A New Mode of Exhibiting the Time, also applicable to Existing Clocks.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Oct., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 9th July, 1900-Accepted, 29th Sept., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New Mode of Exhibiting the Time, also applicable to Existing
Clocks.
RICHARD EDWARD CHAMBERS, 1A, Hova Villas, Hove, Sx., "Watchmaker," do
bereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows;-
To exhibit the time by electric illumination, more particularly. for public or
large clocks. By arranging in a circle twelve single lamps, or cluster (a cluster
to appear as one point of light,) of lamps, at equal distances apart, and, near to,
outside of them another circle of sixty single lamps, or clusters of lamps, at equal
distances apart. The whole being arranged to correspond to the figures and
minutes of an ordinary clock dial; and insulated for continuous and consucative
illumination.
The time is pointed to on this dial of electric lamps by (in leu of ordinary clock
hands,) the alternate illumination of one, or a cluster of other lamps; (which for
greater distinction may be coloured,) situated, for the hours, inside and opposite
the figures; and for the minutes outside and opposite each minute. These index,
or pointer lamps, are arranged in two circles; one inside and the other outside
of the figure and minute circles. And are the same in number, twelve and sixty
respectively. But each lamp, or cluster, is seperately insulated, for switching
off and on as the time passes. Only one lamp or cluster, of course being alight at
a time. The effect being that of two lamps, or points of light (say red,) traveling
round the fixed illuminated circle of figures, by small jumps, at the same rate
as the hands of an ordinary clock; which they replace.
The switches for the dial lamps, may be turned on and off when required by
hand; or automaticaly by an arrangement attached to, or made in, the mechanism
of the controling clock; or that part of the apparatus used for turning on and
off the index lamps. Which is done by arranging one series of the contact points
of the switches for these lamps round the face of a revolving cylinder; so that
each alternately meets, and makes contact with, its counterpart in the other series
of contact points, which are arranged in a fixed row over the face of the cylinder.
There are two cylinders; the one for the minutes has sixty contact points on
it, and is moved round one sixtieth, or one contact space, every minute, by a
mechanical or electrical connection with the clock. And the other for the hours
has twelve, and is moved round one contact, or twelfth, every hour.
This arrangement for showing the time, may be put up at almost any distance,
and position, from the controling clock. It can also be made to show two dials,
back and front; by mounting the figure and minute lamps so that they can be
seen on both sides. And a seperate set of index lamps, which must be shaded, or
covered, on their backs, the one set from the other; and which can be arranged
with and worked from, the same cylinders for turning on and off.
Extra index lamps for the hours, pointing between the figures, for the quarters
and half hour, would facilitate the reading.
The circle of minutes on the dial could be dispensed with at option. As the

page_text: time can be nearly as well seen without them; as the extinguishing and lighting
of the minute index lamps, recedes from one figure and approaches to the next.
Other dials may be worked from the same switches if strong enough to carry
the currants; by connecting up the respective wires or conductors.
A New Mode of Exhibiting the Time, also applicable to Existing
Clocks.
RICHARD EDWARD CHAMBERS, 1A, Hova Villas, Hove, Sussex, Watchmaker, do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is
to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement: --
To exhibit the time by electric illumination; more particularly for public or
large clocks. By arranging in a circle twelve single lamps, or clusters (a cluster
to appear as one point of light,) of lamps, at equal distances apart. And near to
outside of them another circle of sixty single lamps or clusters, at equal distances
apart. To correspond in position, to the hour figures, and minutes of an ordinary
clock dial. And insulated for continuous and consecutive illumination.
The time is pointed to on this dial of electric lamps, by (in lieu of ordinary
clock hands,) the alternate illumination of one or a cluster, of other lamps, (which
for greater distinction should be coloured.) Situated for the hours inside and
opposite the hour figures and for the minutes outside and opposite each minute.
And which are the index, or pointer, lamps. And form altogether four circles of
lamps.
Each of the index lamps, or clusters, are separately insulated for switching on
and off as the time passes. Only one each for the hours and minutes of course
being alight at a time. The effect of the whole being that of two lamps or
points of light, (say red,) traveling round the fixed and continuously illuminated
dial circles, by small jumps at the same rate for one revolution as the hands of an
ordinary clock which they replace. Fig. 1 illustrates such a dial. The two
index lamps A, B, shown radiating, point the time there as being 10.34, or
twenty-six minutes to eleven.
The time exhibited by these new clock dials, is controlled by an ordinary clock
adapted for the purpose. Or by an existing clock to which it is desired to attach
one or more of these dials, for night illumination. All of which can be worked
by the one set of switches for turning the lamps on and off. And without inter-
fering withe the ordinary use of the clock. By arranging one series each of the
contacts, twelve for the hour, and sixty for the minute index lamps, in two circles
on a switch board, Fig. 2, A, B. (The wires being connected up behind or at
sides,) and with which contact is made in rotation every hour and minute by
two counter contacts, C, D, of thin metal, carried round over, or opposite, them
respectively, in either direction right or left. (But the lamp wires must be con-
nected up properly for right reading,) by the controlling clock, the points of
which rub round from one to the other. And one or both of which, and their
counterparts, can be placed on either side of the switch board as convenient. The
current being conveyed to these two revolving contacts, by two other friction
contacts at their leases; all being insulated from other parts of clock. These
revolving contacts are carried by two wheels Fig. 3, A, B, working concentricaly,
and which replace in the controling clock, or are added extra in any convenient

page_text: position, or in connection with, what is commonly known as the "motion work,"
(the hour and minute wheels ;) and have a sort of ratchet teeth instead of cogs, by
which they are moved round one tooth at a time every minute and hour respec-
tively, by two gathering pallets, C, D, placed on one detent E, which is gradualy
raised or drawn, every minute by a lifter or lifters F, placed on one of the train
wheels of the clock revolving once in a minute or any number of complete
minutes; to which the number of lifters must correspond. The detent and its
pallets on being released, suddenly advance the minute wheel A, one tooth, which
teeth being only so deep as to keep the hour gathering pallet out of the teeth
of that wheel untill one revolution of the minute wheel is completed, when it
drops into an extra deep cut tooth, G, and allows the hour pallet D, to engage
with its wheel B, when both are then moved on together one tooth; and are
retained by other detents. Thus securing that the lamps are turned on and off
instantaniously. To prevent the possibility of the ratchet motion' wheels being
jerked on too far, the top or end of the gathering detent E, is shaped with a
sloping shoulder H, at the same angle as the back of the tooth, and the point of
which just goes under a safety pin I. on the plate or frame, at the end of its
run, which prevents the impetus of the wheel from throwing it up and escaping
further. The lower safety pin I, is for when the detent E, drops into the extra
deep cut teeth G.
The switch for the dial lamps is turned on and off at any given time when
illumination is required to be started or stopped, by an adjustable (for time,)
detent or lifter on a twenty-four hour wheel, which is attached to the controling
clock for the purpose, if it does not contain one.
These electric dials may be put up at almost any distance and position from the
controling clock, and almost any size. And two dials can also be shown, back and
front, without extra dial lamps, by mounting them so that they can be seen on
both sides, skeleton like; for suspension across a road, or river, or where suitable.
But a seperate set of index lamps would be required, which must be shaded or
covered on their backs, the one set from the other.
Reflectors may be used of course to heighten the general effects. And extra
lamps for the hours pointing between the figures at the quarters, twenty minute,
or half hour spaces, (Fig. 2, 3, are drawn for half hours,) would facilitate the
reading. But extra switches would also be required, and the motion work altered
by making one, two, or three more deep cut teeth in the minute wheel at the
proper spaces, to admit of the hour gathering pallet dropping into its wheel
And which wheel must have more teeth accordingly.
oftener.
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 is:
(First.) The arrangement of electric lamps of any kind suitable to form clock
dials as herewith first described, and
(Second.) That alteration in the motion work of a clock, as and for the purpose
described, and illustrated Fig. 2, for carrying.
(Third.) The two revolving contacts Fig. 8, which form part of the switches
as arranged for working the said dials.