IMPROVE- MENTS IN THE WINDING MECHANISM OF AUTOMATIC ATMOSPHERIC CLOCKS
Year: 1884

page_text: I HENRY SAINSBURY of 33 Southampton Buildings Holborn, London, Middlesex
Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention for "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE WINDING MECHANISM OF AUTOMATIC ATMOSPHERIC CLOCKS" to
be as follows:-
The object of this Invention is to render automatic atmospheric clocks and in
particular that known as "The Dardenne Perpetual Regulartor" (for which
British Letters Patent N° 3425 of 1881 were granted to Herbert John Haddan in
his capacity of Agent and Trustee for Auguste Dardenne of Mariembourg Belgium)
of far more general and practical utility than has heretofore been possible..
This I effect
1stly. By mounting the helix-brake and power wheel horizontally on two
vertical shafts working in steel cone centres or jewels fitted in suitable guide
plates; instead of as hitherto mounting the same vertically on horizontal bearings
working in the ordinary brass centres. By this means I obtain far greater strength
and durability and increased certainty of action as I avoid all risk of the frequent
breakage heretofore of constant recurrence.
2ndly. By substituting an endless screw and worm wheel for a pinion and
toothed wheel notion as heretofore employed which endless screw and worm wheel
actuate a ratchet wheel and slotted automatic click thus producing a silent motion
and totally obviating the noise hitherto inseparable from the action of the winding
mechanism; and obtaining considerably increased power.
3rly. By fitting the helix above instead of behind the clock-thus affording
greatly increased facilities for fitting the clock in any and every position which has
hitherto been impracticable.
4thly. By fitting the clock case with a tube which acts as an air shaft, and
projecting a sufficient distance above or beyond the case also forms the chamber
wherein the helix is mounted-thus not only dispensing with useless and expensive
parts, but also obviating the necessity which has hitherto existed for fixing the
[Price 6d1

page_text: clock either directly in front of a flue or of a specially constructed air shaft and
obtaining a more direct air current.
5thly. By simplifying the construction of the brake lever by making the same of
a series of straight rods connected by universal joints thus obtaining a more direct
action on the brake.
The importance of these various practical improvements cannot be over estimated
as they serve to render the Dardenne Perpetual Regulator of universal instead of as
heretofore, exceptional utility.

page_text: I HENRY SAINSBURY of 33 Southampton Buildings, Holborn, London;
Middlesex Mechanical Engineer do hereby declare the nature of my Invention
for IMPROVEMENTS IN THE WINDING MECHANISM OF AUTOMATIC ATMOSPHERIC
CLOCKS and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This Invention more particularly relates to improvements in the construction
and arrangement of the winding mechanism of the automatic atmospheric clock
known as Dardenne's Perpetual Regulator for which British Letters Patent dated
the 8th day of August 1881 and numbered 3425 were granted to Herbert John
Haddan of Kensington Middlesex as Agent and Trustee for Auguste Dardenne of
Mariembourg in the Kingdom of Belgium and has for its object greater simplicity
of construction combined with increased strength and convenience and improved
action.
My improvements consist Firstly-In mounting the helix (1) and brake wheel
(2) horizontally on a vertical shaft A mounted in one or more guide plates W cach
fitted with a steel cone centre X whereon the shaft is pivotted. This shaft is fitted
at its lower end with a pinion 2a mounted thereon vertically which gears into the
power wheel (3) which is mounted horizontally on a second vertical shaft B which
also carries a horizontal ratchet wheel (5) and vertical endless screw (7) and which
second shaft is likewise mounted in guide plates Y and pivotted upon steel cone
centres (X) fitted in such guide plates.
Secondly. Such endless screw (7) gears into a worm wheel (8) while a slotted
click (4) mounted upon a stud screwed into the frame of the movement gears into
a ratchet wheel (5).
Thirdly. I line the slot in the click (4) with india-rubber or other suitable
material and I automatically regulate the motion of such click by a feather or
balance (4) at the tail end thereof which works between two pins. 1º 1ª fixed in
the frame of the movement.
Fourthly. I fit the case of the clock with a tube through which the air current
is conducted directly to the helix and which tube projecting a suitable distance
above the case itself forms the chamber wherein such helix is mounted.
Fifthly. I make the brake lever (C) of a series of straight rods connected
together by universal joints and I fit the brake (6") to the point of the upper-most
rod.
The advantages of this simplified and improved construction and arrangement
are as follows.
1° By mounting the winding mechanism in the manner described and 'shewn in
the accompanying Drawing I am able to place the helix above instead of at the
back of the clock as hitherto. This not only affords greatly increased facilities for
fixing the clock in any desired position-but also diminishes the cost by dispensing
with unnecessary parts.
2° By fitting the case with a tube which serves both for an air shaft and a helix
chamber I dispense with the division plate which has hitherto been required to
preserve the works of the clock from injury at the same time that it greatly
facilitates fixing the clock in any position as thereby it is no longer indispensable
to place it either in front of a flue or of a specially constructed air shaft in order
to obtain the necessary air current to work the helix.
3 By employing two vertical shafts each working in steel cone centres in the
manner described I obtain greatly increased strength and power in the bearings and

page_text: so reduce the risk of the winding mechanism either getting out of order or breaking
to a minimum; as not only is there much less strain on the vertical than on the
horizontal shafts or spindles, but the steel cone centres whereon they work far
exceed in durability the ordinary brass centres heretofore used in mounting such
mechanism.
4° By employing an endless screw and worm wheel instead of a toothed wheel.
and pinion as hitherto in conjunction with my improved construction and
arrangement of the click I render the action of the winding mechanism noiseless
owing to the gradual motion thus engendered: thus not only considerably
diminishing the wear and tear thereof but also imparting great additional value
to the clock by entirely removing one of the chief objections which has hitherto
existed thereto.
5° Another advantage of this improved construction and arrangement is that
owing to the increased strength and power obtained by the endless screw and worm
wheel I can employ much larger and stronger pinions (8") as owing to the endless
screw making a single revolution to every tooth of the worm wheel the helix runs
far more lightly at the same time that the screw actuates larger pulleys (9) and can
lift a far heavier weight (10) than the pinions hitherto employed which were
necessarily made so extremely fine as to deprive them of the requisite strength thus
resulting in frequent breakage.
6° By my improved and simplified construction of the brake lever I obtain a
more direct action in putting on the brake.
· 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 I claim
as novel and of my Invention the following improvements in the construction and
arrangement of the winding up mechanism of automatic atmospheric clocks and
particularly as regards the winding up mechanism of the Dardenne Automatic
Atmospheric Clock known as Dardenne's Perpetual Regulator vist.
Firstly, Mounting the helix brake wheel and power wheel horizontally upon two
vertical shafts working in guide plates fitted with steel cone centres as herein before
specified.
Secondly. Fitting the helix and helix chamber above instead of behind the clock.
Thirdly. Fitting the clock case with a tube which acts both as an air shaft and as
the helix chamber.
Fourthily. Substituting an endless screw and worm wheel for a toothed wheel
and pinion and employing in conjunction therewith a ratchet wheel and a click
furnished with a slot lined with india rubber or its equivalent and automatically
regulated in its action by a feather or balance controlled by fixed pins all as
herein before specified.
Fifthly. Making the brake lever of a series of straight rods and connecting the
same by universal joints in the manner herein before specified.