Crutch
The wire which connects the pallet staff of a clock to the pendulum and by which the pendulum is kept in motion. This wire enters a longitudinal slot in the pendulum rod, if the rod be made of wood, or is made in the form of a U if the rod be a metal one. The slot is usually lined with brass. A clock with long wooden pendulum is usually brought to beat by either moving the crutch on the pallet staff or by bending the crutch itself.