE OF HANGING THE SAME.
Year: 1870

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Melville Clark, of 53, Chancery Lane,
"
-
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN BELLS AND IN THE MODE OF HANGING THE SAME.'
A communication from abroad by Auguste Laroye, of Brussels, in
the Kingdom of Belgium, Merchant.
Sealed the 2nd September 1870, and dated the 18th June 1870.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 18th June 1870, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
5
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alexander Melville Clark
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition
and Declaration, on the 18th June 1870, pursuant to the 9th
Section of the Patent Law Amendment Act, 1852.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, 1, ALEXANDER
MELVILLE CLARK, of 53, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Patent Agent, send greeting.

page_text: Majesty to grant unto me, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
Her Royal Letters Patent for the same, and have made solemn Decla-
ration that it has been communicated to me from abroad by Auguste
Laroye, of Brussels, in the Kingdom of Belgium, Merchant.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, do
hereby declare that the following Complete Specification, under my
hand and seal, fully describes and ascertains the nature of the said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, in and by
the following statement, reference being had to the accompanying
Drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon (that is to
say) :-
The recognised systems of bell hanging up to this time have the great
inconvenience of obliging the bell ringers to put the entire weight of the
bells in motion without any compensation or deductions, resulting with
large bells in great labour and fatigue, moreover the vibrations to which
the belfry is liable when ringing a full peal (volley or firing) necessitate
frequent repairs of that structure. Some bells have been mounted on an
axis and counterbalanced by a weight to diminish the effort required
from the bell ringers, but this plan has been rarely employed, as it adds
to the load on the woodwork, and thus augments the vibration of the
belfry, which it is important to avoid. To remove these objections I
have sought in the bell itself and the mode of 'hanging the same the
necessary balance to lessen the labour of the ringers, and to diminish as
much as possible the vibration occasioned by the centrifugal force of the
bell when in motion. After many trials I have succeeded in lightening
the labour of putting it in motion at least 80 per cent. of the total
weight, and have diminished the centrifugal force at least 90 per cent.,
inasmuch as the use of the rolling trunnions and elongated bearings
hereinafter described avoids nearly all vibration of the belfry. This im-
proved system of hanging bells is illustrated in the annexed Drawing.
Figure 1 is a lateral elevation of a bell hung on this improved system,
its line of motion being shown in dotted lines.
Figure 2 is a front elevation of a bell showing the bent axle serving
'for suspension and allowing the trunnions upon which the bell swings to
'be brouglit as near as possible to the centre of the bell.

page_text: Figure 3 is an elevation of a bell hung on the old plan, showing the
more extended oscillations made by it.
Figure 4 is a front elevation of the traction pulley, with regulator of
a bell hung on the improved system of this. Invention.
Figure 9 is a front elevation of the yoke for the clapper springs.
Figure 10 is a part section of the crown.
Figure 11 is a lateral elevation of clapper and fittings, shewing the
ring with which all bells are provided, and to which I bolt the plates,
indicated at 1, 1, 1, forming cheeks or jaws, and supporting the springs
and the rigid portion of the clapper; Figure 12 is a front elevation of
the same, shewing the position of the springs when out of action;
Figure 13 shows an iron bar for supporting the springs, which may
consist of one or two plates, according to the weight of the clapper;
Figure 14 shows a plan of yoke for determining the position of the
clapper springs.
The Figures clearly illustrate the mechanism employed in this
improved plan of hanging bells, the advantages of which are apparent
at a glance; in effect, as the point of oscillation is at or near the centre
of the bell, one half always balances or nearly balances the other, it
being understood that the base should preponderate so as to bring the
bell back after cach movement to its vertical position. The extent of
oscillation is also diminished about one half, as shown by a comparison
of Figures 1 and 3, the bell a being suspended, as shown, at the summit
of a bent axle b, turning on trunnions c, c, situated a little higher than
the centre of the bell, and resting on brass or steel surfaces g of the
bearings d, d, or the bearings may be otherwise constructed for the
purpose. The movement can be given to the bell by the aid of a rope e
attached to the perimeter of a fly wheel mounted between the bell a
and the bearing d, or outside of this latter on a prolongation of the
The

page_text: trunnion c, or in other convenient position, according to the space at
command. The movement can also be given by the foot acting on
pedals occupying a similar position. It follows from this arrangement
that the ringer has to encounter but a small fraction of the weight of the
bell, so that one man may work constantly instead of requiring the
three or four men at present employed for a great bell, for example,
who require relieving every 20 or 25 minutes by three or four fresh
men. Morcover the effect of the centrifugal force developed by the
motion of the bell strains the axis of suspension, and causes a vibration
of the framing of the belfry, which is damaging to the strength of the
tower; this is reduced by the adoption of this improved system in the
proportion of at least 90 per cent.
It is understood that I do not limit myself to the precise arrangements
shown in the annexed Drawings, which may be modified and varied
according to the weight of the bell and the form of the tower, belfry, or
structure in which the bell is to be placed.
The bent axle b, to which the bell is hung, may be of iron of any
suitable form provided it is strong enough, those forms which I prefer
are T or I shaped. The trunnions c, c, may either be formed by the
prolongation of the bent axle 6 and part thereof, or they may be inde-
pendent and securely bolted thereto. The movement of the bell a may
be effected by hand through a fly wheel fof convenient diameter, or by
the foot with pedals, as before mentioned, or by any other mechanical
means. The form of the bearings and surfaces 9 may vary as desired,
but I claim the exclusive right to use the long flat bearing illustrated in
Figure 6, whereby friction and consequent heating of the trunnions c is
avoided, the contrary movements of the crown / and base i of bell
effectually preventing any sliding action.
I also reserve to myself the right in applying the improved system of
modifying any of the details described according to the requirements in
each particular case.
I also claim constructing clappers or hammers for bells in two parts j
and k, see Figures 5, 7, 11, and 12, of which the first j is rigid or fixed
in any convenient manner to the crown of the bell a, and the second k
forming about one-half of the whole clapper, is jointed to a pin and
suspended at m, as shown at Figures 5, 7, 11, and 12. This system can

page_text: be applied to existing bells. In order to obviate the effects of the
rebound of the clapper k upon the bell after the first stroke, and to
prevent the clapper from remaining in contact with the sides of the bell;
which detracts greatly from the intensity of the sound, I place between
the jaws 1, 1, of the fixed part of the clapper two steel plates n, n,
forming springs, the position of which may be adjusted by means of the
nuts o, o, o, o, between which they are held at about the middle of their
length, see Figures 7 and 12. These springs n, n, are intended to bend
under the stroke of the clapper, and to disengage it immediately from
the bell, so as not to prevent the free vibration of the latter.
I have also endeavoured to discover a means for regulating a volley of
bells, with a view to enabling several to be rung at the same time
without producing any false or. irregular time between the sound or
stroke of each individual bell. To effect this I pass the rope e, which
encircles the fly wheel fand gives the oscillating motion to the bell a,
as before described, through a hole p in the end of a rod » forming a
spring, the motion of which is limited by a stop s adjusted to prevent
the bell exceeding the course which it ought to make. Figure 4
explains this arrangement. If the bell is worked by means of pedals
this result may be attained by means of tappets provided with felt or
india-rubber.
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 herein-before in part recited Letters Patent is,―
1st. Hanging or suspending bells on axes or trunnions at or near
their mid height in the manner and for the purposes specified, and as
illustrated in the Drawings annexed.
2ndly. Dividing the clapper into two parts of nearly equal length,
one fixed and rigid, and the other moveable, as described.
3rdly. The arrangement of bearings for the trunnions to roll upon, as
described.
4thly. The springs for preventing the rebound of the clapper and
permitting of increased vibration of the bell, which therefore emits more
sound.
5thly. The arrangement for regulating the motion of the bells in
ringing peals or volleys for the purpose of preserving the harmony
desired.

page_text: 6thly. The application of the improved system to existing bells, as
well as the reservation with the same intent, of the right of modifying
these details according to circumstances.
In witness whereof, I, the said Alexander Melville Clark, have
hereunto set my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in
the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy.
Witness,
W. G. E. SWINNOCK,
53, Chancery Lane.
A. M. CLARK. (L.S.)