US1173584A - Mechanically-actuated diaphragm-horn. - Google Patents

Description

J. WLJONES.

MECHANICALLY ACTUA'TED DIAPHRAGNI HORN. APPLlcATloN F|LED1uNE23,|911.

1,173,584. l Patented Feb.29,1916.

` 2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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I. W. JONES.

MECHANICALLY ACTUATED DIAPHRAGM HORN. APPLICATION FILED IUNE23`, I9II.

1,173,584. Patented Feb.29,1916. n 2 sIIEETs-sIIEET 2. c? I NVENTOR @MANOR/1&7

' iinirnp sTATns PATENT lifFICE;

JOSEPH WILLIAM JONES, or NEWYORK, N. Y., AssIGNoB., BY iiiiasiits assrsniannirs,

T0 LOVELLMCCONNELL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A Cl OIF DELA- WARE.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH JONES,

a citizen of the United States, andresident y I f Mechanically-Actuated Diaphragm-Horns,v

of which the following` is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of alarm or signaling devices,especially suitable for use on vehicles, boats, factories and for other purposescalling for the production of a loud, imperative note, in which the sound is ,generated by a vibratory `dia phragm actuated `mechanically and'- prefer- 7 ably by power means.

Such a signal vcomprises a diaphragm, preferably of spring metal and preferably immovably clamped about its margins, a

suitable projector for confining the propagation of the sound to the desireddirection and preferably so constructed as' to constitute a resonator, driving means of which the preferred embodiment is an electricmotor, and suitable mechanical means or connections whereby the `rotary movement of the armature or power shaft causes bodily vibratory to and fro movement of the dia-I ingr lcani teeth arranged` to exert outward thrusts directly on a wear-piece or anvil secured to or formed on the diaphragm. The armature or drive shaft has been arranged parallel to the diaphragm. and the cam Specification of Letters Patent.

Ameer iAnIcALLY.nc'rimfrnn DIArHnAeM-nonnf Patented nei). 29, 1916.

Application filed .T une 23,1911. Serial 319.634,913.

rigid, and further that an intermedi-ate connectlon be interposed between the rotary caniy member and the diaphragm, so that the thrust or efforts' of the former may be communicated to the latter more orless in'4 directly. In these ways, the rack and wear on the diaphragm may be greatly reduced. At the same time by .the use of a resilient intermediate member which is distinctly stiff, the loudness and'urgency of the sound is'not materially lessened, and there is sufficient capacity for yielding,` effectively to guard against damage tothe diaphragm in event of the occurrence of serious interference between the moving parts.A

A further advantageof the use ofan intermediate movable part whether yielding or not is that the efforts impressed upon the diaphragm may be direct outward thrusts with little or no lateral component, so that the twisting or cantina' effect-of a cam tooth acting directly .on the diaphragm or diaphragm projection is avoided.

In connection with such an interliiediate` member I may employ a rotary cam with peripheral teeth, because of the cheapness and durability of such an actuator.

With these objects in view I haveA deliorn possessing numerousnovel and important features of construction. The rosig-iie'd amechanically actuated diaphragm tary actuator is shown herein as a rotary cani with peripheral teeth, and the driving shaft on which it is mounted is preferably arrangedperpendicular or at a high angle tol the'diaphrag'm, so that the motor may.

beV included within the cylindrical projection of the marginal diaphragm clamps.

Between the rotary actuator and the diaphragm I intel-pose an independently movable member, preferably a lever of the second order. This lever is preferably ful# cruined by `being` mounted at one end 0n a stationary support, and extends across the face of the rotary cani member, with a latspring tongue having one end clamped immovably to the support, thence extending and engaging across the cani, preferably on the face more remote thereof Where the rotary cam is formed so as to act radially, the lever may be bent or curved so that its free end portion is disposed opposite the periphery of the-cam to receive the thrusts 'aof thecam teeth. Preferably this powerreceiving portion is provided with a suitably secured wear-piece or anvil for riding engagement with the cam teeth. Intermediate its ends the tongue or spring lever performs its work to vibrate the diaphragm. A spring lever so formed is admirably adapted to transform the thrusts exerted by the cam teeth radially and parallel to the diaphragm into movement toward the diaphragm at substantially right angles to the direction of thrust. The capacity of the lever to bend slightly and to establish virtual pivots at different points along its length. when the thrust is exerted on the laterally projecting wear-receiving portion, increases the component which is effective in producing vibration of the body portion of the lever to andfrom the diaphragm and ydecreases the component which is expended as a pull upon its anchorage.

The spring tongue is preferably broad; yinsome instances 'it may be as road or broader than long,- In this way I secure stiffness and endurance Without rendering the14 tongue so rigid.

Obviously the body portion of the tongue may contact directly with the face of the dipphragm, but-I prefer to provide a constid as to be approximately j tact piece; andin fact both the diaphragm and tongue are' preferably so provided. O ne of the contact pieces may be adjustable with reference to the other; by preference the diaphragm piece is the one adjustable.

The tongue or spring lever may constitute either a primary vibrator moving` freely between the actuator and the diaphragm and inducing vibration in the latter, or a thrust connection in simultaneous contact with the actuator and diaphragm. and capable of changing the direction of thrust. In v`the first case the spring lever normally stands free of the diaphragm or diaphragm projection and with its powerreceiving portion in the path of the cam teeth. The play may be sufficiently' large so that the leverV does not Contact with the diaphragm,l until after it has been flung clear of the cam tooth, or the lever may touch and commence its forcing of the diaphragm while it is still being foi-eed by the cam. `Where the lever is so constructed and arranged as to contact nori'nally with the diaphragm and to intercept the patlrfof the cani-teeth, it is primarily a thrust connection. Where the lever arranged to stand normally free of the diaphragm, the diaphragm contact piece may be adjusted laterally so as to touchl the faceof the lever. Thus the lever may be primarily either a free vibrator' or a thrash connection according to the adjustment. Where the lever stands free of the diaphragm contact, its range of free movement may be varied by means of this adjustment of the contact laterally of the lever. This adjustment between the lever and diaphragm also enables me to. effect fine adjustment of the lever with relation to the rotary cam, because the component of movement of the powerreceiving portion of the lever radially of the `actuator when its body portion is forced tobend the spring lever into interceptingv relation. It will be obvious, therefore, that the diaphragm 'and the spring lever may be initially under no tension, a state of elastic stress being produced only under the actuation of the rotary cani, or the adjustment between the two may be such as to maintain them constantly under more or less tension. i j

In addition to the fine adjustment so provided, I prefer to employ a rougher adjustment, by a construction permitting the tongue or spring lever to be shifted end- Wise, so as to carry the laterally projecting power-receiving portion toward or from the periphery of the actuator.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention by means of a preferred embodiment thereof: Figure l is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section of' a complete signal;V Fig. 2

is a front view with the horn and front section of the diaphragm case removed and the spring tongue in section; Fig. 3` is a rear end view with a cap removed; and Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional elevation showing a slightly modicd construction.

In these views, the numeral l() indicates the diaphragm, which is preferably of thin sheet spr/ing metal, though other material may be "used It is preferably circular in from and inimovably clamped about the edges. Itis shown as being held in a suitisc' as to serve as an effective amplifier.

Thehornis preferably operated by power means, and preferably byL an electric motor 17.r This motor is inclosed in a case 18, the

motor and its case being preferably 'in the rear of the diaphragm and. diaphragmfcase andpreferably symmetrical therewith.V As shown, the motor case is inclosed Within the .cylindrical projection of the diaphragm case and is concentric therewith.

The drive shaft 19, which inY the illus-i trated embodiment is the armature shaft,-l

is preferably arranged at a high angle tothe diaphragm, and preferably perpendicular, thereto atv'the'center thereof. The shaft is shown journaled near its forward end in a front wall or bridge piece 20 of the motor case and at its rear end in a thrust bearing 21 screwed into a bridge piece 22,`which is lsecured tothe rear plate', which in turn is suitably' secured to the case. A lock-nut 23 serves to hold the thrust bearing at the desired adjustment. Suitable spring-pressed brushes 24 rest on the armature and supply the motor Withrurrent, contacts 25 beingprovided for connection with a supply circuit. lhe commutator and brushes maybe covered .by a suitable cap 26, held in place by screws or bolts 27. A lubricating duct 28 may lead from the outside of the case structure throughthe boss 29 in which the forward bearing of the shaft formed.

.The actuation of the diaphragm is effected .from 'the motor or other source of power Preferably, -I` employ a .rotary cam 30 mounted on the. The cam is preferably av through mechanical means.

drive shaft 19. disk provided witha suitable number of cam teeth or actuating projectionsy 31. These teeth or projections may be variously formed. In the construction illustrated they are of' low pitch on the advancing side andcut away radially at the back.

The cam30 may be housed in a chamber formed by the rear section 12 of. the ldiaphragm case and an extension of the motor case. In fact, these cases constitute one general case structure. In the particular construction illustrated, the rear section 12 is secured with its back 'against an outturned flange 33 on the motor case and is provided with a cylindrical flange 34 fitting into the vforward extension of the -motor case.

The intermediate member 32 is preferably in the nature .of'a lever. In the best embodiment of the inventum 1t is an vindependently mounted spring or tongue,constituting partly ylelding lever of the second order.

rlhe lever orntonguc supported at one end, thence extends across the face -of the cani 30 with its central or body portion opposite the diaphragm, ands provided at its-free end with an offset thrust-receiving portion opposite the periphery of the cam, in posiglOn to be engaged by the actuating pro'- Jections thereof. In this way, the radial movement produced by the thrust of the cam` teeth is converted at the central or intermediateportion of the lever into movement-toward and from'the diaphragm .to vibrate the latter. When Vthe lever is a stiff spring it performs this operation to best effect, since its slight yielding enables it to convert a largecomponent of the radial thrusts into movement parallel to the axis of the cam,

`without transmitting so large a part'of the and is vshaped so that its free end portion 35,

occupiesa positionopposite the operating face of the cam. In the form` of lever shown more particularly in Fig. 1', the body of the lever is curved outward toward the dia-v phragm, so that thev rearward bend of the spring metal of which it is formed is not too abrupt. In Fig. 4, the body part of the lever is substantially parallel to theI diaphragm, though this makes the curve or bend at.the free end more abrupt. The power-receiving portion of the tongue or lever is preferably provided with a wear-piece or anvil 36, which may be formed on or-secured to the lever in any suitable manner. In.the particular construction illustrated, it is'provided with a threaded shank .'37 passed through an yopening in the offset portion of the lever, and is secured by a nut 38 and a lock-nut39 screwed on this shank. Prefl erably the tongue is broad, as shown in Fig.

2, lso-that suitable strength and stiffness is imparted to it without prohibitive stiffness o'r approximate rigidity.

In operation, rotation of the cam v30 causes its teeth to force the vWear-piece 36 successively outward away from the peripherv ofthe cam. The supporter virtual At their contacting regions, the diaphragm and tongue are preferably provided with contact pieces 40-and 41, respectively. One

of these contact pieces is adjustable, and preferably it is the contact piece carried by the diaphragm. In the particular construction illustrated 'this piece 4.0 is a screw havingthreaded engagement in a split sleeve 42 fixed onthediaphragm. The kerfed end pulse of the cam tootlrbefore contactingwith the diaphragm or its contact-piece. The range ot' movement may be such that the tongue commences to force the diaphragm while still being forced by the cam tooth, or it may be flung clear of the cam tooth before contacting with the diaphragm, in which event it displaces the diaphragm b v virtue ot' its momentum. Or

the tongue 'may be normally in contact with the diaphragm and with its power-receiving portion in the path et the cam teeth, in which case the tongue acts as a slightly yielding lever thrust connection. Where a certain amount ot play is permitted before the tongue contacts with the diaphragm, the range of this movement may be varied by adjustment ot' the contactpiece 40. In another case, the tongue may normally stand with its thrust-receiving portion out of the path ot' the actuating projections on the rotary member, and in this instance, the wear-piece 3G can be adjusted into engaging relation to the cam by screwing the contact Lt() inward. In any case. `this adjusting device carried by the diaphragm may be utilized to secure fine adjustment ot' the wear piece 3G relative to the periphery ot' the cam, the rearward movement of the tongue at its body part having a component at the wear piece radial to the cam. In fact. I believe it to be broadly new with myselic to provide means on the diaphragm for adjustment between the diaphragm and the mechanical actuating means. Rough adjustment of the tongue I preferably provide Jr'or by' rendering the tongue longitudimilly movable. To this end, I may cause the clamping screws H to engage with slots i5 in the tongue. so that by loosening these screws, the tongue may be moved endwise. to carry the wear-piece $36 further into or out ot' engagement with the cam teeth, after which the screws may be tightened to clampthe tongue in its new position.

The thrust or blow delivered to the diaphragm by the spi-in il lrvrr may be either substantially normal. a in the torni shown in Fig. -l. or sonwwhat oblique. as indicated in rig. 1'.

I claim:

l. In an alarm or signaling device. a diaphragm. a rotary ram provided with periplicrair disposed cam projections and disposed with its axis presented endwise to the diaphragm, an independently mounted stift `spring secured to a suitable support at one end, extending across to the more remote face of the cam and having its tree end disposed opposite the cam and its intermediate portion arranged in operative relation `and having a thrust-reeeiving portion ofl set at its rear side in position to be engaged by said peripheral projections.

3. In an alarm or signaling device, a diaphragm, a power-driven rotary cam provided with peripheral cam teeth and having its axis approximately at right anglesto the diaphragm, a spring tongue having its body or central portion disposed opposite the diaphragm, being clamped to a stationary sup port at one end and provided` with an offset thrust-receiving portion lat the other end opposite the periphery of said cam. and a contact piece on said diaphragm adjustable toward and trom the 'body or central part oi said tongue.

el. In a mechanical horn, a flexible diaphragm, a vibratory impact member normally spaced away from and adapted to be forced into `engagement with said diaphragm, an actuating member operating in a constant plane and adapted to engage said impact member and force it into engagement with said diaphragm. said impact member being adapted to automatically return to its normal position within the operative plane ot' said actuating member and the portion thereof engaging the diaphragm being adapted to pass said normal position under the control of said diaphragm irrespective of the position of said actuating member. and means actuating said actuating member.

In a mechanical horn, a flexible diaphragm. a flexible vibratory impact member normally spaced awa y from a ndadapted to be forced into engagement with said dia# phragm. an actuating member operating in a constant plane and adapted to engage said impact member at a point removed from its point of engagement with the diaphragm and torce it into engagement with said diaphragm, whereby the resiliency inherent to said impact member will cause it to automatically assume and return to its normal position` and the portion thereof en gaging the diaphragm to yield upon the reflex action of the diaphragm so as to pass this normal position independently oi the engagement of said actuating member theref With, and means actuating said actuating member.

6. A` horn or signaling device including a diaphragm, an annular diaphragm clamping member having a large central aperf ture, a rotary electric motor having a cylindrical shell, an end Wall integral therewith, means for ,securingsaid motor to said clamping member with said end Wall eX- tending across said aperture, a cam carried by the armature shaft, and a lever having l one end carried by the motor and having the opposite end eigagingwith said cam, and having an intermediate portion for engagement with said diaphragm whereby the removal of the motor from the diaphragm clamping member carries with it said lever.

7. A horn or signaling device including a diaphragm, a diaphragm clamp, a rotary electric motor secured to said clamp including a peripheral shell and an end Wall integral with said shell, a removable end Wall opposite to said integral end wall, brushes carried by' said removable end Wall, a detachable cap inclosing said brushes and e'ngaging with the outer terminal portion of' said peripheral /Wal1, an armature shaft supported by said end Wall andA presented endwise to said diaphragm, and means for vi-v brating saiddiaphragm upon the rotation of said shaft. y

` l 8. A horn or signaling device, including a diaphragm, a diaphragm clamp, a rotary electric motor including a peripheral wall having one end connected to saidv clamp, a removable endwall at the opposite end of said peripheral Wall, brushes carried by said end Wall, an armature shaft having one end supportedby said end Wall, and presented endwise to said diaphragm, a cup-shaped casing concentric with said motor, and a fastening member extending in the direction of the aXis of the motor through said casing into said removable end Wall.

' 9. A horn or signaling device, including a diaphragm, a diaphragm, clamp, a rotary electric motor including a peripheral Wall having one end connected to said clamp, a

` removable end Wall at the opposite endof said peri heral Wall, brushes carried by said end wal, a' cup-shaped casing concentric with said motor, and a bolt for fastening said casing in position, said bolt extending in the direction of 4the axis of the motor thrlough the casing intol said removable end Wa l.

i Signed at New York in the county and State of New York this 22nd day of- June A. D. 1911. y JOSEPH W'ILLIAMJGNES.

lWitnesses: v

` ELIZABETH S. CAMPBELL,

FRED K. S'rioKLn.'

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