Year: 1897

page_text: I, ALBERT EDWARD DREW, of 6, Bury New Road, Haulgh, Bolton, in the County
of Lancaster, Post Office Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of my said invention to
be as follows:-
This invention consists of improvements in or relating to alarm clocks, or what
are better known as electric alarm clocks, and is designed to allow of one clock
being made to operate bells or alarms in any number of rooms or other places
connected thereto by means of electric wires and the simplifying of the means of
switching, plugging or other means of connections whereby with the use of a
limited number of plug-holes or other equivalents in connection between the
clock and the "switch-board," any number of connections from the rooms or other
places may be made on the "switch-board," and this is effected by means of the
plugs being so constructed that they may fit into each other thus effecting several
connections by the use of one plug-hole. This arrangement is so designed or con-
structed that one or more bells may be rung at one and the same time as desired
or necessary, at any hour or intermediate parts of each hour of the clock.
All the bells may be rung together, or parts of the range, the whole being
regulated and determined by means of switches, plugs, or other equivalents the
whole being controlled by the action of one clock and one "switch-board," and
is intended for use in large buildings, such as, hotels, boarding and family houses,
and other places.
This I carry into effect as follows:-
On the dial of the clock, or in any other suitable position is placed a circular
or other insulated plate on which are mounted or indented metallic connections
arranged to correspond as desired with the times marked on the dial. The
metallic mounts or indentations are connected to the " switch-board," the latter
being marked so as to indicate the different times the connections represent. On
the switch-board" the plug-holes or other equivalents in connection with any
one of the metallic mounts or indentations may be of any desired or required
number. The connections are formed by means of a finger or other equivalents
passing onto the mounts or indentations the said finger being in connection with
the clock-work. The travel of the electric current is as follows:-From the
battery to the clock-work; from the clock-work to the finger, then through the
mounts or indentations to the "switch-board" where the connection is continued
by means of the plug or switches to the desired room or rooms, where it operates
on the bell or bells and travels by means of return wire to the battery thus com-
pleting the circuit. The existing wires used in any establishment for any elec-
trical connections may be utilised in carrying out this idea.
The "switch-board" may be attached to the clock or placed in any other con-
venient position as desired; the distance between the clock and the "switch-board"

page_text: being immaterial. When it is desired for the bell or alarm in any of the rooms
or places to be operated it is only necessary to place the plug or switch represent-
ing the same into the plug-hole corresponding with the time it is desired to be
operated. In the room in which the alarm or bell is to operate may be placed
a switch to disconnect the current.
T
1008
improvements in or relating to Alarm clocks.
1, ALBERT EDWARD DREW, of 6, Bury New Road, Haulgh, Bolton, in the County
of Lancaster, Post Office Clerk, do hereby declare the nature of my said 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 consists of improvements in or relating to alarm clocks, or what
is better known as electric alarm clocks, and is designed to allow of one clock
being made to operate bells or alarms in any number of rooms or other places
connected thereto by means of electric wires and the simplifying of the means of
switching, plugging, or other means of connections whereby with the use of a
limited number of plug holes or other equivalents in connection between the
clock and the " switch-board," any number of connections from the rooms or
other places may be made on the "switch-board," and this is effected by means
of the plugs being so constructed that they may fit into each other thus effecting
several connections by the use of one plug-hole. This arrangement is so designed
or constructed that one or more bells may be rung at one and the same time as
desired or necessary at any hour or intermediate parts of each hour of the clock.
All the bells may be rung together, or parts of the range; the whole being regulated
and determined by means of switches, plugs, or other equivalents the whole
being controlled by the action of one clock and one "switch-board," and is intended
for use in large buildings, such as, hotels, boarding and family houses, and
other places. This I carry into effect as follows:-On the dial of the clock, or
in any other suitable position is placed a circular or other insulated plate on which
are mounted or indented metallic connections arranged to correspond as desired
with the times marked on the dial. The metallic mounts or indentations are
connected to the "switch-board," the latter being marked so as to indicate the
different times the connections represent. On the "switch-board" the plug
holes or other equivalents in connection with any one of the metallic mounts or
indentations may be of any desired or required number. The connections are
formed by means of a finger or other equivalents passing onto the mounts or
indentations, the said finger being in connection with the clock-work. The travel
of the electric current is as follows:-From the battery to the clock-work; from
the clock-work to the finger, then through the mounts or indentations to the
switch-board" where the connection is continued by means of the plug or
switches to the desired room or rooms, where it operates on the bell or bells and
travels by means of return wire to the battery thus completing the circuit. The
existing wires used in any establishment for any electrical connections may be
utilized in carrying out this idea. The "switch-board" may be attached to the
clock or placed in any other convenient position as desired; the distance between
the clock and the switch-board" being immaterial. When it is desired for the
66

page_text: bell or alarm in any of the rooms or places to be operated it is only necessary
to place the plug or switch representing the same into the plug-hole correspond-
ing with the time it is desired to be operated. In the room in which the alarm
or bell is to operate may be placed a switch to disconnect the current.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1-Sheet 1-is a front view of my invention arranged to operate bells
or alarms in seven rooms or other places-Fig. 2 a sectional elevation of push
and connections fixed in each room or other place-Fig. 3 a front view of push
and plate or cover-Fig. 4 a side view of circuit breaker annunciator when
normal-Fig. 5 a front view of Fig. 4-Fig. 6 a side view of circuit breaker
annunciator operated-Fig. 7 a front view of Fig. 6-Fig. 8 a side elevation of
interchangable plugs Fig. 9 a sectional elevation through line A¹ B¹ in Fig. 8-
Fig. 10 a side elevation of another form of interchangable plugs or slides--Fig. 11
a part sectional plan through line C¹ D¹ in Fig 10-Fig. 12 a sectional end view
through line E¹ G¹ in Fig. 10, and Fig. 13 an enlarged section of perforated plate K
with electric wire secured to the plate by any convenient means.
In all the figures the same letters and numerals are employed to indicate corres-
ponding parts.
A is the clock; B time board; C circuit breaker annunciator board; D circuit
breaker annunciators; E electric bells; F boxes containing coils for actuating
the bells; G batteries; H "Morse-keys," and I electric push.
In order that my invention may be clearly understood I will now proceed to
describe the same beginning with the time board B. The front side of the time
board B which is composed of wood or other suitable material or substance-is
provided with the metal plates or sockets K, which may be formed with three
or more or less holes as desired or required, and is connected to the clock A by
the electric wires y. The metal plates or sockets K may be as shown in the draw-
ing in Fig. 1, wherein they range from 1 o'clock increasing by the hour to 7 o'clock;
the next row beginning with 7-15, each increasing in time 15 minutes to 8-45; the
next row beginning at 9 o'clock each in their respective order increasing in time
15 minutes to 10 o'clock, after which they are increased by the hour to 12 o'clock,
or one round of the clock, which is equal to a working of 12 hours. Although
I have thus defined the divisions of time I would have it clearly understood that
I do not confine myself to this as the same may be varied or modified according
to the many various uses to which this invention may be employed, for
instance, suppose that this apparatus is employed for 50 or
100 rooms
to indicate the said times it will be clearly evident that the number of plugs will
have to be increased accordingly, as shown in Figs. 8 and 9, whilst the number
of plug holes may remain the same. The back side of the metal plates or sockets K
are provided with the stem end L to which is attached the electric wires y leading
to the parts of mounts or indents on the dial of the clock A represented by the
times on the board B. From the stud r on the circuit breaker annunciators D the
wires S are connected with the plugs t on switch-board B bearing number of
The stud is also in connection with one end of the coil n¹ of the circuit
breaker annunciator. From the other end of the coil n¹ runs the wire 0 to the
terminal W of the "Morse-key." From the insulated spring to runs the wire P
to X on the electric bell in the room. From the terminal X of the bell E the
electric wire Q is connected to the terminal Y2 of the "Morse-key." The ter-
minal Y of the "Morse-key" H is connected in each case to one pole of the source
of electricity; the other pole being connected to the hour hand d or its equivalent
for the purpose of making contact with the mounts or indents Vas before
described.
room.
The circuit breaker annunciators are constructed as follows:-Between the
front plate D and the bracket m¹ is fixed the electric coil n', and is insulated at
each end. The electric coil n¹ is provided with the wires O and a leading to the

page_text: terminal W'of the "Morse-key" H and stud r of the circuit breaker annunciator
respectively, and the wire S to the number of room on the time-board B. On the
front plate D of each circuit breaking annunciator are mounted the brackets
in which is pivoted the flap y¹ provided with the adjusting screw vl which forms
contact when closed as in Fig. 4-with the spring w. The spring w¹ is con-
nected with the electric bell: E by the electric wire P. To the bracket m¹ is pivoted
the lever d³ provided with the arm p' by the centre e³. One end of the lever d
is provided with the hooked projection 03 which-when in normal position-holds
the flap y against the insulated spring w!. When the button I is pressed or
pushed the lever e comes into contact with the terminal W. and wire O, thus
creating a current through the coil n¹ of the annunciator, which causes the-electro-
magnetz to attract the arm of the lever . By this action the outer end 0³
of the lever is raised, thus releasing its hold of the flap y, which then falls
down as shown in Fig. 6, thereby breaking the electric circuit to the electric bell E.
On releasing pressure from the button I of the "Morse-key" the lever et instantly
returns to its normal position as shown in Fig. 2. The circuit breaker annuncia-
tors are restored to their position as shown in Fig. 4 by the usual means. It will
be seen from the specification and drawings that my circuit breaker annunciator
differs materially from the common annunciator in its application and use as it
indicates that the person in the room has been called in due course and has stopped
the ringing of the electric bell by operating the button or push I provided for
the purpose in the room, which fact is announced on the circuit breaker annunciator
board by the falling of the flap y' which breaks the circuit of the bell E thus pre-
venting dispute and proving that the person has been called.
In order that my said invention may be clearly understood and readily carried
into operation I will now describe the working of the same. For example, say
that the persons engaging No. 1 and No. 3 rooms require to be called at 9 o'clock
the plugs t numbered 1 and 3 on the switch board B must be placed in the plate K
which is timed 9 o'clock. The travel of the current is. as follows:--From the
battery G through the wire K¹ to the hour hand d of the clock A; then through
the stud and wire y to plate K on switch-board; through plug t and wires to
the terminal on the circuit breaker annunciator 1), thence through the frame-
work to flap y¹. Then by means of the screw ¹ and the contact of the latter with
the insulated spring w the current is continued through the wire P to the ter-
minal of electric bell E, the latter being set in motion, the electric current
proceeding through the terminal X and the wire Q to the terminal Y2 of the
Morse-key," and through the lever H and the contacts
S and s¹ to
the lever e and terminal Y and through the wire Z to the battery, thus
completing the circuit of the bell. To stop the bell E ringing the person in the
room depresses the button or push I or its equivalent of the lever H which assumes
the position shown in room No. 3, thus breaking the circuit of the bell E, and at
the same time causing the, current to travel from the terminal e of the circuit
breaking annunciator through the coil n', and through the wire O, lever et, ter-
minal Y, and the wire Z to the battery, this action causing the electro-magnetz to
attract the arm, thereby releasing the flap y', which places the electric bell E
out of circuit. The lever e immediately resumes its normal position when the
button or push I is released.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1. The general arrangement, construction, and combination of parts composing
my improvements in or relating to electric alarm clocks for automatically opera-
ting bells or alarms in one or more rooms at stated or varying times substantially
as described and as illustrated in the annexed drawings.
2. In combination with electric alarm clocks for operating bells or alarms as
stated in the preceding claim the use construction and combination of parts, such

page_text: as, circuit breaking annunciator, interchangable plugs and slides or their
quivalents, substantially as described and as illustrated in the annexed drawings
for the purposes set forth.