US1223581A - Watchman's clock. - Google Patents

Description

F. HARDINGE.

WATCHMANS CLOCK.y

APPLlcATmN FxLED run/.16, 1912.

1,2235581 Patente Apr. 24,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

F. HARDINGE.

WATCHMANS CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. I6. :9I2.

1,223,581. PLT-.med Apr. 24,1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITE STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANKLIN HARDINGE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR T0 HARDING-E BROTHERS, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WATCIIMANS CLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 24, 1917.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN Haremos, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Natchmens Clocks, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a. part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in watchmens clocks, adapted to make a characteristic record upon a record receiving dial or disk contained within the clock when actuated in connection with marking mechanism, which is usually located at various points within the building or territory to be covered by the watchman.

My invention contemplates the provision, in a clock of this kind, of a certain improved device associated with the clock, adapted to force the character carrying key into positive engagement with the record receiving disk.

Janother feature of the clock of my invention is the means provided for clamping the record disk and driving the saine. A suitable spring is interposed bet veen the clock spindle and the member to which the disk is clamped, in order that the disk may not be torn or the clock mechanism suffer injury if for a short time the disk should be held against rotation.

As clocks of the class in question must necessarily be subjected to considerable ar, I provide a. novel means for cushioning the clock mechanism, such means being in the form of a plate of spring metal to which the clock work frame is secured, said spring being in turn secured to the clock casing proper.

The watchmans clock of my invention is provided with means adapted te make a record upon the disk whenever the clock casing is open.

Other features of the watchmans clock of my invention will appear as this description progresses.

' In the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the clock of my invention, portion of the casing being broken away to reveal the shock absorbing plate with which the clock mechanism is provided.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, this view being enlarged to conform with Fig. 2.

'Fig el is a view of the recording mechamsm.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the parts shown in Fig. 4 taken on the linel 5 5 thereof.

Fig. (l is an end view of the recording mechanism, a portion of the frame work thereof being shown in section.

Fig. '7 is a top view of the clock, showing the key slot and the operating lever for the recording mechanism.

Fig. 8 is a. sectional, detailed view of the disk clamping and driving mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view thereof taken on the line 11G-10 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the operating cam for the means for recording the opening of the clock casing, this view being taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a` fragmentary view illustrating how the clock mechanism is secured to the casing.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a key made in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 13 is an elevational view of the same, showing also a portion of the frame work of the recording mechanism. In this view the key has not been moved to its operative position.

Fig. 14e shows a modified construction of clock for receiving and using the key shown in Fig. 12.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

As shown in the drawings, the clock casingis illustrated at 17, said casing being provided with a hingedback 18. The casing is provided with suitable rings 19-19, to which a` strap may be attached in order that the clock may be easily carried by a watchman. These rings also serve as legs. The clock mechanism indicated at 2() is secured in the casing such a way as to pro- 36 from the framework 32.

tect the clock mechanism, in a large measure, from the j olts and jars to which the casing must necessarily be subjected. A plate 21, secured to the clock work supporting frame work by means of screws or otherwise, is provided with ears 22-22, as clearly illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. These ears are secured to lugs 23-23, carried by the casing by means of screws 24 2e1. As clearly shown in Fig. 11, the lugs 23--23 are rounded where they engage the plate 21. The purpose of rounding these lugs will presently appear. It should be noted that the plate 21 is enlarged at its upper end where it carries the dial 25, as shown in Fig. 2. The plate 21 is provided on either side thereof with a lug 26, bearing against the front of the top casing.

Secured to the clock work mechanism frame work by means of a plurality of screws 27-27, and conformed to lit the lower portion of plate 21, is a plate 28 consisting of a strip of light spring metal. This plate or strip is provided with ears Y 29-29, which are secured to studs 30-30,

carried by the casing 17. The plate 28, being of light spring metal, yields whenever the casing 17 is subjected to any unusual jar; thus the clock work mechanism is protected. When the plate 28 yields, as before stated, the plate 21 is allowed to turn slightly on the lugs 23, owing to the rounded portions thereof.

I Will now proceed to describe the recording mechanism, which is shown at 31 in Figs. 1 and 2 and which is illustrated in detail in Figs. /1 to 6 inclusive. A frame work 32 supported by the easing 17 has pivotally mounted thereon at 33 a member 311, adapted to be operated by a cam shaft 35 by means of'a handle 36 extending outside of the clock casing 17. Suitable ratchet mechanism, not shown, is provided in the head of the handle 36 where it joins the shaft 35, so that such shaft may be oscillated by an oscillatory movement of the handle 36, when the key 37 is placed in the key-way 38. The key 37, just referred to, is supported by the member 34, and when the cam shaft is rotated by means of the handle 36 the key 37 is moved against a record disk 39, supported by a suitable clamping device, to be hereinafter described. A collar 36a, loosely mounted upon the cam shaft, spaces the handle The member 31 serves to press the key 37 forcibly against the plate or shield 41. The portion 37a of the key consists of a suitable raised letter or character, and thus a characteristic indication is made upon a portion of the disk, corresponding to the time at which the handle 36 is actuated, since the disk 39 is driven at a uniform rate by the clockwork.

The member 34 has formed in its left" hand end, as shown in Fig. 5, a slot #12 to 65 receive the rod 33, constituting a. pivot for such member, and when the key 37 is brought into engagement with the disk 39 and the plate or shield 411, the cam shaft 35 serves to slightly rock the member 34 5 that the engagement is not a forced one owing to the relation of the rod 33 and the slot 12, the pressure exerted upon the disk 39 being due to the spring 43. Then the shaft 35 is further rotated to release the member 3&1, the spring y13 serves to return such member to its normal position aga inst the stop pin i1-'1. The member 3lhas secured to its upper surface a plate l5 to retain the key 37 in place in such member.

In order to prereut the member 31 from moving too far upwardly and thus damage the raised character carried by the key, provide lugs against which the member 31 abuts. These lugs, which are illustrated at 415 in Figs. 5 and 6, are cast integral with the framework and are provided with rounded portions adapted to co-act with the rounded end of the members 31. The devices which are provided to normally hold the shutter 16 closed are illustrated and discussed at length in my Patent No. 1,016,688, issued February 6, 1912. The shutter -16 consists of a plate of a substantially L- shaped cross-section, each of the arms of the L being provided with lips as shown. These lips, which are indicated b v reference characters l16a and 416b ride in slots in the top and side of the framework 32, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Tith reference to the mechanism for normally holding the shutter closed, it will sufiice to say that when the key 37 is inserted into the key-way it engages the lever 47, and thereby moves the shutter -16 against the action of a spring 48. lVhen the key 37 withdrawn the shutter is then closed by the spring 18.

As clearly shown `in Fig. 5, a helical compression spring ia acts between the top of the framework 32 and the member 341. The ends of this compression spring bear in suitable openings in the framework and member 31 as illustrated. In constructing the key actuating mechanism I provide a plate 47 of hard steel, which serves to prevent wearing of the portion of framework protected thereby, due to the movement of the member 3&1. This protecting plate has a portion 171 bent at right angles to the remainder of the plate, which engages the key 37 when it is moved to its operable position and so prevents wearing of the framework as tl e key is inserted. A s illustrated in Figs. 4 and 13, the top of the framework 32 is enlarged, as indicated at 32a, 32a, in order that there may be a clearance between the plate 41 and the framework. A removable plate 321 spans the key-slot, connects the portions 32a, 32l and retains the key 37 in position. As clearly shown lin Fig. 13, the side of the key engages the framework as it slides into operative position in the key-way.

As shown in Fig. 12 the key 37 is formed from a rolled angle-bar of steel, preferably of suliicient hardness so that it may be tempered. The members of the angle-bar are of sullicient width to form a wing 49 for engagement by the hand of the operator and the flange 50 for securely holding the key in proper position in the clock. By construct-A ing the key of a rolled angle-bar the outer corner of the portion connectingthe flange 5() with the body portion of the key 37 may be sharp, which result could not be secured when the flange 50 was formed by dies from a sheet or flat strip of metal, as has been common in the past. The sharp corner thus formed materially assists in supporting the key in proper position in the clock during its operation.

The main portion 37 of the key is provided with a character 37a extending from one edge of the main portion near the end of the key opposite to the wing or handle 49. The character may be of any desired conformation, as a numeral, a letter, or an arbitrary character, and to further give particular value to any key and to facilitate the manufacture of the keys, the characters are disposed at different positions longitudinally of the key along the edge of the key 37. At the extreme left-hand end of the key, as shown in Fig. 12, a projecting lug 51 is formed, which extends from the edge of the key 37 a sufficient distance so that its outer end is slightly below the outer end of the character 37a. rlhe lug 51 is of a height suchthat a straight line from the top of the lug to the top of the wing portion 49 passes above the character 37a, as a result of which, when the key is laid upon or against the surfaces with wnich it is ordinarily apt to come in Contact, the outer end of the lug 51 and the wing 49 will engage the surface and prevent the character 37a from coming in contact therewith. This feature of protection is particularly valuable in connection with the boxes ordinarily used in the for securing the keys at different watchinens stations, which boXes are usually made of metal having plane inner surfaces, and in view of this the construction described affords complete protection to the characters on the key.

After the characters are stamped upon the keys in such a manner that they may operate to emboss or print corresponding characters upon the record in the watchmans clock, the keys are preferably hardened so that the characters may have as long a life as possible.

As shown in the drawings, 4the cylindrical key-way 38 has a portion thereof cut away, as indicated at 52, in order that the character carried by the key-way may not inutilate or be mutilated by the key-way 38.

As shown, the flange 50 of the key 37 is provided with a hole 50a which, when the key is in. proper position in the framework 32, registers with a lug 501. If the key be inserted into the key-way in the wrong position, or if the wrong key be inserted into the key-way, the lug prevents operation of the cam shaft 35.

1 will now describe the means by which the disk 39 is clamped and driven by the clock spindle, which is illustrated at 53 in Fig. 2. Tae spindle 53 is provided with a pinion 54, as shown. At 55 1 have shown a shaft by means of which the hands of the clock are set. The particular function of this shaft is not important in so far as the present invention is `concerned. At 56 I have illus rated a spur gear which is loosely mounted upon the shaft 55 and which meshes with the pinion 54 carried by the spindle 53. rihis spur gear 56 is provided with a sie ve 57 fitting loosely around the shaft 55. il hollowed-out plate 5S, provided with a suitable aperture through which the shaft and the sleeve 57 extend, serves as a casing for the spur gear 5G and the pinion 54. Loosely mounted upon the sleeve 57 and retained thereon by means of a washer 59 is the driving member 60, which is triangular in form, thus permitting the placing of the disk 39 in but one angular position relative thereto. rhc sleeve 57 is provided with a collar 61 which is to all intents and purposes an integral part of the sleeve. Having one end secured to the collar G1 and the oth u' end engaging the driving member GO is a coiled spring 62 which is disposed around the collar 61. 1t will thus be seen that when the sleeve 57 and collar G1 are rotated the driving member is also driven through the sp ng @f course, the disk 39 is driven with the driving member G0. lf the disk should any reason be held against rotation a short time the disk will not be torn or the clock work disarranged. @wing to the presence of the spring 62, the sleeve 57 can be rotated for some time without dan'mge; if the rotation of the driving member be stopped for a limited time. A pin G3 carried by the collar 61 engages shoulder G4 carried by the driving member whenever the sleeve 57 is one revolil) lution ahead of the driving member, thus preventing the further rotation of the sleeve 57 independently ot the driving member. The disk 39 is retained upon the driving member 6G by means of a clamping member G5, which is provided with projections 65 for engaging the disk within a circle through the outer portions o' the driving member GO. The clamping member is retained upon the driving member G1 by means oi' springs GG disposed in suitable openings in the driving mem er, which tend to hold balls G7 in engagement vith cut-out portions 68 in the clamping member. These balls and springs eliectually retain the clamping member in operative position.

T he clock back 18 is provided with a loop 69 which is adapted to be engaged by a locking lever 70, pivoted to a bracket 71 supported by the clock casing. fis shown in Fig. 3, the lever 70 is shown in its locked position. rfhe disk 39 is disposed `under the bracket 71, as shown. livoted to the bracket 71 and provided with a suitable slot 72 is a plate 73. A spring and plunger indicated at 74 tend to lower the plate 73 iroin. the position shown in Fig. 3. The slot 72 in the plate 73 is so located as to register with an opening` 75 in the bracket 71, in which is disposed a knife or pin 76 pivoted to an arm 77 on the locking` lever 70. llhe pin 76, when the locking lever is in its locked position, is disposed above the disk 89, resting against the bracket 71. A compression spring 78, acting between the arm 77 and the bracket 71, tends to hold the locking lever in its locked position. Projections 69a, with which the loop G9 is provided, bear against the plate 73 when the back 18 is in its closed position, thereby retaining the slot 72 directly over the opening 75 in the bracket 71. A spring 79 tends to open the back 18.

Having bearings in the casing 17, and a suitable bracket 80, is a disk 81 which may be rotated by means of a key inserted in key-hole opening 82. his disk is provided with a cam 83. The disk 81 is provided with a portion 84- which serves to retain the locking lever 70 in its locking position when the disk is in the position shown in Fig. 10. lVhen the disk 81 is turned by means of a key inserted in the key hole opening 82, the cam 83 acts as a wedge between the casing 17 and the upper portion of the locking lever, thereby drawing the locking lever from its locked position. At the same time the knife or pin 7 6 is lowered, making a hole in the disk 39. lVhen the hook, with which the locking lever is provided, has been withdrawn from the loop G9, the hinged back 18 is pushed away from the casing 17 by the spring 7 9. At the same time the plate 73 is lowered by the spring and plunger 74. Vhen the back 18 is again closed the plate 72 is pressed up again in the position shown in ldig. 3. When the disk 81 is then rotated to withdraw the cam 83 from between the locking lever and the casing 17, the compression spring 78 moves the locking lever into its locked position. Thus an indication is made upon the disk 39 for every time the back 18 is opened. Thus, the clock work or any part of the operating mechanism cannot be tampered with without indicating upon the recording disk that the hinged back 18 has been opened.

In Fig. 14 I have shown a modified construction of clock in which the key-hole 38 is formed in a casting 38" secured in the asing 17"L of the 'clock in such a manner that the key-hole extends to the outer end of the cylindrical. portion, extending trom the casing, and thus a positive guide is atforded for the key from the instant that it enters the cylindrical portion and as long as it is in the clock. T his further reduces the danger ot cutting the parts so that the use of the clock would be interfered with.

lVhile I ha ve illustrated my invention in the particular embinliments 'herein shown and described, l do not limit myself to these particular constructions, but desire to claim broadly any equivalent constructions which may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art.

That l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent ot the United States is: l

1. In a watchmans clock, the combination of record receiving means, a recording mechanism comprising a positively actuated member having a yielding pivotal support at one end, and means interposed between the actuating member and record receiving means to limit the movement of said positively actuated member.

2. In a watchmans clock, the combination or' record receiving means, a recording mechanism comprising a positively actuated member for receiving a printing or embossing device, an actuating device positively cngaging one end oi such member, a spring support for the other end otsiwh member, and means interposed between the actuating member' and record receiving means to limit the movement of said positively actuated member.

3. In a watchmans clock, the combination of record receiving means, a recording mechanism comprising a positively actuated member having a yielding pivotal support at one end and being rounded at the other end, and means interposed between the actuating member and record receiving means to limit the movement of said positively actuated member, having rounded portions adapted to co-act with said rounded end of said positively actuated member.

4. In a watchmans clock, the combination 0f a record receiving disk, a key for printing or embossing a character upon such disk, a member adapted to receive and supporting said key normally out of contact with the disk, a cam for positively engaging such member to force the key against the disk, and means interposed between the actuating member and disk to limit the movement of said positively actuated member.

5. in a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting platen, a clamping member adapted to slip over said supporting platen, and spring means carried by the platen adapted to engage the clamping member and retain the same in position.

6. in a device of the class described, the combination of a supporting platen, a clamping member adapted to slip over said supporting platen, a spring and ball carried by the platen engaging the clamping member and adapted to retain the clamping member in position.

7. ln a watchmans clock, a casing, clockwork disposed in the casing Aand spaced therefrom, and a plate of spring metal supporting the clock-work and having portions extending on either side of the clock-work, said portions being secured to the casing.

S. In a watchmans clock, a casing, clockwork disposed in the casing and spaced therefrom, and a plate of spring metal supporting the clock-work and having portions extending on either side of the clock-work, said portions being secured to lugs carried by the casing.

9. A watchmans clock comprising a casing, clock-work disposed in the casing, a supporting frame work for the clock-work, one side of the frame work having one end secured directly to the casing, and the opposite end secured to a plate of spring metal, said plate being in turn secured to the casing.

10. A watchmans clock comprising a casing, clock work disposed in the casing, supporting frame Work for said clock work, one side of said frame work having one end secured to rounded lugs carried by the casing, and the opposite end secured to a plate of spring metal, said plate being in turn secured to the casing.

11. A watchmans clock comprising a casing, a clock-work disposed in the casing, supporting frame-work for said clock-work, one side of said frame-work having one end secured to rounded lugs carried by the oasing, and the opposite end secured to a plate of spring metal, said plate being in turn secured to lugs carried by the casing.

12. In a watchmans clock, the combination of record receiving means, a recording mechanism comprising a framework, and a y positively actuated member having a yielding pivotal support at one end, there being a helical spring interposed between said positively actuated member and said frame- Work.

13. in a watchmans clock, the combination of record receiving means, a recording mechanism comprising a framework, and a positively actuated member having a. yielding pivotal support at one end, there being a spring interposed between said positively actuated member and said framework.

14. ln a watchmans clock, a casing, a hinged back therefor, a lever pivotally oarried by the casing, said lever comprising a locking arm arranged to engage and hold the back in closed position, a recording arm and an operating arm, a recording device carried by the recording arm, means carried by the casing arranged to actuate the operating arm to release the back and operate the recording arm, and a cam carried by the operating arm actuating means arranged positively to retain the locking arm in locked position and the recording arm in inoperative position.

15. 1n a watchmans clock, a casing, a back carried by the casing, a lever pivotally secured to the casing, a recording device carried by the lever, a locking arm carried by the lever, said arm being arranged to hold the back in closed position, an operating arm integral with the locking arm, rotatable means carried by the casing adapted to move the operating arm to cause the recording device and locking arm to operate, and positive and spring means acting to hold the recording device in inoperative position and said locking arm in locked position.

16. in a watchmans clock, a casing, a back carried by the casing, a lever pivotally secured to the casing, a recording device carried by the lever, a locking lever for the back, means carried by the casing arranged to actuate the recording device and locking lever and rotatable means arranged to retain the locking lever in locked position and the recording device in inoperative position.

17. In a watchmans clock, a casing, a back therefor, a locking lever for the back carried by the casing, a recording 'device pivotally carried by the lever,'a disk carried by the casing, two cams carried thereby, one of said cams arranged to actuate said locking lever and recording device, the other of said cams arranged to retain the locking lever in locking position and the recording device in inoperative position.

18. ln a watchmans clock, a casing, a back therefor, a lever carried by the casing, a recording device carried by the lever, a locking arm carried by the lever arranged to engage and hold the back, a disk carried by the casing, two cams carried thereby,

one of said cams arranged to actuate the my name this 5th day of November, A. D. recording` device and locking arm, the other 1912.

of said cams arranged to lie in the path of rotation of the lever When the locking FRANKLIN HARDINGE 5 arm engages the back and the recording de- Vitnesses:

vice is inoperative. LESLIE W. FRICKE,

In Witness whereof, I hereunto Subscribe LEONARD E. BOGUE.

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

Washington, D. C.

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