US1865965A - Time controlled device - Google Patents

Description

July s, 192.2. C1 Rw; Y 1,865,965

TIME CQNTROLLED DEVICE Filed March' 21. 1927 4 sheets-sheet l1 Lrm ma v/07 Julyws, 1932. RUIZ. 1,865,965

TIME GONTROLLED DEVICE kFiled llarch 21. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet -2 July s, 1932. C. RUIZ' 1,865,965

` TIME coN'rRoLLED DEVICE Filed March 21, 1927 4 sheets-sheet 5 July 5, 1932. y C, RUlZ l 1,865,965

TIME CONTROLLED DEVICE Filed March 21, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented July 5, 1932 Unir-ED STATES PATENToFFica CHARLES RUIZ, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.'

'MIME CGEEROLLED DEVICE Application filed taro'n 2i, i927. Serial No. 177,159.

rlliis invention. relates to timecontrolled alarm clock its accuracy is limited to within devices which serve the dual purpose ot' auto about fifteen .minutesu matically cutting 'ofi an electrical. circuit` ln order that the present invention may be after'a predetermined length. of time has better understood in its broader aspects, the elapsed and also to indicate, by means of invention is herein illustrated in three terms. 5j,

y audible alarm or otherwise, that the current in one embodiment of the invention a casing has been interrupted. The presentembodito be secured to the Wall is providedB The ment of the invention, however, is .in the face ofthe casing has indicia representing form of an apparatus which is o Jerative to subdivisions of time which cooperate with a independently operate either with or withmanually settable pointer or hand. The 60 out -the electrical flow which it controls. The pointer in this form of the invention is set device, may therefore be advantageously used by means of a finger Wheel or knob in Afront as a mechanically operated time-controlled of the casing, although the pointer may be alarm and when usedas such the device has set in many other ways without departing many utilities. from the spirit of this invention. Vlhen set- 55 This device is particularly designed for tinta the pointer, a number of different deuse in a modern kitchen and is specially invices are automatically controlled or set tended to control the electrical circuit within the casing. Firstly, a switch which through such machines as electric clothes controls an electrical?y circuit is closed., Secwashers, dish washers, toasters, sadirons ondly, the balance wheel of the time keeping 7G coffee percolators, and many other electrical mechanism is set in motion. During this setdevices new usually found in most American ting operation, a spring controlling the timhomes. The device has many other uses. It ing mechanism and the alarm mechanism may be used for instance to cut od the current is automatically wound up. And finally, in hall lights, or it may be connected with a after setting the pointer for a predetermined 7;, radio set to cut off the power supply. interval of time, the ,time keeping mechanism As a time-controlled alarm, the uses to will gradually return the pointer to its nor- Which the apparatus may be put is also very mal or zero position. When the pointer wide. Itis well known how diiicult it is to reaches its zero position, the alarm. mech- 30 concentrate on either work or pleasure when anism is automatically actuated and the 80 the available time is limited. By means of electrical circuit is automatically cut 0E by thisv device which is easily set, however, the opening the switch. At this time, the alarm alarm may be. prepared to ring at a predeserves to lndicate that thecircuit 1s open, altermined exact time. The alarm may be set thOlllIh 1t My slmply lldlcfit@ that the tlm@ to indicate the time required to boil an egg has elapsed Smc@ the Wwe may ,be Sed S5 or to boil potatoes, since the construction of mdependently 0f the elecmlcfl ucut; the apparatus is such thatl it may be set from one 0f the features .of aus lnvenmfn re one minute to bom three quarters of an lates to the means for automatically vibrating the balance wheel of the escapement dgiilrlelllliiutlildi lergiiagigif; gli mechanism. It is well known that although ou i minute or mltiples fan hour the escapement mechanism of theprdmary i 'H retofore the nearest device to this inclock 1S Se1-f Startmg m theory m actual e practice 1t 1s usually necessary to shake a vention has been the well known alarm clock. dock in ordm. to Se# the balance Wheel in fb But @Wing l0 the many Operations required motion. This is because'due to original bad 95 to vset and wind up an alarm clock its use as adjustment of the mechanism and du@ t0 a lltCllQl'l lltGHSll lS Out Of the question SlnCG gmnmng 0f the parts, the Small amount 0f a woman has seldom the. time or the desire to power at the balance Wheel is usually not go to the trouble of setting an alarm clock. enough to overcome the inertia holding the m Moreover, owing to the construction of the wheel stationary. In this invention, means are provided for positively oscillating the balance wheel while setting the pointer. Said means may include a leaf spring oo ntacting with the periphery of the balance wheel and means for swinging the spring.

upon operation ofthe setting knob.

In the present embodiment of the invenat which time they strike the bell thereby ringing for a short interval the duration of which may be regulated, at will.

The construction of the 'setting mechanismV is such that the pointer is usually moved in its forward direction. The ratchet mechanism controls the return movement of the pointer. Although by experiment it has been found that this system of setting is4 most satisfactory being the quickest and easiest.way, sometimes the pointer may be moved farther than desired. In this case, the pointer may be set to zero by operation of 'a finger piece and the pointer may then be reset .as desired. lVhen releasing the pointerl to restore it to zero the ringing mechanism is utilized as a centrifugal gov ernor which retards the return of the pointer -to its normal position. This will cause the ringing mechanism to operate during movef ment of the pointer in its return movement.

If desired, the device may be made with an'independent'centrifugal brake so that the finger may be released without ringing the bell, although in one form of the invention the apparatus .is illustrated without v any braking mechanism for returning the pointer.

' Otherfeatures and advantages of this invention will hereinafter appear.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 isa plan view of the device showingl the mechanism in its normal position..

The embodiment of the invention shown in this view includes the timing mechanism, the electrical connections to theswitchiand the means for setting the balance Wheel in motion.

. connections thereto.

vFigure 2 is a cross sectional view through the center of'Figure 1 in a vertical plane.'

Figure 3 is a detail showing the switch in its normal or open position and the `electrical Figure 4 is a detail showing the' flexible connection between the pointer and the driving or main shaft.` The pointer shown inv its normal or zero position.

Figure 5 i; plan view showing thel centrifugal` hammers 'foi-,ringing the bell and it is deemed best the means for oscillating the balance wheel in its partly operated position.

Figure 6 is a detail showing the main drivi ing pawl 'in its driving position just before being engaged by the pawl releasing plate.

Figure 7 Ais a view similar to that shown in Figure 4 but shows the pointer in its set position.

Figure 8 shows the switch in .its operated l,

or closedl position, the main'shaft being moved to its set position.

Figure 9 is a view similar to that illus- Figure 14 is a plan view showing 4the driv-V ine' pawl in another form of the invention.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view showino'a form toTigure 14. l v

Figure` 16 is a detail showing one of the switches for controllingeaeh electrical device independently of the main switch.

Figure 17 is a partial lan view of another orm of the invention. Ifn this form the device includes onlythe ringing mechanismthe timing mechanism land the means for vibrating the balance wheel.

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional the center of the mechanism Figure 17.

Figure 19 shows the centrifugal hammers and the driving wheel therefor as shown in the Figures 17 and 18.

Figure 20 is a front View of the device illustrated in the three preceding figures, the face of the apparatus being partly broken away to show some of the mechanism.

of the invention corresponding view through illustrated in Figure'Ql is a cross-sectional view through the center vertical plane of Figure 2 0.

In order that the operation of the devic( herein disclosed, and of ali modifications herein illustrated, may be better understood, to rst describe the form of the invention which embodies broadly all the features to Which claims are directed. -The yother forms of the invention will` therefore, be described onlykin so far as the modification differs fromthe first described form, similar numbers of reference being used throughout the' several views for the various parts in all forms of the mechanism which perform similar functions. ,lt will he further 'understood, as thev specification is read that no form of the invention is herein considered as the forms illustrated are all good and practical for the purpose for which they are intended.

tionby a spring 34 In all forms of the invention, the device includes a tace or dial 30, designed to cooperate with apointer 31 settable by means 'of a knob 32. 1n the forni illustrated in Figures 1t, 2, 3, 4, 5', 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 there is provided a main shaft 33 which carries, fast thereto, the knob 32. The shaft is normaily urged in countenclo'ck-wise direcsecured to the shaft by 35 and is held against rotation` by a pin or u i fast to the upper ptate 37 ci? tif. J nf nanism. When setting the pointe ning 34 is wound up to thereby store up the means ot a p energy to operate all mechanism as will hereinafter appear.

- The pointer is not fast to the shaft but is rotatably mounted thereon by means ot a sleeve 38 (Figure 4) forming' an integrai part of a stop arm 39. This stop arm is arrested by a stud or screw 4() carried by the plate 37 to thereby position the pointer 31, which. is carried by the sleeve 38, in its normal or zero position as shown inFigure 4. The main function of this arrangement is to provideilexibility between the pointer and the main shaftin order that the shat may be rotated a short distance before rotating the pointer so as to permitthe settingof the switch which controls kthe electrical circuit and also to store up energy for ringing the bell at the end of a cycle. Referring to Figure 7 it will be noted that after rotating the main shaft through an angle of about 30 degrees the arm 39 is picked. up ,bya pin 41 carried by an arm 42 fast to the shaft 33.l The pin 41 is held in engagement with arm 39 by means of a spring 43 carrled by the arm 42. Said spring actu ates on an extension 44 of the arm 39.

The switch mechanism Ais yunder the conm t trol of the main shaft 33 and includes an ac 47. The pin vci of screws 58.

tuating plate 45 of insulating material which is carried by the shaft at the end thereof. Said plate is provided with two pins 46 and 46 serves as a means for operatposition shown ing a switch arm 48 from the igure 8. The

in Figure 3 to that shown in karm 48 is pivotally mounted on a stud 43 which is fast to aback plate of insulating material indicated by the numeral 50 (Figure 2). When closing the circuit, the contact is made between the arm 48 and. a pair of parallel plates 51 and 52, and the arm is locked in its operated position by mea-ns of a latch 53 which engages an extension 54 of the arm 48 and'holds the latter against the tension of a spring 55 actuating between another extension of the arm .and a spring stud 56 carried by theback plate 50. The plates 51 and 52 are spaced by a block 57 and are held in place on the back plate 52 by means yany standard construction such The latch 53 isA pivot-ally mounted on a stud 59 carried by the back fr plate 50 and is held in its operated position as shown in Figure 8 by a spring 60 actuating between an extension 61 of said latch 53 and a spring stud 62 carried by the back plate.

As it is desired to time control the duration of the electrical circuit the pointer is slowly returned to its action of a'timing mechanism operated by the spring 35. This mechanism may be of as is found in the ordinary alarm cloclt. As shown in Figures 1 and 2 the mechanism includes a main gear wheel 63 which jforms an integral part of a ratchet wheel 64 which is rotated in a counterclock-wise direction by pawl pivotally mounted on Va stud 66 at the end of an arm 67 carried by the main shaft 33 The pawl 65 is normally heid in the position shown in Figure 1' by a cam plate 68 adjustably mounted on the plate 37. While in this position the pawl does not engage the ratchetwheel 64 but as soon as by rotating the main shaft the paw'l is moved to the position shown in Figure 6, then the back extension 69 clears the cam plate and a spring 70 swings the pawl into engagement with the ratchet-wheel. It is due to this engagement of the pawl and the ratchet-wheel that the gear wheel 63 is set in motion when the knob 32 is released. The speed of the Wheel 63 is controlled by a balance-Wheel 71 which is vibrated. hy a spring 72 to thereby control the speed of the gear wheel 63 by means of an escapement pawl 73 and a train of gears 74, 75 and 76, each having a pinion associ ated therewith.

It is Well known that the ordinary esca ement mechanism such as herein disclose is not self-starting, that is, in order to set the mechanism in motion it is necessary to first vibrate the balance-wheel- In this invention the balance-wheel is automatically vibrated during the time the pointer is set. To this end, there is provided an arm 77 which is pivotally mounted on a shaft 78 and carries at one end thereof a spring 79 secured thereto by means of rivets. This arm 77 is held in the position shown in Figure 1 by means of a spring 81. The arm is provided zero position by the with an extension 82 which strikes a pin 82a I ation of the nia-in shaft to set the pointer, the

pin 83 will swing the arm 77 so as to throw the spring 74 into contact with the periphery 83 engages a one-way fiipper 85 pivotalto its normal ther, the

of the balance wheel 71 to thereby rotate the same a small amount in a counter clockwise direction. As the main shaft is rotated farpin 83 will disengage the ,flipper 85 and the arm 77 will be restored to its normal position to thereby kick the balance wheel in a clockwise direction. This reciprocatingmovement of the balance wheel which is .initiated by the reciprocating action of the arm 77 will be kept up for some time by the spring 72 0f thebalance wheel vso that when the setting knob is therefore released and power is, therefore, applied to the main shaft and to the gear wheel 63, the balance wheel will continue to vibrate to thereby control the timing mechanism. y

In this manner, the main shaft Vand the gears which are operatively connected with the driving pawl will slowly be returned to their normal or zero position.- This slow movement of the main shaft will continue until the extension 69 of the pawl 65 isen.- gaged by anose 89 of the cam plate 68, at which time the'pawl is swung ont ofengagement with the gear 64, as shown in Figure' 9.

Then, the main -shaft is free to rotate quickly' position. It is during this time.

that the bell-ringing mechanism is operated by means of the gear 84 which is carried by the main shaft in a manner to rotate therewith. The gear .8,4 engages a pinion 90 carried by a shaft 91 rotatably mounted on the pla-te 37 and a back plate 92 which also serves as a journal for most of the shafts as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. shaftv91 carries aA disc 93 fast thereto and the disc is provided with centrifugal hammers 94 pivotally mounted on studs 95 fast to the disc. Thus, when the disc is rapidly rotated hy-the action of the Wheel 84 upon disconnecting the main shaft from the timing mechanism', the -hammers will be swung outwardly by centrifugal force and the hammers will strike 'a bell'96 which, in the herein illustrated embodiment of the invention, is carried by the main shaft, the bell being riveted to a hub 97 which carries also the gear 84. It will be understood that although the hammer-carrying disc 9 3 is permanently connected with the main shaft so as to rotate therewith, the speed at which this disc is rotated while the shaft is under the control of the timing mechanism is so slow that the hammers are ine'ective to ring the bell since l the contact with the bell 1s so slow as to be practically noiseless.

In order that the pointer may be moved by hand in a counter-clockwise direction, so as to reset the pointer for a shorter interval, of time, there is provided a depressible finger piece 98 (Figure 2) which protrudes through an opening in the face 30 and `is mounted at the end of a. shaft 99 carrying .the gear 75.- In order to release the main The shaft, that is, to disconnect it from the timing mechanism,

to push the finger piece 98 inwardly against 100 which engages the Vend of the shaft 99 and is carried vby the plate 97 by means of rivets 101. This sliding movement of the4 shaft 99 will, of course, be effective to disconnect' a -plnion 102 from its driving gear.

76, thereby freeing. the. latter and consequently the main shaft which is operatively connected thereto.

In order to control the exact position at which the pawl 65 is disengaged fromithe ratchet wheel-64the cam plate is made adjustable, that is, it may be swung on a pivot screw 103 so as to move the nose 89 of the cam plate. 68 by loosening the screw 40 which passes through a slot 104 in the cani plate. After adjusting the position of the cam' plate the screwY 103 'and the stud 40 are both tightened to thereby holdA the cam plate permanently in place.

In order that the device may be made to co'ntrol a plurality of different devices either simultaneously or independently, the wiring, as shown in the diagramillustratedin Figure 12, includes two entering lead termina-ls 105 l and 100, two outgoing pairs of terminals 107 and 108 anda pair of independently operable switches'109 and 110. Both outgoing terminals and switches associated therewith are in series with the main time controlled switch which is indicated in the diagram by the' numerals 48 and 51.I The diagramis self explanatory. Each of the switches 109 and 110 is provided with depressible buttons 111 and 112 which are preferably marked On and Off as shown in Figure 13.

The stopping position of the pointer 31 is determined by the stud 40 and may be adjusted by setting the pointer to .correspond with -the zero stopping position of the main shaft is also adjustable in order that the duration of the ring may is provided an arm or finger 113 which is secured to the plate 37 by means of a screw 114. By loosening said screw the stop finger may be swung to a suitable position to thereby arrest the arm 67, as shown in Figure A l l .block 115 'is provided for each spacing stud 116 which hold the plates properly spaced. The blocks are secured to the plates by means Figure 105 l mark on thcndial. The

be controlled. T o this end, there of screws 117 and in order that theupper i plate 37 may be easily removed, -the same is According to one pointer 31 is not shaft but is fast 15. pears to considerably simplify vthe, device..

form of the invention, the loosely mounted on the main securedto the studs 116 by means of screws thereto as shown in Figure This embodiment 'ofthe inventionap- The main, shaft carries also fast thereto, an arm 119 which is arrested in its normal position by a stud 120 which is fast to the up er plate 121 which corresponds to the plate 3 in the other form of the invention. The arm 119 is provided with a pawl 122 pivotally mounted on a stud'123 carried by the arm. As shown in Figure 14, the pawl is held in engagement with a ratchet 124 by means of a hair spring actuating between the arm and an extension 125 of the pawl 122. By means of this novel arrangement the pointer is set y simply rotating the knob 32 in aclock Wise direction to thereby set the pointer on the desired indication onthe dial. The timing mechanism and theswitch mechanism is common to both forms of the invention hereinbefore described and these parts are similarly numbered.

ln this lastdescribed form ofthe invention, means are also rovided for audibly indicating `that the circuit has been opened after a predetermined time. This mechanism,l however, is somewhat different, and is controlled by the switch arm 48 whichfis provided with a hammer 126 connected to the arm by a flexible wire 127. As is plainly ilinstrated in Figure, the hammer 126 strikes a heli 128 upon releasing the arm 48 to open the switch. The bell, in this form of the invention, is carried by a stud 129 mounted on bacirplate 50. It will be understood that although the last mentioned bell striking mechanism is shown in Figure 8 the same is intended for use only in connection with the form of the invention illustrated in Figures 14 and 15.

1n order to prevent the slow opening of the switch which would result if the setting knob was released prior to completely closing the switch, there is provided a full stroke device which includes a sector 130 (Figures 2 and 3) carried by the main shaft and a pawl v131 designed to rengage minute teeth cut on the periphery of the sector. The pawl is pvotally mounted on a stud 132 and is actuated by a spring 133 which normally holds it in the position shown in Figure 3.

The form of the invention embodied in Figures 17, 18, 19,- 2() and 21 includes the timing mechanism and the alarm but is unprovided with the electrical-switch found in the other forms of the invention. This den vice is portable and is enclosed in a casing 134 made in the form of a shell having a front wall 135 serving as a face or dial 136 provided lwith time indicating numerals. This device is provided with a main shaft 137 and a pointer 138 operatively connected with the shaft by means of the mechanism illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9. This mechanism is identified by the same numbers of reference which represent similar parts in the other form of the invention.

A similar timing `mechanism is mounted between two plates 139 and 140. This mech anism is illustrated in Figure 19 in which it will be seen that a balance wheel 141 is vibrated by a spring 142 and is operatively connected to the gear 63 by a train of gears 143, 144, and 145. The gear 143 is connected with thebalance wheel by an intervening escapement pawl 146. ciated pinion carried by the same shafts upon which the gears are mounted. The numerals on these pinions correspond to the numerals of the gears associated therewith. The plates 139 and 149 which carry the timing mechanism therebetween are spaced by shafts 147 and are secured to the casing by means of shafts 148 and screws 149.

The bell .ringing mechanism illustrated in this form of the invention includes a. driving gear 150 carried by the main shaft and a pinion 151 meshing with the gear and mounted on a shaft 152 journaled in the plates 139 and 146. The shaft carries at the end thereof a disc 153 which is provided with centrifugally operated hammers 154 pivotally mounted thereon by means of studs 155. The hammers strike a bell 156 secured to the end of the main shaft by a nut 157. 1n order to prevent rotation of the hammers when setting the pointer, the gear 150 is loose on the shaft 137 and is driven by means of a ratchet wheel 158 which is engaged by a pawl 159 pivotally mounted on the gear 150 and heid in engagement with the ratchet wheei by means of a spring 160, also carried bythe gear 150. The alarm in this form of the invention is operated Each gear engages an assoby a spring 161 wound around the shaft 137 and having its inner end secured to a lstud 162 on the shaft and its outer end secured to a stud 163 carried by the plate 140.

The pointer may be set, in this form of the invention, either by means of a knob 164 which is fast to the main shaft, at the front end thereof, or by operating the bell 156 which is also carried by the main shaft. The'main shaft ,protrudes through a hole in the center of glass 165 which protects the pointer 138 and also the face or dial y136. The glass is mounted by means of a spacing ring 166 and a frame 167 driven on the casing 134.

Since the pointer can only be moved in a clock-wise direction by means of the knob 164 and since it is sometimes desired to reset the pointeror to bringit backito its zero position,

means are provided for releasing the pointer' by simply depressing a finger piece 1'67a. The finger piece is formed at the end of a link 168 which protrudes through a hole in the casing 134. The lowermost end of the actuat-ing between the end'of the bell-crankl and a Cotter-pin carried by the plate 140. The gear 63 isreturned by a spring 174.

In this form of the invention, means are 'also provided for positively setting'the balance wheel in motion while setting .the4

pointer. These means may include an arm 175 pivotally mounted on a' stud 176 and oseillated by a finger 177 carried by the main shaft. The finger engages a projection 178 of the arm 178 while setting the pointer and when the finger disengages the extension the i which is oscillated therewith.

arm 178 is returned to its normal position by means of a spring 17 9..carried by a stud 180 to thereby vibrate the arm 175 which is provided with a spring or plate 181 designed to engage the periphery of the balance wheel Variations may b e resorted to within the scope of the invention, and portions of the im rovements may be used without others.

aving thus described my invention, I claim: v

1. In a time-controlled device, the combination with a clock mechanism having a pinion, a clock face having a zero pointy and graduations representing periods of time, and a pointer normally disposed at' said Zero position and movable therefrom to any of said graduations, of a coiled spring, a shaft arranged for winding up said spring, a gear wheel mounted loosely on aid shaft and meshing with said pinion, a ratchet-wheel mounted loosely on said shaft to be driven in the opposite direction to the movement of said shaft in winding said spring and fastened to said gear wheel, an arm fast on said shaft, a drive pawl pivoted on said arm and operatively engaging said ratchet wheel, said pointer being connected to said shaft so that the latter is rotated to wind said springwhen turning said pointer is moved to one of said graduations, said shaft being subsequently rotated in the opposite direction by the unwinding of said spring when said pointer is released, said subsequent rotation being controlled by said mechanism and being effective for resaid pointer slowly to said zero position, a ell operatively connected to said shaft to be rung when the latter is rapidly rotated',

'and means for disconnecting said Vpawl from said ratchet wheel when said,-pointer is returnedto zero positionA so that said shaft may be freed from control of said clock mechanism, whereupon it will rotate rapidly 'under action of said spring and ring said bell.

2, The structure defined in claim 1, characterized by a rear extension on said pawl', a cam plate positioned for being engaged by said pawl extension just as said pointer is returned to said zero position to swing the forward, driving end Vof said pawl free of said ratchet wheel.

3. In a time-controlled device, in combination, a coiled s ring, a'shaft arrangedfor winding up sai spring, a pointer having a- 'lost-motion-conne'ction with said shaft and being normally disposed in a zero position,

and movable therefrom to a position representinga period of time, said lost motion connection permitting said shaft to be initial- 4ly moved without affecting said pointer, a

of said pointer to said zero position, a gong,

hammers revolubly mounted and made effec- -tive by centrifugal forcefor striking said gong when revolvedv rapidly, 'and an operative connection between said shaft and said hammers for revolving the latter.

4. In a device ofthe class described, an instrumentality normally set in a zero position and movable to a. position representing a predetermined periodof elapsed time,'a helical spring partly wound and arranged to be further wound by movement of said instrumentality forward from said zero. position, said spring being effective to urge said instrumentality back toward said zero position, a time-controlled mechanism operatively connected to said spring and effec-tive to control the movement of the instrumentality back to said zero position, normallyV ineffective means for producing an audible signal, a connection between said spring and said signal means arranged for operating the latter when said spring is unwound rapidly, and means for releasing said spring from control of said time-controlled mechanism upon return of said instrumentality to said zero position, the entire power of said spring belng thereafter effective to actuate said signal means.

5. The structure described in claim 4 characterized by means .limiting the operation of said signal meansto a predetermined period of time.

6. Ina device of the class described, a` clock face having graduations representing periods of elapsed time, a pointer normally disposed at the zero point of said clock face and manually movable over said face to be set at a`graduation representing a period of predetermined elapsed time, a shaft on4 which said pointer is fastened, a helical spring fastened to lsaid shaft and coiled thereabout with initial tension, said spring tion, the revolution of said hammers upon' lolubly-mounted hammers which when revolved rapidly are effective by centrifugal force for striking said go1ig,-a gear train connection between said hammers and said shaft, a time-controlled mechanism opera-- tively connected to said shaft andk effective for controlling the reverse rotation of the latter as said pointer is returned to vzero posimanual setting movement of said pointer, and upon the return movement of the same under control of said time-controlled mechanism being too slow to cause said hammers to strike said gong, and means effective for releasing said shaft from control of said timecontrolled mechanism upon return of said pointer to said zero position, said spring rotatingr said shaft rapidly upon release of the latter whereby said hammers are revolved ra idly enough to strike said gong.

g. In a device of the class described, in combination, a shaft, a coiled spring fastened to said shaft so as to be wound up when said shaft is rotatedin one direction, a time controlled mechanism, an operative connection between said mechanism and said shaft for controlling thereverse rotation of the latter by action of the wound spring, a pointer normally setin a zero position and movable lt0 a position indicating a period. of lapsed time, manually operable means for rotating said shaft and winding said spring, a lost motion connection between said shaft and said pointer effective to move said pointer in the direction of the rotation of said 'shaft and to return said pointer u on reverse rotation of said shaft by sai spring, a stop for arresting said pointer in said zero position, means for producing an audible signal operatively connected to said shaft, said signal means being ineffective when said shaft is rotating under control of said time controlled mechanism, means for releasinglsaid shaft from control of said time controlled mechanism upon return of said pointer to said zero position, said lost motion connection permitting said shaft to be rotated by said spring a small amount after said pointer is arrested by said stop, the last mentioned rotation of said shaft being effective to voperate said signal means.

8. The structure described in claim 7 characterized by means cooperating with said shaft whereby it may be stopped in a plurality of positions, when reversely rotate'd, after said pointer has been returned tov its zero position, said last `named means including, in combination, an adJustable stop for said shaft, and said lost motion connection having a resilient member whereby it may yield to the reverse rotation of said shaft.

9. In a device of the class described, an instrumentality movable from a zero position to a position representing a predetermined period of elapsed time, a partlywound spring, an operative connection between said` instrumentality and said spring effective for further winding the latter upon movement of saidinstrumentality toward the elapsed time position and for urging'said instrumentality toward said zero position upon the unwinding of said spring, a time-controlled mechanism, an operative connection between said mechanism and said spring'eifective to control tlie unwindingr of the latter and themovement of said instrumentality toward said zero position, means for arresting said instrumentality in said zero position and means actuated by said spring to make the same effective-for unwinding further after said instrumentality has been arrested in said zero position.

10. In a device of the class described, an

instrumentality movable from a4 zero position to a position representing a predetermined period of elapsed time, a partly wound spring, an operative connection between said instrumentality and said spring eiiective for further winding the latter upon movement of said instrumentality toward the elapsed time position and for urging said instrumentality toward zero position upon the unwinding of said spring, a time controlled mechanism, an operative connection between said mechanism and said spring effective to control the unwinding of the latter and the movement of said instrumentality toward' said zero position means for arresting said instrumentality in said zero position, and means altering the connections of said spring to make it effective for further unwinding after said instrumentality has been arrested in said zero position.

11. The structure described in claim` 10` characterized by said last named means including an instrumentality for releasing the connection of said time controlled mechanism with said spring.

12. The structure described in claim 10 characterized by the connection between the spring and the movable instrumentality including means for retaining said instrumentality at said zero position while said spring is being wound prior to the initial movement of said instrumentality away :trom said zero position.

13. In a device of the class described, an

instrumentality movable from a zero position to a. position representing a predetermined period of elapsed time, a partly wound spring, an operative connection between said instrumentality and said spring for further winding the latter upon movement of said instrumentality toward the elapsed time position, said connection being effective to urge said instrumentality toward said zero posi- I *"8 u y 1,865,965

tion upon the unwinding of said spring, a time controlled 'mechanism operatively. connectedto said spring and effective to control the unwinding ofthe same and the move- 5 mentof said instrumentality toward said -zero position, means 'for arrestingsaid instrumentality' in said zero position, and means for releasing the operative connections of said time controlled mechanism and said in- 10 strumentality to said spring upon return of said instrumentality to.-said zero-position Wherebyesaid spring is free to further un- Wind and perform additional work.

14. The structure described in claim 13 15 characterized by the connection between thev spring and the instrumentality including means for retaining said instrumentality at said zero position While lsaid springis being partly Wound prior tothe initial movement 23 of said instrumentality away from said zero position. p

-In testimony whereof, I aix my signature. CHAS. RUIZ.

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