US1999692A - Electric clock - Google Patents

Description

April 935. A. w, HAYDON ETAL 1,999,692

ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed June 1, 1954 9 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS April 30, 1935. A.,w. VHAYD ON ET AL ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed June 1, 1954 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS April 3 ,1935. A. w. HAYDON HAL 1,999,692

ELECTRIC CLOCK Filed'June 1, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet s M lug n oy 6/ 65 awwy n ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 30, 1935 i UNITED" STATES PATENT m ELECTRIC CLOCK Arthur wu'um Haydon and Albert Beichenbach, Waterbury, 0onn.; said Reiohenbach assignor to said Haydon Application June 1, 1934, Serial No. 728,501

20 Claims. (c1. ss-sa) This invention relates to improvements in rotor eccentrically of the axis thereof whereby alarm operating and control mechanisms for as the rotor turns, these elements move outclocksand' includes an improved alarm clock in wardly by centrifugal force to positions where which both the time mechanism and the alarm they may strike the alarm device. With this armechanism are operated by a single source of rangement, the amount of power consumed in 5 motive power. Y sounding the alarm is small and the operating Known forms of mechanical alarm clocks cusspeed of the motor and hence the accuracy of tomarily. include separate sources of motive the time mechanism driven thereby is not varied power for the timing and alarm sounding mechwhen the alarm is sounded. We may use two or 1 anisms with complicated gear trains for each more alarm actuator elements or clappers so de-e such source and mechanism. The driving means signed and mounted that difi'erent numbers of and gear trains of previously known electric these clappers engage the alarm device or bell alarm clocks -are also complex, but these clocks at diflerent axial positions of the motor rotor. also employ separate sources of motive power for In this manner, the frequency with which the time and alarm sounding purposes and the alarm alarm bell is struck may be varied by the time 5 control apparatus ,is generally of a very commechanism, and alarms of periodically increasplicated nature. a g ing magnitude may be produced. I

It is the object of the presentinvention to prog The invention will be best understood by refervide an improved and simplified alarm operating ence to the accompanying drawings in which an and control mechanism for clocks; It is a i'ur-. embodiment thereofhas been illustrated. Inthe 20 ther object of theinvention to provide an imdrawings: 7 proved alarm clocl; in which a single source of Figure l is a sectional side elevation of a clock motive power or driving device acts to operate embodying the present invention: both the time and the alarm sounding mecha Figure 2 is a front elevation on a smaller scale nisms and in which the alarm sounding mechaof the clock of Figurel:

nism is highly simplified. Various other specific Figure 3 is a rear elevation of the alarm device objects, advantages and characteristic features and alarm actuating means 'of the clock; I vof the invention will be pointed out or will be- Figures 4, 5, 6 and I are respectively views,

" come apparent as the description progresses. taken along the lines l4, B-I, 6-6 and 1-1 In general, the objects of the invention are of Figure 1, and viewed in the direction of the 30 carried out by providing a rotating element arrows; carrying at least one alarm actuator or clapper Figure 8 is a plan view, taken along the line thereon and mounted in close proximity to an 8-8 of Figure", and viewed in the direction of alarm device or hell, and by employing time the arrows; and

mechanism for controlling the movement of the Figure 9 is a side elevation of the clock mecha- 35 rotating elementinto and out of positions where nism showing the alarm control means in the the alarm actuator strikes the alarm device. We operated position. I prefer to employ the rotor of an electric motor Referring to the drawingathe clock disclosed .as the r ta in element 01 the 1 p as embodying theinvention is mounted in a sub- 40 means, and to drive the time mechanism of the stantially cylindrical case "provided with the 40 clockby this same motor, which is preferably of u ual 11 1 ll, crystal I: and rear plate It, The

' the synchronous type. The rotary motion of the clock mechanism proper comprises generally a motor rotor. is continuous whereby the time mot r and larm devicea'ssemhiy A together with mechanism is driven at the proper speedwithout gm m ma control mechanism indicated I interruption, and the sounding oi the alarm is at B, 45 P f ly initiated and interrupted y the 1118-1 The motor. may be of any suitable type but prefmovement of the rotor relative to'the alarm deerably ri es a synchronous motor of the vice or bell under the control of the time mechatype disclosed and claimed in Patent No.1,935,208, k 'nism and manual control mean Th ro or m y issued to Arthur William Haydon, November 14,

60. be rm held i non-elem s. n 193:, or in Patent No. 1,917.1 issued waruimso ,siti on by the masnetic null x r ed th r n by William. Haydon, October 16, 1934. 1 As shown, the stator structure of the motor. 7 this motor includes a stator comprising a central In a preferred embodiment of my invention. core i4 carrying a cup-shaped field element II t the valarm actuating means comprises one or and a disc-shaped fieldelement ll adjacent the more clapper elements loosely mounted on the opposite ends thereof, with an energlzing coil I! it mounted about the core and within the, cupshaped element 15, as shown. The cylindrical portion of the field element I5 is sub-divided into pole pieces at its rearward edge and radial pole pieces on the disc-shaped element II are disposed in interleaving relationship with the cupshaped element pole pieces. Shading coils I8 are preferably disposedv on some of'the pole pieces of the cup-shaped element It whereby the motor has self-starting characteristics. The motor rotor R. comprises a spider or disc I! carried by a shaft 20 which is journaled in a central opening through the core ll, as shown. The spider It carries a ring armature 2| preferably formed of hardened steel or other high hysteresis coemcient material, which armature surrounds and lies adiacent to the ends of the pole pieces on the stator field elements I! and ii. The rotor shaft 2| is movable axially in its journals to a limited extent, and the magnetic pull exerted by the stator field elements on the armature 2| tends to maintain the rotor and its shaft in the position shown in Fig. 1 when the motor is energized.

The coil ll of the motor may be connected to a suitable source of alternating current through the wires 22. The motor operates on the hysteresis principle as fully explained in the above noted patents, and since the manner of operation of the motor forms no part of ,the present invention, it will not be described herein. It is sumcient to note that the motor operates synchronously, that is, in definitely timed relation to the frequency of the alternating current supplied thereto, and that the motor is capable of operating in this manner even though its rotor armature 2! is moved axially to a positionwhere its inner face is substantially aligned with the outer face of the stator structure.

The alarm device or bell 23 preferably comprises a cup-shaped element of suitable metal mounted on the central core ll of the motor stator. As shown in the drawings, the core it passes through a central opening in the alarm device 23 and this device is spaced from the stator element II and from the adjacent gear train housing 24 by the washers 25. The cylindrical wall of the alarm device surrounds the motor and terminates at a point somewhat beyond the rearward end of the motor as shown. A striking extension or lug 26 is fixed to or formed integral with the alarm device 23 adjacent its rearward edge, and this l'ug extends inwardly adjacent the motor rotor as shown.

As explained above, we prefer to employ alarm actuators or clappers loosely mounted on the motor rotor, and in the disclosed embodiment, these actuators take the form of disc- shaped elements 21 and 28 located at diametrically opposite points adjacent the periphery of the rotor. The actuators or clappers 21 and 28 are attached to the rotor by flat headed pins 2! riveted or otherwise securedtoaframeflwhichisfixedtothe rotor spider is. The pins 29 loosely engage the central openings in the clappers 21 and 2|, and these openings are considerably larger than the pins passing therethrough whereby the clappers may move radially with respect to the rotor. The arrangement is such that the clappers 21 and It may freely move to and from positions in which their outer edges will strike the lug II when the motor rotor is in a position to align the clappers with the lug. In the embodiment shown, the clappers are so constructed that as the revolving rotor R moves axially rearwardiy of the clock.

first one and then both of the clappers 21 and 28 strike the bell lug 2i, and the frequency and intensity of the alarm is thus different at difierent axial, positions of the rotor. This result is accomplished by providing an outwardly extending lug striking flange II at the rearward edge of the clapper 21 and the similar outwardly extending lug striking flange 32 at the forward edge of the clapper 28.

The shaft 20 of the motor is connected through a suitable train of gears to the hands of the clock. In the particular clock construction chosen to illustrate the invention, the more rapidly moving gears of the train are enclosed in a housing 24 carrying a quantity of lubricant II. The housing 24 is preferably provided with a central opening in its rearward face through which the forward end of the central motor core ll passes, and the housing 24 and alarm device 23 may be fixed to the motor stator by riveting over the end of the core l4 within the housing, as shown. The driving sequence through the gear train includes in succession the motor shaft pinion ll, gear II, shaft IO, pinion I1, gear ll, pinion 8!, gear ll, shaft ll, pinion 42, gear 43, shaft 6|, pinion ll, gear 48, pinion 41, gear 48. pinion I, and gear I. The last gear ll is-connected through a sleeve I to the hour hand II of the clock. The gear 48 is connected through a sleeve II to the minute hand 54 of the clock and the gear II is connected through the central shaft 4| to the sweep second hand II.

The gear 0 is connected to the pinion 41 through a friction clutch represented by the washer 66, whereby the clock hands may be manually set by turning the pinion 41 independently of the gear 46 and the preceding gear train. The mechanism for thussetting the clock hands will be hereinafter described.

The alarm operation is initiated by the time means which governs suitable mechanism for moving the motor rotor R axially in a direction rearwardly of the clock in two steps, whereby first one and then both of the alarm actuators or clappers 21 and II are brought into striking alignment with the lug II on the alarm device or hell :3. Axial movement is imparted to the rotor B through the motor shaft 2| by a circular series of springs 5|, which are riveted to the clock dial H and compressed between the inner surface of theclockdial ll andanalarmdiscll ilxedto.

a sleeve Bl surrounding and movable on the hour hand sleeve SI. An alarm setting indicator hand It is ,flxed to the sleeve H on the outer face of the dial H, as shown. .The disc 1 is provided with gear teeth about its peripheral edge, and these teeth are normally engaged by a pinion ll carried on a shaft 6| which extends to the rear of the clock case and terminates in a setting knob 82. The shaft CI is normally held in a position to engage the pinion l with the disc I! by a spring I compressed between the pinion and the journal bracket N, and a collar ll, fixed on the shaft OI, limits the forward movement thereof. By drawing the shaft Ii rearwardly against the opposition of the springs N, the'pinion OI maybeengagedwiththegearllandthaeupon rotation of the knob 62 will turn the clock hands I! and I through the gear II, the pinion U (which is connected to the minute hand I), the pinion 40 and the gear II (which is connected to the hour hand I!) Asbestshowninl'igs.8and 9-,therearward end of the sleeve II is provided with a cam surface n terminating in a stepped notchu. The

forward face of the hour hand gear It carries a pointed lug I disposed to bear upon the rear end of the sleeve ll. With the clock in a non-alarm sounding position, the lug it engages the face of this step engaging the end of the lug 60. This shaft 44.-

struck once in each revolution .of

rearward movement of the disc II is transmitted to the motorshaft 20 through the gear train Asshownini 'igurehtheforwardendofthe shaft 64 carries a rounded knob I. which bears against the alarm disc l1, and the shaft It is held in its forward position by a spring ii compressed between therear wall of the housing 24 andadiscfl whichengagesaeollarlifixedto the shaft. Theshaftllis freetoturninthe disc 12, and the rearward axial movement of the shaft u is transmitted to the .disc I! by the collar ll. The rim of the disc 11 engages the forward end of the motor shaft ll as shown; The pinion ll on the shaft II and the pinion 4! engaged by the gear 48 on this shaft are of sufiicient width so that the axial movement of the shaft 44 does not disengage the gear train. Bimilarly, the width of the pinion I4 is suflicient to prevent its disengagement from the gear SI when the motor shaft moves rearwardly.

a with the construction described. the above explained initial rearward movement of the collar II and alarm disc I1 moves the motor shaft the alarm actuator or clapper 21 h aligned with the striking lug a of the bell II. and the bell themotor .turbingtheaccurateopera'tionofthetimemeeha tion to rotation offered by the frictional engagementofthespringsltonthediscil.

Suitable manually operable means is provided for turning oil the alarm actuating mmhanism. In'the disclosed embodiment, this means takes the form of a yoke Y, the fingers illdtewhich bear cam surfaces, as shown in Figure 8. "The yoke Yiscarriedbyan arm ll flxedto asuitably iourinaled shaft It which extends rearwardly and terzm minates in a manually operated crank. or lever l1 outside of the rear plate ll of the clock case.

TheyokeYissodisposedthatasthearmilis moved to a vertical position,.as viewed in Figure lithe fingers ll embrace the sleeve It and thecam surfacesonthesefingers engage anwasher liontherearwardfaceoithealarmdisei'l, moving thisdiscandthesleevellforwardagainst the opposition of the springs It. This forward movementofthediscl'ireleasestheshaftll whichisthenmovedforwardbythespring'ii andthedisc l2 thusmoveaawayfromthe endof the motor shaft II. The magnetic pull exerted by the motor stator structure on the motor armatureil immediatelymovestherotoritaxially forward and the alarm actuators or eiappers 21 and I! are thin drawn out clstrikim alignment theeostandeomplicationoftwoaeparatsdriving nism. The actuation and cinnse in intensity thealarmbyaxialmovementoi'themtorresultsl thereoLanalanndevicemountsdadiacentaa-id element tims mechanism and means actuated by said time mechanism for causing-ancient reIa- 'tivs' movement between said dement andmid alarm device to bring such parts-to a position where-said actuator engages said alarm device.

2.An alarm rotab able element, means-ior-ecntinumniy rotating said elsmentanaisrmactuatorearriedinan.

eccentric position on said element radiallyotsaideismentanaiarmdevieemmmted adiaeent said elem-st. time mechanism: and

mean'saotuakdbys'aidtimemechanism-forat times causing sufleient between said rotating element and said alarm device to bring such parts to a position in which said actuator engages said alarm device.

3; An alarm mechanism comprising a rotatable element, means for rotating said element, an alarm actuator on said element and movable radially with respect thereto, an alarm device adjacent but spaced axially from said element, and time mechanism for moving said element axially into a position where said alarm actuator engages said alarm device during the rotation of said element.

4. An alarm mechanism comprising a rotatable element, means for rotating said element, an alarm actuator loosely mounted on said element and movable radially with respect thereto, an alarm device comprising a cup-shaped member embracing said rotatable element and having a striking extension thereon adjacent but spaced axially from said element, time mechanism and means actuated by said time mechanism for moving said element axially into a position where said alarm actuator engages the striking extension of said alarm device during the rotation of said element.

5. An alarm mechanism comprising a rotatable element, means for rotating said element, an alarm actuator loosely mounted eccentrically on said element, an alarm device mounted adjacent said element, time mechanism and means actuated by said time mechanism for moving said element and said actuator into operative relation to said. alarm deviceto actuatethe same at a relatively slow rate and for thereafter moving said element and actuator into a second operative relation to actuate the alarm device at a more rapid rate.

6. An alarm mechanism comprising a rotating element, at least two alarm actuators loosely mounted on said element and movable radially with respect thereto, said actuators having striking surfaces spaced axially of said element. an alarm device mounted adjacent said element but spaced axially therefrom, time mechanism and means actuated by said time mechanism for successively moving said element axially to a position in which one of said actuators engages said alarm device and to a position where both of said actuators engage said alarm device.

7. In an alarm mechanism, in combination, an

electric motor having a rotating member, a time mechanism driven by said motor, an alarm device, means directly connected to the rotating member ofsaid motor for at times striking said alarm device and means controlled by said time mechanism for initiating the striking of said alarm device by said means on said rotating member.

8. The combination of a time mechanism, an electric motor having a rotor for driving the same; an alarm device axially adjacent said rotor, an alarm actuator mounted on said motor rotor and means controlled by the said time mechanism for moving said rotor axially to actuate said alarm device.

9. The combination of a time mechanism, on electric motor having a rotor for driving the came, an alarm device axially adjacent said rotor,

an alarm actuator loosely mounted on said rotor to move radially with respect thereto and means controlled by said time mechanism for moving said rotoraxially into a position in which said actuator engages said alarm device.

10. The combination of a time mechanism, an electric motor having a rotor for driving the some, an alarm device axially adjacent said rotonsn alarm actuator loosely moimted in an eccentric position on said rotor and movable radially with respect thereto, and means controlled by said time mechanism for moving said rotor axially into a position in which said actuator engages said alarm device.

11. The combination of a time mechanism, an electric motor (or driving the same, said motor having a stator and an axially movable rotor normally held in close proximity to the stator by magnetic attraction. an alarm actuator mounted on said rotor, an alarm device having a portion thereof spaced axially of said rotor from said actuator and means controlled by said time mechanism for movingsaid rotor axially away from the stator to cause the actuation of said alarm device by said actuator.

12. The combination of a time mechanism, a synchronous motor for driving the same, said motor having a rotor cooperating with a stator to operate at synchronous speed in a plurality of axially spaced positions, an alarm actuator carried by said rotor, an alarm device having a portion thereof spaced axially of said rotor from said actuator and means controlled by said time mechanism for moving said rotor. axially from one of said spaced positions to another to bring said actuator into engagement with said alarm device.

13. In combination with a time gear train, on electric motor for driving the same, said motor having a stator and an axially movable rotor, an alarm actuator carried by said rotor, an alarm device having a portion thereof spaced axially of said rotor from'said actuator and means including a portion of said gear train for moving said rotor axially to actuate said alarm device by said actuator.

14. An alarm mechanism comprising the combination of a time gear train having a portion thereof constructed and arranged to be shiftableaxially while in operation, an electric motor for driving said gear train, said motor including a stator and an axially movable rotor, an alarm actuator carried by said rotor, an alarm device having a portion thereof spaced axially of said .rotor from said actuator and means including said axially shiftable portionof said time gear train for shifting said rotor and the actuator carried thereby into a position to actuate said alarm device.

15. A motor driven alarm mechanism comprising an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, an alarm device mounted on said stator, an alarm actuator mounted on said rotor, means for shifting said rotor axially while the motor is operating and means for operating said alarm device by said alarm actuator when said rotor is so shifted.

- 16. A motor driven alarm mechanism comprising a synchronous electric motor having a rotor and a stator, an alarm device mounted on said stator, an alarm actuator mounted on said rotor, means for shifting said rotor axially while the motor continues to operate synchronously and means for causing the operation-of said alarm device by said alarm actuator. when the rotor is so shifted.

17. A motor driven alarm mechanism comprising an electric motor having a rotor and a stator,

- an alarm device mounted on said stator, an alarm eration of said alarm device by saidalarm actus ator when said rotor a ioshifted.

18. A motor driven alarm mechanism comprising an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, a pair of alarm actuators mounted at diametrically opposite eccentric positions on said rotor,

an alarm device mounted on said stator and hav-- ing a portion thereof spaced axially of said rotor from said actuators and means for shifting said rotor axially to a position where said actuators engage said portion of said alarm device while the motor is operating.

19. A motor driven alarm mechanism comprising an electric motor having a rotor and a stator, two alarm actuators mounted eccentrically on said rotor and relatively spaced axially and circumierentially or said rotor, an alarm device having a portion thereof adjacent but spaced axially of said rotor from said actuators and means for axially shitting said rotor to successive positions in which first one and then both of said actuators engage said alarm device while the motor device for engagement with said actuator when said rotor is so shifted.

- ARTHUR WILLIAM HAYDON.

ALBERT REICHENBACH.

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