IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATED CLOCKS
Year: 1885

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION,
I, JOHN MOFARLAND CRAWFORD of 1326 Vine Street, Philadelphia, in the State
of Pensylvania, one of the United States of America, attorney at law do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENTS IN ILLUMINATED CLOCKS
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Fig. 1 sheet 1 is a rear elevation of clock and attached mechanism.
Figure 2 sheet 1 is a front elevation of same.
Figure 3 sheet 1 is a vertical section of gas-cock.
Figure 4 sheet 2 is a side elevation of clock and attached mechanism.
Figures 5, 6 & 7 sheet 3 are detail views.
Figure 1, sheet 4 is a rear elevation of clock with attached mechanism and side
elevation of lamp, latter partly in section.
Figure 2, sheet 4 is a side elevation of clock, lamp and attached mechanism, the
lamp being partly in section.
My invention has relation to illuminated clocks, that is clocks having attached
or appurtenant thereto suitable gas fixtures or burners or oil or other lamps, by
means of which a light may be shown at definite intervals, and the dial illuminated
so that time may be read during the night, or in darkened places.
My invention consists in the novel construction and combination of devices
hereinafter specified.
My invention may be carried into effect either with a gas flame or the flame.
of an oil or other lamp. as the illuminating medium. I will first describe the
construction and operation of the mechanism which involves the employment of
a gas flame and afterwards give a description of the modified appliances used where
an oil or other lamp is employed.
The first part of my description relating to the gas flame refers to figures 1 to 7
inclusive, sheets 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, and the second part, relating to the
oil or other lamp, refers to figures 1 and 2 sheet 4 of the drawings.
Referring to sheets 1, 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings, which illustrate
my invention as comprising means for securing illumination by a gas flame,
A designates a clock of any suitable construction, but preferably portable.
C designates a gas supply tube provided with a mouth-piece D to be placed over
the burner from which the supply pipe is fed, and E. designates a branch or con-
tinuation of said supply tube arranged vertically at the back of the clock case and
"

page_text: held in position by the collar F and coupling socket G attached to said case. From
the socket G, a tube g extends forward underneath the clock-case, and has swiveled
to it near its outer end, a curved jet tube H terminating in a burner h. The
tube H may be swung into position in front of or in oblique relation to the dial,
or it may be turned completely to one side thereof. The tube E is in two sections
coupled by a valve-chest or box F¹, in which is fitted the gas valve f. The stem
of the latter does not project or pass through the valve-chest as in ordinary gas-
cocks, but is grooved at f and held in position by a set-screw f³, the end of which
enters the groove f¹ allowing the valve to turn easily and preventing the latter
from becoming leaky, or too tight or loose in its seat. I designates a weighted
lever upon the outer end of the valve stem f, arranged so that when depending in
its normal position it will keep the valve closed or partly closed and shut off or
reduce the supply of gas to the burner. An adjustable stop-lever or regulator I'
swiveled or pivoted upon a rod K is employed to limit the drop of the weighted
lever I, and thus control the quantity of gas supplied to the burner and the
consequent size of the jet. A set-screw ¹ secures the stop-lever I to its rod K and
allows the latter to be adjusted to different angles. The stop-lever I has a tail-
piece I in which is fitted an adjusting screw 2 by means of which the play or
angle of inclination of said stop-lever may be regulated, the inner end of said
screw abutting against the coupling-socket G. The rod K has its bearings in
brackets k, one of which is secured to the coupling G and the other to the clock
case, and, being continued forward under the clock-case, terminates, at the front of
the clock, in a crank g' by which the rod may be rocked in said bearing, so as to
turn the gas on and off by hand, the weighted valve being in such case moved by
contact of the stop-lever.
The gas-cock is turned to let on the full flow of gas and raise the illuminating
flame by the radial armis n on the minute hand arbor N of the clock, said arms as
the arbor rotates, coming in contact successively with the short arm of the weighted
lever I on the valve-stem f. The flow of gas is maintained while one of the arms
is in contact with and passing the upper end of the weighted lever, but when the
latter is passed, it falls against the stop-lever I¹ and reduces the flow so as to bring
the flame to a low jet or glimmer. The arms n have hinged or pivoted terminals
which may be turned out of the way of the weighted lever so that when the
intermittent raising and lowering of the flame is not desired, no action of the gas-
cock will result from the movement of the clock works.
For use in connection with alarm clocks I have provided an expedient for raising
the flame to its full power at any predetermined time, governed by the setting of
the alarm mechanism.. L designates the arbor of the alarm, on or by which the
alarm movement is wound up. To the outer end of said arbor a thumb nut M
having wings or radial arms m is attached, and turns with said arbor L when the
alarm mechanism is wound up and set free and operating.
The thumb-nut has a lug m' on one of the wings the other wing being unpro-
vided with such lug, thus leaving a space m² between it and the back of the
clock-case. P designates a V-shaped lever journaled on the main arbor or winding
post of the clock. The upper arm of this lever extends transversely of the axis
of the arbor L and adjacent thereto, normally occupying the space m³, while the
lower arm terminates above and nearly in contact with the long arm of the stop-
lever I'.
When the alarm mechanism is in action, the rotation of the knob or thumb-nut M
brings the lug min contact with the upper arm of the lever P, moving the same
laterally or on its pivot O, and causing the end of the lower arm to impinge upon
and move the stop-lever 1¹. This movement lifts the weighted lever I and turns
the gas-valve,, raising the illuminating flame to its full pitch. The lever P, when
the thumb-nut ceases its rotary motion, resumes its normal position in the space m²,
and the flame stands until turned down or out by hand.
Referring now to sheet 4 of the drawings, which illustrates my invention with
an oil or other lamp, substituted for a gas-bracket or burner, A desiguates a clock,

page_text: the case of which is represented by the letter B and the dial of which is at C.
D represents an oil or other lamp which to illuminate the clock-dial without
obstructing the view thereof, should be placed in front and to one side of the
latter.
Said lamp may be of the ordinary or any suitable construction in its general
features. My.. improvements thereon comprise a tube E supported on arms ff
rigidly secured to a rock-shaft F having its bearings on the underside of the
balcony I of the lamp-burner C. The tube E surrounds the wick-tube H of the
lamp and stands out sufficiently from the latter to leave a clear opening or draft-
passage for air between the two tubes, so as to promote combustion and prevent
smoking when the lamp flame is low. The tube E normally stands with its upper
edge in or about the same horizontal plane as the upper edge of the wick-tube H
and in this position does not impair or lessen the flame but when raised so as to
bring its edge above the edge of the wick-tube, it lowers the flame. Its range of
movement should be just sufficient to enable it, when raised to its maximum extent,
to lower the lamp flame to a mere glimmer, and when lowered as far as it will go,
to permit the flame to burn full.
To secure the necessary vertical movement for the tube E it is formed or provided
with rigid pendants e, e, which are pivotally connected at their lower ends to the.
upper or outer extremities of the rock-shaft arms ff, said pendants passing through
openings formed in the perforated base of the burner for that purpose. By rocking
or partially rotating the shaft F the arms ff will move in the arc of a circle and
so communicate a vertical movement to the tube E.
To connect this shaft F with the works of the clock, its head f¹ is provided
with a rigid arm or bracket I having adjusting holes i, i for the reception of a
pin on the end of a spring-plate K which forms the medium of connection
between the clock and the lamp. This plate, by reason of its elasticity, will
maintain its connection without rigid fastening with the bracket I and may be
readily detached therefrom by a lateral spring movement or bending. L represents
a shaft supported in brackets or bearings ll rigidly fastened to the clock. Said
shaft has at one end an arm M fastened in place by a set-screw m and formed
with adjusting holes m' through one of which passes a screw m², that enters an
opening for its reception in the adjacent end of the spring-plate or connecting-rod K,
the latter being thus adjustable on the arm M to vary the throw of the former and.
the consequent movement of shaft F and tube E. The other end of the shaft L
carries a rigidly secured arm N which is connected by a pitman P-with a lever O
fulcrumed at o¹ on the back of the clock. Said lever has a projecting shoulder o,
with which the ends or wings q of the radial arms q' on the minute-hand arbor R
of the clock come successively in contact, thereby communicating movement to
said lever O. and from it to shaft L, connecting-rod K and shaft F. When the
arm q¹ depresses or tilts the lever O, it produces a lowering of the tube E and so
allows the lamp-flame to burn full, and when the arm passes out of contact with
the shoulder o, a weight S suspended on an arm or projection 0! of lever O
restores the lever to position, thereby elevating the tube E and lowering the flame
to a glimmer, in which condition it remains until another arm q¹ again moves the
lever O. Instead of hanging the weight S on a projection from lever O it may be
suspended on an arm rigidly fastened to shaft L, and in lieu of said weight a push-
spring may be employed.
While the flame is burning full, the clock-dial may be read, and if it be desired
to have the flame remain full for a long time the result may be effected by means
of a counter-shaft T sustained on the clock below the shaft L, said shaft T having
a handle t at one end for manual operation, and a projection or wing t' at the other
end, which wing, when said shaft is turned by means of its handle, impinges
against a curved arm ³ projecting from shaft L, moving or rocking the latter in
such a way as to lower the tube E said wing, also, when resting in contact with
arm 13, operating as a stop to prevent reverse movement of said shaft L and tube E.
Lever O has a second shoulder or offset o² against which a laterally projecting

page_text: finger on an arm U rests. Said arm is fulcrumed on the arbor V by which the
alarm of the clock is set. On the winding arbor W of the alarm is a cross-head
or key w, one of the wings of which has a rigidly attached projecting finger w
which, when the alarm goes off or operates, comes in contact with the edge of
arm U, causing the finger u to bear with force on the shoulder o³ of the lever O,
thereby moving the latter so as to cause the tube E to be lowered and the flame
raised. The flame will now remain full until the alarm is rewound or said
projecting finger w¹ turned off the arm U.
To avoid jarring when the weight S descends and to limit its descent, the shaft L
has a downwardly depending arm Y with a bent end y and provided with a rubber
collar y made vertically adjustable by means of an adjusting screw y². The
arm O¹ on which the weight S is suspended, strikes this collar on the descent of
the weight. Said arm 0¹ has adjusting holes os for varying the power of the
weight.
It will be noted that though the flame is varied by the movement of the tube E,
the wick is not operated thereby, the raising and lowering of the latter being
effected by the ordinary shaft with ratchet or equivalent device.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim as my invention is
1st. The combination with a clock having attached thereto suitable gas supply
and illuminating appliances, comprising the radial arms n on the arbor N, the
pipe E, cock or valve F¹, and burner section H, of the weighted lever I, substan-
tially as described.
2nd. In a clock having gas burning devices for illuminating the dial, the rigid
metallic branch-pipe E attached to the back of the clock and provided with a cock
or valve, for raising and lowering the flame at intervals, having a stem f passing
only through one side of the valve-box or chest, said stem having an annular
groove which receives a set-screw, whereby said stem is held in position, substan-
tially as shown and described.
3rd. In an illuminated clock having gas supply and burning attachments,
a weighted gas-valve arranged to be opened by the clock movement and adapted
to fall by gravity, so as to reduce or cut off flow of gas, substantially as set forth.
4th. In an illuminated clock having gas supply and burning appliances, an
automatically closing gas cock in combination with an adjustable stop lever
constructed, arranged and adapted to limit the play of said cock and regulate or
control the size of the jet or flame, substantially as set forth.
5th. In an alarm clock provided with gas supply and burning appliances, the
combination with the alarm mechanism, the gas-supply pipe and a cock or valve
which normally maintains the flame as a jet or glimmer, of a lever actuated by the
alarm mechanism and intermediate devices, whereby at a predetermined period,
the flame may be raised automatically, substantially as described.
.
6th. In combination with clock-arbor O the lever P journaled thereon and
forming a medium for turning on the gas by the action of the aların mechanism of
the clock, substantially as shown and described.
7th. The combination with the alarm arbor L of thumb-nut M. for moving the
lever P, whereby the gas-valve is actuated, substantially as shown and described.
8th. In combination with the alarm-arbor L and lever P, the thumb-nut M
having wings m, one only of which is provided with a lug m³, substantially as
shown and described.
9th. The combination with a shaft F on a lamp burner and a shaft L connected
with the works of a clock, so as to be moved therefrom, of a spring connecting-
rod K, substantially as shown and described.
10th. The combination with a clock, of a shaft L supported in bearings and
a lever O pivotally fastened on the back of the clock, said lever having a shoulder o
in the path of rotation of the wings q,. of radial arms q' on the minute-hand

page_text: arbor of the clock and an arm 0¹ carrying a weight S, substantially as shown and
described.
11th. The combination with rock-shaft L supported on the clock and having
depending arm Y with a rubber collar y', of lever O pivotally fastened on the back
of the clock and having an arm O¹ carrying a weight S, said arm being arranged,
substantially as shown, to strike said collar when the weight descends, substantially
as shown and described.
12th. The combination with lever O pivoted on the back of a clock and having
arm O¹ carrying a weight, of a rock-shaft L moved by said lever and having
depending arm Y with adjusting screw y' for regulating the extent of descent of
said weight, substantially as shown and described.
13th. The combination with rock-shaft L supported in bearings on the clock,
having a curved projecting arm 13, of counter-shaft T having handle t and projecting
wing or arm t' arranged to impinge against the said arm 13, substantially as shown
and described.
14th. The combination with lever O pivotally secured to the back of a clock and
having a shoulder o², of arm U fulcrumed on the setting arbor of the alarm
mechanism, said arm having a laterally projecting finger u which rests upon said
shoulder, and a cross-head or key w on the winding arbor of the alarm with
wing w which bears against said arm when the alarm operates, substantially as
shown and described.
15th. The combination with lamp D, of flame regulating tube E, shaft F having
arms ff, connecting-rod K, shaft L having arms M and N, pitman P, lever Ŏ
having shoulder o and arm O' carrying weight S, and minute-hand arbor with
radial arms q having wings q', said several parts being constructed and combined
for operation, substantially as shown and described.
16th. The combination of a lamp having a vertically adjustable tube exterior to
the wick-tube for raising and lowering the flame with a clock and mechanism
substantially as described for moving said tube from and by said clock, whereby
through the movement of said flame regulating tube, the lamp-flame is raised at
intervals and intermittently lowered without moving the wick, as specified.
Dated this fourth day of inril 1885