Improvements in or connected with Electric Alarums
Year: 1892

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Alarums
I, GERHARD WILHELM VAN VIANEN, of Hohephorte 24, Cologne on Rhine in
the Empire of Germany Merchant, do hereby declare the nature of this invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
This invention relates to improvements in or connected with electric alarums
applicable for dwelling and other places such as hotels, and when applied in such
places for example, permits the visitors guest, or otherwise to set the alarums for
any desired time in their own rooms, and the ringing of the bell in any particular
room then takes place exactly at the predetermined time and automatically, so that
the guest or other person or persons is or are not dependent on the punctuality of
servants or the like.
According to my invention the whole apparatus is set in motion by a clock which
is provided with a specially constructed contact mechanism for the purpose, as here-
after described; and in each room is placed a plug contact apparatus provided
with a bell which serves as an alarum. Conducting wires connect the clock
apparatus and alarm apparatus.
My invention will be readily understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings.
Fig. 1 shews in plan or elevation and Fig. 2 in section the clock contact arrange-
ment, or so much of same as will be necessary to describe the invention, and
Figs. 3 and 4 are similar views of the plug contact and alarm mechanism.
Fig. 5 shews in elevation and section one of the plugs detached.
Fig. 6 is a diagram view illustrating an instalment of the apparatus constructed
and arranged according to my invention, wherein conducting wires are carried from
the apparatus, Figs. 3 and 4, to the clock, Figs. 1 and 2, and the number of these
wires is regulated by the intervals at which the alarum is required to be set, for
instance, as shewn in the diagram view Fig. 6, an interval of half an hour is chosen,
in consequence of which there are twice 12 24 conductors from the clock, together
-
with a return conductor R, thus making a total of 25 wires.
The return conductor goes direct to the plug apparatus, Figs. 3 and 4 of the
separate rooms, and is there connected with the sounder and ends in a metal (brass)
ring r. To this ring 24 plates a', are concentrically attached, see Figs. 3 and 4.
These plates are insulated from the ring r and have a semi-circular opening which
corresponds to a like opening in the ring r, so that thereby a circular space is formed,
into which a plug s, Fig. 5, can be inserted, thus setting up an electrical contact
between the ring rand and the plate in question.
To these 24 plates the ends of the whole of the 24 conductors are attached, so
that any conductor may be connected with the return conductor as desired.
The clock (Figs. 1 and 2) requires strong works and accurate movement, but the
motion work may be of any desired construction. The contact is effected by means
of two springs ff, screwed on to two clamps kk, which can be adjusted by the
screws d d. The springs ff slide upon a contact plate p, which carries a contact
arm b, provided with a spring i, upon which a platinum contact c is fixed. A circle
of metal plates a extends around the contacts; the plates a form the ends of the
24 conductors, and are screwed on to an insulated plate which carries a circular
continuation g. Screws are screwed through the shoulders of the plates a and
pass through borings in the ring continuation g and in front they carry platinum
contacts.
The plate p is rigidly connected with the small indicator of the clock, so that it,
and with it the contact arm b, makes a revolution in 12 hours. The contact arm b

page_text: thereby makes contact, hourly, half-hourly, quarter-hourly, etc. according to the
number of the plates a. Thus, according to the place where the guest may have
inserted the plug in the apparatus, the bell in his room will be sounded at a fixed
time, and an alarum will be made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same may be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. An electric alarum apparatus distinguished by the combination of a contact
clock with series of plug contacts for the purpose of causing an alarm bell to
sound in the room wished at the desired time, all constructed and acting sub-
stantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.
2. In electric alarums, the combination with the alarm apparatus, of a contact
clock having a plate p connected with the small indicator of the clock, the
springs sliding on the plate p, the contact spring carrying arm b and the contact
plates a arranged in a circle, all substantially as herein described.
3. The general arrangement and combination of parts forming my improvements
in or connected with electric alarums, all acting as and for the purposes sub-
stantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 15th day of June 1892.
BREWER & SON,
Agents.