US2015843A - Clock - Google Patents

Description

GLOC'K Filed May 3, 1954 AWQRNEY Patented Oct. 1, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOCK D poration of New York Application May 3, 1934, Serial No. 723,683

2 Claims.

My invention relates lto spring-driven, handand-dial clocks, and is applicable particularly to clocks suitable for mounting in automobiles. An object of the invention is to facilitate the winding, heretofore effected by intermittent or oscillatory rotary movement. So-called rim-wind clocks, useful in vehicle equipment, are wound by spanning the rim with the hand and twisting repeatedly, with or without releasing grasp on the rim, an operation which is neither quick nor especially convenient. A particular advantage of this invention is that it enables the clock to be wound by continuous rotary motion. A further object is to provide a device by which the clock can be thus wound, and which can also be moved for setting of the hands, still another movement of the device releasing a lock.

In the accompanying drawing, forming part hereof:

Fig. 1 is a face view of a clock embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation thereof; and

Fig. 3 is a diametrical section on a larger scale with portions in elevation.

In the clock shown in Figs. 1-3 there is a supporting part consisting of a cup 2 having a forward flange 3. This part may be secured in place by threaded studs 4, or otherwise. In this embodiment, the clock movement 5, a movement case 6, the dial plate 1, the dial 8 and the bezel 9 are assembled or united to form one rotary unit, turning in the supporting cup 2. An arbor I0 is held rotatably in the center of the back of the supporting cup, and on this arbor a ratchet I I is fixed. A pawl I2 on the inside of the back of the supporting cup keeps this ratchet and arbor from turning when the clock is wound by turning the rotary unit in one direction, but permits the ratchet, arbor and unit to be turned in the reverse direction in order to re-position the dial for reading, after the clock-spring has been wound. On the forward end of the arbor I0 a wheel I3 meshes a winding wheel I4 which is 4 connected with the main spring or springs inside the movement. A ratchet I5 secured with the wheel I4 or on its shaft coacts with a pawl I6 on the back of the clock movement to hold the clock-spring in wound condition. In the Winding 50 operation, the wheel I4 travels, turning on its axis, around the wheel I3, and thus winds the spring. When the rotary unit is turned in the other direction to re-position the dial, the wheels I3 and I4, the arbor III and the ratchets II and I5 turn as a fixed system, the ratchet I I turning idly under the pawl I2.

On the dial plate 'I there is a hand-setting train I8. The arrangement of clock wheels being a routine matter, given the purpose, it is unneces 5 sary to illustrate these parts in detail.

At one point on the face of the bezel there is a hollow, projecting boss I9. In this boss and in a hole in the dial plate, a pin 20 is slidable and rotatable, being pressed rearward by a spring 2| 10 and yieldingly restrained against full backward movement by a spring 22. A knob 23 on the outer end of the pin is taken between the ingers in order to twirl the bezel 9 and parts turning therewith, until the clock-spring is wound. First, 15 however, the knob 23 and pin 2B are pulled out to release a lock between the rotary part and the supporting part, the simplest form of such lock being provided by the rear end 24 of the pin and a hole 25 in the flange 3. To relieve the 20 arbor IIJ, which connects the rotary part to the stationary part, of strain when the pin 20 is pulled out, angled lugs 28 may be provided, such lugs being secured to the periphery of the bezel and engaging freely` under the stationary flange 3. 25

In order to set the clock hands 26, the knob and pin are pushed in against the action of the spring 22, thus causing a pinion 21 on the pin to mesh the rst wheel of the hand-setting train I8, after which turning of the knob and pin about 30 their own axis, without turning the bezel or encircling part, sets the hands.

I claim:

1. A clock having an encircling part rotatable for windingthe clock-spring, hand-setting mech- 35 anism, and a device on said part by which the part can be turned in continuous rotary motion for winding the spring, said device comprising means slidable and rotatable in said part to engage and actuate the hand-setting mechanism. 40

2. A clock having a supporting part, a rotatable part carrying the clock-movement and the dial, hand-setting mechanism likewise carried by said part, means whereby the clock-spring is wound by turning said part in one direction, means for normally locking said rotary part to said supporting part, and a device on said rotary part providing a knob for turning the part to wind the clock-spring by continuous rotary motion, said device being movable in said rotary part to release said locking means and also being movable to engage and actuate said hand-setting mechanism.

ARDE BULOVA.

Images