Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 29th Sept., 1897
Complete Specification Left, 29th June, 1898-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1898
improvешение
I, ANDRÉ BLUME, of No. 30, Rue Jouffroy, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The subject of this invention is an improved alarm comprising; a novel detent
escapement; an arrangement for beating seconds, very accurate striking mechanism ;
and a series of special devices, owing to which the whole of the clock work is of an
easy and economical construction, and faultless in its operation.
The several parts and works of the alarm are supported as usual, by two pillar plates,
properly tied together.
The complete detent-escapement located at the top of these plates comprises an
escapement wheel mounted upon a spindle, a balance, upon the spindle or arbour of
which are keyed the disengaging or releasing finger, tappet or catch and the plate or
disc which carries the impelling pin. The said escapement also comprises a double
spring detent, consisting of a spring plate carrying the stop pin of the escapement
wheel and the small detent spring having one end secured to the plate while its
free end is acted upon by the releasing tappet.
In the detent escapements now in use the outline of the tooth, of the escapement
wheel, which gives the impulse to the balance, is rectilinear and takes a more or less
radial direction. It follows that in the interval between the time when the tooth
meets the impelling pin and the moment it releases the same, the said pin slips along
the tooth for a greater or less distance, whence the impulse given is defective and the
operation of the mechanism irregular. In order to obviate this inconvenience, I have
devised an escapement-wheel the tooth of which has a theoretically curved out-line at
the part where it acts upon the pin. This outline is such that the pin rolls along the
tooth during the whole time that the two surfaces continue in contact. Owing to this
arrangement, the impulse imparted by the tooth to the pin,-which impulse is at all
times at right angles to the out-line (or sectional plane) of the tooth, will always be
tangent to the circumference described by the centre of the pin; that is to say motion
will thus be conveyed to the parts in the most perfect manner, so that the working
will be perfectly smooth and uniform.
The double spring detent of this improved arrangement operates with great
precision. The releasing finger, mounted on the balance arbour, first of all acts upon
the small spring and simultaneously raises this spring and the detent proper; the
stop-pin catches the wheel and as this wheel starts turning, one of its teeth strikes
the impelling pin; the balance turns in the opposite direction and the releasing
catch compels the extremity of the small spring to bend inwards and to pass through,
underneath, without touching the detent. The moment the tooth of the wheel
escapes the pin, the same movement recommences, and so on, all the movements
being precisely timed. A simple arrangement embodied in my improved alarm
enables it to beat the second and to therefore keep time correct to a second, it is as
follows: the second hand is mounted upon a spindle carrying a wheel which gears
direct with a pinion wedged upon the spindle or arbour of the escapement wheel.

page_text: The spiral or mainspring is placed outside the pillar plate, and mounted in the
usual manner upon the arbour which carries the ratchet wheel within this arbour
is inserted the second arbour or spindle, whereon the spring wheel is fast, which
wheel carries the click. This click consists of a flat spring, which a stop-pin prevents
from expanding when it is in gear with the ratchet wheel. As the spring expands,
the ratchet wheel engages with the click, takes round the wheel, and thereby sets in
motion the whole of the clock-work, whereas, while the alarm is being wound up by
turning the spindle or arbour in the opposite direction by means of a key, the wheel
is not taken round and the clock-work not acted upon.
Upon the spindle or arbour of the spring wheel, there is mounted in frictional
contact therewith the counter-wheel (the friction being relieved by lubrication);
which wheel is located outside the pillar plate and connected with an elongated
pinion. The counter-wheel and elongated pinion control the minute hand the hour
hand and the alarum wheel. To this end, the counter-wheel is arranged to gear
direct with a small wheel which carries the minute hand whilst the elongated pinion
gears with the wheel carrying the hour-hand; the said pinion at the same time
gearing with the wheel of the alarum.
The balance, provided to regulate the motion, is of a peculiar construction, the
whole of the weight being transferred to the circumference. The periphery of the
balance is notched so as to form nine separate blocks, of equal weight and equidis-
tant from the centre. Owing to the odd number of blocks, the balance is at all times
in a stable equilibrium when at rest, tending to resume the equilibrium whenever
moved out of it, so that it ensures perfect regularity, in the operation of the
alarum.
Besides, the alarm mechanism proper, or bell-arrangement, entirely obviates the
many defects and drawbacks inherent in the "pump" spring now employed in cheap
movements. The main novel parts it comprises are: the pawl or click, turning
freely on a fixed spindle supported by the pillar-plate, and a dise having a notch and
secured to the starting spindle or rod of the alarum. The pawl has two radial arms,
one forming an extension of the other. One arm being the beak of the pawl, is in
contact with the disc while the other (the "pawl-arm") retains the stop-rod of
aların starter." The extent of notion of beak is limited by a pin fixed to the pillar-
plate of the alarum.
Upon the spindle of the notched disc there is mounted with friction (eased by
lubrication) the alarm wheel so long as the alarum is not to ring, the pawl-arm
arrests the stop-rod of the aların pallets; but inasmuch as these act upon the said
arm tangentially and as the resultant of their impact passes through the pivot, it
follows that the beak is retained in contact with the disc without pressing upon such
disc, so that undue friction is entirely avoided. The moment the notch of the disc
takes up its position in front of the beak, the tail or arm of the pawl yields to the
tangential pressure of the stop rod and the pallets of the alarum come into operation,
this arrangement besides doing away with friction, ensures great precision in the
time of starting and enables the bell-ringing mechanism of the alarum to be wound
up a short time after it has been in operation, unlike that which happens in ordinary
alarums, where the bell-arrangement frequently comes into operation a quarter of an hour
before or after the time at which the user of the alarum requires to be called; in addi-
tion to which it also happens that when the alarum is wound up, say, an hour after
the time appointed, it again starts ringing.
To time the alarum, it is only necessary by means of the knob to turn the spindle
which carries the wheel and the minute hand. The wheel will at the same time
impart motion to the counter wheel and elongated pinion as well as to the hour-
wheel, all of which is effected without moving the barrel-arbor.
It will be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the forms
materials and dimensions of the parts hereinabove described.
Dated this o
1

page_text: I, ANDRÉ BLUME, of No. 30, Rue Jouffroy, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Gentleman, 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 :-
My invention relates to an improved alarm clock comprising an improved detent
escapement mechanism, an arrangement for beating seconds very accurately, and a
striking mechanism operating exactly at the hour, the whole being so arranged as to
form an apparatus of economical and easy construction and faultless in working.
My invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, in which,
Figure 1 is a rear elevation of the exterior of the alarm showing the operating

page_text: and
imparts great smoothness to the motion of the pin f impelled by the
wheel c.
The double spring detent of this improved arrangement operates with great
precision. During the first semi-oscillation from the right to the left of the balance
arbor, Figure 7, the releasing catch or finger e mounted on this balance arbor, acts
upon the extremity of the small spring h, turning the same down without producing
any other effect; but during the following semi-oscillation which takes place in the
opposite direction the finger or catch e meeting from below the end of the small spring h,
lifts the whole of this spring and the detent g proper, and the stop pin g¹ releases the
wheel c; the latter yielding to the action of the motor, turns from the left to the
right, and one of its teeth strikes the pin f, and by this instantaneous impact
restores to the regulator the vis viva, which it had lost.
During this time the releasing catch e leaves the detent, which latter by its elastic-
ity returns to its original position, which it can not exceed by reason of an abutment;
the stop pin then is enabled to stop the following tooth of the wheel c; and the same
operation recommences. The pin g¹ escapes one tooth at each complete to and fro
oscillation of the balance arbor.
A simple arrangement embodied in my improved alarm enables it to keep time correct
to a second; it is as follows:-the second-hand jis mounted upon a spindle i carrying
a wheel which gears direct with a pinion keyed upon the spindle of the escape-
ment wheel.
The spiral or mainspring R is placed outside the plate b, and is mounted in the
usual manner upon the arbor o carrying the ratchet wheel m. Within this arbor o is
inserted a second arbor or spindle o¹, whereon the wheel k is rigidly attached, which
latter carries a pawl m¹ (Figures 9 and 10). This pawl consists of a flat spring,
which a stop-pin m² prevents from expanding when engaged by the ratchet-wheel m.
As the spring R expands or unwinds, the pawl m¹ is moved round by its ratchet m
and thus rotates the wheel k, and with it the entire clock-work; whereas, while the
clock is being wound up by turning the spindle or arbor o in the opposite direction by
means of a key, the wheel k and the clockwork is not affected.
Upon the spindle or arbor o¹ of the spring controlled wheel k, there is mounted in
frictional contact therewith, the gear wheel p located outside the plate a and integral
with a broad-toothed pinion q. The wheel p and pinion q control the minute hand,
the hour hand and the aların wheel. To this end, the wheel p is arranged to gear
direct with a small wheel r controlling the minute hand, while the pinion q gears with
the wheels controlling the hour-hand; said pinion q also gearing with the wheel t of
the alarm.
The balance wheel regulating the motion is notched at its periphery in a manner
to form nine separate blocks w of equal weight and equidistant from the
centre.
The improved alarm mechanism or bell arrangement entirely obviates the many
defects and drawbacks inherent in spring controlled mechanisms now employed in
cheap movements. It comprises: the pawl or click turning freely on a fixed
spindle v supported by the plate a, and a disc a rigidly fixed to the starting spindle
or rod x2 of the alarm and provided with a notch x¹. The pawl is formed of two radial
arms arranged in line one with the other; one arm or beak of the pawl being in
contact with the disc and the other ("pawl-arm") v³ being in engagement with the
stop-rod z¹ of the stem of the hammer z. The extent of motion of beak v2 is limited
by a pin v, fixed to the plate a of the alarm.
Upon the spindle of the notched disc x there is mounted with friction the alarm
wheel t.
During the whole time, in which the alarm is not to ring, the pawl arm v³ stops
the stop rod z¹ of the alarm pallet 22, whilst the beak v² is held in position against
the periphery of the disc x. As the impact from the stop rod 21 is exerted upon the
arms at a point which is very near the pivot v¹, and as, on the other hand, the other
arm 2 of the lever v is of a relatively great length, the pressure from the beak v²
upon the disc x is very slight, so that all useless friction is avoided.

page_text: The moment the notch of the disc z takes up its position in front of the beak v²;
the tail or arms of the pawl yields to the pressure of the stop rod 2¹ and the stem
of the alarm hainier z is set in motion. This arrangement besides doing away with
friction, ensures great precision in the time of starting and allows the bell-ringing
mechanism of the alarm to be wound up shortly after it has been in operation, unlike
ordinary alarms, where the bell mechanism is often started a quarter of an hour before
or after the time at which the user of the alarm requires to be called; it also
happens that on re-winding the alarm, say an hour after going off it again starts
ringing.
It will be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the forms,
materials, and dimensions of the parts hereinabove described.
In order to alter or set the minute and hour hands, it is only necessary to turn by
means of a knob u¹ the spindle u which carries the wheel and the minute hand;
this wheel causes at the same time the gear wheel p and consequently the pinion q
to turn, and the latter transmits the movement to the hour wheels and to the
wheel t which causes the dise X to turn as the wheel p and the connected pinion q
are mounted under full friction on the barrel arbor o¹ they do not actuate the said
arbor o' by their movement.
For setting the alarm that is to say causing the same to ring at a given time it is
necessary to turn the knob u², terminated by the rod x2 which carries the starting
hand. As the rod 2 turns, it actuates the slotted disc x, which is keyed thereon, but
leaves the alarm wheel t motionless, which is mounted by means of friction only.
The number of hours required to lapse before the alarm bell is desired to act is first
calculated; say 9 hours, and by means of the knob u² the alarm starting hand is dis-
placed upon the dial starting from noon, in order to place the same upon the division
indicating nine hours. The clock work mechanism from this moment actuates the
wheel t and the disc x; after nine hours going, the slot in the disc arrives at the
beak v2 of the pawl and the alarm bell is released.
It will be understood that the scope of the invention is not limited to the
forms, materials, and dimensions of the parts hereinabove described.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
claim is:-
1. An alarm clock characterized by a detent escapement mechanism with teeth
the faces of which are composed of a rectilinear part 0-1 and of a curved safety
part 1-2 acting near the point of connection upon the pin f on the disc fx rigidly
carried by the spindle of the balance wheel, and a double spring detent consisting of
a flat bar g carrying the stop pin gland of a small spring h, and adapted to be acted
upon by the catch e, in combination with the second-hand carried by a spindle
receiving its motion direct from the escapement wheel thereby enabling the alarm
clock to beat seconds accurately, a balance wheel formed with nine blocks of equal
weight distributed over its circumference, and with a bell-mechanism comprising a
notched disc x fast on the starting spindle of the alarm, and a pawl adapted to be
kept in slight contact with the peripheral edge of the disc x through the interven-
tion of the stop rod of the stem of the hammer z, all arranged substantially as
described and for the purpose of causing the alarm to ring exactly at the desired
time to which it has been set.
2. In an alarm clock as claimed in Claim 1, the escapement wheel c having teeth
the faces of which are composed of a rectilinear part and of a curved safety part
acting near the point 1 of these two parts upon the pin f of the disc fx fast on the
spindle of the balance wheel, and the double spring detent formed of a flat bar g
carrying the stop pin gl, and of a spring h, acted upon by the catch e rigidly carried
by the spindle of the balance wheel.
3. In an alarm clock as claimed in Claim 1 the bell mechanism comprising the
notched disc a fast on the starting spindle x², and the pawl v loosely pivoted on an

page_text: axis vand kept in light contact with the peripheral edge of the disc by the action
of the stop rod z¹ in connection with the stem z of the aların.
4. In a clock movement a stop pin m² fixed to the wheel controlled by the main
spring and in front of the beak of the spring pawl for the twofold purpose of pre-
venting the spring of such pawl from stretching and also of preventing the pawl from
becoming accidentally disengaged from the teeth of the ratchet wheel.
Dated this 29th day of June 1898.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.