IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CLOCK REGULATORS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Raphael Hunter Brandon of 1 Rue Laffitte, Paris, in
the Republic of France, Engineer and Patent Agent, for an Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CLOCK REGULATORS" communicated to him by
James Frederick Kettell, of Worcester, County of Worcester, and State of
Massachusetts. United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Raphael Hunter Brandon
23
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th December 1883.
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON of 1 Rue Laffitte, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Engineer and Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CLOCK REGULATORS
(A communication to me by James Frederick Kettell, of Worcester, County of
Worcester, and State of Massachusetts, United States of America)
This Invention, which relates to improvements in electric clock regulators, has
especial reference to improved apparatus and means for "setting one or more
clocks, and the main object of the improvements is to enable the electric conducting
wires to be used, if desired, for telephonic or telegraphic purposes, except during a
brief period or periods of the day when the clocks are to be set.
The electricity is employed merely to control a detent, or as a let off for an
independent hand setting motor which is permitted to operate by the action of an
electro-magnet upon the detent.
The Invention consists in one or more clocks each provided with hand setting
mechanism, an elect circuit, and an electro-magnet controlling each setting
mechanism, a shunt circuit for each controlling magnet, and means whereby the
clock automatically closes the said shunt circuit cutting out the said magnet and
permitting the circuit to be used without affecting the said magnet except during a
short interval of time when the shunt is opened, permitting a current to pass
through the magnet for the purpose of setting the hands of the clock.
Also in a series of clocks each provided with a hand setting device, connected by
a line wire having a series of shunt circuits and means for automatically breaking

page_text: and closing the same to cause the current applied at a predetermined time to effect
the setting of the clock and permit the wire to be used during the greater portion
of the time for other purposes without affecting the clock setting device.
Also in a clock having a setting device and controlling electro magnet therefor,
and a shunt for the said magnet and circuit closer in the said shunt operated by
the clock.
Also, in the combination of the minute hand arbor of a clock having a transverse
pin, and a setting device to engage either end of the said pin and turn the arbor,
an actuating cam and independent motor therefor, an electro magnet controlling
the motor, and a shunt for the said magnet and circuit closer therein controlled by
the clock work.
Also in the combination in a clock of a hand setting device, an electro magnet
controlling it, a shunt circuit for the magnet, and a circuit closer in said shunt
operated by the clock work, and also by the setting device which causes the shunt
to be closed immediately after the setting operation has taken place.
Also in a clock having a setting device for the minute and the hour hands
controlled by an electric current, combined with a weighted second hand loose on
its arbor, a clutch or friction device to cause it to rotate therewith and means
actuated by the setting device to disengage the said clutch and permit the weight
to set the second hand.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Raphael Hunter Brandon in the Patent Office on the 28th April
1884.
"
RAPHAEL HUNTER BRANDON of 1 Rue Laffitte Paris, in the Republic of France,
Engineer and Patent Agent "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC CLOCK REGULATORS
a communication to me by James Frederick Kettell of Worcester, County of
Worcester and State of Massachusetts, United States of America.
This invention relates to an apparatus for setting one or a great number of
clocks, and the main object is to enable the electric conducting wires to be used, if
desired, for telephonic or telegraphic purposes except during a brief period or
periods of the day when the clocks are to be set.
The electricity is employed merely to control a detent, or as a let-off for an
independent hand setting motor which is permitted to operate by the action of an
electro magnet upon the detent.
The invention consists in one or more clocks, each provided with hand setting
mechanism, an electric circuit, and an electro-magnet controlling each setting
mechanism, a shunt circuit for each controlling magnet and means whereby the
clock automatically closes the said shunt circuit cutting out the said magnet and
permitting the circuit to be used without effecting the said magnet except during a
short interval of time when the shunt is opened, permitting a current to pass
through the magnet for the purpose of setting the hands of the clock.
Also, in a series of clocks, each provided with a hand setting device, connected
by a line wire having a series of shunt circuits, and means for automatically
breaking and closing the same, to cause the current applied at a predetermined
time to effect the setting of the clock and permit the wire to be used during the
greater portion of the time for other purposes, without affecting the clock setting
device.
Also, in a clock, having a setting device and controlling electro magnet therefor,
and a shunt for the said magnet and circuit closer in the said shunt operated by
the clock.
Also, in the combination of the minute hand arbor of a clock, having a transverse
pin, and a setting device to engage either end of the said pin and turn the arbor,
an actuating cam and independent motor therefor, an electro-magnet controlling
the motor, and a shunt for the said magnet and circuit closer therein, controlled by
the clock work.
Also, in the combination in a clock, of a hand setting device, an electro-magnet
controlling it, a shunt circuit for the magnet, and a circuit closer in said shunt
operated by the clock work, and also by the setting device which causes the shunt
to be closed immediately, after the setting operation has taken place.
Also, in a clock having a setting device for the minute and hour hands controlled
by an electric current, combined with a weighted second hand, loose on its arbor,
a clutch or friction device to cause it to rotate therewith, and means actuated by
the setting device to disengage the said clutch, and permit the weight to set the
second hand.
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock provided with a hand setting device,
embodying this invention.
Figure 2, an elevation of some of the parts shown in Figure 1, in a different
position.
Figure 3, a sectional detail on line x figure 1, and,
Figure 4, an elevation of parts of the regulating clock, by which the other clocks
are automatically set,

page_text: Referring to figure 1, A represents the case, and B a portion of the dial of a
clock, of any usual construction, a portion of the frame, of which is shown at C,
the main part of the dial B being broken away, to show the hand setting
mechanism.
The arbor a of the minute hand of the clock, is provided with a transverse
rod b, having a definite position, with relation to the minute hand, and revolving
with it.
The setting device is shown, in this instance, as a sliding frame c, the ends c¹ of
which, are adapted to engage either end of the rod b, and turn the said rod and the
connected arbor and minute hand, to the position, in which both ends of the said
rod touch the ends c¹, of the setting device, when the hand will indicate the proper
time with relation to the main or regulating clock.
The setting device c is moved in its guides c², towards the rod b, in order to thus
set the hands by means of an actuating cam d, mounted on an arbor d³, of a
train D, provided with an actuating spring and detent lever, having one arm e
adapted to engage a notch, in a disk d' on the arbor d', and another arm e¹ adapted
to engage the fan or fly of the train D, and a third arm e adapted to be engaged by
a finger f, on the armature f¹, of the controlling magnet f2.
A spring keeps the setting device c with its stud c, against the surface of the
cam d. The train D constitutes the hand setting motor. The second hand i, of
the clock, is free to turn on its arbor ¹, but is normally, frictionally held thereon
by a clutch or friction device shown as a spring, pressed disk i², so that it rotates
with the said arbor i¹.
The second band is provided with a weight 3, so that when the friction
device is disengaged therefrom, the hand swings on its arbor ¹ to its vertical
position, on the zéro point of its dial, or the weight may be arranged to set the
second hand at any desired point.
The friction device 22 is thus disengaged, and the weight permitted to set the
second hand by means of a lever k, one arm of which engages the said friction
device i², moving it away from the hand i, while the other arm of the said lever is
engaged by a cam or incline c³, on the setting device c, as the latter is moved by
the cam d, to engage the rod b and set the minute and hour hands.
The terminals of the magnet f³, are connected by wires 2, 3, with suitable
binding posts and with the line or main circuit wires 4, 5, including the magnets ƒ³,
of all the other clocks, that are to be simultaneously set in definite relation to one
another, and also with the main or regulating clock F.
The magnets f" are normally cut out or shunted from the circuits 4, 5, to enable
them to be used for other purposes, such as telephone and telegraph communication,
except during a short interval of time, in which the hands are to be set.
The shunt for the magnet f2 consists of a contact piece g, connected by wire 6,
with the wire 4, and a movable circuit closer g', connected by wire 7, and the
wire 5 and normally resting in contact with the piece g, thus forming a direct
connection between the wires 4, 5, and diverting the currents from the magnets f³.
The circuit closer g, is pivoted upon the clock frame and provided with a spring
finger h, engaged by a projecting finger a¹ on the arbor a, in the rotation of the
said arbor, in such manner, as to lift the circuit closer g¹, from the contact piece g
and open the shunt circuit 6, 7, a short time before the hand of the clock, (if
without error) would arrive at the point to which it is to be set, by the setting
mechanism.
The said finger a¹ also keeps the circuit closer g¹ raised for a short time, after the
hand, if the clock is too fast, has passed the said point, during the whole of which
period, which should be greater than the maximum error of the clock, the
magnet f is in circuit, so that, if a current is passed over the line 4, 5, it will cause
the armature f¹ to be attracted and the train D of the hand setting motor to be
released, causing the setting device c to move in the direction of the arrow thereon,
at first releasing the second hand i, which will then drop to the zéro position, or be
otherwise set by its weight 3, the device c then engaging one or the other end of

page_text: the rod b, according as the clock is fast or slow, and moving it until both ends
come into contact with the ends c¹ of the said setting device, when the clock, is at
the proper position with relation to all the other clocks in the same circuit.
The setting device c is provided with a pin c6, which engages a finger g³,
connected with the circuit closer g¹, raising the latter as shown in figure 2, at the
same time that the arm a¹ is turned with the hands, so that the spring finger h is
disengaged from the said arm a¹ dropping below it as shown in figure 2, and thus
permitting the circuit closer g¹ to close the circuit immediately after the hands are
set, when the setting device c is thrown back from its normal position by the
spring c. The current may be transmitted over the circuit 4, 5, at the proper time
to set the hands by means of a key, or it may be transmitted automatically by a
regulating clock, with which the other clocks are to be set in unison or in any other
definite relation.
As shown in figure 4, the frame of the regulating clock F, including the minute
and hour hand arbors, is connected with the ground, or forms one member of a
circuit closer for the circuit 4, 5.
The hour hand arbor of the regulating clock F is provided with a contact disk n,
from which the circuit is normally continued by a contact spring n¹, to the wire 4
of the main circuit, thus connecting it with the ground, and keeping it continuous,
so that it may be used for electric communication.
The said disk is provided at one point with insulating material n³, which, once
in twelve hours, will pass under the end of the spring n¹, thus opening the circuit
between them.
The minute hand arbor of the clock ƒ is provided with an arm o, which, in its
rotation once every hour, engages a lever o¹, normally resting in contact, with a
contact piece o³, connected with the line 4, and thus also keeping the circuit closed,
except when the said arm o turns the lever o¹ on its pivot, disconnecting it from
the arm o².
As the circuit is only open between n, n', once in twelve hours, the movement of
the lever o¹, at other times, will produce no effect, but once, in every twelve hours,
the said circuit will be open, both at n and between o' and o³, thus preventing
any current from being transmitted, which will affect the magnets f³, which are
thrown into circuit, by opening the shunt at g, g', at about the same time.
The circuit is opened at the main clock F a few minutes before the time for
setting the clocks, and in the further movement of the arbor of the said clock, the
lever o will be raised until it comes in contact with a movable contact piece o³,
connected with the wire 4, thus again closing the circuit, and sending the impulse,
by which the magnets f¹ are effected, the clock set, and the said magnets * cut
out from circuit as before described.
The arm c¹ will remain in contact with the piece 3, lifting the same for a short
interval of time, during which the disk n will have moved far enough, to again be
brought in contact with the arm n³, so that the subsequent dropping of the lever o'
will produce no break in the circuit.
It will be understood, that the clocks that are to be set, may have an additional
shunt, connecting the wires 4, 5, and including a disk on the hour hand arbor,
having an insulating point and a contact spring, in connection therewith, precisely
like the ones n, n¹, thus keeping the magnets shunted, although the shunt is
opened at g, g, except once in twelve hours, when both shunts will be opened and
the clocks set.
CLATUS
1. One or more clocks, each provided with hand setting mechanism, an electric
circuit, and an electro magnet controlling each setting mechanism, a shunt circuit
.11.
L
11
1. One or more clocks, each provided with hand setting mechanism, an electric
circuit, and an electro magnet controlling each setting mechanism, a shunt circuit
for each controlling magnet, and ans whereby the clock automatically closes the
said shunt circuit, cutting out the said magnet and permitting the circuit to be
used, without effecting the said magnet, except during a short interval of time,

page_text: when the shunt is opened, permitting a current to pass through the magnet for the
purpose of setting the hands of the clock, substantially as described.
2. A series of clocks, each provided with a hand setting device, connected by a
line wire, having a series of shunt circuits, and means for automatically breaking
and closing the same, to cause the current, applied at a predetermined time, to
effect the setting of the clock, and permit the wire to be used during the greater
portion of the time for other purposes, without affecting the clock setting device,
substantially as described.
3. A clock, having a setting device, and controlling electro magnet therefor, and a
shunt for the said magnet and circuit closer, in the said shunt, operated by the
clock, substantially as described.
4. The combination of the minute hand arbor, of a clock having a transverse pin,
and a setting device to engage either end of the said pin, and turn the arbor, an
actuating cam and independent motor therefor, an electro magnet controlling the
motor, and a shunt for the said magnet and circuit closer therein, controlled by the
clock-work, substantially as described.
5. The combination in a clock of a hand setting device, an electro-magnet
controlling it, a shunt circuit for the magnet, and a circuit closer in said shunt,
operated by the clock-work, and also by the setting device, which causes the shunt
to be closed immediately after the setting operation has taken place, substantially
as described.
6. A clock, having a setting device for the minute and hour hands, controlled by
an electric current, combined with a weighted second hand, loose on its arbor, a
clutch or friction device, to cause it to rotate therewith, and means actuated by the
setting device, to disengage the said clutch and permit the weight to set the second
hand, substantially as described.
: In Witness whereof, I the said Raphael Hunter Brandon have hereunto set my
hand and seal this 26th day of April in the year of our Lord 1884