US1874028A

US1874028A - Time controlled switch

Info

Publication number: US1874028A
Application number: US536992A
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward T Condon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1931-05-13
Filing date: 1931-05-13
Publication date: 1932-08-30
Anticipated expiration: 1949-08-30

Description

Aug. 30, 1932. E CQNDQN 1,874,028

TIME CCNTROLLED SWITCH Filed May 15, 1931 (5 Sheets-Sheet 1 IINVENTQR E 0 wA/w 7." (a/v00 ATTORNEY Aug. 30, 1932. E. T. CONDON TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed May 15, 1931 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWARD fCan/po/vv ATTORNEY BY I Aug. 30, 1932. E. T. CONDON TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed May 13, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR [on M0 fCo/vao/v BY I 92 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 30, 1932 EDWARD '1. .CONIDON,

PATENT OFFICE OF NEW YORK, 'N. Y.

TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH Application filed May 13,

The invention relates to an attachment for clocks, either of the spring or electrically driven type. It has for an object to provide means which may readily associated with standard clock mechanisms and whereby,

- through the alarm train thereof, an'electriif desired, after effecting the cal circuit may be either opened or closed by a single switch associated with said train,

the arrangement being such'that either the i on or off position may be selected by conveniently shifting the external connections as through the insertion of a pair of prongs of a suitable plug into one or the other pair of terminals ofa duplex socket. A further object of'the invention resides in the provision of means wherebythe' operation of'the alarm may be automatically discontinued,

switching operation.

:In carrying out the invention, more par-. ticularly. in connection with. the spring-operated'type of alarm clock,'there1is .arranged ito'besecured to the back-of the clock cas- .and driven: from the ingv an electric switch: member in permanent engagement with'one arm of a lever Whose opposite arm is designed for engagement with a rotating element,:as the alarm wind, 'alarm'train when the latter is released. A further arm isarranged to be movably'mounted with. respect to the said lever for 'adjustmentto aposition to interfere with'the free rotation of said r0 tating element and arrest. the further operation of the alarm train after the lever has been swung to a positionfor operating'the switch.

'In the electrically operated type of clock, the switch-throwing mechanism may be located betweenthe clock mechanismretaining plates for association with the alarm train ofsaid mechanism.

In both embodiments, external electrical connection is had through means which will admit of selecting either anormally closed circuit or a normally open circuit for control by the switch, respectively to open thereby the former circuit and'to close the latter. Thus, a readily accessible duplex socket may in thefdifi'erent positions a 1931. ,Serial N0. 536,992.

suitable plug member for introducing the circuit to be opened or closed by the switching mechanism.

The nature of the invention, however, will best be understood when described in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: i

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of the novel mechanism as attached to the rear of a springoperated alarm clock. 00

Figs. 2 and 3 are fragmentary elevations of the attachment, the former illustrating the switch mechanism in the thrown or active position of its switch, and the latter figure illustrating the position of the alarmo5 checking member for arresting rotation of the alarm mechanism after the switch has been thrown thereby.

F 1g. 4 is a vertical section taken on the line Fig. 3 of the drawings, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary front elevation of the duplex socket portion and associated switch, wit-h enclosing casing removed; and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary rear elevation thereof.

Figs. 7 and 8 are electrical diagrams illustrating the circuit arrangements for eflecting control by the switch for interrupting a circuit (Fig. 7 and for closing a circuit (Fig. 8).

Fig. 9 is a rear elevation of an electrically operated clock, with upper portion of casing broken away.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary vertical section through the clock.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan of the clock with casing removed,

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on the line 1212, Fig. 10, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring to the drawings, more particularly Figs. 1-4, 20 designates the back of a clock casing having the usual timewind element 21. and alarm wind element 22. To the said back is securely fixed an attachment 95 plate 23 carrying the novel circuit controlling special type, such as the usual snap-action or toggle switch having the projecting operating handle 25 which protrudes above the top of the cover 24. The knob of this handle is engaged by the perforated and bent-over end 26 ot the one arm 27 of a lever pivoted to I the plate 23. The opposite arm 23 of said lever is in juxtaposed relationship to the wind element 22, being adapted to en age with the pair of downwardly-turned ends 29 extending from opposite sides of V the alarm wind element and secured theretoto rotate with the same when the alarm is released.

ihis release of the alarm is'efiected in the usual and well-known manner at the predetermined time set, causing the said alarm ,windelement to rotate; In this rotation-the downwardly-turned ends 29 will eventually Yopposite arm 27 to accordingly throw switch.

handle and thereby either interrupt or complete a circuit.

engage with the lever arm 28 and move the Electrical power is introduced into the cas ing 24 through apair of

conductors

30 and 31 ggand, is .arranged for external supply as through connection to a duplex-socket embodying the oppositely. disposed pairs of

socket'elements

32 and 33, which are designed to'receive a suitable double-prong 7 plug member (not shown) inthe usual man- 1 pair. 32 is designed in relation to the switch .;operation for interrupting the external cir-Y cuitand the other pair 33 for completing said ner. Theone pair of socket elements as the circuit. I

1 ber 35' common to one terminal of both of the i pairs 4 -'elements are connected by the leads 38' and Reference being had more particularly to Figs. and 8 of the drawings, the conductor 31 isshown as connected to a terminal memsocket elements, while 39 respectively to the

switch points

40 and 41. The lead30 of the power circuit is con i-nected to two further switch points 42 and f other.

43 which are electrically connected to each ith the: switch arm 44 indicated in the position shown in Fig. 7 and a plug engaging the socket elements 32 asrepre sented' by the dotted lines it will be observer 7 that an external circuit is closed by the switch. *When the alarm of the clock is then actuated, setting in motion the wind element 22, lever arm 27- will be moved to throw switch 25 to break the contact ati switch point41 and thus open the circuit.

v In the diagram illustrated in Fig. 8 the reverse is true, a plugh aving been inserted into the socket elements "33, as indicated in the dotted lines, it will be observed that an external circuit is open until the switch is again thrown from point 41 to switch point 40.

A, ihus, by merely locating a plug in the proper terminals the circuit introduced thereby may either be opened or closed when the switch the"

other terminals

36 and 37 of these socket therefore to arrest the rotationof the alarm wind as soon as it has completedthe required angular movement of arm 27. To this end, an

additional arm; 27' may be pivotally carried on the lever normally in the position indicated in Fig-2, but adapted to be adjustable thereon toa position with its upturned end 27 lying in thepath of rotation'of the wind element 22 and thus arrest further rotation thereof, as indicated in Fig. 3. To hold the 7 arm 27 in this adjusted position a frictional contact may be established between the same and arm28 through cooperation of a- PI'OJGC- tion' 28 of the latter and recess 28 of the formers I In the electrical embodiment, illustrated more particularly in Figs. 9-12, a similar arrangement for shifting'the external circuit connections is; utilized, the duplexsocket 45 being secured to. the back 46 of a clock casing, while the switch 47 inthisinstance is 'supported by a bracket member 48 secured to and between the

framerplates

49 and 50 of the clock. Current for operating the usual motor of the clock is introduced through the- 7 cable 51, and a suitable plug (not shown) is designed to fit one or the other of the pairs of socket elements '52. and 53 similarly to the embodiment previously described; Power for the circuit to be controlled may be taken from the cable 51 by a parallel connection thereto or may be independently introduced. the connections-to the switch mechanism 47 from the

elements

52 and 53 being similarto 6 that illustratedin Figs. 7-and8.

The arrangement for throwing the switch 47, however, is modified to the extent that its actuating movement is obtained from a, wheel of the alarm train and under control of the.

'escapement wheel 55'thereof. The switch handle 56, also, has rigidly connected therewith a horizontally disposed bar 57 having trunnions 58'rotatably mounted in

bearings

59 and 59, the former being struck" up from theplate 48 land thelatter consisting of a plate attached to the side of the bracket. A finger or pawl member 60 extends downwardly from the bar 57 for engagement with the teeth of the escapement wheel 55 so that said wheel may not rotate uponfrelease of the alarm train in theusual manner until the swltch 47 has been set or returned by the nut .or "finger piece 4 to the normal prerelease position in which the pawl 60 clears the teeth of theratchet wheel and will allow the switch rem-02s to be rocked about the trunnions 58 and be subsequently thrown. I

This engagement of the pawl with the ratchet teeth of the escapement wheel 55, would not normally permit the manual re turn or setting of switch arm 56 after the alarm train has effected the throw of the said switch. To this end, provision is made for temporarily disengaging the alarm releasing mechanism embodying the finger 61 normally engaging the arm 62 of the escapement wheel pallet 63 to block the escapement wheel in the usual manner. The finger 61 is carried to this end, for example, by a spring element 64 which normally holds the finger in engagement with the arm 62 and is similar to the usual part found in alarm clocks tripped by the alarm cam. The said spring element, however, may be moved, to effect disengagement of said finger and arm, as by means of a pin 65 which extends through the back of the clock casing and is adapted for limited axial movement, its outward movement being limited by a shoulder 66 thereon abutting the easing wall and its inward movement by contact with the frame plate 49, said pin being normally held in engagement with the former under the influence of said spring 64.

By pressing inwardly on the protruding portion of pin 65, the said finger 61 may be pressed backwardly sufficiently to release the pallet and thus permit escapement wheel 55 to rotate and allow thereby switch 56 to be shifted and set to its starting position.

When the switch has thus been set and the pawl or finger 61 disengaged from the escapement wheel, the alarm train will be free to operate when released by the clock mechanism in the usual and well known manner; and provision is made for returning the switch to its original position through the movement of the said alarm train. For example, a pin 67 projecting at right angles from the surface of a gear wheel 67 of'said train is arranged to engage a finger 68, extending from the switch arm 56, as said pin is rotated and to throw over the switch beyond its critical point.

The circuit control is effected in the usual manner by its own spring action as is customary in the operation of toggle type of switches. At the same time, the pawl 60 again engages the escapement wheel to arrest further operation of the alarm train andv pin 66 has proceeded far enough during the interim of the switch spring shift of the lever to be clear of finger 68 until the alarm train is again to be actuated.

I claim:

1. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of a duplex socket comprising a pair of off terminal elements and a pair of on terminal elements for receiving a suit able plug member, an electric switch connected therewith and inovable to interrupt the circuit through'the off terminals and close the same through the on terminals, and means operatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch.

2. The combination with the'alarm train of a clock; of an electric switch, connections thereto fol-alternatively introducing a circuit in closed or open relationship therewith, means operatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch to respectively interrupt the introduced circuit and to close the same, and means movable with the switch and adjustable thereon to a position for arresting operation of the alarm train after the switch has been moved.

3. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electric switch, connections thereto for an electric circuit, means operatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch to control the electric circuit, and means controlled by the switch and operatively associated with the escapement wheel of the alarm train for locking the same when the switch has been moved by said train.

4. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electric switch, connections thereto for an electric circuit, means operatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch to control the electric circuit. means controlled by the switch and operatively associated with the escapement wheel of the alarm train for locking the said train when the switch has been moved thereby, and means to unlock temporarily the escapement wheel to permit the switch to be set.

5. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electric switch, connections thereto for alternativelyintroducing a circuit in closed or open relationship therewith, means operatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch to respectively interrupt the introduced circuit and to close the same, and means controlled by the switch and operatively associated with the escapement wheel of the alarm train for locking the same when the switch has been moved by said train.

6. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electric switch, connections thereto for alternatively introducing a circuitin closed or open relationship therewith. means operatively associated with the alarm train for moving said switch to respectively interrupt the introduced circuit and to close the same, and a pawl movable with the switch and adapted to engage the teeth of the escapement wheel of the alarm train when the switch is in the thrown position.

7. The combination with the alarm train of a clock; of an electric, snap-action toggle switch, connections thereto for an electric circuit, means operatively associated with the I alarm trainfor moving said switch to control 'g' the electric circuit, and apawl movable with the switch and adapted to engage the teeth of V th escapement wheel of the alarm train when I the swltch is in the thrown position and lock thesame under the action of the said switch, 7 In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

eel

. EDWARD T. GONDQN.