and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1884

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by Chester H. Pond, Henry L. Bailey, James
Hamblet, all of Brooklyn, County of Kings and State of New York,
Augustus S. Crane, of Newark, County of Essex and State of New Jersey,
and Adelbert W. Gray, of New York City, County, and State, in the United
States of America, Electricians.]
and Apparatus therefor.
"
J, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON Fel. Inst. P.A. of the Agency for Foreign.
Patent Solicitors G, Lord Street, Liverpool in the County of Lancaster and
323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATING AND
CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CLOCKS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR (a communication
from abroad by Chester H. Pond, Henry L. Bailey, James Hamblet all of Brooklyn,
County of Kings and State of New York, Augustus S. Crane of Newark County
of Essex, and State of New Jersey and Adelbert W. Gray of New York city,
county, and State in the United States of America, Electricians), to be as
follows:-
The invention relates to the construction of electric clock apparatus and to the
organizations of electric clock systems.
The object of the invention is to provide a complete electric clock or time
telegraph system which is under the control of, and is regulated by, a central
clock.
The invention contemplates the automatic operation of the central clock, which
in turn actuates one or more series of secondary clock-movements synchronizes tho
pendulums of these and other clocks and also synchronizes the hands of the same
and of other clocks.
In carrying out the invention it is designed to employ as a central regulator an
automatically operating electric clock. To the vibrating pendulum of this clock
there is secured a bracket supporting two contact-points which are respectively
adapted to complete the connections of an electric circuit through a corresponding
electro-magnet, when near its limit of oscillation in a corresponding direction,

page_text: thereby causing the magnet to be vitalized and a resilient arm to be released. This
arm acts, by pressing against the contact point, to impel the pendulum in the
opposite direction. When the pendulum has swung to a point near the opposite
limit of its vibration, a similar operation takes place and another impulse, tending
to reverse the direction of the pendulum, is communicated to it. The contact-points
through which the circuit is closed are in the form of two knife edges intersecting
each other at an angle; and the points from which the arms carrying the same are
supported, are so located that the movements of the contact-points caused by the
vibration of the pendulum will cause the knife edges to rub slightly across each
other, thereby keeping the surface free from dust and corrosion. Included in the
circuit of one of the electro-magnets which is thus completed at each semi-vibration,
are the electro-magnets of a series of secondary clock movements. These are so
organized that a sufficient movement will be given to the hands of the dial at each
semi-vibration of the pendulum of the regulator, to cause them to revolve in unison
with the hands of the regulator.
Included in the same circuit or in the circuit which includes the second electro-
magnet of the regulator, there is a circuit-closing and interrupting device which is
BO organized as to derive from the more or less prolonged impulses occasioned by
the movements of the pendulum, momentary electric impulses. These momentary
impulses are employed for vitalizing one or more electro-magnets designed to act
upon the vibrating pendulums of clocks, whether actuated mechanically or by
electro-magnetism, in the proper manner and at the proper intervals to maintain
them in unison with the movements of the primary pendulums.
In carrying out this last named part of the invention, an electro-magnet is
employed, the armature of which causes a second or local circuit to be momentarily
closed at each completion and at each interruption of the primary circuit. This
armature is constructed with two flexible contact-springs and two resting-stops
against which they are normally pressed by their resilience. The two contact-springs
constitute the terminals of the secondary or local circuit, Two contact-stops in
electric connection with each other, are respectively applied to the two contact-
springs and against these the springs are alternately caused to impinge by the
movements of the armature lever. When, however, the armature is in either of
its positions of rest, that is to say either in proximity to, or remote from, the
electro-magnet, one or the other of the springs is forced away from the contact-
stop by means of the corresponding resting-stop. At the central point of its
vibration, however, both the contact springs rest against their respective contact-
stops and complete the connections of an electric current in which are included one
or more electro-magnets for synchronizing the pendulums. These electro-magnets
are so located, with reference to the respective pendulums to which they are applied,
that they are vitalized by the currents traversing the same at the precise moment
an armature carried upon the pendulum is passing in front of the pole of one of
the magnets. If, however, any pendulum has been thrown out of unison and
swings slightly in advance or behind the primary pendulum, the vitalization will
occur either immediately after or immediately before the pendulum has passed the
electro-magnet. The force thus exerted upon the armature of the pendulum of the
electro-magnet will either retard or accelerate its movements as required and
the pendulum will thus be brought into unison with the movements of the primary
pendulum. One or two of such synchronizing electro-magnets are applied to each
of the subsidiary regulators of a time telegraph system which it is designed to
maintain in unison with the central primary regulator, and to any other clocks, as
may be desired.
Applied to the vibrating armature-lever of the primary regulator is a circuit-
closing device which is organized to complete an electric circuit once each minute.
To this end a knife-edge contact point is carried upon the end of the movable arm.
This arm is normally held out of the path of the contact-point upon the armature-
lever, by means of an extension which rests against the periphery of a revolving
disc. The movements of the clock cause this disc to revolve once per minute and
-

page_text: to thus cause a notch or indentation formed in its periphery to pass once each
minute beneath the end of the extension, thereby permitting the arm to move into
the path of the contact-point carried upon the armature lever. The next succeeding
vibration of the lever causes the one contact-point to impinge against the other and
to thus complete the connections of a battery. Included in the circuit of this
battery there is a series of secondary clocks which are organized to move once
each minute and to be thus caused to indicate the same time as the contral
regulator.
For the purpose of synchronizing the hands of these and other clocks, a device
is employed for placing a contact-point in the path of the arm last described, once
cach hour, and this device serves to transmit an electric impulse once each hour to
a series of electric-magnets respectively provided with armature-levers. These
levers serve to actuate two arms which grasp the extremity of the minute hand of
the corresponding clock at some predetermined moment, say at the commencement
of the hour.
Still another circuit-closing device may be employed in connection with the
movements of the armature-lever of the central regulator, and the impulses thus
derived will occur at each semi-vibration of the pendulum. Such impulses may
be employed for synchronizing the movements of other clock-pendulums and for
actuating secondary clocks.
In the accompanying drawings, figure 1 is a diagram showing the general
organization of apparatus embodying the features of the invention. Figures 2
and 3 illustrate the construction of the central regulator. Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7
illustrate the different forms of secondary movements. Figure 8 illustrates the
construction of the device employed for synchronizing the hands.
Referring to the drawings, A. represents a pendulum of any suitable form which
is preferably suspended by means of a flexible strip of metal B which is secured to
a support C. Upon the pendulum A. there is fixed a bracket D, having two arms d'
and d respectively projecting from opposite sides of the same. Two contact-
points d and d are respectively carried upon the extremities of the arms d¹ and dª
and these points are rendered adjustable by being mounted in suitable slots.
Above the arms and d extend two resilient arms or springs e² and e² secured
to, but insulated from, the frame support C. Two contact-points e³ and et are
respectively carried at the extremities of these arms and they are designed to make
contact with the corresponding points d³ and d near the respective limits of the
vibration of the pendulum A.
The contact surfaces of the points are constructed in a form of prisms or knife-
edges and these are so placed that their planes will intersect each other at an angle,
preferably at right-angles. The contacts may be constructed of tempered steel,
platinum or other suitable metal, the essential point being that the surfaces which
come in contact with each other shall be sharpened, the general form of the points
being that of a wedge or prism.
Secured to the frame C by means of a suitable bracket, there is carried a pivoted
table or rocking support H having its centre of oscillation in the same vertical line
with the support of the pendulum A but preferably in a lower horizontal plane.
Near the respective extremities of the table H, are carried two upwardly projecting
arms h¹ and h² respectively designed to raise the corresponding springs e¹ or e³
whenever the corresponding end of the table is raised.
In the drawing, the table is represented in a horizontal position, both springs
being slightly raised by the arms h¹ and h³. If, however, the left-hand end of the
able, for instance, be depressed the spring e' will be still further raised while the
pringe will be allowed to fall, which it will do by virtue of its resilience.
The table H is designed to be so oscillated that the springs or resilient arms e¹
nd e will in this manner be alternately raised by means of the corresponding
rms h² and h³ when the pendulum is near one limit or the other of its vibration.
The remaining spring will at the same time be released and allowed to impart an

page_text: impulse to the pendulum by virtue of the pressure exerted through the comence
points.
Two electro-magnets M 1 and M 2 are provided for tilting. the table H alternately
in one direction and the other by acting upon two armatures m³ and m³ which are
respectively attached to the opposite extremities of the table. One pole of the
battery O is connected through a conductor 1 with the frame C of the clock and
thus with the contact-points and e'. The opposite pole of the battery is
connected through conductors 2 and 3 respectively, with the outer terminals of the
electro-magnets M1 and M2 respectively, while the inner terminals of these coils
are connected through conductors 5 and 6 with the resilient arms e¹ and e² and
thus with the contact-points e³ and e* respectively. It will be understood therefore
that when the point d³, for instance, is carried, by the movement of the pendulum,
toward the right-hand and against the contact-point e³, the circuit of the battery 0
will be completed through the conductor 2, the coils of the olectro-magnet M 1, the
conductor 5, resilient arm e¹, contact-points e³ and d³, supporting spring b, frame C
and conductor 1. The electro-magnet M1 will thus be vitalized and the right-hand
end of the table H will be drawn downward thereby releasing the resilient arm e¹,
Hence the arm e¹ will exert a pressure upon the arm d¹ through the contact-
points es and d³ and the pendulum will be caused to spring toward the left-hand,
not only by the action of gravity, but also under the influence of the force exerted
by the tension of the spring e'. The spring e' will continue to exert the pressure
until it is arrested by striking against the arm h¹ and the further movement of the
pendulum, by virtue of its required momentum, will cause the separation of the
contact-points es and d thus interrupting the circuit of the battery O through
the electro-magnet M. 1. The point d, however, will be carried into contact with
the point e, thereby completing the circuit of the battery through the conductor 3,
coil of the electro-magnet M 2 conductor 6, contact-points e and d, bracket d and
conductor 1. The electro-magnet M 2 will thereupon be vitalized and the left hand
end of the table H will be drawn downward releasing the spring e³ which will add
an impulse to the pendulum A tending to again vibrate it toward the right-hand
in precisely the manner described with reference to the spring e¹. This operation
will be repeated for each semi-vibration of the pendulum. It is evident that the
circuit through one electro-magnet may be completed immediately before that
through the other is interrupted or immediately thereafter or the completion of one
may be simultaneous with the interruption of the other. In practice the latter
arrangement is usually preferred.
It is well-known that after the vibration of the pendulum has been established
a very slight force or series of impulses continuously imparted thereto will be
sufficient to maintain that vibration and for this reason it is only necessary that
the springs e¹ and e' shall exert a very slight pressure. For the purpose of
preventing the occurrence of electrical discharges at the contact-points when the
circuits are interrupted, conductors 7 and 8 respectively extend around the coils of
the electro-magnets M1 and M2. In these conductors there are included artificial
resistances and r². The resistance of each of these circuits should be sufficient
to prevent the passage of any considerable current therethrough but not sufficient
to prevent the passage of the extra or induced currents which may be caused by
the extra discharge of the electro-magnets.
The clock mechanism which is actuated by the movements of the pendulum need
not herein be specifically described as it is evident that any suitable train of clock
mechanism may be employed, such for instance as that indicated in the drawing.
Carried upon the arbor b of the escapement wheel B1 of the clock, is a disc b
which is thus caused to revolve once each minute. Resting against the periphery
of the disc b is a foot or an extension 63 of an arm B 2. The arm B2 carries at
its upper extremity a knife-edge contact 6 which is designed to be placed once
each minute in the path of a corresponding knife-edge contact 6°. These two
contacts are the same in character as the points d³ and e³ and like them cross cach
other at right angles, The point d' is carried upon a resilient arm be which is

page_text: supported from the armature-lever or table H and is caused to move up and down
with the same. Normally the arm B2 is held in such a position that the point b¹ is
out of the path of the point 65 but once in each revolution of the disc b³, a notch
or indentation 67 passes beneath the extremity of the extension 63 and permits the
arm b² to move forward into the path of the contact-point 6°. The next downward
movement of the corresponding end of the table or armature-lever L causes the
point 6 to impinge against the point 6 but before the point 6* is again caused to
descend the arm B2 will have been caused to move out of the path of the same
into its normal position.
The arm B2 is connected, by conductor 9, with one pole of a battery 01 and
the point is connected by conductor 10 with the opposite pole of the same
battery. In the circuit of the battery 01, which is thus completed once each
minute, there are included certain electro-magnetic devices which will be herein-
after described.
Upon the other extremity of the table H there is carried a knife-edge contact
point e, which is designed to be placed against a corresponding point e³ at each
alternate movement of that end of the arinature-lever. The point c' is supported
upon a resilient arm and it is connected, by means of a conductor 11, with one
pole of a battery O2, the other pole of which is connected by a conductor 12, with
the point c. Each downward movement of the arm H will thus complete the
circuit of the battery 02, and in this circuit there are included certain electro-
magnetic devices to be hereinafter described.
One other circuit controlling device is operated by means of this primary
regulator. This device consists of an arın g¹ which carries a knife-edge contact-
point g and this point is applied to a corresponding contact-point g³ carried upon
the extension 3 of the arm B 2. Normally the arm g¹ is held out of the path of
the point 6, but it is designed that it shall be placed in the path of the same
once each hour. For this purpose the arm gl is pivoted at a point g and is
provided with an extension 9. This extension lies in the path of a revolving
arm g which is actuated by the clock-train. The arm gf is organized to complete
a revolution once per hour and, by engaging the extension to move the arm g¹
into such position that the point g will intercept the path of the point g". When
therefore the arm g' has been thus placed in the path of the arm b the next
succeeding forward movement of the latter arm will cause the two contact-points g³
and g to impinge against each other. Before the arm 62 is again moved forward
at the end of a minute the extension g" will have been released from the arm g
and will have returned to its normal position. The points g² and g³ are preferably
in the form of knife-edges crossing each other at an angle. The point g³ is con-
nected by a conductor 13, with one pole of a battery 03, the other pole of which
is connected, by a conductor 14, with the point g. In the circuit of the
battery 03 there are included certain electro-magnetic devices which will be
hereinafter described.
A description will now be given of the device employed for deriving momentary
impulsos from the impulses of some considerable duration which are obtained by
the movement of the pendulum of the central regulator. By considering the
operation of the central regulator which has been described, it will be seen that
the circuit of the battery O is completed through periods of one second at a time,
provided the regulator is a second beating clock, through the electro-magnet M 1.
and for equal periods through the electro-magnet M 2, and that while the circuit is
completed or immediately upon its completion, through one electro-magnet it is
interrupted through the other. An electric current will therefore traverse the
conductor 2 for one second and then the conductor 3 for one second. It is for the
purpose of obtaining from the currents thus produced, impulses of short duration
that the device about to be described is employed. Such impulses are designed to
be caused to traverse the coils of a series of electro-magnets / and /² and k³ &c.,
which are applied to other pendulums A1, A2, A3 &c. For this purpose an
electro-magnet P is included in the circuit of the battery O by being interposed in

page_text: one of the conductors leading through the electro-magnets M1 and M 2. In the
drawings this electro-magnet is shown as included in the conductor 3. If desired
a similar electro-magnet may be included in the conductor 2 for a like purpose.
The electro-magnet P is provided with an armature G which so long as the electro-
magnet is not vitalized, is withdrawn from its poles by means of a retractile
spring &¹. When however the circuit of the battery O is completed through the
conductor 3 this armature is attracted into its normal position. Upon the lever of
the armature G there are carried two insulated contact-springs p¹ and p² which
respectively extend beneath two resting contacts p and p carried upon opposite
sides of the armature-lever. The contact-springs p² and p² are respectively
provided with adjustable contact-stops and The contact-springs are respec-
tively connected with the terminals of an electric conductor L which lead from a
battery o¹. The stops and are so adjusted that at a single point in the
vibration of the armature-lever, the two springs will rest upon the respective
contact stops, thereby completing the connections of the battery o' through the
springs p² and p² and the contact-stops 1 and 2 and their conducting support R.
When however the armature passes beyond this intermediate point, either in its
movement toward or away from the electro-magnet P, one of the springs will be
carried by the corresponding stop p³ or p away from its contact stop rl or r³,
thereby interrupting the circuit connections of the battery o². It will be seen
therefore, that during the movement of the armature the circuit connections will
be completed only for an instant whether the movement be toward or away from
the magnet P.
The impulses thus obtained are employed for vitalizing one or more of the
electro-magnets which are applied to the pendulums to be synchronized. In the
drawing three such pendulums are shown and two electro-magnets are applied to
each pendulum although one may be sufficient in some instances. The pendulum A 1
belongs to a regulator clock of the same character as that described in connection
with the pendulum A. This regulator clock is designed to be employed for
actuating secondary clocks and constitutes the centre of a second system in sub-
stantially the same manner as the regulator just described. But it is desirable
that it should be maintained in exact synchronism therewith and, therefore, the
synchronizing electro-magnets k¹ are employed. Upon the pendulum A1 there is
carried an armature k" which is designed to be acted upon by the electro-magnets
when in proximity thereto. It will be seen that the connections of the battery o¹
will be completed twice during each complete vibration of the pendulum A. The
pendulum A1 is therefore, for example, adjusted to vibrate so that it will pass the
electro-magnet k¹ upon the left-hand side in its outward swing, at the instant the
circuit of the battery o¹ is completed by the movement of the armature G from
the electro-magnet P; likewise the pendulum Al will pass the pole of the
magnet upon the right-hand side in its outward movement the instant of the
completion of the circuit of the battery o¹ by the movement of the armature G
away from the magnet P. So long therefore as the pendulums swing in unison the
resultant effect of the magnets upon the armature and thus upon the pendulum A 1,
will be of no value and the pendulum A1 will continue to vibrate without being
effected thereby. If however the pendulum A1 be in advance of the pendulum A,
the armature les will have passed the centre of the field of the magnet k³ upon the
left-hand side, during the outward movement immediately before the correlative
completion of the circuit of the battery of occurs. The action of this magnet k¹
will therefore be to retard the pendulum upon its outward movement. The action
of the magnet k upon the right-hand side will be the same, and eventually the
pendulum A 1 will be brought into unison with the pendulum A. The action of
the electro-magnets upon the pendulum, when the latter has fallen behind the
pendulum A, will be the reverse of that described, that is to say they will act to
impel the same with greater rapidity, adding an accelerating impulse each time
the circuit of the battery o¹ is completed. When the secondary or synchronized
pendulums have once been brought into unison with the pendulum A, they will

page_text: remain so, provided they are so adjusted that they will naturally swing in
approximately the same periods.
In connection with the pendulums A 2 and A 3, other synchronizing electro-
magnets and are illustrated. These electro-magnets operate in precisely the
same manner as described in connection with the pendulum A1. The pendulums A 2
and A3 may belong to other regulators or to mechanically actuated clocks.
It is evident that one electro-magnet / or ³ might be employed alone in
connection with each pendulum, or the latter might be constructed to beat with
twice the rapidity of the pendulum A 1, that is to say, their periods might be one-
half the length of the period of the pendulum A. Adjustable limiting stops m³
and m are preferably applied to the armature lever and, by means of these, the
position occupied by the armature G at the moment the circuit of the battery of is
completed may be readily adjusted. These stops are of value when it is desired to
modify the position in which the armature shall be when it acts to complete the
subsidiary circuit.
The next feature to be described is the operation of the secondary clocks which
are constructed to be actuated once each time the circuit is completed by the
movement of the pendulum A in a given direction. In the drawing two of such
clocks are shown at H1 and H 2, and they are designed to be actuated by electro-
magnets h¹ and hª respectively, the coils of which are included in the conductor 2
which also includes the electro-magnet M 1. Applied to the electro-magnet h¹ is an
armature carried upon a lever. The lever has a right angled extension ³
carrying an anchor . The anchor is applied to a driving wheel similar to
the corresponding wheel in the central regulator. This wheel is constructed to be
advanced step-by-step by the movements of the lever and to cause the wheel to
complete one revolution in the same period as the corresponding wheel of the
central regulator, that is to say, when the armature has been drawn toward its
electro-magnet 30 times which will occur once each minute. The movements of
the arbor of the wheel are communicated through a suitable train of gear-
wheels of well-known construction to the hands of the secondary clock and these
are actuated in their proper periods for indicating time correlatively with the
primary regulator.
The construction of the clock H 2 is essentially the same and therefore need not
be described.
For the purpose of causing the electrical discharge of the electro-magnets h¹
and h, to be neutralized suitable high resistance shunts including artificial
resistances is are connected around the coils of the magnets.
The next portion of the invention to be described is the series of secondary
clocks J1, J2 and J3 and J 4, which are designed to be actuated once each
minute. The electro-magnets j¹ jj and of this series of clocks are designed
to be included in the conductor 10 leading from the point 6º.
Two forms of secondary clocks are shown in this connection; at J1 and at J 2
there is shown a clock consisting of an electro-magnet provided with an armature j³
carried upon a lever 1. Upon the lever is pivoted a driving pawl . The
extremity of this pawl is designed to enter the teeth of a ratchet-wheel and to
be afterwards moved upward a sufficient distance to advance the wheel one tooth.
For this purpose the pawl is provided with an upwardly extending fork, the fingers
of which pass upon opposite sides of a stationary pin or stop jo. A similar
fork extends from the lower side of the pawl and upon opposite sides of the
armature-lever. This prevents the extremity of the pawl from being dropped too
great a distance when the armaturo is away from its electro-magnet and from
being elevated to such a distance to advance the wheel more than one tooth for
each impulse. The upper fork permits the pawl to be moved forward until its
extremity has engaged a tooth upon the wheel, whereupon one finger of the fork
is engaged by the pin 10 and the further advancement of the armature-lever causes
the pawl to turn upon its axis or pivot and to thereby revolve the wheel.

page_text: The wheel is constructed with 60 teeth, so that if it advances one tooth each
minute it will complete a revolution each hour. The impulses necessary to
advance the wheel once each minute are derived from the circuit-closing device
described in connection with the arm B2 of the primary regulator and transmitted
from the battery 01 through the conductor 10.
The movements of the wheels are communicated to the hands of the clock
through a suitable system of clock mechanism which need not be herein more fully
described.
For the purpose of locking the wheel in its successive positions, a catch or
dog is secured to the armature-lever and extends upon the side of the wheel
opposite to that engaged by the driving pawl. When the armature-lever is drawn
away from its electro-magnet by the action of the spring j¹³ the dog enters
between two teeth of the wheel and locks the same. When on the other hand the
armaturo is drawn forward, the dog is thrown out of engagement with the teeth of
the wheel and permits of its advancement.
At J3 and J4 another form of secondary clock designed to be actuated once per
minute, is shown. These clocks each consist of an electro-magnet provided
with an armature n' pivoted upon one side and at its respective ends as shown
at n² and n³. When the electro-magnet is vitalized the armature is drawn down-
ward against the action of a spring nt. An upwardly projecting arm or lever n³
carries two beveled pawls n and n². The pawl n has its upper surface beveled and
the pawl n' which is situated in a plane slightly lower than that of the pawl nº has
its upper surface beveled in the same manner, but in the opposite direction. The
confronting extremities of the pawls project slightly beyond a vertical lino and
they are designed to advance a wheel n³ one tooth each time the armature lever is
drawn downward and returns to its normal position. For this purpose the teeth
of the wheel are separated a suflicient distance from each other to permit the pawls
to pass between the same. By the forward movement of the armature and its
lever, the pawl no is caused to engage one tooth of the wheel and to push it upward
until it is advanced a sufficient distance to be engaged by the beveled surface of
the pawl n when the armature is released from the electro-magnet. The action of
this pawl, when the lever n³ is moved backward, is to advance the wheel still
further, and the result of the action of both pawls is to advance the wheel through
the space represented by the separation of one tooth from another. This form of
driving pawl is similar to the escapement employed in the ordinary forms of
metronomes, but in this instance it acts to impel the wheel instead of releasing it.
A suitable retaining click n' is employed for preventing a retrograde movement of
the wheel ns. This click is constructed with two teeth no and n" which are
respectively so located that the one will engage a tooth of the wheel when the
latter has been advanced by the action of the pawl n, while the catch" will
engage the same tooth when it has been advanced by the pawl n'.
The wheel ne is constructed with 60 teeth so that it will be caused to complete a
revolution each hour, provided the electro-magnets are vitalized once each minute,
and the movements of the wheel ns are communicated through suitablo trains of
gearing to the hands of the clock which indicate time in the usual manner.
electro-magnets, as before stated, are included in the conductor 10 and are there-
fore vitalized by currents from the battery 01 once each minute.
The
In connection with the moving table and arms H, there has been described two
contact-points c¹ and cª which are placed in contact with each other once for each
movement of the armature m' toward its electro-magnet M 1. These contacts
serve thus to complete the circuit of the battery 02 each alternate second. The
impulses thus caused to traverse the conductor 11 are employed for actuating one
or inore secondary clock movements H4 which are similar to those described in
connection with the movement H 1.
The remaining portion of the invention to be described is that employed for
synchronizing the hands of clocks. These devices it is designed shall be actuated
by electro-magnets vitalized once an hour and for this purpose are included in the

page_text: conductor 13 leading from one pole of the battery 03 or in the conductor 14
leading from the other pole of the same battery. These two conductors, as already
described, connect the opposite poles of the battery with the contact-points g³
and g respectively Several synchronizing devices are illustrated, but as they are
all similar in construction one only need be particularly described. These devices
each consist of an electro-magnet T having its coils included in the conductor 13
or 14 and provided with an armature t. This armature is carried upon a pivoted
lever which carries at its extremity a toothed segment of a wheel to. This
seginent engages a pinion and the pinion t* engages a second pinion t³. When the
armature t is drawn toward its electro-magnet T, the pinion t will be revolved in
the direction indicated by the arrow ¹ by the movement of the toothed segment t³.
A movement will thereby be communicated to the pin t in the direction indicated
by the arrow ³.
Upon the arbor of each pinion or upon the pinions themselves aro carried arms to
and respectively, and these arms carry pins to and to respectively, which project
therefrom at right-angles. These pins are designed to engage the minute hand of
the clock when in a predetermined position, for instance, at the twelfth hour mark.
Norinally however they are held out of the path of the minute-hand, the armature-
lever t being held away from the electro-magnet. When however the electro-
magnet is vitalized the pins are thrown toward each other and, if the minute hand
be between the pins but slightly away from the precise point at which it should
stand, the moment the electro-magnet is vitalized the hand will be moved to that
point either by being advanced or moved backward as the case may require.
Such a device is shown in connection with the secondary clocks H1 and H 2, J 2
and J 3, and also a mechanically actuated clock T 1.
As has already been described the devices are actuated once each hour by the
operation of the arm g of the primary regulator.
Such devices as have been described in connection with the central primary
regulator may be applied to the other regulators, for instance, that to which the
pendulum A1 belongs, and these regulators may in turn perform any or all of the
operations of the primary regulator. But it is usually not essential to actuate any
of the synchronizing devices from any of the second or subsidiary regulators for
the reason that it is preferable to control all of such devices from the main
regulator.

page_text: and Apparatus therefor.
I, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, Fel. Inst P.A of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street, Liverpool in the county of Lancaster, and
.323, High Holborn, in the county of Middlesex, Civil Engineer do hereby declare
the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATING AND
CONTROLLING ELECTRIC CLOCKS, AND APPARATUS THEREFOR" (a communication
from abroad by Chester H. Pond, Henry L. Bailey, James Hamblet, Augustus
S Crano, and Adelbert W Gray United States) and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:
The invention relates to the construction of electric clock apparatus and to the
organizations of electric clock systems.
The object of the invention is to provide a complete electric clock or time
telegraph system which is under the control of, and is regulated by, a central
clock.
The invention contemplates the automatic operation of the central clock, which 1
in turn actuates one or more series of secondary clock-movements synchronizes the
pendulums of these and other clocks, and also synchronizes the bands of the same
and of other clocks.
In carrying out the invention it is designed to employ as a central regulator an
automatically operating electric clock. To the vibrating pendulum of this clock 2
there is secured a bracket supporting two contact-points which are respectively
adapted to complete the conuections of an electric circuit through an electro-
magnet, when near its limit of oscillation in a corresponding direction, thereby
causing the magnet to be vitalized and a resilient arm to be released. This arm
acts, by pressing against the contact-point, to impel the pendulum in the opposite 2
direction. When the pendulum has swung to a point near the opposite limit of
its vibration, a similar operation takes place and another impulse, tending to
reverse the direction of the pendulum, is communicated to it. The contact-points
through which the circuit is closed are in the form of two knife edges intersecting
each other at an angle; and the points from which the arms carrying the same 3
are supported, are so located that the movements of the contact-points caused by
the vibration of the pendulum will cause the knife edges to rub slightly across
each other, thereby keeping the surfaces free from dust and corrosion. Included
in the circuit of one of the electro-magnets which is thus completed at each semi-
vibration, are the electro-magnets of a series of secondary clock movements. 3
These are so organized that a sufficient movement will be given to the bands of the
dial at each semi-vibration of the pendulum of the regulator, to cause them to
revolve in unison with the hands of the regulator.
Included in the same circuit or in the circuit which includes the second electro-
magnet of the regulator, there is a circuit-closing and interrupting device which is 4
so organized as to derive from the more or less prolonged impulses occasioned by

page_text: the movements of the pendulum, inomentary electric impuises. These momentary
impulses are employed for vitalizing one or more electro-magnets designed to act
upon the vibrating pendulums of clocks, whether actuated mechanically or by
electro-magnetism, in the proper manner and at the proper intervals to maintain
them in unison with the movements of the primary pendulums.
In carrying out this last named part of the invention, an electro-magnet is
employed, the armature of which causes a second or local circuit to be momentarily
closed at each completion and at each interruption of the primary circuit. This
armature is constructed with two flexible contact-springs and two resting-stops
against which they are normally pressed by their resilience. The two contact-
springs constitute the terminals of the secondary or local circuit. Two contact-stops
in electric connection with each other, are respectively applied to the two contact-
springs and against these the springs are alternately caused to impinge by the
movements of the armature-lever. When, however, the armature is in either of
its positions of rest, that is to say either in proximity to, or remote from, the
electro-magnet, one or the other of the springs is forced away from its contact-stop
by means of the corresponding resting-stop. At the central point of its vibration,
however, both the contact springs rest against their respective contact-stops and
complete the connections of an electric circuit in which are included one or more
electro-magnets for synchronizing the pendulums. These electro-magnets are sO
located, with reforence to the respective pendulums to which they are applied, that
they are vitalized by the currents traversing the same at the precise moment an
armature carried upon the pendulum is passing in front of the pole of one of the
magnets. If, however, any pendulum has been thrown out of unison and swings
slightly in advance or behind the primary pendulum, the vitalization will occur
either immediately after or immediately before the pendulum has passed the
electro-magnet. The force thus exerted upon the armature of the pendulum of the
electro-magnet will either retard or accelerate its movements as required and the
pendulum will thus be brought into unison with the movements of the primary
pendulum. One or two of such synchronizing electro-magnets are applied to each
of the subsidiary regulators of a time telegraph system which it is designed to
maintain in unison with the central primary regulator, and to any other clocks, as
may be desired.
Applied to the vibrating armature-lever of the primary regulator is a circuit-
closing device which is organized to complete an electric circuit once each minute.
To this end a knife-edge contact point is carried upon the end of a movable arm.
This arm is normally held out of the path of the contact-point upon the armature-
lever, by means of an extension which rests against the periphery of a revolving
disc. The movements of the clock cause this disc to revolve once per minute and
to thus cause a notch or indentation formed in its periphery to pass once each
minute beneath the end of the extension, thereby permitting the arm to move into
the path of the contact-point carried upon the armature-lever. The next succeeding
vibration of the lever causes the one contact-point to impinge against the other
and to thus complete the connections of a battery. Included in the circuit of this
battery there is a series of secondary clocks which are organized to move once
each minute and to be thus caused to indicate the same time as the central
regulator.
For the purpose of synchronizing the hands of these and other clocks, a device
is employed for placing a contact-point in the path of the arm last described, once
each hour, and this device serves to transmit an electric impulse once each hour to
These
a series of electro-magnets respectively provided with armature-levers.
levers serve to actuate two arms which grasp the extremity of the minute hand
of the corresponding clock at some predetermined moment, say at the commence-
ment of the hour.
Still another circuit-closing device may be employed in connection with the
movements of the armature-lever of the central regulator, and the impulses thus
derived will occur at each semi-vibration of the pendulum. Such impulses may

page_text: be employed for synchronizing the movements of other clock-pendulums and for
actuating secondary clocks.
In the drawings accompanying the Provisional Specification, figure 1 is a diagram
showing the general organization of apparatus embodying the features of the
invention. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate the construction of the central regulator.
Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the different forms of secondary movements.
Figure 8 illustrates the construction of the device employed for synchronizing
the hands.
Referring to the drawings, accompanying the provisional specification A represents
a pendulum of any suitable form which is preferably suspended by means of a
flexible strip of metal B which is secured to a support C. Upon the pendulum A
there is fixed a bracket D, having two arms d¹ and d² respectively projecting from
opposite sides of the same. Two contact-points d³ and d are respectively carried
upon the extremities of the arms d' and d³ and these points are rendered adjustable
by being mounted in suitable slots.
Above the arms d' and d² extend two resilient arms or springs e¹ and e² secured
to, but insulated from, the frame support C. Two contact-points e³ and e* are
respectively carried at the extremities of these arms and they are designed to make
contact with the corresponding points d³ and d near the respective limits of the
vibration of the pendulum A.
The contact-surfaces of the points are constructed in a form of prisms or knife-
edges and these are so placed that their planes will intersect each other at an
angle, preferably at right-angles. The contacts may be constructed of tempered
steel, platinum or other suitable metal, the essential point being that the surfaces
which come in contact with each other shall be sharpened, the general form of the
points being that of a wedge or prism.
Secured to the frame C by means of a suitable bracket, there is carried a pivoted
table or rocking support H having its centre of oscillation in the same vertical line
with the support of the pendulum A but preferably in a lower howizontal plane.
Near the respective extremities of the table H, are carried two upwardly projecting
arms and 2 respectively designed to raise the corresponding springs e¹ or e²
whenever the corresponding end of the table is raised.
In the drawing, the table is represented in a horizontal position, both springs
being slightly raised by the armis h³ and h². If, however, the left-hand end of the
table, for instance, be depressed the spring e¹ will be still further raised while the
spring e² will be allowed to fall, which it will do by virtue of its resilience. The
table His designed to be so oscillated that the springs or resilient arms e¹ and e³ will
in this manner be alternately raised by means of the corresponding arms h¹ and h²
when the pendulum is near one limit or the other of its vibration. The remaining
spring will at the same time be released and allowed to impart an impulse to the
pendulum by virtue of the pressure exerted through the contact-points.
Two electro-magnets M1 and M2 are provided for tilting the table H. alternately
in one direction and the other by acting upon two armatures m' and m² which are
respectively attached to the opposite extremities of the table. One pole of the
battery is connected through a conductor 1 with the frame C of the clock and
thus with the contact-points c³ and c'. The opposite pole of the battery is
connected through conductors 2 and 3 respectively, with the outer terminals of
the electro-magnets M. 1 and M2 respectively, while the inner terminals of these
coils are connected through conductors 5 and 6 with the resilient arms e¹ and e
and thus with the contact-points e³ and e respectively. It will be understood
therefore that when the point d³, for instance, is carried, by the movement of the
pendulum, toward the right-hand and against the contact-point e³, the circuit of
the battery O will be completed through the conductor 2, the coils of the electro-
magnet M 1, the conductor 5, resilient arm e¹, contact-points e³ and, supporting
spring B, frame C and conductor 1. The electro-magnet M1 will thus be vitalized!
and the right-hand end of the table H. will be drawn downward thereby releasing
the resilient arm e'. Hence the arm e¹ will exert a pressure upon the arm d¹

page_text: through the contact-points 3 and d³ and the pendulum will be caused to spring
toward the left-hand, not only by the action of gravity, but also under the influence
of the force exerted by the tension of the spring e¹. The spring e¹ will continue to
exert the pressure until it is arrested by striking against the arm h¹ and the
further movement of the pendulum, by virtue of its required momentum, will
cause the separation of the contact-points e³ and d³ thus interrupting the circuit of
the battery O through the electro-magnet M1. The point d, however, will be
carried into contact with the point e', thereby completing the circuit of the
battery through the conductor 3, coil of the electro-magnet M 2, conductor 6,
contact-points e and d*, bracket d and conductor 1. The electro-magnet M 2 will
thereupon be vitalized and the left-hand end of the table H will be drawn
downward releasing the spring eª which will add an impulse to the pendulum A
tending to again vibrate it toward the right-hand in precisely the manner
described with reference to the spring e'. This operation will be repeated for each.
semi-vibration of the pendulum. "It is evident that the circuit through one electro-
maguet may be completed immediately before that through the other is interrupted
or immediately thereafter or the completion of one may be simultaneous with the
interruption of the other. In practice the latter arrangement is usually preferred.
It is well-known that after the vibration of the pendulum has been established
a very slight force or series of impulses continuously imparted thereto will be
sufficient to maintain that vibration and for this reason it is only necessary that
the springs el and shall exert a very slight pressure. For the purpose of
preventing the occurrence of electrical discharges at the contact-points when the
circuits are interrupted, conductors 7 and 8 respectively extend around the coils of
the electro-magnets M 1 and M2. In these conductors there are included artificial
resistances and . The resistance of each of these circuits should be sufficient
to prevent the passage of any considerable current therethrough but not sufficient
to prevent the passage of the extra or induced currents which may be caused by
the extra discharge of the electro-magnets.
The clock mechanism which is actuated by the movements of the penduluin need
not herein be specifically described as it is evident that any suitable train of clock
mechanism may be employed, such for instance as that indicated in the drawing.
Carried upon the arbor b of the escapenient wheel B1 of the clock, is a disc b³
which is thus caused to revolve once each minute. Resting against the periphery
of the disc b³ is a foot or an extension b³ of an arm B2. The arm B 2 carries at its
upper extremity a knife-edge contact 6 which is designed to be placed once cach
minute in the path of a corresponding knife-edge contact 65. These two contacts
are the same in character as the points d³ and and like them cross each other at
right angles. The point is carried upon a resilient arm 66 which is supported
from the armature lever or table H and is caused to move up and down with the
same. Normally the arm B2 is held in such a position that the point b' is out of
the path of the point be but once in each revolution of the disc 62, a notch or
indentation 67 passes beneath the extremity of the extension 63 and permits the
arm 6 to move forward into the path of the contact-point 65. The next downward
movement of the corresponding end of the table or armature-lever L causes the
point be to impinge against the point b but before the point b is again caused to.
descend the art B2 will have been caused to move out of the path of the same
into its normal position.
The arm B2 is connected, by conductor 9, with one pole of a battery 01 and the
point 65 is connected by conductor 10 with the opposite pole of the same battery.
In the circuit of the battery 01, which is thus completed once each minute, there
are included certain electro-magnetic devices which will be hereinafter described.
Upon the other extremity of the table H there is carried a knife-edge contact-
point c', which is designed to be placed against a corresponding point e² at each
alternate movement of that end of the armature-lever. The point c² is supported
upon a resilient arm and it is connected, by means of a conductor 11, with ono
pole of a battery 0.2, the other pole of which is connected, by a conductor 12, with

page_text: the point c. Each downward movement of the arm H will thus complete the
circuit of the battery O2, and in this circuit there are included certain electro-
magnetic devices to be hereinafter described.
One other circuit controlling device is operated by means of this primary
regulator. This device consists of an arm which carries a knife-edge contact-
point g and this point is applied to a corresponding contact-point g³ carried upon
the extension 63 of the arm B 2. Normally the arm glis held out of the path of the
point b³, but it is designed that it shall be placed in the path of the same once each
hour. For this purpose the arm g¹ is pivoted at a point g' and is provided with
an extension g³. This extension lies in the path of a revolving arm g which is
actuated by the clock-train. The arın g is organized to complete a revolution once
per hour and, by engaging the extension g' to move the arm g' into such position
that the point g³ will intercept the path of the point g³. When therefore the
arin g' has been thus placed in the path of the arm b³ the next succeeding forward
movement of the latter arm will cause the two contact-points g³ and g³ to impinge
against each other. Before the arm b³ is again moved forward at the end of a
minute the extension g³ will have been released from the arm gª and will have
returned to its normal position. The points g³ and g³ are preferably in the form of
knife-edges crossing each other at an angle. The point ga is connected by a
conductor 13, with one pole of a battery 03, the other pole of which is connected,
by a conductor 14, with the point g³. In the circuit of the battery 03 there are
included certain electro-magnetic devices which will be hereinafter described.
A description will now be given of the device employed for deriving momentary
impulses from the impulses of some considerable duration which are obtained by
the movement of the pendulum of the central regulator. By considering the
operation of the central regulator which has been described, it will be seen that the
circuit of the battery O is completed through periods of one second at a time,
provided the regulator is a second beating clock, through the electro-magnet M1
and for equal periods through the electro-magnet M 2, and that while the circuit is
completed or immediately upon its completion, through one electro-magnet it is
interrupted through the other. An electric current will therefore traverse the
conductor 2 for one second and then the conductor 3 for one second. It is for the
purpose of obtaining from the currents thus produced, impulses of short duration
that the device about to be described is employed. Such impulses are designed to
be caused to traverse the coils of a series of electro-magnets k¹ and kª and k³ &c.,
which are applied to other pendulums A1, A2, A3 &c. For this purpose an
electro-magnet P is included in the circuit of the battery O by being interposed in
one of the conductors leading through the electro-magnets M1 and M 2. In the
drawings this electro-magnet is shown as included in the conductor 3. If desired
a similar electro-magnet may be included in the conductor 2 for a like purpose.
The electro-magnet P is provided with an armature G which so long as the electro-
magnet is not vitalized, is withdrawn from its poles by means of a retractile
spring 8².
When however the circuit of the battery O is completed through
the conductor 3 this armature is attracted into its normal position. Upon
the lever of the armature G there are carried two insulated contact-springs p¹
and p³ which respectively extend beneath two resting contacts p³ and p¹ carried
upon opposite sides of the armature-lever. The contact-springs pl and p² are
respectively provided with adjustable contact-stops 1 and 2 The contact-springs
are respectively connected with the terminals of an electric conductor L which lead
from a battery o¹. The stops 7 and 7³ are so adjusted that at a single point in
the vibration of the armature-lever, the two springs will rest upon the respective
contact-stops, thereby completing the connections of the battery of through the
springs p¹ and p³ and the contact-stops and and their conducting support R.
When however the armature passes beyond this intermediate point, either in its
movement toward or away from the electro-magnet P, one of the springs will be 5
carried by the corresponding stop 23 or p away from its contact-stop 71 or 73,
thereby interrupting the circuit connections of the battery o¹, It will be seen

page_text: therefore, that during the movement of the armature the circuit connections will
be completed only for an instant whether the movement be toward or away from
the magnet P.
Tho
The impulses thus obtained are employed for vitalizing one or more of the
electro-magnets / which are applied to the pendulums to be synchronized. In the
drawing three such pendulums are shown and two electro-magnets are applied to
each pendulum although one may be sufficient in some instances. The pendulum Al
belongs to a regulator clock of the same character as that described in connection
with the pendulum A. This regulator clock is designed to be employed for
actuating secondary clocks and constitutes the centre of a second system in
substantially the same manner as the regulator just described. But it is desirable
that it should be maintained in exact synchronism therewith and, therefore, the
synchronizing electro-magnets k¹ are employed. Upon the pendulum Al there is
carried an armature which is designed to be acted upon by the electro-magnets
when in proximity thereto. It will be seen that the connections of the battery oⓇ will
be completed twice during each complete vibration of the pendulum A.
pendulum A 1 is therefore, for example, adjusted to vibrate so that it will pass the
electro-magnet' upon the left-hand side in its outward swing, at the instant
the circuit of the battery o¹ is completed by the movement of the armature G
from the electro-magnet P; likewise the pendulum A1 will pass the pole of the
magnet k upon the right-hand side in its outward movement the instant of the
completion of the circuit of the battery o' by the movement of the armature G
away from the magnet P. So long therefore as the pendulums swing in unison
the resultant effect of the magnets upon the armature and thus upon the pen-
dulum A1, will be of no value and the pendulum A1 will continue to vibrate
without being effected thereby. If however the pendulum A. 1 be in advance of the
pendulum A, the armature will have passed the centre of the field of the magnet k¹
upon the left-hand side, during the outward movement immediately before the
correlative completion of the circuit of the battery o³ occurs. The action of this
magnet will therefore be to retard the pendulum upon its outward movement.
The action of the magnet / upon the right-hand side will be the same, and
eventually the pendulum Al will be brought into unison with the pendulum A.
The action of the electro-magnets upon the pendulum, when the latter has fallen
behind the pendulum A, will be the reverse of that described, that is to say they
will act to impel the same with greater rapidity, adding an accelerating impulse
each time the circuit of the battery o¹ is completed. When the secondary or
synchronized pendulums have once been brought into unison with the pendulum A,
they will remain so, provided they are so adjusted that they will naturally swing
in approximately the same periods.
In connection with the pendulums A 2 and A 3, other synchronizing electro-
magnets k¹ and k³ are illustrated. These electro-magnets operate in precisely the
same manner as described in connection with the pendulum A 1. The pendulums
A 2 and A3 may belong to other regulators or to mechanically actuated clocks.
It is evident that one electro-magnet k¹ or k³ might be employed alone in con-
nection with each pendulum, or the latter light be constructed to bent with twice the
rapidity of the pendulum A1, that is to say, their periods might be one half the
length of the period of the pendulum A. Adjustable limiting stops m³ and mª are
preferably applied to the armature-lever and, by means of these, the position
occupied by the armature Ĝ at the moment the circuit of the battery o¹is completed
may be readily adjusted. These stops are of value when it is desired to modify
the position in which the armature shall be when it acts to complete the subsidiary
circuit.
The next feature to be described is the operation of the secondary clocks which
are constructed to be actuated once each time the circuit is completed by the move-
ment of the pendulum A in a given direction. In the drawing two of such clocks
are shown at H1 and H 2, and they are designed to be actuated by electro-magnets
h¹ and h² respectively, the coils of which are included in the conductor 2 which also

page_text: includes the electro-magnet M1. Applied to the electro-magnet h¹ is an armature i
carried upon a lever. The lever has a right-angled extension ³ carrying an
anchor. The anchor is applied to a driving wheel similar to the corre-
sponding wheel in the central regulator. This wheel is constructed to be advanced
step-by-step by the movements of the lever and to cause the wheel to complete
one revolution in the same period as the corresponding wheel of the central regulator,
that is to say, when the armature has been drawn toward its electro-magnet
30 times which will occur once each minute. The movements of the arbor i
of the wheel 2 are communicated through a suitable train of gear-wheels of well-
known construction to the hands of the secondary clock and these are actuated in
their proper periods for indicating time correlatively with the primary regulator.
The construction of the clock H2 is essentially the same and therefore need not
be described.
For the purpose of causing the electrical discharge of the electro-magnets h¹,
and h² to be neutralized suitable high resistance shunts i including artificial resist-
ances are connected around the coils of the magnets.
The next portion of the invention to be described is the series of secondary
clocks J 1, J2 and J 3 and J 4, which are designed to be actuated once each minute.
The electro-magnets jjj and j of this series of clocks are designed to be included
in the conductor 10 leading from the point be.
Two forms of secondary clocks are shown in this connection; at J1 and at J 2
there is shown a clock consisting of an electro-magnet provided with an armature
carried upon a lever . Upon the lever jis pivoted a driving pawl j. The
extremity of this pawl is designed to enter the teeth of a ratchet-wheel and to
be afterwards moved upward a sufficient distance to advance the wheel one tooth.
For this purpose the pawl is provided with an upwardly extending fork, the fingers
of which pass upon opposite sides of a stationary pin or stop j¹º. A similar fork j¹¹
extends from the lower side of the pawl and upon opposite sides of the armature-
lever. This prevents the extremity of the pawl from being dropped too great a
distance when the armature is away from its electro-magnet and from being
elevated to such a distance to advance the wheel more than one tooth for each
impulse. The upper fork permits the pawl to be moved forward until its extremity
has engaged a tooth upon the wheel, whereupon one finger of the fork is engaged
by the pin and the further advancement of the armature-lever causes the pawl
to turn upon its axis or pivot and to thereby revolve the wheel.
The wheel is constructed with 60 teeth, so that if it advances one tooth each
minute it will complete a revolution each hour. The impulses necessary to advance
the wheel once each minute are derived from the circuit-closing device described in
connection with the arm B2 of the primary regulator and transmitted from the
battery 01 through the conductor 10.
The movements of the wheel ja are communicated to the hands of the clock
through a suitable system of clock mechanism which need not be herein more fully
described.
For the purpose of locking the wheels in its successive positions, a catch or
dog is secured to the armature-lever and extends upon the side of the wheel
opposite to that engaged by the driving pawl. When the armature-lever is drawn
away from its electro-magnet by the action of the springs the dog enters between
two teeth of the wheel and locks the same. When on the other hand the
armature is drawn forward, the dog is thrown out of engagement with the teeth of
the wheel and permits of its advancement.
At J3 and J4 another form of secondary clock designed to be actuated once
per minute, is shown. These clocks each consist of an electro-magnet provided
with an armature n¹ pivoted upon one side and at its respective ends as shown
at n² and n³. When the electro-magnet is vitalized the armature is drawn down-
ward against the action of a spring n'. An upwardly projecting arm or lever n³
carries two beveled pawls no and n'. The pawl n has its upper surface beveled
and the pawl n³ which is situated in a plane slightly lower than that of the

page_text: pawl n has its upper surface beveled in the same manner, but in the opposite
direction. The confronting extremities of the pawls project slightly beyond a
vertical line and they are designed to advance a wheel n³ one tooth each time the
armature lever is drawn downward and returns to its normal position. For this
purpose the teeth of the wheel are separated a sufficient distance from each other
to permit the pawls to pass between the same. By the forward movement of the
armature and its lever, the pawl ne is caused to engage one tooth of the wheel and
to push it upward until it is advanced a sufficient distance to be engaged by the
beveled surface of the pawl n' when the armature is released from the electro-
magnet. The action of this pawl, when the lever n is moved backward, is to
advance the wheel still further, and the result of the action of both pawls is
to advance the wheel through the space represented by the separation of one
tooth from another. This form of driving pawl is similar to the escapement
employed in the ordinary forms of metronomes, but in this instance it acts to
impel the wheel instead of releasing it. A suitable retaining click n³ is employed
for preventing a retrograde movement of the wheel n³. This click is constructed
with two teeth n10 and 11 which are respectively so located that the one will
engage a tooth of the wheel when the latter has been advanced by the action of
the pawl nº, while the catch n will engage the same tooth when it has been
advanced by the pawl n.
The wheel n is constructed with 60 teeth so that it will be caused to complete
a revolution each hour, provided the electro-magnets are vitalized once each
minute, and the movements of the wheel n are communicated through suitable
trains of gearing to the hands of the clock which indicate time in the usual
manner. The electro-magnets, as before stated, are included in the conductor 10
and are therefore vitalized by currents from the battery 01 once each minute.
In connection with the moving table and arms H, there has been described two
contact points c' and c³ which are placed in contact with each other once for each
movement of the armature m¹ toward its electro-magnet M1. These contacts
serve thus to complete the circuit of the battery 02 each alternate second. The
impulses thus caused to traverse the conductor 11 are employed for actuating one
or more secondary clock movements H 4 which are similar to those described in
connection with the movement H 1.
The remaining portion of the invention to be described is that employed for
synchronizing the hands of clocks. These devices it is designed shall be actuated
by electro-magnets vitalized once an hour and for this purpose are included in the
conductor 13 leading from one pole of the battery 03 or in the conductor 14
leading from the other pole of the same battery. These two conductors, as already
described, connect the opposite poles of the battery with the contact-points g³
and respectively Several synchronizing devices are illustrated but as they are
all similar in construction one only need be particularly described. These devices
each consist of an electro-magnet T having its coils included in the conductor 13
or 14 and provided with an armature t¹. This armature is carried upon a pivoted
lever which carries at its extremity a toothed segment of a wheel t³. This
segment engages a pinion and the pinion t engages a second pinion to. When
the armature t is drawn toward its electro-magnet T, the pinion t will be revolved
in the direction indicated by the arrow x by the movement of the toothed
segment 1. A movement will thereby be communicated to the pin 5 in the
direction indicated by the arrow x².
Upon the arbor of each pinion or upon the pinions themselves are carried arms to
and t respectively, and these arins carry pins and to respectively, which project
therefrom at right angles. These pins are designed to engage the minute hand of
the clock when in a predetermined position, for instance, at the twelvth hour mark.
Normally however they are held out of the path of the minute-hand, the armature-
lever t² being held away from the electro-magnet. When however the electro-
magnet is vitalized the pins are thrown toward each other and, if the minute hand
be between the pius but slightly away from the precise point at which it should

page_text: stand, the moment the electro-magnet is vitalized the hand will be moved to that
point either by being advanced or moved backward as the case may require.
Such a device is shown in connection with the secondary clocks H1 and H2,
J 2 and J 3, and also a mechanically actuated clock T 1.
As has already been described the devices are actuated once each hour by the
operation of the arm ge of the primary regulator.
Such devices as have been described in connection with the central primary
regulator may be applied to the other regulators, for instance, that to which the
pendulum A1 belongs, and these regulators may in turn perform any or all of
the operations of the primary regulator. But it is usually not essential to actuate
any of the synchronizing devices from any of the second or subsidiary regulators
for the reason that it is preferable to control all of such devices from the main
regulator.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to
me by my foreign correspondents, I declare that what I claim is
1. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of two electro-
magnets, their armatures respectively supported upon opposite extremities of a
centrally pivoted lever, a vibrating pendulum, two knife edge contact-points
respectively supported from opposite sides of said pendulum, two resilient arms,
two knife-edge contact-points respectively supported upon the extremities of said
resilient arms in planes intersecting the planes of the first named contact-points,
a battery, conductors connecting one pole of said battery with the last named
contact-points through the coils of said electro-magnets respectively and con-
ductors connecting the first named contact-points with the remaining pole of said
battery.
2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the pendulum A,
the electro-magnets M1 and M2, the armatures m¹ and m³, the table H, the
contacts d³ and d, the resilient arins e¹ and e², the contacts e³ and e', the battery 0
having one pole connected with the contacts e³ and e* and the other pole connected
through the coils of said electro-magnets with the contacts d³ and d' respectively,
and the arms h¹ and h².
3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a clock-
pendulum, of two electro-magnets, an armature-lever, two armatures attached
thereto and applied to said electro-magnets respectively, two contact-points moving
with said pendulum, two impulse springs, and lifting-fingers applied to said springs
and carried upon said armature-lever each of which springs adapted to close a
circuit through the corresponding electro-magnet when, by the swing of the
pendulum, it is touched by the corresponding contact-point, whereby through the
attraction of the armature the lifting finger is withdrawn and the spring permitted
to act so as to give an impulse to the pendulum.
4. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a clock-
pendulum, of two electro-magnets, two resilient arms, a knife-edge contact carried
upon each of the same, two knife-edge contacts moving with said pendulum and
applied to the first named contacts respectively, two armatures applied to said
electro-magnets respectively two lifting-arms respectively moving with said
armatures and applied to said resilient arms, and electrical connections, sub-
stantially as described, from said contacts through said electro-magnets whereby
one or the other electro-magnet is vitalized when the swing of the pendulum has
carried one or the other of the contacts moving therewith against the corresponding
contact.
5. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a clock-
pendulum and an electric battery, the circuit connections of which are completed
and interrupted through the action of said pendulum, of one or more secondary
pendulums, one or more synchronizing electro-magnets applied to said secondary
pendulums, and an electro-magnet included in the circuit of said battery and acting

page_text: to momentarily complete the connections of an electric circuit through the coils of
said synchronizing magnets each time the connections of the first named circuit
are completed or interrupted.
6. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a regulating
pendulum, a circuit-closer actuated thereby, and an electric circuit, the connections
of which are periodically completed and interrupted by the action of said circuit-
closer, of a secondary electric circuit, the connections of which are momentarily
completed at each completion and interruption of the first named circuit, and one
or more electro-magnets included in said secondary circuit.
7. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, with a regulating
pendulum, à circuit-closer actuated thereby, a battery, and a circuit for said
battery the connections of which are periodically completed and interrupted by the
action of said circuit-closer, of a second battery, one or more electro-magnets
included in the circuit of the saine, an electro-magnet vitalized by the first named
battery, an armature applied to the last named electro-magnet, contact-springs
applied to said armature and constituting terminals of the circuit of said second
battery, contact-points for said springs, which points are in electrical connection
with each other, with which points said springs are respectively in momentary
contact during the movement of said armature toward or away from its electro-
magnet whereby the circuit connections of the second battery are caused to be both
completed through the first named electro-magnets and interrupted, during each
movement if the last named armature.
8. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a pendulum, a
circuit-closer actuated thereby a battery, a circuit for the same a second battery
the connections of which are completed by said circuit-closer, an electro-magnet
included in said circuit, an armature and armature-lever applied thereto, and
contacts, substantially such as described, serving to momentarily complete the con-
nections of said battery during each movement of said armature either toward or
away from its electro-magnet at an intermediate point in its excursion.
9. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with an electro-
magnet and means, substantially such as described, for periodically vitalizing the
same, of a battery, the circuit of which is completed each time said magnet is
magnetized or demagnetized, one or more clock-pendulums, and one or more electro-
magnets included in the circuit of said battery and applied to said pendulums,
substantially as described.
10. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with an electro-
magnet and its armature, and means, substantially such as described for periodically
vitalizing the same, of two contact-stops in electric connection with each other and
applied to said armature, two contact-springs carried upon said armature and
caused by the movements of the same to alternately impinge against their respective
contact-stops, an electric circuit the terminals of which are respectively connected
with said contact-springs, and means, substantially such as described, for causing
one of said contact-springs to impinge against its contact-stop before the other
spring has been carried away from its stop.
11. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a pendulum, a
circuit-closer actuated thereby, a battery a circuit for the same, a second battery
the connections of which are completed by said circuit-closer, an electro-magnet
included in said circuit, an arinature and armature-lever applied thereto, contacts,
substantially such as described, serving to momentarily complete the connections of
said second battery during each movement of said armature either toward or away
from its electro-magnet, at an intermediate point in its excursion, and means, sub-
stantially such as described, for modifying the length of time during which said
second circuit shall be thus completed.
12. The hereinbefore described method of synchronizing clock-pendulums, which
consists in deriving from each completion and each interruption of a primary
electric circuit occasioned by the movements of the regulating pendulum, a

page_text: momentary electric impulse and in utilizing the impulses thus derived to accelerate
or to retard such pendulums, in substantially the manner described.
13. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with a self-actuating
electric clock having a vibrating lever, of a circuit-closing point moving with said
lever, a yielding arm upon which said circuit-closing point is supported, a contact-
arm applied to said circuit-closing point a disc revolved by the train of said clock, an
arm resting against the periphery of said disc whereby said contact-arm is norinally
held out of the path of said circuit-closing point, said disc having an indentation
formed in its periphery for receiving the arm whereby said arm is permitted to
intercept the path of said point once each minute.
14. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, with a clock
mechanism having a vibrating lever, of a circuit-closing point, a yielding arm upon
which said circuit-closing point is supported from said lever, a contact-arm, means
substantially such as described, for permitting said contact-arm to intercept the
path of said circuit-closing point once each minute, a battery the circuit connections
of which are thus completed once each minute, and a series of secondary electric
clocks included in the circuit of said battery.
15. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two electro-
magnets, a pivoted lever, two armatures applied to said electro-magnets respectively
and supported upon opsite extremities of said lever, a vibrating pendulum, two
knife-edge contact-poir.pported from opposite sides of said pendulum, two resilient
arms, two knife-edge contact-points respectively supported upon the extremities of
said arms in planes intersecting the first named contact-points, a battery conductors
connecting one pole of said battery with the last named contact-points through the
coils of said electro-magnets respectively, and conductors connecting the first named
contact-points with the remaining pole of said battery, a yielding contact-point
supported from said armature-lever, a contact-arm, means, substantially such as
described, for normally maintaining said contact-arm out of the path of the yielding
contact-point and for permitting it to intercept the same each minute, a second
battery, the circuit of which is completed by the action of the last named contact
point and arm once each minute, and a series of secondary electric clocks included
in the circuit of the last nained battery.
16. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of two electro-
magnets, their armatures, an armature-lever upon which said armatures are
supported, a vibrating pendulum, two contact-points respectively supported upon
opposite sides of said pendulum, two resilient arms two contact-points respectively
supported upon the extremities of said armis, a battery, conductors, connecting one
pole of said battery with the last named contact-point through the coils of said
electro-magnets respectively, conductors connecting the first named contact-points
with the remaining pole of said battery, a yielding circuit-closing point carried
upon said armature-lever, a contact-arm applied to said yielding circuit-closing
point, a revolving disc actuated by the movements of said pendulum and having
an indentation formed in its periphery and an extension applied to said contact-arm
and resting against the periphery of said disc whereby said arm is held out of the
path of said yielding circuit-closing point except when said indentation passes
beneath said extension, substantially as described.
17. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of two electro-
magnets, their armatures, armature-lever upon which the armatures are supported
a vibrating pendulum, two contact-points respectively supported from opposite sides
of said pendulum, two resilient arms, two contact-points respectively supported
upon the extremities of said arms and applied to the first named contact-points
respectively, a battery, conductors connecting one pole of said battery with the
last named contact-points through the coils of said electro-magnets respectively,
conductors connecting the first named contact-points with the remaining pole of
said battery, an electro-magnet having its coils included in one of the first named
conductors, two contact-stops in electrical connection with each other and applied
to the armature. of the last named electro-magnet, two contact-springs carried upon

page_text: said armature and caused by the movements of the same to alternately impinge
against their contact-stops, an electric circuit the terminals of which are respectively
connected with said contact-springs, and means, substantially such as described, for
causing one of said contact-springs to impinge against its contact-stop before the
other spring has been carried away from its stop.
18. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two electro-
magnets their armatures, an arinature-lever upon which the armatures are supported,
a vibrating pendulum, two contact-points respectively supported from opposite sides
of said pendulum, two resilient arms, two contact-points respectively supported
upon said arms and applied to the first named contact-points respectively, a battery,
conductors connecting one pole of said battery with the last named contact-point
through the coils of said electro-magnets respectively, conductors connecting the
first named contact-points with the remaining pole of said battery, an electro-
magnet having its coils included in one of the first named conductors, two contact-
stops in electrical connection with each other and applied to the armature of the
last named electro-magnet, two contact-springs carried upon said armature and caused
by the movements of the same to alternately impinge against their contact-stops,
an electric circuit the terminals of which are respectively connected with said
contact-springs, means, substantially such as described, for causing one of said
contact-springs to impinge against its contact-stop before the other spring has been
carried away from its stop and a series of synchronizing electro-magnets included
in the last named circuits.
19. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, with an electric
clock having a vibrating lever, of a yielding circuit-closing point applied to said
lever, a contact-arm, means substantially such as described, for normally holding
said arm out of the path of said point and for permitting it to intercept the path
of the same at intervals of one minute, a contact-point carried upon said arm, a
second arm applied to the last named contact-point, means, substantially such as
described, for causing the last named arm to be moved into the path of its contact-
point once each hour, a battery, the circuit of which is completed once each hour
by the operation of the last named contact-point and arm, and a series of hand
synchronizing devices, substantially such as described, included in the circuit of the
last named battery.
Dated this 5th dow of Amunt 100K