IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS AND TIMEKEEPERS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1847

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, ALEXANDER
BAIN, of Upper Baker Street, Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her present most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Royal Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, bearing date at Westminster, the Nineteenth day of
February, One thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, in the tenth year of
Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto
me, the said Alexander Bain, my exors, admors, and assigns, Her especial
licence, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I, the said Alexander
Bain, my exors, admors, and assigns, or such others as I, the said Alexander
Bain, my exors, adiñors, or assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times during the term of years therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
England, Wales, and the Town of Berwick-upon-Tweed, my Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN CLOCKS AND TIMEKEEPERS, AND IN APPARATUS CONNECTED
THEREWITH;" in which said Letters Patent is contained a proviso that I, the
said Alexander Bain, shall cause a particular description of the nature of my
said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an
instrument in writing under my hand and seal, to be inrolled in Her said
Majesty's High Court of Chancery, within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters Patent, as in
and by the same, reference being thereunto had, will more fully and at large
appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, I, the said
Alexander Bain, do hereby declare that the nature of my said Invention, and

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be carried into effect, are fully described
and ascertained in and by the following description thereof, reference being
had to the Drawings hereunto annexed, and to the figures and letters marked
thereon, that is to say-
My Invention relates,―
First, to a novel arrangement of parts of pendulums used in connection
with clocks and timekeepers set in motion by means of electric currents.
Secondly, my Invention relates to working clocks and timekeepers by means
of magnetic balances acted upon by means of electric currents.
Thirdly, my Invention relates to a novel arrangement of what I call the
"break," by which the currents of electricity are made, and broken, in working
clocks and timekeepers by electric currents.
Fourthly, my Invention relates to modes of arranging apparatus to effect
the "striking" in connection with clocks.
Fifthly, my Invention relates to apparatus to effect the winding up of the
movement of clocks or timekeepers.
Sixthly, my Invention relates to giving motion to clocks and timekeepers by
means of currents of aeriform fluid.
Seventhly, my Invention relates to acting upon "striking apparatus, in
connection with clocks and timekeepers by means of currents of ariform
fluid.
Eighthly, my Invention relates to setting the time-clocks and timekeepers
by means of suitable apparatus set in motion by the rays of the sun acting
upon a "thermo-electric pile."
Ninthly, my Invention relates to setting the time-clocks and timekeepers
by means of suitable electrical apparatus brought into action by the influence
of the sun's rays on mercury.
Tenthly, my Invention relates to setting clocks and timekeepers to time by
means of the falling of a ball or time signal, such as the time ball at Green-
wich Observatory, or other weight.
Eleventhly, my Invention relates to setting to time clocks and timekeepers
throughout the country by means of electric currents brought into action at
proper intervals by means of a clock or other timekeeper in motion.
Twelfthly, my Invention relates to a mode of keeping up the supply of
acidulated or other liquid in galvanic batteries for the purpose of giving
motion to clocks and timekeepers. And,
Thirteenthly, my Invention relates to a mode of keeping up the supply of
acidulated or other liquid in galvanic batteries for the purpose of giving motion
to clocks and timekeepers.

page_text: more runy understood and readily
carried into effect, I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 shows a front view, and Figure 2 an edge view, of parts of a
pendulum arranged according to the first part of my Invention. And I would
here remark, that in former Letters Patents taken out by me I have described
the giving motion to clocks by means of pendulums acted upon by currents of
electricity, and one mode of doing so was by causing the pendulum to carry, a
coil of wire, which moved with the pendulum while the magnets were held
stationary, the currents of electricity passing through the coils being made and
broken by means of a sliding bar or "break" acted upon the pendulum;
but by the present arrangement it will be seen that the magnets are carried
by and move with the pendulum, while the coils of wire remain stationary.
a are parts of the pendulum carrying the frame b, in which are placed the
hard steel magnets c; and d, d, are coils of wire wound round the wooden
frames e, e, as is well understood, the wire f passing to the plate of zinc z,
while the wire h, passing from the plate of copper C, conducts the electricity
to the break k, and thence through the wire to the coil, as shown. The two
coils are connected together by the wire m.
I will now describe the second part of my Invention, one arrangement for
carrying out which is shewn in plan and edge view at Figures 3 and 4. a, a,
is the balance carried by the axis or arbor b, and, having magnetized plates of
hardened steel a' forming its periphery, is capable of a too-and-fro circular
motion within the coils of wire d and e. f is a pointer projecting out from the
axis b, so as that in the movement of the balance the connecting bar g may be
acted upon to reverse the currents, as I will now proceed to describe. h is a
wire with branches, one from a plate of zinc, the other from a plate of copper.
This wire h passes to the bobbin d, where it forms a coil, and then passes (so
as not to be in metallic contact with other parts of the apparatus) to the
bobbin e, around which it coils, and then passes to and terminates in the
piece of gold i of the break; and there is a wire j, which comes from a piece
of copper placed in the earth at C, and terminates in the piece of gold k,
while the wire l, coming from the plate of zinc z placed in the earth,
terminates in the plece of gold n. g is a bar of metal which is capable of
sliding to and fro over the parts i, k, and n, there being points of gold, one at
each end, projecting down from the under side of the bar g, so that the bar g
at the end g¹ may be in contact with only one of the pieces of gold k or n, and
consequently with only one of the plates C¹ or z¹ at the same time, and the

page_text: two pieces of gold n and k are insulated from each other by a piece of agate.
The Drawing shows the point of gold at the end g₁ of the bar g to be resting
on the piece of gold k in connection with the wire ; from the copper C', and
the current of electricity will be carsed to flow in the direction indicated by
the black arrows through the bar g to the piece of gold i, and thence first to
the coil e, then to the coil d, and thence to the zinc plate at z; and while the
electricity is passing in this direction the balance will be caused to make a
partial revolution in the direction indicated by the black arrow, and in doing.
so the pointer f will come in contact with the bend 9 of the bar g, and shift
the point of gold in the end g¹ of the bar 9 on to the piece of gold n in
connection with the plate 2', when the direction of the current of electricity
will be broken with respect to the plate C', and the electricity will be
caused to flow in the reverse direction, as indicated by the red arrows, from
the plate at C to the coils d and e, thence to the gold at i, which is constantly
in contact with the point of gold at the end g of the bar g, through which the
electricity will flow to the piece of gold n in connection with the plate at ¹;
and in thus reversing the direction of the current of electricity the direction of
motion of the balance will have been reversed, as indicated by the red arrow,
and the pointer f will now come in contact with the bent part 9' of the bar g,
and bring that bar again into the position first described and shewn by the
Drawings; and so on the connection will be alternately made and broken with
each of the sets of plates at C¹ z, & C z¹. To alter the direction of partial
rotation of the balance a, motion is given from the arm a, the ballance, to
one arm of a lever, the other arm of which, having a click or driver, will set
in motion a ratchet wheel in connexion with suitable wheelwork of a clock or
timekeeper, as is well understood.
Figures 5 and 6 show a plan and edge view of another arrangement of
balance, set in motion by means of electric currents, for the purpose of giving
motion to clocks or timekeepers. In this case there are three coils d, e, and f,
shown, but the number of coils used may be varied. p is a wire in connection
with a piece of copper, placed in the earth or otherwise, from the positive pole
of a battery. This wire is attached to the spring p³, which is constantly
pressing against the periphery of the wheel q, which, excepting at the part
g', is formed, as well as its axis, entirely of metal; and electricity passed
through the wire p would pass through the wheel and axis q, through the
metallic framing, to the axis a¹ of the balance a, and thence out through the
metallic framing by the wire r, and through the coils d, e, f, to the plate of
zinc placed in the earth at z; but such will only take place during the time
that the metallic part of the periphery of the wheel 7 is being pressed on by
the spring p¹, and during such time the balance will be caused to make a

page_text: partial revolution in the direction indicated by the black arrow, and in doing
so it will alter the position of the wheel q in respect to the point of the spring
pl, so as to bring the point of the spring p' upon the part q', where there is a
piece of agate or other suitable non-conducting substance, in the following
manners is a bent arm projecting from the axis a¹ of the balance a.
t, v, are bent arms from the wheel q. As the balance makes its partial
revolution in the direction of the black arrow, the end of the arm s will come
in contact with the arm t of the wheel q, and bring the part q' in contact with
the spring p' (as shewn at Fig. 6*), thus breaking the current of electricity.
The balance a will then be caused to make a partial revolution in the opposite
direction, as indicated by the red arrow, by the unwinding of the spring u,
which had been partially wound while the balance was travelling in the direc-
tion of the black arrow. The arms will then come against the arm v of the
wheel g, and cause that wheel to move so as to bring the metallic part of its
periphery again in contact with the spring p', when the current being again
complete the balance will be caused again to make a partial revolution in the
direction of the black arrow till the current is again broken by the part q¹ of
the wheel a coming in contact with the end of the spring p¹; and so on will an
alternating motion be given to the balance a, and thence to the train of
wheelwork of a clock or timekeeper, as described in respect to Figures 3 and 4,
or otherwise.
I will now describe the third part of my Invention. In constructing the
"breaks," or the sliding bars, which are acted upon by the pendulum for the
purpose of breaking or altering the direction of the current of electricity by
which motion to the clock or timekeeper takes place, it has been usual to
have points projecting from the sliding bar, and these points are caused to
travel to and fro over a smooth surface of agate, in which, and level with the
surface of which, are the pieces of gold in connection with the different wires.
But I have found by experience that such surfaces are liable to have accumu-
lations of dust thereon, which is calculated to interfere with the correct
working of the apparatus. And this part of my Invention consists in causing
the gold ends of the wires to project in the form of points above the surface
of non-conducting substance through which they pass, the bar being suitably
arranged for that purpose, as is shewn by the Drawing. Figure 7 is a plan,
Figure 8 is a section, and Figure 9 is an enlarged view of some of the parts
separately of apparatus, according to this part of the Invention. a is a wire
from one of the poles of a battery. The point of the wire is constantly in
contact with the groove 6¹ of the bar. b, c, and d, are other wires terminating
in the other pole of the battery, the wire d being in connection with the

page_text: pendulum of the clock or timekeeper to which this apparatus is applied, and
the wire c being used to communicate with another clock or clocks at a
distance; and the end 62 of the bar b is similarly formed to the end 6'; but
when it is in the position shown by the Drawing it is resting only on the
point of the wire c; but it will be seen that there is a part b³ on a different
level to the part 63, and when the bar 6 is shifted by the pendulum to the
position indicated by the dotted red lines, the part 6 will be brought over and
in contact with the point of the wire d, and the point of the wire c will not
then be in contact with the bar b, and the direction of the current of elec-
tricity, which has been flowing by the wire c through the bar b, will be
changed, and the electricity will now flow by the bar 6 through the wire d;
but should the bar b be moved too far in the direction of the arrow, the
part 6 will be brought on to the point of the wire e, which is not in connec-
tion with any battery, and which, by being a little higher than the point of
the wire d, and not quite so high as the point of the wire c, will take the
bar 6 from contact with either of the wires c or d, and thus will the current
be broken, which arrangement will prevent the pendulum taking too much
vibration, and in that state will the parts remain until by the pendulum
moving back again the bar will again be brouglit into contact with the point
of the wire c.
I will now describe the fourth part of my Invention. Figure 10 shows a
front view of parts of a clock partly in section, according to this part of my
Invention. Motion may be given to the works by means of electric currents
according to my former Patents, or otherwise in any of the ordinary ways.
a is the arbor of the hour-hand. On this arbor is affixed the snail wheel b,
which is divided into equal radial divisions with stops, one to each division.
c is the axis of a segmental piece c', on which are formed the ratchet teeth,
as shewn. d is the crutch (shewn by dotted lines) to be worked by the
pendulum, and carrying the clawker e, which each time the pendulum & moves
in the direction of the arrow will have a tendency to draw the segment c
in that direction a distance equal to one tooth, the arm f acting at such
time as a click to hold it in the position to which it was last brought, while
the sigment has a tendency to move towards the left by the spring g, and
according to the position of the segment c' at each time of striking so will
be the number of teeth which at such time will have to be taken up to bring
the clawker to the part of the segmental piece c¹; and this part is the
position of rest of the clawker e, and the position of the segment c' is regu-
lated by the position of the snail wheel b. q is a wheel travelling at the same
speed as the minute-hand, so that it makes one revolution every hour; and

page_text: there is a pin q¹ projecting from its surface, which at each revolution comes
in contact with the arm h affixed to the axis of the stop f; and the stop f
has a projection i, which by coming under the clawker e causes it to be raised
so as to allow of the projection c³ from the arm c coming against the division
of the wheel 6 next to operate. The axis e¹ also carries the striking arm j,
and the striking of One is effected simply by the stud q', and that makes one
of the strikes for each of the other hours. For this purpose the first tooth is
omitted. This snail wheel b is shown on a larger scale at Figure 11. As the
parts are shown in Figure 10, the arm of the segment c¹ is on that division
of the snail which would allow of only one stroke taking place; but as one
stroke will take place by the stud q' coming against the arm h, the first tooth
is omitted previous to the striking of Two, the snail wheel 6 will have moved
round so as to bring the surface 2 to the arm, and the stud q' on the wheel
will, by acting on the arm h, release the click f and clawker e, and also cause
one blow of the hammer; at the same time the spring 9 will force back the
segment c', and bring the arm c³ in contact with the part 2 of the snail wheel;
the clawker e will then fall between the first and second tooth on the segment,
and the moving of the pendulam to the left will cause the clawker e to take
into that one tooth, and the moving of the pendulum to the right again will
cause the segment to be moved in that direction a distance equal to one
tooth, and in doing so the click arm will be raised, moving the hammer
arm j, and the falling of the click arm f will cause the hammer to strike
the bell. The further moving to and fro of the pendulum will cause the
clawker only to traverse on the part of the segment c¹. For the striking
of the next hour the same operation will be repeated, only that the part 3
of the snail wheel will be presented to the arm c³, and two teeth of the
ratchet will be operated upon, which, together with the one operation of
on for each hour,
the stud q, will produce the three strikes, and so
increasing.
Another peculiarity of this part of the Invention consists in a mode of
making and breaking electric circuits so as to give motion to striking appa-
ratus situated at a distance. This is accomplished by affixing a metal pointer l,
as shown in connection with one wire of a battery, and insulated from the
parts of the clock by a piece of ivory or otherwise, and another wire in con-
nection with the axis e of the click arm f, on which is affixed the inclined
metal surfaces m, which, when the parts are in the position indicated by the
Drawing, will be in contact with the pointer 1, and the circuit will be complete.
And I have at Figure 12 shown the wires in connection with an arrangement
of striking apparatus according to my Invention. n is a magnetic wheel

page_text: turning on an axis o, the periphery of which is composed of plates of hardened
steel magnetized. p, p, are coils of wire within which the periphery of the
wheel m moves freely; and when the circuit in the wires is complete, the
tendency of the wheel m will be to make a partial rotation in the direction
indicated by the black arrow. In doing so the lever m¹ will come in contact
with the arm p of the axis p³, to which is also affixed the hammer arm 1³,
and in the movement of the wheel in the direction indicated by the arrow
the arm p will be released from the lever m¹, and a strike will take place; and
so long as the circuit is complete the wheel m will remain towards the left;
but so soon as the circuit is broken the wheel will make a partial revolution
back in the direction of the red arrow, the wheel m being weighted on the
right side for that purpose, and the parts will then be brought back again by
the contact of the parts to complete the circuit.
I would here remark, that although I have shewn this mode of obtaining
a striking apparatus in connection with the mode of completing the circuit
shewn in Figure 10, I do not confine myself thereto, as the same may be used
with other arrangements for that purpose.
Figure 13 shews another arrangement of striking apparatus. In this case
the hammer arm is affixed to the wheel m, which, when the circuit through
the wires is made, will be caused to move in the direction of the black arrow,
and give a blow on the bell. The circuit is then broken, & the wheel will
fall back again in the direction of the red arrow, by reason of the greater
weight of that side of the wheel, and so on by the making and breaking of the
circuit will the striking take place.
I will now describe the fifth part of my Invention. Figure 14 shews a
plan and Figure 15 an edge view of one arrangement of apparatus for
carrying out this part of the Invention. a, a, are coils of wire on bobbins
embracing parts of the periphery of the magnetic wheel b, and so as to allow
of its moving freely on its centres of motion at b¹, b¹. The electricity is
caused to flow from suitable plates through the wires to the coils a and to the
the break c, as is described in respect to other of the Figures; and when, by
the shifting of the bar of the break, the current is broken, the wheel b will
be caused to make a partial revolution backwards in the direction of the red
arrow by means of the spring d; and each time the wheel 6 moves in the
direction of the red arrow it gives movement to the wheel e, there being for
that purpose an arm f on the axis of the wheel b, which supports the driver
q, and there is a stop to prevent the wheel e returning. The wheel e is
affixed to its axis e¹, on which is affixed the bevilled wheel i, which takes into
and drives the bevilled toothed wheel jon the axis r, which, by means of a

page_text: toothed wheel or otherwise may be used to give a regular winding-up motion
to the going or the striking part of the movement of a clock or the works of a
timekeeper.
Figures 16, 17, show another arrangement for giving a constant winding-
up motion to the movement of a clock or a timekeeper. In this case two
balance wheels are used, the alternating movement of which, by means of
the connecting rods p, p, gives motion to the crank shaft q, on which is affixed
the bevilled tooth wheel r, which takes into and drives the bevilled toothed
wheels on the axis t, which by suitable means is to give motion to the works
of a timekeeper or other part of the movement of a clock.
I will now describe the sixth part of my Invention, which relates to giving
motion to clocks and timekeepers by means of currents of æriform fluid.
Figure 18 shews a longitudinal section of apparatus arranged according to
this part of the Invention. a is a pipe in connection with any suitable reser-
voir of condensed æriform fluid. 6 is a pipe in connexion with a vacuum
chamber. These pipes are connected to the pipe c, there being cocks a¹ and b',
so as to open either as required, to the pipe c, which is in connexion with a
diaphram chamber d, or any number of diaphram chambers as may be
required, in the following manner :-e is the arbor of the seconds hand of a
clock. is an axis, which constantly has a tendency, by means of a weight or
otherwise, to revolve in the direction of the arrow; but it is prevented doing
so, except at certain times, by means of the projections f¹ on the disc f²,
affixed to the axis f, coming in contact with the segmental piece e¹ on the
axis e, past which it is allowed to escape only when in the revolution of the
axis e the straight part of the segmental piece e¹ is brought against the pro-
jections f, and as the shaft e makes one revolution every minute, one of the
projections will escape every minute, and consequently a variation will be
made in the position of the cocks a', 6', every minute.
And I will suppose
the cock a¹ in the pipe a to be open to the reservoir of condensed air, the
air from which will then flow along the pipe c to the diaphram chamber d,
the diaphram d of which will thereby be forced outwards, and act upon the
arm de affixed to the axis d³, to which is also affixed another arm d', carrying
a click or driver d³, which by the pressing out of the diaphram & will cause
the driver to pass over a tooth, one of the teeth f¹ of the disc being allowed
to escape. The position of the cocks a, b, will be reversed; the cock a¹ will be
closed and the cock 6' opened, opening the pipe c and diaphram chamber d to
the vacuum chamber. The atmosphere will then cause the diaphram d¹ to be
closed, and the weight of the arm d* to drive (by means of the driver d³) the

page_text: wheel d forward and a space equal to one tooth, and this wheel forms the
first of a train of wheelwork of a clock or other timekeeper.
In like manner to the way in which I act upon the lever d, I also act upon a
suitable lever to obtain a striking motion, according to the seventh part of my
Invention. Figure 19 shows so much of apparatus as will enable me to describe
this part of the Invention. dis a diaphram chamber in connexion with a pipe c,
as described under the sixth part of my Invention, and having a diaphram d',
to which is affixed the arm i, with the small lever k, which as the diaphram
is forced outwards by the pressure of compressed air causes. the arm 1 to be
forced outwards, and the clapper arm m, affixed to the axis m¹, to which the
arm is also affixed, to be raised until the small lever k escapes the end of
the arm 7, when the clapper arm m will fall on the bell o. In arranging
apparatus to carry out this part of the Invention, the cocks a¹ and b¹ will be
regulated so as to be opened and closed at the times required..
I will now describe the eighth part of my. Invention, which consists in
arranging mechanical apparatus in connection with currents of electricity, to
be brought into action by the influence of the sun on a thermo-electric pile,'
for the purpose of setting to time (at certain periods of time) clocks or time-
keepers. Figure 20 shows an arrangement for carrying out this part of the
Invention. a is the dial plate of a clock or timekeeper, which may be worked
by means of electric currents or otherwise. b is the hour-hand and c the
minute-hand, which has. a pin c¹ projecting at the back. This pin is capable of
being acted upon by either of the two inclined surfaces d' of the lever d
which is supported at one end upon the centre pin e. Now, I will suppose
that in the going of the clock or timekeeper it gains or it looses a few seconds
or even minutes, each day, and further, that any hour determined upon every
day it is proposed to adjust such clock or timekeeper just when the minute-
hand should be over the figure twelve, and if at that time the outer end of
the lever d be allowed to fall should the minute-hand be correctly over the
figure twelve, that hand will be unaffected by the parts d¹ of the lever d, as
the stud c¹ will escape through the opening d² at the upper end of the inclined
parts; but should the hand c at that time be a little in advance, as shown, or.
a little in the rear, the falling of the outer end of the lever d will cause one-
of the sides d¹ to act upon the pin c', and bring the hand cover the Figure
XII, and the stud c¹ will escape through the opening d. The acting upon
lever d at the time determined upon each day is effected in the following
manner is a pillar supporting a thermo-electric pile,' which (as is well
known by persons who have directed their attention to electrical experiments),

page_text: when the temperature of one end becomes higher than the other, causes a
current of electricity to flow through a wire or metallic connection, the ends
of which are in contact with the pile; and g is a plate supported upon an
arm capable of turning on the pillar f, and having an arm h kept constantly
against an eccentric wheel i. Through the plate g is formed an opening g',
through which the rays of the sun may pass on to the front end of the pile,
and the apparatus should be so set that the direct rays of the sun may pass
through the opening g', and on to the front end of the pile, at the particular
time at which it is required to set to time the clock or timekeeper, as required.
The object of causing the plate 7 to alter its position by means of the arm h
is to obtain during the year "equated time." For this purpose the wheel i,
against which the arms h rests, will be of an excentric form, as will be easily
understood by reference to an equation table, and being so well understood
I have thought it unnecessary to show the same here. Thus will the opening g¹
be daily brought in a line with the pile at the time required, and, should the
sun be shining, the effect will take place as described. j, j, are the wires
passing from the pile to the coils k, k, which are affixed to the frame of the
clock or timekeeper. I is a magnetic wheel, such as is described in other
parts of the Invention, and which turns upon centres carried by the frame.
The axis of the wheel has a part cut away, as shown at P, so that when the
current of electricity is caused to flow the wheel will be caused partly to
revolve in the direction of the black arrow, and thus release the arm d³ of the
lever d. The lever d, having been released from the arbor or axis l, will rest
by its arm d' on the axis of of a wheel which makes one revolution in 24
hours. On this wheel is affixed the arm b', which, just before the hour when
it is intended the setting to time should take place, will, in the going of the
works well raise the arm of the lever d, and bring the arm d³ into position
as shewn. Another mode of acting upon the pile by means of the sun's rays
is by causing those rays to pass through lens, as shown at Figure 21. The
focus of the lens should be towards one end of the pile, which should have wires
connected to it and to apparatus such as described in respect to Figure 20.
Figure 22 shows another mode of making the connection of an electric
current at certain times for the purpose of acting upon suitable apparatus, for
the purpose of setting to time clocks and timekeepers, according to the ninth
part of the Invention. q, r, s, are tubes containing mercury at the upper
parts, q, r, s. They are of glass, and the two outer ones, by means of floats
resting on the mercury, support the bart; and there is a metallic point t¹ in
the tube r¹, also in connection with the bar t; but unless more heat is applied
to the tuber than to the other tubes, the mercury will always be in that tube

page_text: a little below the metallic point, but by causing the rays of the sun by any
suitable means to fall on that tube at any particular time, the mercury in
that tube will be expanded, and come in contact with the metallic point t
therein, and thus make the connection between the wires o, o, and they
being in connection with suitable magnetic apparatus may be used as de-
scribed in respect to Figure 20. The toothed wheel on the axis of the
excentrici (Fig. 20 & 21) must have motion given to it in any suitable
manner, so as to give exactly one revolution during the year to the
excentric i.
I will now describe the tenth part of my Invention, which is shown applied
at Figure 23. a is a vertical staff, upon which is supported a ball b, which
I prefer to be hollow and of elastic material, such as converted india rubber
inflated with air. This ball is capable of sliding down the staff a, when allowed
to do so, in the manner of the ball at the Observatory, Greenwich, and is
capable of being used in substitution of that for indicating in its immediate
vicinity a particular time of the day, and by the mechanical apparatus in
connection therewith of making electric circuits, which constitutes the novelty
of this part of my Invention, the currents thereby put in motion being con-
veyed to any distant parts. c is a ring capable of sliding on the shaft a. This
ring is connected to the rod d, which, by means of a projection as shewn,
rests on one arm of the lever e, which turns upon an axis e¹ connected to the
wire f, and g is another wire connected to the plate h, so that when the ball
descends as indicated by dotted lines, the one arm of the lever e will be de-
pressed, causing the other to be pressed against the plate h, to complete the
circuit, supposing at the same time the wires fand g to be in connection with
suitable batteries, and there to be apparatus at the distant places capable of
indicating by the passing of the electricity through the wires f and g that such
connection is made, and, supposing the ball to be allowed to fall every day
exactly at twelve o'clock by means of this apparatus, the same may be indicated
at the same instant of time to distant parts, having suitable apparatus for that
purpose in connection with the wires f and g, or these wires may be in con-
nection with clock apparatus, such as described in respect to Figure 20.
Figure 24 shows another mode of making the electric connection of wire
to be used as above described for indicating time, or settling clocks or time-
keepers to time, according to the eleventh part of the Invention. In this case
there is a disc z on the hour axis y, which in this case makes only one revo-
lution in twenty-four hours, and the time of day is indicated by a fixed
pointer on the end of the lever B as shewn, or otherwise.
w and u are
minutes and seconds wheels, each of which, together with the disc z, has a

page_text: notched part t, on which rests projections A, A, from the bent lever B; and
when the dial indicates, say 12 o'clock, the projections A will be over the
different notches, but cannot fall therein till they are in the same line with
respect to the projections A, A, by which I obtain greater exactness than if
I used only one wheel z for the purpose. And I prefer that the seconds
wheel should be the last to have any holding of the points A; and it will be seen
that while the bent lever B is retained up, the ends of the two wires f and g
are insulated, but so soon as the bent lever B is allowed to fall, the metallic
part C will come into contact with the metal point D, and complete the
circuit in the wires o, o.
I will now describe the twelfth part of my Invention, an arrangement accord-
ing to which is shewn in section at Figure 25. A is an ordinary battery, with
a copper cylinder and a cylinder of zinc immersed in the acidulated liquor, as
is well understood. Over the battery is placed the reservoir B, with aper-
tures C, C, at the bottom, and an aperture D at the top. E, E, are the
wires passing from the plates to form the circuit. One of these wires is formed
into a coil at F, surrounding the needle indicated by dotted lines, which is of
the ordinary kind, and supports a piece of converted india-rubber G; and when
there is sufficient acidity in the liquor in the battery to keep up galvanic action,
the electricity passing through the coil F causes the needle to keep a horizontal
line, and thereby closes the aperture, and by preventing any pressure of air
on the surface of the liquor in the reservoir B prevents any further supply
to the battery A; but so soon as the acidulated liquor in the battery A fails,
and the electricity ceases to flow, the needle which is weighted at the end G'
will remove the closeing from the inlet D, and by admitting air on to the sur-
face of the liquor in the reservoir will cause that liquor to flow, and supply the
battery A, and then, when a sufficient supply has taken place to cause the elec-
tricity to flow with sufficient strength through the wires, the needle will again
be brought into a horizontal plane, closing the aperture D, by which the supply
will be stopped.
I will now describe the thirteenth part of my Invention, which consist in
forming the trough to contain the plates in connection with a supply vessel,
in the manner of a common fountain bird glass, as is shewn at Figure 26,
where two of such are shown together, forming a double battery, or in forming
such vessels I in some cases simply invert one vessel filled with the required
liquid (to be used as a reservoir of supply) within another containing the
plates.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention, and the manner
in which the same is to be carried into effect, I would have it understood

page_text: that I do not confine myself to the various details shewn and described, so
lang as the peculiar character of either part of my Invention be retained.
But what I claim is,-
First, the mode of forming pendulums in connection with clocks and time-
keepers, to be worked by electric currents, whereby the magnets used are
carried by the pendulums, and the coils are stationary, as herein described.
Secondly, I claim the giving motion to clocks and timekeepers by means
of magnetic balances set in motion by means of electric currents, as herein
described.
Thirdly, I claim the mode of forming breaks to be used in connection
with clocks and timekeepers set in motion by electric currents, as herein
described.
Fourthly, I claim the mode of effecting the "striking" in clocks, as
described in respect to Figure 10. I also claim the mode of making and
breaking the current of electricity, in order to act upon other striking appa-
ratus, as described in respect to Figure 10. And I also claim the arranging
apparatus to effect the striking in connection with clocks, by means of per-
manent magnets, as described in respect to Figures 11 & 12.
Fifthly, I claim the arranging apparatus whereby permanent magnets are
employed to give a winding-up motion either to the going or striking parts of
clocks or timekeepers, as herein described.
Sixthly, I claim the giving motion to clocks and timekeepers by means of
currents of aeriform fluid, as described.
Seventhly. I claim the setting in motion of striking apparatus in connection
with clocks and timekeepers by means of currents of aeriform fluid, as herein
described.
Eighthly, I claim the setting to time clocks and timekeepers by means of
apparatus by which the rays of the sun are caused to act upon a 'thermo-
electric pile to produce a current of electricity, as herein described.
Ninthly, I claim the setting to time clocks and timekeepers by means of
apparatus by which the rays of the sun are caused to act on the mercury so
as to complete the electric circuit of wire in connection with suitable batteries
for that purpose, as herein described.
Tenthly, I claim the causing the falling of a ball or other suitable weight
to act upon apparatus to complete the electric circuit, by which the setting to
time of clocks and timekeepers may be effected, as herein described.
Eleventhly, I claim the mode of setting to time clocks and timekeepers,
as described in respect to Figure 24.
Twelfthly, I claim the mode of keeping up the supply of acidulated or other