 An escapement is the mechanism in a mechanical clock that gives the pendulum precise impulses to keep it swinging, and allows the gear train to advance a set amount with each pendulum swing, moving the clock hands forward at a steady rate.The Riefler escapement was an improvement of the deadbeat escapement, the standard used in precision clocks.In the deadbeat, the force to keep the pendulum swinging is applied by the teeth of the escape wheel sliding alternately against two angled pallets on arms attached to the pendulum.