US1097176A

US1097176A - Automatic apparatus for controlling the period of artificial illumination.

Info

Publication number: US1097176A
Application number: US74269613A
Authority: US
Inventors: John Harley Gill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1913-01-17
Filing date: 1913-01-17
Publication date: 1914-05-19
Anticipated expiration: 1931-05-19

Description

. J. H. GILL. AUTOMATIC! APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1913.

1,097,176. P ltented May 19, 1914.

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J. H. GILL.

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.17, 1913.

1,097,176. Patented May 19,191A

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AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 17, 1913.

1,097,1 76. Patented May 19, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HARLEY GILL, F DUNEDIN NEW ZEALAND.

AUTOMATIC APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE PERIOD OF ARTIFICIAL ILLUMINATION,

Patented May 19, 1914.

Application filed January 17, 1913. Serial No. 742,696.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN HARLEY GILL, commercial traveler, a subject of King George V of Great Britain, residing at 40 Dowling street, Dunedin, in the Dominion of New Zealand, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Improved Automatic Apparatus for Controlling the Period of Artificial Illumination, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide automatic apparatus to light up and extinguish the lights of a shop or premises to obviate the necessity of the person in charge of such shop or premises visiting the same for the sole purpose of lighting up and turning ofl the lights.

The followlng is a description of the apparatus with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of a double action apparatus in combination with an electric light switch. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of a single action apparatus. Fig. 4 is a front view of the single action apparatus showing the method of exposing the back of the clock. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 are views of the supporting bracket in elevation and plan. Figs. 8 and 9 are views of the spring clip in plan and elevation. Fig. 10 is a fragmental perspective view-showing a winding drum substituted for the thumb screw piece when the apparatus is used in combination with gas meters.

In combination with the invention an ordinary alarm clock (1) is used which is mounted ona suitably shaped bracket. The bracket may be attached to a switch board or to a board fixed near to a gas meter so that a pull chain (2) may be conveniently coupled to an electric switch (3) when used with electric light fittings, or to a valve lever (4) attached to a meter when used with gas fittings. The bracket supporting the clock consists of a narrow band of metal (5) having its ends (5) and (5) turned outward at right angles to the face of the switch board; screw holes are provided in the body part of the metal band to enable the bracket to be screwed to the switch board. The said band (5) carries a depending metal strip (6) which is split at its upper end, the leg (6) resulting from this splitting being secured directly to band (5) while the other leg (6 is bent laterally outward. The lower end (6) of strip (6) is also bent outward, the two bent parts (6) and (6) forming a support for a spring (7) and rod (8). The rod is adapted to slide in the outwardly bent portions (6") and (6) but is held normally in the position illustrated in Fig. (6) under the influence of the spring (7).

The clock (1) is supported by an encircling spring band (9) which is suitably affixed to it and is hinged at (5 to the band (5) for the purpose of enabling the clock to swing thereon to expose the back (Fig. 4) when it is desired to efiectadjustment.

An advantageous method of fixing the spring band (9) is illustrated in the drawings and comprises a staple shaped piece (10) adapted to engage with the rolled ends (9) and (9 of said band (9), there being a slot (5) in the bent end portion (5 to engage with the said rolled ends (9 and (9 and retain the clock in the position illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5. The metal band (6) previously referred to as being riveted to the part (5) supporting the spring (7) and rod (8) is mounted preferably in such a position that it projects immediately under and in line with the winding screw (11) which winds the spring of the alarm mechanism of the clock. The spring (7) is adapted to be adjusted to increase or reduce its strength as desired, and the metal rod (8), which is surrounded by the spring (7), is fitted with a washer piece (8 to form a shoulder for the spring (7 the said washer being adapted to be screwed upward so as to compress the spring, or downward to reduce the strength of the spring, as may be desired. The upper end of the rod (8) has a loop (12) formed thereon, the point (13) of which loop projects at right angles for the purpose of engaging with the thumb screw (11) when the web part (11*) of said thumb screw is in a horizontal position. The chain or cord (2) is attached to the loop (12), and has a ring (15) engaged with the lever (3) of the switch of the electric light fitting, or with the valve lever (4:) attached to the meter.

To set the clock, disconnect the catch, turn the clock on its hinge, and expose the back as illustrated in Fig. 4; adjust the clock in the ordinary way so that the alarm will go off at a predetermined time, the thumb screw (11) being left horizontal. The clock is then turned on its hinge as in the manner of closing a door and is secured in position by the fitting before referred to, comprising the rolled ends (9) and (9 and the staple (10) to couple said ends together. The metal rod (8), which is provided with a knob (8 at its lower end, is pressed upward against the influence of the spiral spring (7), and the projecting point (13) of the loop (12) is placed at rest on the web piece (11 of the thumb screw (11). The chain (2) may then be attached to the switch (13), and as the time passes and the hands on the clock indicate the time at which the apparatus is set, the alarm mechanism is set in motion, the thumb screw (11) revolves and the projecting piece (13) slides off the web piece (11 and a pull is exerted on the chain under the influence of the spring (7), operating the lever of the switch (3) and thereby cutting oil the light. In some cases it might be necessary to provide for a longer travel of the chain than could be conveniently obtained by the spring actuated method described above, such as for instance, in the case of the valve lever (4) of a gas meter. The thumb screw (11) would be replaced by a reel (16) (Fig. 10) and the chain would be lengthened, and on the alarm mechanism of the clock being operated, the chain would become wound upon the reel (16), the diameter of the said reel being so arranged that a reasonable number of revolutions would cause the lever to travel a predetermined distance and shut old the gas.

In the double acting apparatus (Figs. 1 and 2), the spring actuated pull chain for both clocks is of the same design, but the spring (7) is preferably the stronger spring to overcome any slight resistance from the spring (7) on the lower apparatus.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a time-controlled apparatus, the combination, with a movable controlling member and a flexible operating element connected therewith; of a base board; a band having its central portion connected to said board and its ends bent laterally outward at right angles thereto, one of said ends being slotted; a clock having an alarm mechanism provided with a winding device; a spring metal band encircling said clock and affixed to the same, said band being hinged to the other end of the first-named band, to permit said clock to swing into and out of operative position, the second-named band having its own ends rolled and adapted for engagement with the slotted end of said first-named band to hold said clock in such position; and means controlled by said winding device for exerting a pull upon said flexible operating element to move said controlling member.

2. An artificial light controlling apparatus comprising in combination an ordinary alarm clock, a bracket supporting the said clock consisting of a narrow band of metal having its ends turned outward at right angles to its face, a second metal band, the top end of which is split, one portion retained flat and the other portion bent outward at right angles to its face, a portion of the lower end of the said second metal band being turned outward to support the lower end of a rod, a rod having a loop, the end thereof projecting to form a catch, the lower end of the said rod being threaded, a washer screwed thereon, a spring mounted on the said rod, a spring band clip adapted to surround the clock and hold it in position, the said spring clip being hinged to the first mentioned narrow band of metal and the ends of the said spring clip being rolled to engage a staple shaped clip, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN HARLEY GILL. Witnesses:

ROBERT PARK, Jnr., HELINA MACDONALD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.