US1677790A - Alarm clock - Google Patents

Description

July 17, 1928. 1,677,790

W. F. M KIN LEY A ARM CLOCK Filed Sept. 22, 192: s Sheets-Sheet 1 11v VENTORF" iii,

A TTORNE YS WITNESSES July 17, 1928. 1 1,677,790

. w. F. MOKINLEY ALARM CLOCK Fil p 22. 1923 5-Sheets--Sheet 5 INVENTOR W "M Y fg/W Wi A TTORNE YS July 17, 1928.

W. F. M KINLEY ALARM CLOCK Filed Sept. 22, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 NHIIIIIIIII IN V EN TOR firm/wa ATTORNEYS July 17,1928. 1,677,790

W. F. M KINLEY ALARM CLOCK Filed Sept. 22, 1925 5 Sheets-She et 5 INVENTOR j ATTORNEYS WITNESSES Patented July 17, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATEN i oF ic WILLIAM FRANK MCKINLEY, OF LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS.

ALARM CLOCK.

Application filed September 22, 1923. Serial No. 664,267.

A further object of the invention is to provide an alarm clocl: which is constructed in such a mannerthat a watch maker can. at

will make repairs when needed.

A further object of the invent-ion is to provide an alarm clock in whichthe important working parts are made with great precision and are made readily separable not only for the purpose of providing an accurate time piece but also permitting replacement and repairs so that the period of usefulness of the clock may be prolonged beyond the period of use through which ordinary alarm clocks are expected to last.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l is a perspective view illustrating the improved clock.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the clock-.

work frameremoved from the case and laid face down.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the clock taken substantially onthe. line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail enlarged section of a portion of the details relating largely to the setting mechanism.

Figure 5 is a'plan View of the escapement.

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 5. V I

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the balance staff. 1

Figures 8 and 9 are perspective Views of the jewels in which the staff has bearing.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the sleeve which is carried by the staff.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the nut by means of which the staff is bound on the sleeve.

Figure '12 is a perspective view of the shoulder collar carried by the sleeve.

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the roller table.

the clockworks in Figure 3,

Figure 14 is a cross section looking toward the front and taken on the line 14-44 of Figure 3.

Figure 15 is a cross section taken on the line 1515 of Figure 3.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing the setting mechanism in the normal or alarm setting position.

'Figure 17 is a similar view showing said mechanism in the clock setting position, the

stem being pulled out for the purpose.

Figure 18 is detail cross section taken on the line 18--i8 of Figure 16.

Figure 19 is a similar view taken on the line 1919 of Figure'lG.

Figure 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the hour and minute hand driving gear train.

Figure 21 is a detail view of the alarm escapement mechanism.

Figure 22 is a detail perspective view of parts shown in Figure 21 and also showing how the alarm escapement mechanism receives its driving motion, and

Figure 23 is a detail cross section taken on the line 2323 of Figure 3.

The clock case has the appearance generally as illustrated in Figure 1. The front 1 is screwed in place and for this purpose is provided with a flange 2 (Figures 3 and 4) which has internal threads 3 to engage threads on a flange 4 suitably made on the encircling bell 5 of the clock. If it be so desired. the alarm clock may have a bell onthe back according to a well known'construction. p

The stem 6 passes through a head 7 on top of the bell 5 and carries a crown 8 which serves the only purpose of a sufiicient hold on'the stem in pulling it out, turning it or pushing it back in setting operations. The

' stem and crown are pulled out to'set the clock and remain in (as shown in Figure 1) to set the alarm. A bow 9, suitably fastened to the head 7, not only provides a means by which the clock may be carried but also enhances the appearancethereof. In screwing the front 1 in place the glass 10 is forced against a supporting ring 11. The dial 12 of the clock is to be made of silvered metal, the numerals 13 being luminous in the dark. This is also true of the hour and minute hands 14 and 15 and of the alarm setting hand 16.

The clockwork or movement is earried by a front plate 17 and a rear plate which is composed of sections 13, 19 and 20 (Fig. 2). These plates are spaced apart by posts 21.- The front plate is providec either with a number of down-turned lugs or 'a cone plete sleeve 22 (Figs. 3 and 4) which terminates in a flange 23. It is to this flange that the dial 12 is secured by a suitable number of screws 24. Other and similarscrews (Fig. 14) pass through both the flange and the dial into the depcndlng part of the bell 5 to thereby hold the clockwork within the case. Upon removal of the latter screws the clockwork may be taken out.

Upon removal of the screws 24 the d al 12 may be separated from the front plate 17. The clock case has a back 26 which is attached in any desired manner but preferably by means of a hinge 27 (Flgsl) with a suitable catch at the other side. Openlng of the back 26 permits access to the clockwork for a casual inspection and oiling of the visible bearings. Removal'of the screws 28 (Fig. 2) which hold the various back plate sections to the posts 21 permits access to corresponding regions of the clockwork. It is not necessary to take the entire clock apart in order to reach a certain part. The

sectional back plate is designed to permit the watch makertoundo only such part of the clock which is suspected of-being defective, and it is not necessary to disarrange the entire works in order to make repairs in perhaps some minor part.

The clock gear train is shown in Figures 14 and 20. This gear train distinguishes from, the alarm gear train by' being the means through which the hour and minute hands are propelled to mark the passageof time. The barrel 29 which houses the main spring 30 (Fig. 20) carries a gear 31 which meshes with and drives a pinion 32 on the center wheel 33. This pinion and gear are fixed on the center post 34 which carries the minute hand 15 mentioned before. The

ends of the spring 30 are respectively attached to a part of the barrel 29 and to the spring stem 35 which projects back out of the casing and is intended to receive the customary winding key.

The driving power of the main spring is imparted by the center wheel. 33 to the pinion 36 of the second wheel 37 thence to the pinion 38 of the third wheel 39, finally reaching the escapement wheel 40 which is driven from the third wheel 39 by the pinion 41. The second wheel 37 does not mesh with the pinion 32, as it might appear. because the wheel 37 is in a plane above said-pinion. Neither does the third wheel 39 mesh with the pmion 36 because'the wheel 39 is in a plane above said pinion.

Control of the escapement wheel 40 is ac complished by the fork 42 which oscillates in its pivotal bearings 43 and 44 (Fig. 6)

revaveo the oscillation of the fork in turn, being controlled by the balance wheel 45. Accordlng to usual constructions, the balance wheel 45 and its mounting would be made of substantially one piece so that the damaging of either the staff 47 or the wheel would require the replacement of the whole structure. Accordingto the invention the balance wheel and its mountingconstitute a number of parts, any one of which may be replaced without discarding the other part.

A sleeve 46 carried by the staff 47 supports the balance wheel 45 through a collar and shoulder 48. The sleeve 46 is tightly held in place on the staff 47 between an abutment 49 and a jam nut 50 which is screwed down on threads 51 on the staff. By removing the nut 50 the staff 47 may be separated from the sleeve 46.

Mounted on the sleeve v46 is the roller table 52 carrying the roller jewel. 53 which operates in the-bifurcated end 54 of the escapement fork 42. The sleeve 46 carries a disk 55 to which one end of the hair spring 56 is attached. The other end of the hair spring is attached to the depending pin 57 of the balance bridge regulating arm 58. It is by moving this regulator back and forth (Fig. 14) that variations in the speed of the balance wheel are obtained. The staff is journaled in upper and lower jewels 59 and 60.

Carried by the center post 34' and situated atflthe front of the front plate 17 is a canon pinion 61 (Figs. 3, 4 and 20) which meshes with and drives the minute wheel :62 in the direction shown. The minute wheel carries a pinion 63 which meshes with and drives the hour wheel 64. Fastened' to the hour wheel in any suitable manner is the.

alarm release gear 65. This gear drives the V and the shouldered end 61 thereof carries the minute hand 15. The reader can follow the directions of rotation "of the various gears by referring to Figure 20. The arrows on the hour and minute handsindicate a counter-clockwise direction of movement, but the reader should bear in mind that he is looking from the rear to the front. If it were possible to change positions in Figure 20 the hour and minute hands would move in a clockwise direction. The gearing issuch that both the minute and hour hands move at a relative rate of speed to properly indicate the passage of the minutes and hours on the dial of the clock. The gearing shown is intended asbeing largely illustrative, no attempt having been made to set down the correct ratios. r

The alarm gear train comprises the barrel 68 (Fig. 14:) carried by a gear 69 and con taining a spring similar to the main spring 30 but not shown; This'spring is adapted to be wound by the stem 70 which projects through the back 26 and is adapted to receive the usual winding key. The gear 69 meshes with the pinion 71 of the second gear 72, this gear being adapted 'to drive the escapement wheel 73 through the pinion 74 when the alarm mechanism is released. When permitted to do so the 'escapeme'nt disk 7 3 causes the oscillation of the double mer 7 6 will strike against the inside of the bell 5 and thus sdund the alarm.

A shaft 77 carries both the pawl and the rod 78 to w'hich the ha'mn'ie'r is aiiixed. It also carries the release rod 79 which extends into position against a lug 80 at one side of the release spring 81 (Figs. 21 and 22). As long as the spring 81 remains in the position. shown the lug 180' on being in the path of the release rod 79 will prevent oscillation of the pawl 75. However, should the spring 81 be permitted to move in the direction of the arrow A in Figure 22 the lug 8O willpass to one s ide of the path of movement of the rod 79 so that the oscillation of the pawl is permitted and the alarm will sound as stated,- I r Mention is made above of the secondary alarm'release gear 66 being driven by the alarinrelease gear 65.. .The former gear is carried by a sleeve 82 (Figs. i and 22) which is loose on the alarm setting shaft 83. This shaft carries a pointer 16 which is movable over the scale 85 (Fig. 1) of the dial. The exposed end of the shaft is reduced and threaded 'at 83 so that the pointer 16 may be screwed in place. The sleeve 82.carries a disk 86 with a clutch finger 87. This finger is adapted to enter an opening 88 in a complementary disk "89 when the gear 66 has carried 'the disk 86 around far enough to permit the spring 81 to cause this operation.

The spring 81 presses forward on the hub 90 which the disk 891s carried. This hub is slotted at 91 so as tomake room for the pin 92 which isearried by the shaft 83. In setting the alarm pointer 16 to a given hour of release the consequent turning of the shaft 83 will cause the disk 89 to move with it through the pin and slot connection. It then becomes necessary for the clutch finger 87 to turn until it reaches the opening 88 whereby the tension of the spring 81 moves the hub 90 to the right permitting the departure of the lug 80 from the path of the pawl 7 5, (Figs. 14 and 21) so that the hamrod 79 and providing the necessary freedom of the pawl 75 for the operation'of the hammer 7 6.

It is to be observed that the sleeve 82 passes through the back plate 17 (Figs. 3, 4 and 18), the gear 66 being on one side and clutch disks on the other. In order that the shaft 83 as well as the sleeve 82 may have adequate bearing, provision is made of a bracket 8 1 which is affixed to the front plate in any suitable manner. The setting-shaft 83 must be turned in order to move the pointer 16 around the scale 85 yet should not be too loose. In order that the freedom of motion of the shaft 83 maybe adjusted use is made of a bracket 93 (Figs. 3 and 23) through which the shaft passes on its way 'to the bearing in the back plate section 20-. The bracket is secured to said section, and

at its opposite end is slitat 94 (Fig. 23)

so that when the screws 95 are turned in or out the clamping action on the shaft 83 is adjusted accordingly.

The intermittent ringing mechanism comprises a star Wheel 118 (Figs. 1 1 and 22) which is carried by a shaft 119, in turn driven by a pinion 120 which meshes with the center wheel 33. The motion of the shaft 119 and consequently of the wheel. 118 is continuous. 122 is adapted to occupy thespaces between the teeth of the star wheel. This rod is carried by the hammer shaft 77, and "as long as the bent end 121 occupies one of the spaces the hammer shaft'is free toose'illate so that the hammer 76 may strike thebell.

This statement presuppose'sithe' condition under which the alarm mechanism is'in operation. As soon as the star wheel 118 has turned sufficiently far to bring one of the teeth under the bent end, the shaft 77 will be stopped from oscillation until the teeth have moved far enough to again raise the bent end. This alternate interference with the rod '122 causes the intermittent operation of the alarm mechanism.

In order that the clock may be at for The bent end 121 of a rod ice continuous ringing, provision is made of a blade 123 which extends to a place outside of the clock. This blade terminates in a washer 124 22) which "occupies a place on the hub 1 25 of the starwl'ie'el. A pin 126 passes through the hub and also through a slot 127 111 the shaft 119. The washer 12 bears against the pin'and 'the star wheel 118 in moving the latter back and forth on the shaft 119. Upon pulling the leaf 123 out the star wheel 118 is carried beyond the range of the bent end 121 and'thereforeeontinuous operation of the shaft 77 will re sult when the alarm mechanism is set in operation. The pin. and slot connections 126 and 127 both permit the sliding of the star wheel on the shaft 119 and cause the star Wheel to turn with the shaft.

p The setting mechanism is adapted to set both the alarm pointer 16 and the hands of the clock. It comprises the stem 6, mentioned before, which has a non-circular part 96 (Figs. 4 and 15) extending through the sleeve 97 of the setting pinion 98 into engagement with the dog 99 16). Carried by a bearing plate 100 are the sun gear 101 and the planetary gears 102 and 103. The shaft 104 of the latter extends through the front plate 17 (because the three gears mentioned are located between the front plate and the dial) so that it may be en gaged bythe heel 105 of the dog 99.

This dog is pivoted at 106, and theengagement of the spring 107 with a pin 108 on the dog causes a perpetual pressure in the direction of the arrow B (Fig. 16) and a consequent tendency to rock the plate 100 in a counter-clockwise direction. This however, is prevented by the normal engagement of the extension 96 with the dog 99.

A spring 109 holds the stem 6 in either of two positions. For this purpose the end of the spring is suitably bent to engage either of a pair of grooves 110 and111. Normally the spring 109 rests in the groove 110 and consequently holds the stem and dog 99 in the depressed positions. To permit the rocking of the dog 99 it is necessary to pull the stem 6 out'until the spring rests in the groove 111. The first position (Fig. 16) permits the setting of the alarmpointer 16. The second position (Fig. 17) permits the setting of the clock hands.

Take the normal position of the setting gearing in Figure 16. The planetary gear 102 meshes with a pinion 112 at the front of the front plate 17 (Fig/19). This pinion is carried by a counter-shaft 113 which extends to the back plate of the clockwork and carries a similar gear 114 which meshes with a larger gear 115 on the alarm setting shaft 83. The reader can readily see that the motion of turning the crown 8 will be transmitted through the stem 6, pinion 98, sun gear 101, planetary gear 102, gears 112 and 114 through the gear 115 ultimately turning the setting shaft 83 and moving the pointer 16 in one or the other direction, depending on how the crownv 8 is being turned.

To set the clock hands, pull the stem 6 out. The spring 107 then rocks the dog 99 intothe position in Figure 17, the heel 105 depressing the shaft 104 until the trio of gears assumes the changedposition. The planetary gear 102 is now disengaged from the gear, 112, and the planetary gear 103 has engaged the minute wheel 62. Upon now turning the crown 8 the motion will be transmitted by wheel 62 and pinion 63 to the pinion 61 and hour wheel 64 (Fig. 20) on the minute shaft and hour sleeve respectively, the minute hand turning faster than the hour hand on account of the various sizes of the engaging wheels, The manual turning of the minute shaft 34 is done either with or against the main spring 30, the re sistance of the latter being not great enough to resist this effort. V

The operation may be briefly reviewed to advantage. The clock gear train commences at the gear 31 of the spring barrel 29 (Fig. 14) and extends through to the escapement wheel 40 which is driven by the pinion 41. The escapement wheel 40 operates with the customary intermittent motion, this being controlled by the fork 42 and balance wheel 45. The main spring 30 (Fig. 20) is wound by a suitable key on the stem 35.

The alarm gear train begins at the gear 69 of the spring barrel 68, extending through to the escapement disk 73. This disk is nor mally held still by the double pawl 7 5, and it is not until the spring 81 is permitted to press forward on the hub 90 of the clutch disk 89 (F ig. 22) that the lug 80 can move out of the way of the release rod 79 and permit the disk 73 to oscillate the pawl 75. This oscillation moves the hammer 76 back and forth againstthe bell 5to produce the alarm.

It is only necessary to turn the crown 8 in order to set the alarm hand 16 at the place on the scale 85 (Fig. 1) at which it is desired that the alarm shall go off. This turning of the crown imparts motion to the setting shaft 83 through gears 98, 101, 102, 112, 114 and 115. The turning of the shaft 83 places the opening 88 in a selected radial position.

In the operation of the clockwork driving motion is imparted to thegear 66 by the alarm release gear (Fig. 22), and inasmuch as the sleeve 86 and clutch finger 87 are carried by the sleeve 82 of the gear 66 the finger is gradually advanced toward the opening 88 regardless of where the aforesaid selected position may be. As soon as this position is reached the pressure of the spring 81 against the hub 90 will force the disk 89 upon the disk 86, thereby making room for the movement of the rod 79 by virtue of the displacement of the lug 80.

In order to stop the alarm when desired provision is made of a conventional lever 116 (Figs. 1 and 14) which is pivoted at 117 inside of the case in such a manner that the inner end will move against and prevent the vibration of the rod 78 when operated from the outside. It is desired to say that the entire alarming mechanism may be omitted from the clock and use he made of the time marking mechanism only, such use relating to the various ways that a clock is ordinarily used.

While the construction and arrangement of the improved alarm clock as herein described and claimed is that of a generally preferred form, obviously modifications and able gears adapted changes may be made Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim z- 1. A clock having hour and minute hands, an alarm setting pointer, and setting mechanism comprising gearing adapted to turn the hour and minute hands, gearing adapted to turn the pointer, an arrangement of movto be shifted to operate either one or the other of the gearings, and a stem adapted to be pulled out for the setting of the hour and minute hands and pushed back for the setting of the alarm pointer.

2. A clock having an alarm setting shaft, gearing by Which said shaft may be turned to a set position, a clutch hub rotatably and slidably mounted on the shaft having a disk ith an opening, a sleeve carried by the shaft having a driven gear and a complementary clutch disk with a finger traversing the first disk as saidgear is rotated, and a spring bearing against the clutch hub to press said disk toward the complementary clutch disk, said spring having a ing, and alarmoperating mechanism including a release rod in the path of which said lug is located, said lug releasing said rod for operation when said finger reaches the opening permitting the spring to move laterally of said rod.

3. A clock having an alarm setting shaft, means by which said shaft may be turned in a setting operation, a bracket having a split portion through which said shaft passes, and binding means passing through said split portion adapted to adjust the clamping action on said shaft. I

WILLIAM FRANK MQKINLEY.

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