Improvements in Gravity Escapement Mechanism for Clocks.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Dec., 1898--Accepted, 16th Dec., 1899
Improvements in Gravity Escapement Mechanism for Clocks.
ADAM PRESTON, of 39, Market Street, Atherton, in the County of Lancaster,
Watchmaker, 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: -
This invention has for its object improvements in the construction of gravity
escapement mechanism in which impulse is given to the pendulum by a weight
falling through a constant distance and equally applicable to all kinds of clocks.
Heretofore it has been customary to mount the frame or frames carrying the
pallets, in such a manner that there has been a considerable number of moving
parts involving complications and friction. Now according to my invention the
primary object has been to dispense with such complications, to prevent friction,
to minimise the effect of varying temperatures on the escapement mechanism
and to assure the utmost accuracy in time keeping.
I will now proceed to describe my said improvements with reference to the
accompanying drawing in which Fig. 1 is a part elevation, Fig. 2, is a part side
view, and Fig. 3, is a detail; is the pinion shaft on which the escapement
wheel b is mounted, to the side of which is formed an auxiliary lantern escape-
ment wheel having its bearing in a bracket c connected to the framing d of the
clock.
The pendulum rod e is suspended from the clock frame or from a bracket.
At this point I advantageously mount a vibrating spring f which carries
trunnions g, around which the pendulum is hooked.
The escapement pallets h h¹ operate respectively on the escapement wheel b b¹,
being moved forward by the pallet h on the forward movement of the pendulum.
The frame i surrounds the pinion shaft a and escapement wheels bb¹ and is not
pivotted at any point, and hangs advantageously with the pendulum, in suspension.
When it is desired to remove the clock mechanism, it is free to be withdrawn,
to allow of which the back disc of the escapement 6' is concaved around its peri-
phery as shown at Fig. 3.
In the event of anything giving way at or about the point of suspension the
pendulum would be supported by the pallet frame i riding on the frame c, which
latter also serves to prevent the pendulum being unduly swung and injuring the
escapement mechanism.
The suspension spring f is adjustably mounted, so that by a screw fl working
in the split nut or hanger the adjustment of the pallets in relation to the escape-
ment wheel can be readily effected.
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
I claim is
First. In gravity escapement mechanism, mounting the pallet frame in one with
the pendulum and suspending same substantially as and for the purposes herein

page_text: Second. In gravity escapement mechanism. suspending a pallet frame from a
vibratory spring capable of adjustment and operating in conjunction with a
pendulum substantially as herein set forth.
Third. In gravity escapement mechanism the combination with a suspended
pallet frame of an escapement wheel bb¹ mounted as herein set forth with reference
to the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. In gravity escapement mechanism the combination of a suspended
pallet frame and pendulum permitting of the withdrawal of the clock mechanism
and escapement wheel, without disturbing the said pendulum, all substantially as
herein set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this Seventh day of December 1898.
JAMES F. PHILLIPS,
Leigh, Lanc's, Agent for the said A. Preston.