US2159917A - Reminder device - Google Patents

Description

May 23, 1939. w. L. WAGNER REMINDER DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1937 William L..VVagner` Patented May 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to reminder devices, and particularly to those of the type which employ a timing mechanism and are used to impart reminder information of events which will occur at predetermined times.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of visual means to remind the user of the occurrence of an event or of a series of events as Well as to enable him to ascertain from previously inscribed data when given events will occur.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which can be arranged to impart reminder information of events occurring during a period of several days and which will indicate the day as well as the hour of such occurrence.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which is inexpensive to make and simple and eflicient in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the device; Fig 2 is a side elevation; Fig. 3 is a somewhat enlarged sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a somewhat enlarged sectional View on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View of the dial with a portion broken away to show the location and mounting of an illuminating means.

While this device may be employed to supply any suitable reminder information in connection with the oflice or in the home and can also be used to indicate the time of theater programs, especially where performances are continuous, and the time of arrival and departure of trains,

etc., it is particularly adapted as a reminder of radio programs, and, therefore, will be described in detail in connection therewith.

Referring to the drawing, 6 is a translucent dial mounted on a shaft 1. The outer periphery of the dial is calibrated to indicate a twelve hour period. The dial is subdivided into forty-eight segments, each segment representing a fifteen minute period. The dial is further divided radially into seven substantially equal annular bands 8, defined at their inner and outer margins by circular grooved frame parts 9.

As shown in Fig. 4, the frame parts 9 are fastened to the face of the dial in any suitable manner and include circular strips of material which 65 are grooved in cross-section so as to form head and shank portions adapted to receive tabs I I) bearing reminder information. The tabs I0 can be made of any material, such as paper or celluloid, suitable for carrying printed or written matter. They are preferably slightly Wider than the space between the shank portions of the frame parts 9 so that when inserted beneath the head portions of the parts 9 they are slightly bowed and resiliently held in place. The lateral dimensions of the tabs are determined by the di- 10 mensons of the space wherein they are to be inserted. Thus, tabs can be constructed of the Width of one segment or of two or more segments, depending on the duration of the broadcast or other event. 15

Each of the seven annular bands 8 is intended to be used to supply reminder information for one day of the week, the outer band being designated for Monday, the inner one for Sunday.

A fixed indicator II is mounted near the top 20 of the dial. This indicates whenthe events written on the insert tabs, which are in registry therewith, occur, and is also a time indicating means.

A source of light I2, connected to any suitable source of supply shown diagrammatically at I3, 25 is mounted behind the dial so as to illuminate that section of the dial which indicates that an event is then occurring. The source of light is enclosed within a box I4, having a small aperture I5 which permits the light to illuminate a 30 portion of that section of the dial behind which it is located. The light and the enclosing means are in turn mounted on a rack I6 which is operated by a pinion I'I. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, a shaft I8 extends outward to a convenient loca- 35 tion and carries the pinion I1 so as to move the rack vertically in the guideways I9 and thus permit the light to be raised or lowered so as to indicate any one of the seven bands.

A clock or timing mechanism indicated at 20 40 is connected to the shaft I through any suitable means. In my illustration the timing mechanism turns the shaft and hence the dial one revolution in twelve hours` Setting means indcated at 2I to set the dial may also be provided. 45 The timing and setting mechanism being well known in the art and per se forming no part cf my invention, are neither shown nor described in detail.

A suitable electrical circuit maker shown dia- 50 grammatically at 22 may be mounted behind the dial in a plane with the indicator I I and is operated by a pin or pins 23 inserted in any of pin holes 24 spaced about the periphery of the dial at each of its segments. In this manner, an electrical circuit can be opened or closed at any predetermined quarter hour period so as, for illustration, to connect or disconnect the source of electrical energy for the radio or for some audible signal device.

In use, tabs bearing suitable reminder information are inserted at appropriate places on the dial. The light is set behind that band corresponding to the day of the week on which the device is being operated, the timing mechanism is set in motion and the dial is set for the correct time. In the illustration of Figs. l and 5, the program then occurring extends from twelve to twelve-fifteen on Tuesday. The reminder tab l5 will become illuminated shortly before the dial registers twelve oclock. The automatic electric circuit maker 22 will be actuated by a previously inserted pin in the hole 24 adjacent the l2 designation if the user has planned to listen to the particular program indicated on the reminder tab. If, at 12:15 the program is inished and the user has previously decided he does not care to listen to the succeeding program, a pin inserted in the hole 24 beneath the 12:15 designation will, by actuating circuit maker 22, turn the radio 01T.

While the invention has been disclosed in connection with a particular form and disposition of the parts, it should be expressly understood that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the invention as dened in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent, is:

l. A reminder device comprising a translucent dial, frames carried by said dial for the insertion of tabs bearing reminder information and dividing the dial radially into two or more annular bands, time calibrations on said dial, timing mechanism operably connected to said dial to rotate the same at a speed corresponding to said time calibrations, a source of light so located as to illuminate the reminder information contained in one of said bands of said dial at the time of the occurrence of the event designated by the reminder information, and means to adjust the radial position of said light source to bring it into cooperative relation with any of said bands.

2. A reminder device comprising a dial, frames carried by said dial for the insertion of tabs bearing reminder information and dividing the dial radially into two or more annular bands, time calibrations on said dial, timing mechanism operably connected to said dial to rotate the same at a speed corresponding to said time calibrations, means adapted to visibly indicate the time of the occurrence of the event designated by the reminder information contained in one of said bands, and means to adjust the radial position of said last means to bring it into cooperative relation With any of said annular bands.

WILLIAM L. WAGNER.

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