US2090300A

US2090300A - Spring operated time switch

Info

Publication number: US2090300A
Application number: US721999A
Authority: US
Inventors: Frederick G Kurtis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1934-04-23
Filing date: 1934-04-23
Publication date: 1937-08-17
Anticipated expiration: 1954-08-17

Description

Al lg. 17, 1937. KURT|$ 2,090,300

0 SPRING OPERATED TIME] SWITCH Filed April 25, 1934 INVENTOR Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in time switches, and its leading object is to provide a positive mechanical device for closing or opening an electrical circuit, which can be installed with a minimum of skill, and which will operate by direct mechanical action a toggle switch, enclosed by the case of the time mechanism.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this kind, including a standard alarm clock mechanism, having an alarm spring key which turns when the alarm spring is released, and a toggle switch provided with a rounded lever which projects directly in the path of the rotative movement of the alarm spring 5 key, and which will be shifted from one of its two extreme positions by the rolling engagement of the end of the alarm spring key with the rounded and tapered surface of the toggle lever, so that the desired circuit controlling operation may be accomplished.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple means for mounting the toggle switch on the bell of the alarm clock mechanism, to permit of relative adjustment thereof.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in certain new and useful constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts, clearly described in the following specification, and fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:-

Fig. 1 is a rear elevation of a time mechanism wherein the toggle switch lever is located above the axis of the alarm spring key.

Fig. 2 is a similar view, showing the toggle lever located below the alarm spring key.

Fig. 3 is a detail side view, partly in section.

Referring to the drawing 5 designates the case of a time clock mechanism, which includes the usual time gear train and an alarm train, con- 4-0 structed to be released at a time period controlled by the turning of the knob or handle 6. The mechanism also includes the time spring key, which is turned by hand to wind the time spring, and an alarm spring key I, which is also turned by hand to wind the alarm spring. The hands of the clock or time mechanism are set by the usual central key or handle 8.

These parts are all old and well known and I am aware that various attempts have been made to equip an alarm clock mechanism with an electric switch, operated by the alarm spring key, but in the majority of such efforts a special switch was used, or complicated mechanical parts were used between the alarm spring key and the electrical switch, with the result that the cost of the combined switch was excessive and the action was not as positive and dependable as was required.

In the present instance the alarm clock mechanism remains unaltered, with respect to the 5 time train and the alarm train of gears, and a switch of well known standard construction is used, which has a toggle lever handle disposed directly in the path of the rotating key of the alarm spring. This combination is so arranged 10 that the alarm spring can build up its tension when released, and there is a rolling contact between the end of the alarm spring key and the side of the toggle switch lever, which insures the shifting of the toggle switch lever from one 15 of its extreme positions to the other of its extreme positions.

A toggle electric switch which includes the toggle lever B is located below the alarm spring key. This lever is formed with a tapered and rounded surface, and is provided on its inner end with a ball I 0, which works in the socket H. The socket II is clamped to the bell I2 of the alarm mechanism, by means of the nut 13, or may be riveted thereto. The toggle lever oper- 25 ates a movable contact or switch element enclosed in the switch box l4, concealed behind the bell I2. The electrical current wire cord [5 is extended through the side of the bell at l6 and wired to the terminals of the switch.

The toggle lever 9 is supported relative to the bell l2 so that it projects at an acute angle, and remains in the path of the rotative movement of the alarm spring key I. When the alarm mechanism is released by the time controlled release 35 mechanism, the alarm spring will start to unwind, thus swinging the key in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 1, around its own axis, and thereby bringing the end of the key I against the rounded and tapered end of the toggle lever. 40 The tension of the now reacting alarm spring being greater than the tension of the switch spring, the alarm spring key I will shift the toggle lever from one of its extreme positions to the other of its extreme positions. 45

In Fig. 2 I show an alarm clock including the case 15, which may be constructed of bell metal, and which is formed with a slot 16 in which the toggle lever socket I! is mounted for adjustment, with reference to the alarm spring key l8. This socket is retained in place by means of the nut iii. The toggle lever 20 is constructed with a rounded tapered surface, and operates in the same manner as the construction shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2 55 the toggle switch lever 20 is shown to be located above the alarm spring key H3.

The mounting of the rounded and tapered toggle lever in the path of the alarm spring key, for direct mechanical engagement and operation by the latter, insures that all of the energy of the alarm spring will be applied to shift the toggle lever, and that no intermediate mechanical parts will interfere or prevent the positive shifting or operation of the switch.

This uncertainty about the operation of electrical switches frequently results in serious interference with theatrical and sign displays, and the unreliability of complicated time switches now calls for the employment of help needed in other places. It is the object of the present invention to provide a positive mechanical operation by an inexpensive alarm clock mechanism, the operation of which will not be dependent on electrical contacts subject to corrosion and imperfect functioning.

By providing the alarm key 1 with a long arm la the toggle lever may be thrown, and the alarm key will be prevented from continuing'to turn in an unwinding direction, by reason of the resistance offered by the toggle lever after the same has been thrown. The same may be true also of the showing in Fig. 2, in which case the key I8 is provided with a long arm I811, which is designed to exert the necessary throwing effort on the toggle lever 20, and to be stopped against further movement when the toggle lever has been thrown. In this way the alarm spring is prevented from unwinding after the toggle lever has been thrown.

Having described my invention I claim:

1. The combination with a housing and a time controlled mechanism therein having a spring rotatable key releasable at a given predetermined interval, of a toggle switch carried by the housing and having a toggle lever formed with a rounded and tapered surface mounted in the path of rotation of the key, the axis of movement of the toggle leverbeing approximately at right angles to the axis movement of the key, the key having a cross arm projecting therefrom to engage and throw the toggle lever and adapted to be arrested from further movement in an unwinding direction by the toggle lever when the same has been thrown.

2. The combination of a time mechanism in cluding an alarm train and a case therefor, said mechanism also including an alarm key, a toggle switch mounted directly on the case and enclosed thereby, said toggle switch. including a rounded lever pivoted to swing in an axis of approximately atright angles to that of the key in the path of rotative movement of the winding key and projecting outwardly of the case to be engaged by said winding key, said winding key having an arm to engage the lever when shifted from one of its positions to the other of its positions and. said arm being of sufiicient length to engage the lever whereby the lever will prevent further rotative movement of the winding key when the lever has been shifted thereby.

FREDERICK G. KURTIS.