IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TIME PIECES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson, of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and
of 323, High Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC TIME PIECES." A communication
from abroad by Monsieur_Alphonse Lemoine, of Paris, in the Republic of
France
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 8th November 1881.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6, Lord Street, Liverpool, in the County of Lancaster, and of 323, High Holborn,
in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
TIME PIECES." A communication from abroad by Monsieur Alphonse Lemoine,
of Paris, in the Republic of France.
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This Invention has for its object a system of clock, in which the number of
working parts is reduced to a minimum, and which strikes the hours electrically
without the aid of any barrel, spring, or other motive power besides electricity.
In this clock the motion of the pendulum is kept up by the impulses which it
receives at fixed intervals suitably regulated from an electro-magnet, in which
connection is made with a current from a battery by mechanism fixed upon one of
the axes of the wheelwork. This latter consists merely of four movable pieces,
two wheels and two pinions, and the pendulum acts directly by means of a clutch
or catch upon a ratchet wheel (or escapement wheel) mounted on the axis of the
first pinion.
The striking apparatus consists of a bell of any kind, the hammer of which is
moved by an electro-magnet actuated by a special current. In the circuit of this
electro-magnet there is inserted an arrangement which closes the circuit auto-
matically at every hour during the time required for striking worked by one
portion of this arrangement.
In order the better to explain the Invention, I have represented in the annexed
Drawings by way of specimen merely different views of a clock arranged according

page_text: to the Invention. Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the working parts, the dial plate
being supposed to be removed; Fig. 2 represents a section through the line 1-2
of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same; Fig. 4 is a view of the disc of
the striking mechanism carrying the contact making arrangements for the various
hours; Fig. 5 shows front and side elevations of the disc carrying the hourly
contact maker; Fig. 6 shows a general view of the pendulum and dial plate of the
clock, and also shows the electro-magnet which acts upon the former. In these
various Figures the same letters refer to the same parts.
a is the pillar plate and b the back plate (contre-platine), on which are mounted
the axes of the moving parts, which only consists of the two pinions c, c', and the
two wheels d, d', the last of which is mounted upon the axis of the minute hand e.
To this axis is fitted the ordinary minute wheel-work not shown in the Drawings,
communicating motion to the hour hand. Upon the axis of the first pinion c there
is mounted an escapement wheel f, upon which at every oscillation of the pendulum
a catch or clutch fl mounted on the pendulum acts. A spring f³ prevents the
Behind this
escapement wheel f from turning more than one tooth at a time.
escapement wheel there is keyed on the same axis a star shaped piece having any
number of arms (four are shown in the Drawing). Every time that one of these
arms passes over a contact piece g¹ mounted on a spring g² insulated from the rest
of the apparatus, connection is made for the current from the battery h to an
electro-magnet h¹ placed under the pendulum at a suitable distance from the
vertical (Fig. 6). When at rest the spring g' rests against a pin g³ of ivory or
other insulating material. The electro-magnet when active attracts the soft iron
armature i fixed on the pendulum and gives an impulse to the pendulum. The
number of arms on the star g is so calculated that the impulses given to the
pendulum are sufficiently frequent to cause it to keep going as long as the battery h
is not exhausted.
The arrangement by which the hours are struck electrically and without the aid
of any spring consists of two discs.and-two-contact-makers, which permit of closing
at the right moment an electric circuit, in which is placed a striking mechanism of
any kind, such as a bell, spiral spring, known as "bourdon," ct cetera, the hammer
of which is moved by an electro-magnet.
The first of these discs is of ivory, ebonite, or other insulating material, and
bears on its circumference a metallic toothed projection Z of sufficient length to
close the circuit at every hour for a time corresponding to twelve strokes (noon or
midnight). The projection is connected to the rest of the apparatus by an arm m,
which thus puts it in communication with the metallic part of a second disc n
furnished with projections p, and enclosed between two insulating plates q. The
projections p extend for different lengths along the circumference, and each can
thus close the circuit for the time necessary for striking one, two, three, four,
et cetera, up to twelve strokes. These discs and n bear at their circumference on
two rubbers r and s insulated from the rest of the apparatus. The disc n is moved
in such a way that the projections are presented at every hour in the right
order. This effect can be obtained by causing this disc to revolve any number of
times plus one twelfth per hour, but to simplify the gearing I generally give to the
disc any number of turns plus five twelfths, producing this effect by means of two
wheels, one of twenty four teeth, whicn is rigidly connected with the disc n, and
the other th of twenty five teeth mounted upon the intermediate axis of motion.
The striking of the right number of strokes is effected by the pendulum which
carries for this purpose an ivory pin u pressing at each oscillation upon a spring v
forming one of the poles of the circuit, another spring v₁ forming the other pole.
For example, suppose during the passage of the tooth over the contact spring r,
that it is the projection of the disc n which corresponds to five o'clock which is
passing over the contact 8, the current being closed by the two discs, the only
interruption which will exist in the circuit will be that due to the separation of
the springs v, 1; then each time that the pin u on the pendulum may press these
two springs together the circuit will be closed and the bell of the striking

page_text: mechanisin will ring. The size of each of the projections p of the disc n being
suitably calculated, the duration of the closing of the circuit will be such that the
pendulum may sound the number of strokes corresponding to the hour marked by
the hands. It is to be observed that the result above mentioned could be obtained
by cutting upon each of the projections p a number of teeth corresponding to the
number of strokes to be sounded; the two springs v, vl, can then be suppressed, and
it will be the making and breaking of contact caused by the passage of the teeth
on the projections p over the spring 8, which will produce the strokes on the bell.
The first mentioned arrangement however requires less precision in the mounting,
and gives more regular intervals between the strokes.
The mode of actuating the disc n of the striking mechanism can also be varied
without at all changing the nature of the Invention.
In the Drawings X and Y, are the two wires from the poles of the battery serving
to maintain the motion of the pendulum. For the striking mechanism, if as shown
in the Drawing the springs v, vl, are used, the connections are as follows:-The
wire W from one of the poles of the battery for the striking mechanism com-
municates with the spring 2, whilst a wire V connects the spring to the contact r
by which the current passes into the arm m, then through the gearing and the
projections p of the disc n it reaches the contact piece s, whence it returns to the
battery by the return wire Z. The bell which is not represented in the Drawing
is placed at any point in the circuit.
The striking mechanism can also strike the half or quarter hours. For this it is
clear that it will be sufficient to have twenty four or forty eight projections on the
disc n, conveniently proportioned instead of twelve preferably, and to add a contact
or segment upon the disc h. A special disc could however be employed for the
halves and quarter hours.
In practice the batteries are placed in a drawer fitting in the clock case; the
electro magnet as well as the striking mechanism can be hidden away in this
drawer.
As in all trains of clockwork it is necessary to leave a certain amount of play in
the mounting, I arrange springs x, x¹, and x, which press upon the discs n and k
respectively, and force back these pieces constantly, so that the said play shall be
always in the same direction and shall in no way influence the precision of the
working. Although the application of the star (to give to the pendulum surely
and certainly impulses which enable it to keep going) is made principally with the
view of acting in combination with the striking apparatus before described, which
necessitates regular working, I reserve to myself the application of the said
striking mechanism to electric clocks of all kinds, as well as the employment by
themselves of the star-shaped contact maker and the simplified movement described
above for the working of electric parlour clocks without striking mechanism.
Further, the Invention is equally applicable to case clocks of all sizes and all forms,
and permits of obtaining town clocks great and small, ordinary clocks of all styles
and devices, et cetera.

page_text: given to the pendulum are sufficiently frequent to cause it to keep going as long as
the battery is not exhausted.
The arrangement by which the hours are struck electrically and without the aid
of any spring consists of two discs and two contact' makers, which permit of
closing at the right moment an electric circuit, in which is placed a striking
mechanism of any kind, such as a bell, spiral spring, known as "bourdon," et cetera,
the hammer of which is moved by an electro-magnet.
The
The first of these discs is of ivory, ebonite, or other insulating material, and
bears on its circumference a metallic toothed projection of sufficient length to
close the circuit at every hour for a time corresponding to twelve strokes (noon or
midnight). The projection is connected to the rest of the apparatus by an arm m,
which thus puts it in communication with the metallic part of a second disc n,
furnished with projections p, and enclosed between two insulating plates q.
projections p extend for different lengths along the circumference, and cach can
thus close the circuit for the time necessary for striking one, two, three, four,
et cetera, up to twelve strokes. These discs and n bear at their circumference on
two rubbers and s insulated from the rest of the apparatus. The disc n is moved
in such a way that the projections p are presented at every hour in the right order.
This effect can be obtained by causing this disc to revolve any number of times,
plus one twelfth per hour, but to simplify the gearing I generally give to the disc
any number of turns, plus five twelfths, producing this effect by means of two wheels,
one t of twenty four teeth, which is rigidly connected with the disc n, and the
other of twenty five teeth mounted upon the intermediate axis of motion.
The striking of the right number of strokes is effected by the pendulums, which
carries for this purpose an ivory pin u, pressing at each oscillation upon a spring v
forming one of the poles of the circuit, another spring v forming the other pole.
For example, suppose that during the passage of the tooth over the contact
spring it is the projection of the disc n which corresponds to five o'clock which
is passing over the contact s, the current being closed by the two discs, the only
interruption which will exist in the circuit will be that due to the separation of
the springs v, v; then each time that the pin u on the pendulum may press theso
two springs together the circuit will be closed and the bell of the striking
mechanism will ring. The size of each of the projections p of the disc n being
suitably calculated, the duration of the closing of the circuit will be such that the
pendulum may sound the number of strokes corresponding to the hour marked by
the hands. It is to be observed that the result above mentioned could be obtained
by cutting upon each of the projections pa number of teeth corresponding to the
number of strokes to be sounded; the two springs v, vl, can then be suppressed,
and it will be the making and breaking of contact caused by the passage of the
teeth on the projections p over the spring s, which will produce the strokes on the
bell. The first mentioned arrangement however requires less precision in the
mounting and gives more regular intervals between the strokes.
The mode of actuating the disc n of the striking mechanism can also be varied
without at all changing the nature of the Invention.
In the Drawings X and Y are the two wires from the poles of the battery
serving to maintain the motion of the pendulum. For the striking mechanism, if as
shown in the Drawing the springs v, vl, are used, the connections are as follows:-
The wire W from one of the poles of the battery for the striking mechanism com-
municates with the spring v', whilst a wire V connects the spring v to the contact r
by which the current passes into the arm m, then through the gearing and the
projections p of the disc n, until it reaches the contact piece s, whence it returns to
the battery by the return wire Z. The bell which is not represented in the
Drawing is placed at any point in this circuit.
The striking mechanism can also strike the half or quarter hours. For this it is
clear that it will be sufficient to have twenty four or forty eight projections on the
disc n, conveniently proportioned instead of twelve preferably, and to add a
.

page_text: contact or segment upon the disc k. A special disc could however be employed for
the halves and quarter hours.
In practice the batteries are placed in a drawer fitting in the clock case; the
electro-magnet as well as the striking mechanism can be hidden away in this
drawer.
As in all trains of clockwork it is necessary to have a certain amount of play in
the mounting I arrange springs x, x¹, and x2 which press upon the discs n and k
respectively, and force back these pieces constantly, so that the said play shall be
always in the same direction and shall in no way influence the precision of the
working. Although the application of the star (to give to the pendulum surely
and certainly impulses which enable it to keep going) is made principally with the
view of acting in combination with the striking apparatus before described, which
necessitates regular working, I reserve to myself the application of the said striking
mechanism to electric clocks of all kinds, as well as the employment by themselves
of the star-shaped contact maker and tho simplified movement described above for
the working of electric parlour clocks without striking mechanism. Further the
Invention is equally applicable to case clocks of all sizes and all forms and permits
of obtaining town clocks great and small, ordinary clocks of all styles and devices,
et cetera.
Having now described the Invention as communicated to me in French by my
foreign correspondent I wish it to be understood that what I claim under the
Letters Patent is,―
First. In an electric clock a circuit closing device consisting of a star wheel g
mounted upon one of the axles of the clockwork (and forming one of the poles of
the electric circuit), and an insulated spring g" provided with a contact g¹ forming
the other pole of said circuit, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
Second. In an electric clock the combination with a circuit closing device
consisting of a star wheel g and a spring contact gl g₁ as described,_of_a_clock work
including only two pinions, two wheels, a ratchet wheel f, and a pawl f', mounted
on the pendulum, the whole arranged and working substantially as and for the
purposes set forth.
Third. In an electric clock the combination with a clock work, a star wheel g, a
contact spring g₁g, a ratchet wheel f, and a pawl f, of an electric battery h, an
electro-magnet ¹, suitable electrical connections, and an armature i, mounted below
the ball of the pendulum ¹, the whole arranged and working substantially as and
for the purposes set forth.
Fourth. A striking device for electric and other clocks, consisting of an
insulated disek provided with a conducting segment and a disc n, provided with
projections p, in combination with a conducting strip m, two insulated contact
springs and 8 and two contact springs v and v₁, operated by an insulated pin u
mounted on the pendulum, the whole being driven substantially as described and
acting to close at every hour during a suitable space of time an electric circuit in
which is placed the sounding device, for the purposes set forth.
Fifth. A striking device for electric and other clocks, consisting of an insulated
disc provided with a conducting segment and a conducting strip m electrically
connected with a metallic disc n, placed between two insulating rings q, said disc
n being provided with projections p upon which are cut suitable numbers of teeth,
and being suitably driven by toothed wheels t, t¹, in combination with two insulated
contact springs r, s, the whole operating so as to produce at every hour a suitable
number of make and breaks in an electric circuit containing a sounding device,
substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.
Sixth. The combination with an actuating device for electric clocks consisting of
the parts above mentioned in claims 1, 2, and 3 of an electric sounding device,
arranged and working as specified in claims 4 and 5.
Seventh. The combination of a striking device as described with an electric
battery and any number of sounding devices, the hammers of which are operated

page_text: by the passage of the current of said battery in a circuit properly closed by the
Baid striking device and which contains coils or electro-magnets acting upon
armatures fixed at any point of the hammers, substantially as described and for the
purposes set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Phillips Thompson, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight bundred and eighty two.
W. P. THOMPSON. (L.S.)