IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION ARRANGEMENT AND WORKING OF CLOCKS OR TIME-KEEPERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXHIBITING UNIFORM TIME AT SEVERAL POINTS"
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to James Anderson McFerran of Manchester in the County
of Lancaster for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION
ARRANGEMENT AND WORKING OF CLOCKS OR TIME-KEEPERS FOR THE PURPOSE
OF EXHIBITING UNIFORM TIME AT SEVERAL POINTS"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said James Anderson. McFerran at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th February 1883.
JAMES ANDERSON MFERRAN of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
* IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION ARRANGEMENT AND WORKING OF CLOCKS
OR TIME-KEEPERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXHIBITING UNIFORM TIME AT SEVERAL
POINTS
"
0
The object of this invention is to construct a machine or time index (or a series
of the same) to show time in keeping with a primary control clock which is in:
electrical communication by a wire or wires with the said machine or machines:
the electricity acting only as a controlling power, which principle of control can be
applied to any number of such machines Either in series or otherwise; the con-
nection being accomplished by any known means of establishing internal electrical
contacts in the primary control clock, inducing magnetic action, which action I
utilize to work the escapement of the indicating machine or machines.
I also so construct the machine and arrange its connections (as hereinafter
described) that in the event of the primary control clock stopping, or the failure of
Electrical.connection between the primary control clock and the indicating machine
(or either or both) the said machine immediately proceeds to effect its own escape-
ment (and that of others in series with it) so as to become a secondary control.
clock, and to show. time at intervals as before.
2
==
T
Further upon the primary control clock being re-started or upon the restoration.
of electrical communication the said primary control clock shall resume its former-
coverning

page_text: In order to illustrate my method of accomplishing this result, I will suppose
that the work to be done is to exhibit time, at minute intervals at several points
and in series at Each of these points.
I so arrange the primary control clock that it shall effect an electric contact of
about second's duration Each minute, or as nearly as possible.
"
The electric communication is conveyed by means of wires through "relays
which bring into play local batteries Each working what I will call a secondary
clock also the series of indicators. Thus primarily and in ordinary course all
impulses proceed from the primary control clock.
But should anything occur to prevent the working of the relay magnets then 1
the local batteries of the secondary clocks become each short circuited, by the
action of the latter, and Each secondary clock then becomes a control clock and
works the Escapements of the whole of its series with a due exhibition of time,
and this short-circuiting will occur at the desired interval in Each series until the
resumption of Electrical communication from the primary control clock, when all 1
again come under control of the latter.
1
I construct the time keeper or indicator as follows. I take an ordinary eight-
day seconds time piece and I remove therefrom the pendulum, pendulum cock,
pallets with arbor and crutch, Escape wheel and pinion and ordinary third wheol
and in place of the latter I fit a third wheel with the same number of teeth having s
on its inner face a crown wheel the slope of the teeth running in the direction in
which the wheel turns.
I also fit in an Escape arbor having a pinion with the same number of leaves as
the one removed; the said arbor to be square and pivotted freely but with the
least possible shake between the plates. Upon the square portion of the arbor
I fit a sliding stud or collet with a screw-to-tighten the same on the arbor. In
this stud, at right angles to the arbor, I secure a projecting arm or pin of such a
length as conveniently to pass free of the third wheel arbor.
TT
Above the Escape wheel arbor and in a line with it, and the third wheel arbor
and at rather a less distance than that between these two, I plant another arbor,
hereinafter called the "verge". This is pivotted into the front plate of the clock,
and into a flat cock screwed onto the back plate of the movement the said plate
being cut so as to allow of the removal of the "verge" without disturbing the rest
of the works.
"
The " verge
is left square between the pivots, and the latter are turned so far
back as to allow of its sliding endwise (say ³, of an inch) when all is screwed up
tight.
On the "verge" at the front plate end is fastened a disc or collet with a pin
in it, well secured and parallel to the line of the pivot. This works in a hole
in the plate acting as a guide pin, preventing undue circular fovement, but
allowing the " verge "to slide backwards and forwards with perfect freedom.
In the "verge" on the under face thereof is cut a narrow, square-sided slot, of
an Even depth about half the section of the verge and at an angle of about
30 degrees to the axis of the latter, commencing on the front and running from
left to right. The front of the verge being that side which would detain a pin
set in the stud on the Escape arbor and prevent the latter from revolving
supposing the time piece to have the usual power applied either by weight or
spring.
The pin in the stud on the Escape arbor is so fitted as just to free the top of the
notch in the verge, and the stud is fixed in such a position that when the verge is
slid up to the front plate, the pin rests against the back shoulder of the notch,
ready (the usual power being on) to Escape through the notch on the " verge
being moved backwards.
"
The pin being brought round by the power is now detained by the front
shoulder, the verge then being moved forwards the pin moves to its first position
ready to Escape again on the moving of the "verge'
The Endwise movement of the verge is effected in the following manner.
At the;

page_text: end of the "verge" next to the disc, and in the square portion thereof, a vertical
hole is drilled and a pin screwed or driven through.
The upper part of this pin works in a forked arm connected with the armature
of a magnet fastened to the inner side of the backplate.
This armature is hinged vertically on a cock in the plate (or to the magnet) and
works in a short are in the plane of the “verge". Electrical contact being made
the armature is drawn to the magnet, the verge is moved Endwise and imme-
diately the pin Escapes and allows the power to give one-revolution to the Escape
arbor.
The third wheel now in motion carries with it the crown wheel before mentioned.
In ordinary clocks of this description the third wheel. revolves once in five minutes.
I therefore divide this crown wheel into five sections with the slope of the teeth
towards the front. The, tooth of the crown wheel, in turning, Engages with one
arm of a lever pivotted on a cock in the front plate. The other arm of this lever
works against the lower end of the verge pin. The electrical contact being broken,
the third wheel continues to move until the top of the tooth of the crown wheel
becomes disengaged from the lever. The verge and the armature are now in place,
and the action is completed by the pin stopping on the back shoulder of the "verge
notch. Meanwhile a minute has been marked upon the dial.
"
A snail stop with a drop catch pivotted on the inside of the back plate is also
fitted on the Escape arbor. This catch drops into place just before the pin
reaches the "verge" shoulder, and thus the whole is locked until the next action
of the magnet..
Instead of the armature being attached by an ordinary hinge I prefer to use
a long, broad and weak spring, not strong enough to put the "verge" and armature
back again after the electrical current has passed, but sufficiently strong to aid in
doing so, and thus lighten the third wheel action.
It will be understood that the primary control clock makes and breaks Electrical
contact, once a minute, and by so doing allows Each of the machines (or time
indicators) above described which are connected with it, to mark one minute of
time simultaneously.
The secondary control clocks are modifications of the primary, the leading
features of which are as follows. The third wheel pinion passes through the
back plate, and the power obtained from it is used to wind up (remontoir fashion)
an additional third wheel, which acts on an Escape wheel with pallets and pendulum
attached. These are arranged to time a contact, short circuiting the local battery,
if the secondary machine is not Escaped by the primary clock, such short circuiting
taking place about three quarters of a second after the time due by the primary
contact, and continuing at minute intervals, until the primary control is renewed.
Thus if the primary control clock ceases to act from any cause the secondary
clocks takes up the control and keep the time indicators going until the primary
cloak rasumaa ito functions

page_text: -SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said James Anderson McFerran in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 17th August 1883.
JAMES ANDERSON MCFERRAN of Manchester in the County of Lancaster
IMPROVEMENTS IN THE CONSTRUCTION ARRANGEMENT AND WORKING OF CLOCKS
OR TIME KEEPERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXHIBITING UNIFORM TIME AT SEVERAL
POINTS
The object of this invention is to construct a machine or time index (or a series
of the same) to show time in keeping with a primary control clock which is
in electrical communication by a wire or wires with the said machine or machines:
the electricity acting only as a controlling power, which principle of control can be
applied to any number of such machines either in series or otherwise: the
connection being accomplished by any known means of Establishing interval
electrical contacts in the primary control clock, inducing magnetic action which
- action I utilize to work the Escapement of the indicating machine or machines
I also so construct the machine and arrange its connections (as hereinafter
described) that in the Event of the primary control clock stopping, or the failure of
electrical connection between the primary control clock and the indicating machine
(or either or both) the said machine immediately proceeds to effect its own
Escapement (and that of others in series with it) so as to become-a-Secondary
control clock, and to allow time at intervals as before
Further upon the primary control clock being restarted or upon the restoration
of electrical communication the said primary control clock shall resume its former
governing power.
In order to illustrate my method of accomplishing this result I will suppose that
the work to be done is to exhibit time at minute intervals at several points and
in series at each of these points-I so arrange the primary control clock that it
shall effect an electric contact of about one seconds duration each minute or as
nearly so as possible.
"
The electric communication is conveyed by means of wires through "relays
which bring into play local batteries each working what I will call a secondary
clock and also the series of indicators connected therewith. Thus primarily and
in ordinary course all impulses proceed from the primary control clock. But
should anything occur to prevent the working of the relay magnets then the local
batteries of the secondary clocks become Each short-circuited by the action of the
latter as hereinbefore described and Each secondary clock then becomes a control
clock, and works the Escapements of the whole of its series with a due exhibition
of time, and this short-circuiting will occur at the desired interval in each series
until the resumption of electrical communication from the primary control clock,
when all again comes under control of the latter.
Such being the nature and object of the said invention I will now proceed to
describe in detail the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or
carried into practical Effect, and in order that the same may be clearly understood
I have annexed hereunto a sheet of drawings illustrative thereof and have marked
the same with figures and letters of reference corresponding with those in the
following explanation thereof Fig 1. is a sectional Elevation (with the back plate
removed) of a time keeper or indicator constructed according to my invention.
Fig. 2 a plan view of the same. Fig. a partial side elevation of the movement
Figs 4 and 4° are enlarged views of the verge. Figs 5 and 6 are respectively
elevation and plan of a modification of the movement. Fig. 7 is a view showing the

page_text: connection between the secondary control clock and its indicator. Figs 8 and 9
are enlarged end view and section of the star wheel hereinafter referred to and
Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the electrical connection between the primary and
Becondary control clocks and the time keepers or indicators in a single series. I
construct the time keeper or indicator Figs 1, 2, and 3 as follows.
I take an ordinary eight-day seconds time-piece and I remove therefrom the
pendulum, pendulum clock, pallets with arbor and clutch, escape wheel and pinion
and ordinary third wheel and in place of the latter I fit a third wheel a, a with
the same number of teeth and having on its inner surface a crown wheel b, b the
slope of the teeth running in the direction in which the wheel turns, and having
the tops or highest portions of such teeth slightly flattened. I also fit in an escape
arbor c, c having a pinion d, d with the same number of leaves as the one
removed; the said arbor to be square and_pivotted freely but with the least
possible shake between the plates e, ef, f. Upon the square portion of the arbor
I fit a sliding stud or collet g, g with a screw h to tighten the same on the arbor
c, c. In this stud g, g at right angles to the arbor c, c I secure a projecting arm or
pin i, of such a length as conveniently to pass free of the third wheel arbor
αι, αι.
Above the escape wheel arbor c, c in a line with it and the third wheel arbor
a', a' and at rather a less distance than that between these two I plant another
arbor k, ke hereinafter called the "verge". This is pivotted into the front plate e, e
of the clock, and into the flat cock f¹¹ screwed onto the back plate f of of the
movement the said plate being cut so as to allow of the removal of the verge k, k
without disturbing the rest of the works. The verge k, k (see enlarged views
Figs 4 and 4) is left square between the pivots and the latter are turned so far
back as to allow of its sliding endwise (say three eighths of an inch) when all is
screwed up tight. On the verge k, k at the front plate end is fastened a disc or
collet with a pin in it, well secured and parallel to the line of the pivot. This
works in a hole in the plate e, e acting as a guide pin preventing undue circular
movement, but allowing the verge k, k to slide backwards and forwards with
perfect freedom.
In the verge "k, k on the under face thereof is cut a narrow square sided Blot
1, 1, (see Fig 4") of an even depth about half of the section of the verge and at an
angle of about thirty degrees to the axis of the latter, commencing on the front
and running from left to right. The front of the verge being that side which
would detain a pin set in the stud on the escape arbor c, c and prevent the latter
from revolving supposing the time piece to have the usual power applied either by
weight or spring. The pin i, i in the stud g, g on the escape arbor c, c is so fitted
as just to free the top of the notch 1. 1. in the verge, and the stud g, g is fixed in
such a position that when the verge k, k is slid up to the front plate 6, 6 the pin i, i
rests against the back shoulder 2. 2. of the notch ready (the usual power being on)_
to escape through the notch 1. 1. on the "verge" k, k being moved backwards.
The pin i, i being brought round by the power is now detained by the front
shoulder 3. 3, which is made wider at this part the " verge" then being moved
forwards the pin i, i to its first position ready to Escape again on the moving of
the "verge. The endwise movement of the "verge "k, k is effected in the following,
manner. At the end of the "verge " next to the disc and in the square portion
thereof a vertical hole is drilled and a pin m screwed or driven through. The
upper part of this pin m works in a forked arm, connected with the
armature o, o of a magnet p, p fastened to the inner side of the back plate f, f
This armature o, o is hinged vertically on a cock in the plate f; f(or to the magnet)
and works in a short arc in the plane of the "verge" kk Electrical contact being-
made by the primary clock in any suitable manner, the armature o, o is drawn to
the magnet p p the verge k, kis moved end wise and immediately the pin i, i
Escapes, and allows the power to give nearly one revolution to the Escape arbor c, c
until the pin i, stops against the front shoulder of the verge k, k. The third
wheel o, now in motion carries with it the crown wheel b; b before mentioned,
t

page_text: In ordinary clocks of this description the third wheel revolves once in five minutes..
I therefore divide this crown wheel b, b into five sections with the slope of the
teeth towards the front. The tooth of the crown wheel in turning Engages with.
one arm of a lever q, q pivoted to a cock in the front plate e e.
The other arm of
this lever (which is a weak spring) works either against the lower end of the verge
pin m, m the forked arm n, n of the armature, or the armature o, o itself according
to the strength of the motive power of the train; if weak against the verge
pin m m if it is very strong against the armature.
The electrical contact being broken, and magnetic action thus ceasing the tension
of the spring of the upper arm of the lever qq throws the verge and armature
back allowing the pin ii to Escape from the front shoulder of the verge k, k, the third
wheel a, a then continues to move until the top of the tooth of the crown wheel b, b.
becomes disengaged from the lever q q.
"
The "
verge", k and the armature o, o are now in place and the action is
completed by the pin i, i stopping on the back shoulder 2, 2 of the " verge
notch 1. 1. Meanwhile a minute has been marked upon the dial D, D.
A snail stop (similar to that shown on Fig 5.) with a drop catch pivoted on the
inside of the back plate f, f may also be fitted on the Escape arbor c, c.
This catch
drops into place just before the pin i, i reaches the "verge" shoulder, and thus the
whole is locked until the next action of the magnet..
Instead of the armature o, o being attached by an ordinary hinge, a long broad
and weak spring may be used not strong enough to put the "verge" k, k-and
armature o, o back again after the electrical current has passed, but sufficiently
strong to aid in doing so and thus lighten the third wheel action. Or I prefer to
accomplish this replacing of the armature o, o and verge k, k and the locking of the
clock in the following manner see Figs 5 and 6. I transfer the ection of replace-
ment to the escape arbor c, c and to do this I place the snail stop r, r close to the
-head of the pinion d, da drop catch 8, 8 is fastened to a collet t, t secured by a
screw on an arbor pivoted between the plates slightly higher up than the
Escape arbor c, c on the other side of the clock from the magnet. This catch 8,
consists of a brass arm of suitable length with a pin in the arm at right angles
thereto and parallel to the arbor. This pin is so placed in the arm that when the
detent or pin i, i on the Escape arbour rests against the front of the verge k, k the
pin in the drop catch rests on the top or highest point of the snail r, r where as
also at the top of each tooth of the beforenamed crown wheel I prefer to form a
short "dwell," and upon the verge k, k being moved forward, and the detent or
pini, stopping on the back shoulder 2, 2 of the verge notch 1, 1 the drop
catch 88 falls into the snail stop r,r; the double action locking the clock both back
and forward; On the brass arm 8, 8 aforesaid and at the back thereof (that is the;
side furthest from the dial) I rivet or screw on a weak spring t¹, t¹ so that it shall
lie, when at rest along the face of the arm 8, 8 above and free of the pin, and
projecting somewhat beyond the end of the arm 8, 8. The verge k, k is constructed
as before described except that I find it more convenient to cut an upright slot in
the front so that the detent or pin i, i on leaving the front shoulder of the
verge k, k shall rest against a square back shoulder see Figs 4 and 4ª instead of a
sloping one. The lower end of the verge pin m instead of being vertical is bent
towards the dial so as to form an inclined plane; its length being such that when
the pin of the drop catch 8, 8 rests in the snail stop r, r the end of the verge pin 'm-
is opposite the face of the spring t¹, t on the brass arm 8, 8 The magnet p, p
armature c, o and fork n, n are as before. The drop catch 8, 8 is so adjusted on
its arbors c¹, c¹ that it allows the verge k, k to be moved so as to permit the detent
or pin i, i to be free to revolve at the same time as the inclined plane of the verge,
pin m reaches the spring t¹, t¹, on the brass arm. The verge k, k being held in
place by the magnet p, p the escape arbor c, c revolves and raising the catch 8, 8
by the rim of the pin on the snail r, r causes the spring t', t¹ to come into action
against the face of the inclined plane of the verge pin m. Having continued its
revolution until stopped on the front shoulder 3. 3. of the verge k, k the whole is

page_text: held until the magnet p, p' ceasing action, the tension of the spring t¹, t' attained
by the lifting of the drop catch 8, 8 on the smail r, r throws the armature o, o..
and verge k, k back, allowing the detent or pin i, i to fall into the back
shoulder 2. 2, and the drop catch 8, 8 to fall into the snail stop r. r. A banking
pin in the inclined plane of the verge pin m prevents the catch and spring being
thrown too high, and all is so arranged that when the armature o, o is back from
the magnet p, p the drop catch 8, 8 can be lifted to and falls from the banking"
pin into position by means of its own weight.. I have for the sake of making
my method understood assumed that the various alterations have been made in an
eight days seconds timepiece or clock, and so freed myself from the necessity of
detailing particulars of the train, as to numbers of teeth in the wheels and leaves
in the pinions. Inasmuch however as in most clocks the centre wheel revolves
once per hour it is evident that by suitable alteration in the train, the principle
can be applied to any clock with such centre wheel.
It will be understood that the primary control clock makes and breaks contact
once a minute and by so doing allows each of the machines (or time indicators)
above described which are connected with it to mark one minute of time simul-
taneously. The secondary control clocks are modifications of these time indicators.
the leading features of which are as follows. The third wheel pinion passes through
the back plate and the power obtained from it is used to wind up (remontoir fashion)
an additional third wheel which acts on an escape wheel with pallets and pendulum
attached. These are arranged to time a contact short-circuiting the local battery
whenever the secondary machine is not escaped by the primary clock, such short
circuiting taking place about three quarters of a second after the time due by the
primary contact and continuing at minute intervals until the primary control is
renewed. Or as a modification I sometimes make the secondary clock a compound
of an indicator, substantially similar to the foregoing, and a slow train movement.
The two are placed on one seat board but are not in metallic communication with
each other except as hereinbefore described.
The indicator is in all respects similar to that last above described, excepting
that the third wheel pinion is brought through the back plate about one inch. On
that portion of the third wheel arbor which comes through the back plate f,f is
fitted (on a collet with an adjusting screw) a deep toothed wheel or a star wheel
v, v (see Figs 6 and 7). This wheel in the case described would have five teeth,
and in any case the number of teeth in this wheel would correspond to the number
of minutes required for one revolution of the third wheel.
I will now briefly point out how the escapement of this star wheel provides for
the action herein first set forth.. In this case the motion proposed consists of a
wheel, called an additional third wheel working into the pinion of an Escape wheel
connected in the usual manner with pallets and penduluin. And the star wheel in
this instance is simple. A plate with pillars is added to the back plate of the -
indicator, and the third wheel and other parts of such additional work are so -
planted or pivoted between the back frame of the indicator and the extra plate
that the star wheel conveniently Engages with the single tooth of the loose collet
with the ratchet attachment on such third wheel. To this collet is affixed an arm
carrying a small weight, the winding back of which ensures the constant power, _
the weight on such arms forming the motive power for the Escapement. Due"
provision is also made for maintaining power, during winding back-or detention.
The arm carries an insulated cross branch which if left free to proceed would effect
a short circuiting contact as regards the local battery and release all the indicators
in the series including its own by which it is immediately wound back again; and
it goes on at the regular intervals to make contacts until superseded by the action
from the primary clock when (in, the manner hereinafter described) its contact
action suffers retardation of about one second Each minute so long as the primary
contacts occur and have due effect: The cross plate on the, arm would effect a
contact between the two wires of the local battery by joining them in resting on
two insulated stops on the back frame. Such stops being capable of regulation or

page_text: --adjustment to give the necessary traverse to the arm the said traverse being one
that is accomplished by the descent of the arm as governed by the pendulum
swing in sixty seconds. But I prefer to modify this method. in the following
manner. The star wheel v, v may be either made a plain brass wheel or a
compound one But for the more effective working of my system I prefer to have;
it a compound wheel made as follows.see Figs 8 and 9. The inner portion con-
sisting of a collet and wheel vl, v with shortened teeth and adjusting screw v11, of
brass, and fitting on to the pinion, the outer portion or star wheel v, v fitting onto
the boss of the collet v, v, but insulated therefrom by an ivory or other insulating
collet, the whole being joined together so as to form a complete wheel-I do not
bind myself to this form of wheel but instance it as a compound wheel of which
the inner portion is in metallic communication with the clock and the outer or
completion of teeth is not so.
It will be seen then that the front part of this secondary clock is virtually an
indicator-In all cases it is controlled electrically in series with others of the
circuit. The second or back portion of this clock consists of a movement with a
slow train and a dead beat Escapement driven by weight or spring, and resembling
any ordinary movement except that it has no motion on dial work. the centre
wheel arbor not coming through the front plate.
F... =:
Further the third arbor instead of being pivoted in the front plate is brought
through, and pivoted in a cock standing about one inch above the plate. On this
portion of the third wheel arbor (ie that above the plate) I fit a smooth running
brass collet to which I attach the short metallic arma, a with a contact end z, z.
There is also on the collet a broad tooth . l adapted for Engaging with the teeth
of the star wheel v, v.
This collet is then so fixed on the arbor that whilst it moves round with the arbor
when the latter is in motion yet it is free Enough to be moved back when needful.
I may indicate a method of doing this On that part of the third wheel.
arbor projecting through the plate, and close to but free of the same I fit tightly a
small brass disc x¹, a¹.
The collet aforesaid carries a spring which presses on the circumference of the
brass disc all, all thus forming a friction clutch as it were for the collet and arm
holding these in any position yet allowing of fairly free motion, the whole travelling
with the third wheel a, a in its ordinary course when nothing intervenes. On the
front plate of this movement I fit an insulated arm 2", 2" permitting of adjustment
and carrying a contact plate. This being so placed as to arrest the arm on the
collet during one part of its course.
I now bring the two portions of this clock into such position that when the
portions are duly placed with reference to their going: the star wheel v, v of the
indicator shall be able to Engage the tooth ¹, s of the collet sufficiently and in
such manner as to accomplish the ends hereinafter set forth:
As for example the pitchings of the wheels permitting it I bring them onto one
sent board, but there must be no metallic connection between the frames or works,
excepting at the moment of action by the indicator-A correct position having been
arrived at Each portion is securely screwed down to the saet board.
The arm x, x in the collet is now banked in the position to which the star
wheel v, v carries it and the pendulum in the secondary portion being set in motion
the insulated arm el, gl is so adjusted as to arrest the arm a, a on the collet on the
sixtieth second. The clamping of the collet on the third wheel pinion is not of
such a character as to interfere with the continuous motion of the secondary portion
when the arm x, x is in contact and remains there.
This being done I will now proceed to describe the electrical connections and the
manner of working referring to the diagram Fig. 10. A. is the primary clock
where original contacts take place.
These join up the circuit 1. 2. 3. between A. and B which latter is a magnet I
will call the relay". This magnet when in action closes the local circuit and
discharges the indicators A' A &c.-Of these indicators A' is a compound or

page_text: secondary clock. To the frame of the back part of this clock a wire is led from
the magnet at c. The other wire of the magnet goes to the battery 4 and the
remaining wire connects the battery with the insulated contact arm ", " in the
back part of the secondary clock, and also with plates of the front part. When
the primary clock signals are duly made the star wheel v, v in the indicator of A'
turns back the arm on the third wheel until the progress of the indicator is
arrested by the stoppage of the detent or pin i, i on the front shoulder 3. 3, of
the verge k, k. Meanwhile the star wheel v, v is still Engaged with the collet
tooth ', e¹ and this on the insulated portion of star wheel. But contact being
over, the verge k, k moves forward and the detent or pin i, i falling on the back
shoulder 2, 2, allows the star wheel v, v to proceed, which it does banking the
collet arm x, x and freeing the tooth s¹, e¹. In this manner it will be seen that
as the star wheel v, v detains the collet arm x1, x¹ for the whole time of contact,
and as the duration of this contact is approximately one second, the collet arm
whilst under the influence of the primary clock always commences its sixty seconds
journey one second late. The difference between the starting of a minute in the
primary and the secondary clocks being the time of contact ruled by the former, so
that in working, the collet arm x, x of the secondary clock can never come in contact
with the insulated arm s¹, 1 so long as impulses from the primary clock prevail.
But if from any cause these are interrupted the collet arm a³, a reaches
the insulated contact arm 211 211 and by its contact brings into action the
subsidiary battery 4. the magnet at C closes the local circuit including of course
the indicator of the secondary clock. This latter set free winds back the collet arm,
and in doing so continues the contact through the uninsulated portion of the star
wheel v, v. Immediately this portion is passed, the electrical action ceases and there
is no detention on the front shoulder of the verge, every thing being at once
replaced. Such action continues until the resumption of functions by the primary
control, and it will be noted that as this secondary action commenced one second late,
the primary action has a surety of re-entry bringing the indicator up to correct time.
The magnet at C, and the subsidiary battery may be dispensed with. In this
case the short circuiting wires are led from the main wires as shown, terminating
the one in the frame of the back portion, the other in the insulated arm and frame
of the indicator, when the main action is similar to what has been described.
Having now described the nature and object of my said invention together with
the manner in which the same is to be or may be performed or carried into practical
effect I wish it to be understood that I claim as my invention
First the general arrangement construction and working of the clocks or time
keepers as herein before more particularly described and illustrated by the drawings
annexed for the purpose of exhibiting uniform time at several points. -
Secondly I claim the construction and arrangement of the sliding verge and its
adjuncts and
Thirdly The method of and apparatus for replacing the armature of the magnet
by the means and for the purpose herein before described.
In witness whereof the said James Anderson MoFerran have hereunto set
iny hand and seal this fifteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one.