Improvements in Clooks and Apparatus for Winding the same by Electricity.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Aug., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 7th May, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 3rd Aug., 1888
Improvements in Clooks and Apparatus for Winding the same by
Electricity.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, of Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment,
London, W.C., Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
tion to be as follows:-
In the complete specification accompanying my Letters Patent No. 8896 of the
year 1886 I described a type of what is now generally known as an Electricial Self-
Winding Clock. My present invention relates to improvements in this type of
Self-Winding Clock.
In carrying my present invention into effect instead of employing alternating or
reversed currents to actuate the step-by-step electromotor serving to wind up the
mechanical clock mechanism, I employ continuous currents which I derive from any
convenient source or reservoir of electrical energy. The forms of step-by-step
electromotor which I employ may be similar to those described in my complete
specification hereinbefore mentioned, both the movable and fixed parts thereof being,
however, in the case of my present invention, electromagnets.
To utilise the movement of the movable part of the electromotor for the purpose of
winding up the spring or weight of the clock I employ any convenient known
mechanical movement or device, such for example as one of those referred to in the
above cited complete specification.
In order to keep the movable part of the electromotor in the proper position for
starting at each transmission of the electric current, and at the same time to prevent
movement in the wrong direction, and also to prevent the momentum of the movable
part carrying it too far, I may employ a detent. This detent consists of a gripping
device acting upon a pin or pins or the equivalent thereof attached to the spindle of
the electromotor or to a part in suitable mechanical connection therewith. A con-
venient form of gripping device consists of a plate of soft iron, or of a plate of any
other convenient material with a piece of soft iron affixed thereto, with a more or less
zigzag groove or slot cut therein, and of such form that the pin on entering the said
groove or slot will press the plate upwards, bringing it within the range of a small

page_text: electromagnet fed by the current actuating the electromotor, and arranged either in
series with, or in a shunt to, the electromotor. The plate being so raised and detained
in its raised position by the electromagnet, the pin will then come upon the side of a
vertical part of the said groove or slot so as to stop its motion, and bring the armature
of the electromotor to rest. As soon as the current ceases to flow through the
electromagnet holding up the said plate, the plate will drop by gravity, so that the
pin will then be in such position (when the next transmission of the electric current
takes place), that the armature of the electromotor, with which it is in sufficiently
rigid mechanical connection, will be in the proper position for again producing a
movement. In conjunction with this form of detent I may sometimes employ the
form of mechanical brake referred to in my said previous specification..
In order to close the electric circuit periodically so as to transmit the current
through the electromotor I employ any convenient known form of circuit closing
device, such for example as a pair of contact springs brought together periodically by
the pressure of a pin or pins mounted on a wheel connected with the mechanical clock
mechanism. I may cause the duration of the period during which the circuit is
closed to bo sufficiently. long to allow of the movable part of the electromotor coming
to rest after each angular movement.
It will be evident that the employment of this form of electromotor when fed by
continuous currents involves the use of a commutator, as is the case with other forms
of electro-dynamic motor. This commutator may be conveniently mounted upon the
spindle of the movable part of the electromotor.

page_text: Improvements in Clocks and Apparatus for Winding the same by
Electricity.
1, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, of Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London, W.C.
Consulting Engineer 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 :-
In the complete specification accompanying my Letters Patent No. 8896 of the
year 1886 I described a type of what is now generally known as an Electrical
Self-Winding Clock. My present invention relates to improvements in this type of
Self-Winding Clock.
In carrying my present invention into effect instead of employing alternating or
reversed currents to actuate the step-by-step electromotor serving to wind up the
mechanical clock mechanism I employ continuous currents which I derive from any
convenient source or reservoir of electrical energy. The forms of step-by-step
electromotor which I employ may be similar to those described in my complete
specification hereinbefore mentioned both the movable and fixed parts thereof being
however in the case of my present invention electromagnets.
To utilise the movement of the movable part of the electromotor for the purpose
of winding up the spring or weight of the clock I employ any convenient known
mechanical movement or device such for example as one of those referred to in the
above cited Complete specification.
In order to keep the movable part of the electromotor in the proper position for
starting at each transmission of the electric current, and at the same time to prevent
movement in the wrong direction, and also to prevent the momentum of the movable
part carrying it too far, I may employ a detent. This detent consists of a gripping
device acting upon a pin or pins, or the equivalent thereof, attached to the spindle
of the electromotor, or to a part in suitable mechanical connection therewith.
A convenient form of gripping device consists of a plate of soft iron, or of a plate of
any other convenient material with a piece of soft iron affixed thereto, with a more
or less zigzag groove or slot cut therein, and of such form that the pin on entering
the said groove or slot will press the plate upwards, bringing it within the range of a
small electromagnet, fed by the current actuating the electromotor, and arranged
either in series with or in a shunt to the electromotor. The plate being so raised,
and detained in the raised position by the electromagnet, the pin will then strike upon
the side of a vertical part of the said groove or slot, so as to stop its motion, and
bring the armature of the electromotor to rest. As soon as the current ceases to flow
through the electromagnet holding up the said plate, the plate will drop by gravity,
so that the pin will then be in such position that the armature of the electromotor,
with which it is in sufficiently rigid mechanical connection will be free to move at the
next transmission of the electric current.

page_text: In order to close the electric circuit periodically so as to transmit the current
through the electromotor employ any convenient known form of circuit closing
device, such for example as a pair of contact springs brought together periodically by
the pressure of a pin or pins mounted on a wheel connected with the mechanical
clock mechanism. I cause the duration of the period during which the circuit is
closed to be sufficiently long to allow of the movable part of the electromotor coming
to rest after each angular movement.
It will be evident that the employment of this form of electromotor when fed by
continuous currents involves the use of a commutator as is the case with other forms.
of electro-dynamic motor. This commutator may be conveniently mounted upon the
spindle of the movable part of the electromotor.
Having thus described in general language the nature and object of my invention,
I shall now proceed to explain in detail one or more ways in which it is to be or may
be performed or carried into effect and in order that this more detailed description
may be more readily understood I have annexed hereunto sheets of drawings illus-
trative of my invention and have inserted in the same figures and letters of reference
corresponding with those in the following explanation. In the said sheets of drawings
similar letters of reference refer to similar parts.
Figure 1 is one view of a part of my invention as seen from behind. A is the back
plate, those parts which are shewn in full lines being placed at the back of the back
plate. B is the field magnet, or fixed part of the electromotor and C the armature
or movable part thereof. The spindle D, around and with which the armature moves,
is in this case vertical, and bears towards its upper ond a worm E which gears into
the worm wheel serving to wind up the driving spring of the clock. F is the com-
mutator and G one of the commutator springs or brushes serving for the passage of
the electric current to and from the electromotor or its armature. At the upper end
of the spindle, and at right angles thereto, a pin H is fixed, and constitutes practically
two separate pins and suitably placed to receive and engage this pin is the gripping
plate J (shown in this case as formed of a non-magnetic material and having a piece
of soft iron K affixed to its upper part). Above K, and in close proximity thereto, is
the small electromagnet L, whose poles are shown projecting through the upper part
of the supporting plate M.
Figure 2 shows the electromotor in plan, with the commutator removed, and fixed
in its position to the back plate of the clock.
Figure 3 is a plan view shewing the upper part of the spindle and the gripping
plate in the positions which they occupy relatively to one another when the parts
are in their normal position, that is to say, during the intervals between the several
transmissions of the electric current.
Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the electromagnet and the gripping plate in the
position occupied immediately after the pin, as is hereinafter described, has entered
the zigzag slot of the gripping plate, and raised the latter into position to be attracted
and held up by the electromagnet.
Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the same parts when at rest in their normal
position when it will be seen that the pin H is at the end of the long horizontal part
of the slot, and free to commence its movement as will be hereinafter described.
These figures, namely figures 1 2 3 4 and 5, illustrate a case in which the armature
moves in a horizontal plane; and I shall now proceed to explain the action of such
parts of my invention as are therein illustrated, leaving for description later on the
method of closing the circuit and calling the electromotor into play when required.
The electromotor is one of a well known form and whose action is well understood
and therefore which need not be explained here. Its armature would continuously
rotate as long as a current passed through it; but as such continuous rotation is not
desired in this case the detent already referred to is employed for the purpose of
preventing movement through a greater angular distance than is required in this
Let us assume now that a current is passed through the electromoter
As soon as a current passes the armature begins to move, carrying the pin H in the
direction shown by the arrow (figure 3). The gripping plate being in its norma
case 180°

page_text: position, as shown in figures 1 and 5, the limb ¹ of the pin being in the long
horizontal slot is free to move out of engagement with the gripping plate, whilst the
opposite limb his moved round so as to strike the nose 2 of the gripping plate, which
nose, being curved in a suitable direction, causes the gripping plate to be raised during
the onward movement of the pin, which then strikes against the shoulder ³ and so
expends all or most of its energy. The gripping plate being thus raised the soft iron
piece K on its upper surface is brought within range of the electromagnet L which
being active during the passage of the current causes the gripping plate to be held up.
When the limb of the pin H bas struck the shoulder it may rebound; but, the
gripping plate being still held up by the electromagnet L in its raised position, it will
in rebounding strike against the vertical part *, but, the current being still on, the
armature will still be pulled in its original direction, so that the pin will be carried on
to actual contact with the shoulder again, and will come to rest there. The current
is maintained for such a length of time as to allow the parts to come to rest, when,
the circuit being no longer closed, the current ceases to flow, and the electromagnet
ceases to retain the gripping plate, and the latter is allowed to fall, when the pin will
again be in the long horizontal slot j¹, as shown in figures 1 and 5, and ready for
another movement through an angle of 180° at the next closing of the electric circuit.
At each movement the worm E acting through the worm wheel winds up the driving
spring to the extent required.
The commutator F, consisting of two conducting segments insulated from one
another, is of the usual form employed with this type of electromotor.
1 sometimes find it convenient to provide the gripping plate with an adjustable
balance weight as shown at O in figures 3, 4 and 5, for the purpose of regulating the
action of the detent.
The form of gripping plate already described has a slot for the pin to travel in; but
it will be understood that a groove may be substituted, in which case the pin is inade
of sufficient length for its end to travel in the groove; and the gripping plate instead
of being flat as illustrated in figures 1, 3, 4 and 5 is bent round, so as to be concentric
as it were with the armature spindle. This arrangement is shown in figure 6.
Figure 7 is similar to figure 6 except that instead of a groove, as just mentioned,
a slot is employed the pin passing through the said slot.
Figures 8 and 9 represent a form of my invention in which the armature moves
in a vertical plane ; in which case the spindle is provided with a pinion P gearing
directly into the first of the train of wheels actuating the barrel. The first of these
two figures, namely figure 8, is a view of this form of clock as seen from behind, the
back plate being removed. Figure 9 is a side view. In figure 9 is shown a form of
detent which I find it convenient to employ when the electromotor moves in a vertical
plane. This form of detent, together with the pin which it engages, is more clearly
shown in figures 10 11 and 12 whilst the pin itself is shown separately in figure 13.
Figure 10 illustrates the gripping plate before it is raised to the electromagnet and
figure 11 illustrates it when held up. Figure 12 is a plan of the same.
With this form of detent I employ a pin, similar to that hereinbefore referred to
when describing the action of the gripping plate, but bent at right angles towards the
extremities has shown in the separate view of this form of pin (figure 13).
In figures 10, 11 and 12 the gripping plate is shown as made of soft non-magnetic
material for the purpose of silence, with metallic parts attached thereto where the
wear and tear is greatest. A piece of soft iron K is also attached for the purpose of
being attracted by the electromagnet. I find that what is known as vulcanised fibre
is a suitable material of which to form the detent when silence is desired.
The action in the case of the form of detent shown in figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 will
be readily understood from the description given of the action of the form of detent
shown in figures 1, 3, 4 and 5.
In referring again to figures 8 and 9 it will be unnecessary for me to describe the
action of the electromotor in winding up the spring as it will be readily understood
from the description previously given of the action of the electromotor whose armature

page_text: moves in a horizontal plane, it being borne in mind that instead of the motor spindle
bearing a worm gearing into the worm wheel attached to the barrel, the motor spindle
bears a pinion gearing into the first of the train of wheels, the last of which is rigidly
attached to the barrel.
:
I shall now proceed to describe how the circuit connected with the source or reservoir
of electrical energy, generally a Leclanché cell, is closed, and the electromotor called
into action and for the purposes of this description I shall refer to figures 14 and 15
which show a convenient form of circuit closing device on an enlarged scale. Qis a
snail fixed on an arbor driven by the clock train, in this instance revolving once every
minute and a half. R' R' are two springs fixed at their ends farthest from the snail,
and suitably insulated from one another, and bearing at their upper ends, and pointed
towards each other, contact points, preferably of Platinum, which when in contact
complete the circuit from the source or reservoir of electric energy through the
electromotor and so call it into action. Attached to the upper ends of these contact
springs are the triangular pieces formed of insulating inaterial and which bear
upon the snail.
When the snail is in the position shown in figure 14 it will be seen
that these springs are apart and the circuit is open. Moving round in the direction
of the arrow the snail raises the triangular pieces and 4. As soon however as the
point of the snail passes the point of the triangular piece the latter is dropped and
the two contact points are brought together occupying the position shewn in figure 15
so as to complete the circuit and cause the electromotor to move. This contact is
maintained until the point of the snail passes the point of the triangular piece
which in its turn is dropped and the two contact points are now separate so that the
circuit is again open and the current ceases to flow through the electromotor. It will
thus be seen that the period during which the circuit is closed is that between the
dropping of the triangular piece and that of the triangular piece : and in
practice this period or duration of contact is arranged to be just sufficiently long to
enable the movable part of the electromotor to expend its energy and come to rest.
In figure 1 I show a form of contact maker or circuit closing device which differs
from that just described only in the fact that the snail is replaced by a wheel having
two pins mounted upon it. When a pin passes the point of the triangular piece it
allows the latter to drop and so make contact exactly in the same manner as does
the point of the snail-the snail and the pin-bearing wheel being mechanical equi-
valents, and acting in the same manner. In the said figure I have shown two pins:
and it will be readily understood that, the rate of revolution of the wheel bearing
the pins being equal, the number of pins will depend upon the frequency with which
the circuit is to be closed; and this frequency will vary with the strength of the driving
spring and the amount to which it is to be wound up.
Figure 16 shews a modified form of gripping plate which I sometimes employ. It
is very similar to the form illustrated in figures 10 11 and 12 but has a pivoted
pendant S which takes the place of the nose of the ordinary form. When the pin which
moves in the direction shown by the arrow comes in contact with the pendant it raises
it and brings it into contact with the stop T on the gripping plate and continues to
raise it with the gripping plate until the soft iron part K is brought within the range
of the electro-magnet. When the pin has passed the pendant the latter drops and
prevents any backward movement of the said pin. The long slot, horizontal in
figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, and curved downwards in figures 10, 11 and 12, is here
dispensed with.
It will be seen that at each transmission of the clectric current an angular-movement
of the electromotor or more strictly speaking of its armature takes place and the
driving spring is wound up to a definite amount. In practice I find it convenient to
close the electric circuit and transmit the current every one and a half minutes as
previously mentioned :- and I select and arrange the train of wheels and spring in
accordance with the amount of angular movement of the armature and the frequency
with which the circuit is closed, or vice versa.
I do not limit myself to the amount of angular distance moved through by the

page_text: armature at each closing of the circuit nor to the specific form of motor shown. Any
form of motor of the same type arranged to move through a definite angle only at
each transmission will answer my purpose.
In my Provisional Specification I stated that in conjunction with the form of detent
herein described I might employ the form of mechanical brake referred to in my
previous Specification No. 8896 of the year 1886: but in practice I do not find this
to be necessary, as I find the form of detent herein before described to be quite
sufficient and satisfactory.
I have stated that a convenient material of which to construct the gripping plate
is what is known as hard vulcanised fibre provided it be made sufficiently stout though
when noise is not objected to the gripping plate may be more conveniently made of
brass or iron in which case it will wear better and last longer. In all cases however
where the gripping plate is made of non-magnetic material a piece of suitablo
magnetic material must be attached to it to enable it to be attracted and held by the
electromagnet.
Care should be taken not to have the electromagnet of the detent too strong as it
would be in such case liable to attract the gripping plate before the pin had moved
from the slot or groove.
I have described how I carry out my invention where a spring is employed to
drive the clock. The method of carrying out my invention when a weight is
employed will be readily understood without further description from what has
preceded.
In figure 1 I show the electric circuit traced through the various parts. V is the
battery; and it will be seen that the current first traverses the electromotor, the field
magnet and armature being in this case in series, and thence it passes through the
contact maker on to the electromagnet of the detent and back to the other pole of the
battery. It will be readily understood however that this sequence and arrangement
can be varied.
By mechanical clock mechanism I mean the ordinary mechanism existing in
ordinary clocks.
In some cases I employ only one source or reservoir of electrical energy to supply
the current necessary for a number of self-winding clocks. In such cases I join up
the electromotors of the different clocks in circuit in any convenient manner as for
example in series or in parallel. In such cases only one contact maker or circuit
closing device is necessary and it may conveniently be actuated by the mechanism of
the first clock (that is by the one nearest to the source or reservoir of electrical
energy) and be in the circuit between it and the said source or reservoir of electrical
energy.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is
1. The improvement in clocks and apparatus for winding the same by electricity
consisting in the combination of a mechanical clock mechanism and a step-by-step
electromotor actuated by continuous or direct currents substantially as
forth.
set
2. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in the
combination of a step by stop electromotor actuated by a continuous or direct currents
and a detent substantially as set forth.
3. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the combination of a step by step electromoter actuated by continuous or direct
currents a detent and a contact maker substantially as set forth.
4. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in the
combination of an electromotor and a detent: the said electromotor being capable of
being actuated by continuous or direct currents and of moving in an angular direction
(or tending to continuously rotate if allowed) at each transmission of the electric
current, and the said detent being so constructed and arranged as to serve to arrest

page_text: the movement of the movable part of the electromotor when it has travelled through
its required angular distance and to allow it to make its next movement in the
same angular direction as before when the next transmission of the electric current
takes place.
5. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting
substantially in the detent described and illustrated in figures 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 11,
12 and 16.
6. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the specific form of detent set forth with reference to figures 1, 3, 4 and 5.
7. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the forin of gripping plate set forth with reference to figure 6.
8. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in the
form of gripping plate set forth with reference to figure 7.
9. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the specific form of detent set forth with reference to figures 9, 10, 11 and 12.
10. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the form of gripping plate set forth with reference to figure 16.
11. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the combination of the gripping plate and pendant substantially as set with reference
to figure 16.
12. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the combination of a gripping plate having a zigzag slot and a pin engaging in the
said slot substantially as set forth.
13. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the combination of the plate J whether formed of magnetic material or having a piece
of magnetic material affixed thereto the pin H and the electromagnet L substantially
as set forth.
14. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the combination of the plate J whether formed of a magnetic material or having a
piece of magnetic material affixed thereto the pin H the electromagnet L and the
adjustable device O.
15. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the combination of an electromotor a detent and a contact maker: the said electro-
motor being capable of being actuated by continuous or direct currents and of moving
in an angular direction (or tending to continuously rotate if allowed) at each
transmission of the electric current, the said detent being so constructed and arranged
as to serve to arrest the movement of the movable part of the electromotor when it has
travelled through its required angular distance and to allow it to make its next
movement in the same angular direction as before when the next transmission of the
electric current takes place, and the said contact maker being operated by the
mechanical clock mechanism.
16. The improvement in apparatus for winding clocks by electricity consisting in
the specific form of contact inaker set forth with reference to figures 8, 9, 14
and 15.
17. The improvement in clocks consisting in the arrangement and combination of
parts substantially as set forth with reference to figures 1, 8 and 9.
18. The improvement in clocks consisting in the combination of the mechanical
clock mechanism and the electrical winding mechanism set forth.