GB190921940A - Improvements in Electric Clock Winding Mechanism. - Google Patents

Abstract

21,940. Gray, J., [Seabolt, F. J.]. Sept. 25. Winding - apparatus, electric. - A weight or spring driven clock, in which motion is communicated to the going- train by means of a chain or cord, is periodically wound by an electromotor, which is automatically brought into action. In the arrangement illustrated, an endless chain 15, passing over a sprocket - wheel 10, which is the first wheel of the clock train, and over a sprocket 14 which is rotatable by the electromotor 13, forms two loops supporting pulleys, of which one, 19, is connected to a driving-weight 18, and the other, 20, is connected by a cord 21 to a switch which controls the motor. The switch comprises a rotary drum 22 having a part 26 of its surface made of insulating-material, on which a spring contact-finger 28 normally rests, the insulating-part being separated by an inclined flange 27 from a conducting-part 25. A spring or its equivalent tends to turn the drum so as to wind the cord 21 upon it. As the clock-train is driven, the pulley 19 descends, and, the sprocket 14 being stationary, the pulley 20 ascends, and the drum is rotated by the pull of the cord 21 until the finger 28 springs on to the conducting - surface 25. The motor then begins to run, the sprocket 14 rotating and raising the weight 18. At the same time, the pulley 20 descends, while the rotation of the drum is reversed by its spring, until the finger 28 snaps past the end of the flange 27 on to the insulating - portion, and stops the motor by breaking the circuit. If the current fails, the weight continues to descend until it reaches a ledge 33. The finger 28, having by that time left the insulating-surface, the motor circuit remains closed when the clock stops, so that rewinding commences as soon as the current supply is restored. The driving-weight 18 may be replaced by a spring. Specification 6562/08 is referred to.