, [Fig. 13]. This is a shorter lever than
QB
, consequently more powerful, although the greater velocity is at
Q
, which only comes into action after the inertia of wheel and pallets has been overcome, and when the greatest momentum during contact is reached.
SB
is the primitive radius of the club tooth wheel, but both primitive and real radius of the ratchet wheel. The distance of centers of wheel and pallet will be alike in both cases; also the lockings will be the same distance apart on both pallets; therefore, when horologists, even if they have worldwide reputations, claim that the club tooth has an advantage over the ratchet because it begins the lift with a shorter lever than the latter, it does not make it so. We are treating the subject from a purely horological standpoint, and neither patriotism or prejudice has anything to do with it. We wish to sift the matter thoroughly and arrive at a just conception of the merits and defects of each form of escapement, and show reasons for our conclusions.
Fig. 12.