IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR STRIKING BELLS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Herbert John Haddan, of the Firm of Herbert and
Company, Solicitors of Patents, of 67, Strand, in. the City of Westminster,
Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR
STRIKING BELLS." A communication from abroad by Andrieux and Company,
of Paris in the Republic of France.
ealed the 6th May 1879, and dated the 12th November 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Herbert John Haddan at
"
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th November 1878.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors. of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR STRIKING BELLS." A communication from abroad by Andrieux
and Company, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
The improvements consist in imparting mechanically to bells a tremulous
striking, like electric striking, without having to wind up or re-adjust said
mechanisin, which is rendered self acting in this respect by the act of working.
The improvements are performed by fixing between plates a case carrying a spring
and cramps for maintaining the separation between the base and upper plate; on
one cramp a stem is formed to receive the bell, the plates and cramps being in one
or more pieces, and made of metal. In the middle of the spring case is axled a
shaft, and the spring is fixed at its centre to said shaft, and actuated by it when
rotatory motion is given to the shaft by a pulley, round which is wound a chain or
cord fixed to the pulley, so that the chain may be drawn in any direction. The
spring impinges on levers furnished with hammers or strikers. The apparatus
may be used and actuated by the opening and shutting of any door, window, or
shutter to which it may be fixed, and may be applied to existing clocks, bells, and
such like.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Herbert John Haddan in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
10th May 1879.
HERBERT JOHN HADDAN, of the Firm of Herbert and Company, Solicitors of
Patents, of 67, Strand, in the City of Westminster, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR STRIKING BELLS." A communication from abroad by Andrieux
and Company, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
The improvements consist in imparting mechanically to bells a tremulous
striking, like electric striking, without having to wind up or re-adjust said
mechanism, which is rendered self-acting in this respect by the act of working.
The improvements are performed by fixing a spring at its circumference to a
stationary casing, and attaching it in the centre to a shaft, to which a rotary
motion can be imparted in order to set the spring in tension, and which is turned
the opposite way by the reaction of the said spring as soon as the external force
which tends the spring ceases to act, the rotary motion of the shaft, either the
forward motion or the return motion, being transmitted to an escapement wheel
working an anchor, and imparting to the same a rapid oscillating motion, which is
communicated to a hammer striking a bell. The accompanying Drawings show
more clearly how the Invention can be practically carried out, Fig. 1 being a
horizontal section through the spring case; Fig. 2, a top view of the gearing; Fig. 3,
a cross section through the spring case; and Fig. 4, a plan showing the spring in a
position which it takes if the bell is to be rounded by the direct pull of a chain.
A is a spiral spring, fixed at its circumference to the casing B, and attached in the
centre to the shaft C, which can be turned by a pulley D and chain E. The upper
end of the shaft carries a click or catch wheel F, revolving with the shaft and
acting with its lower surface upon a click or catch spring G attached to a sleeve on
the shaft B, and projecting through a radial slot of the tooth wheel H which
covers the spring case and turns loose on the shaft B. According to the position
of the spring A and the indentations of the catch wheel F, the latter moves the
click G, and with it the toothwheel H, either by the direct pull of the chain E,
which coils the spring up, or, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, by the subsequent reaction
of the spring, the rotation of H being. communicated through the pinion J, fixed on
the shaft K to the escapement wheel L, which is attached to K, and imparts an
oscillating motion to the anchor M; the latter moves the hammer N, which strikes
the bell O; P and Q are plates which form bearings for the shafts, and are kept
apart by three ports R, R₁, R₂, while the bell is set upon a central post S, so as to
cover the rest of the apparatus. The base plate P is fixed upon a stand T, which
may either be placed upon a table or fixed to a wall or to any other convenient
support. The apparatus may replace ordinary mechanical electric or pneumatic
striking-mechanism, and can, with suitable transmitting gear, be adapted to doors
of houses, carriages, &c., or to many other objects where alarms or bells are used.
A number of bells or ringing apparatus may also be combined into a system
for the same purpose as the electric or other bells now used in hotels, hospitals,
and other establishments.
In witness whereof, I, the said Herbert John Haddan, have hereunto set my
hand and seal this Ninth day of May AD 1870