Close-up of the Slotted Connector

Another unique feature of the Clock Works is this slotted connector. It is placed in the drive line between the drive gears and the rod leading to the clock hands. By loosening the square-headed bolt on top of the connector, the rod can be rotated independent from the Clock Works gears. In this way, the hands on each of the four faces of the clock can be adjusted to re-set the time. This can be useful in case of a power failure, for example.

A second feature of this slotted connector is that it allows horizontal movement to accommodate changes in the length of the rod caused by changes in ambient temperature. It acts like an expansion joint and while the changes in the rod length are small, they could exert tremendous force on the Clock Works.

Monroe County Courthouse in Woodsfield, Ohio

Photo taken June 2012

Photographed by R.E. Harrington