US2195123A - Watch cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

March 26. 1940. H, F, PABST 2,195,123v

WATCH CLEANINGMCHINE: l'

Filed Aug. 11, 1937 z shams-sheet 1 March 26, 1940. H. F. PABsT WATCH CLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. ll, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 jira 5 Il I 4 March 2,6, 1940. H, F, PABST- 2,195,123

WATCH CLEANING MACHINE Filed Ag. 1l, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 mmm /r"`" "W TH] I lifllll] lll Patented Mar. 26, 1940 v UNITED STATES vPATENT OFFICE 2,195,123 Y wA'rcn amiamo MACHINE Herman F. Pabst, Huntington Park, Calif. Application August 11, 1931, Serial No. 158,458

Claims. (Cl. 141-1) This invention relates tothe horological art dinately with the legs I3 to support the maand particularly to apparatus for cleaning watch chine I8. parts and the like. y Journalled in bearing' 25 is a vertical table' It is an object of my invention to provide a shaft 48 which has a turned-down extension 4I 5 machine for cleaning watch parts and the like, at its lower end and on the upper end of which 5 which from the time the watch lparts are comis mounted an intermittently rotatable table 42. mitted thereto will b e self-operating until the The table 42 includes a hub 43 which is in the process of cleaning these watch parts has been form of a Geneva wheel having radial slots 44 completely finished. (see Fig. 3) upon which is secured a table deck 18 It is a further object of my invention to proplate 45. This deck plate rests very close toA or 10v vide such e machine which is simple in ccnslidinsly upon the frame ring I6 and is provided struction, inexpensive to build, which may be opwith a series of sockets 48. One of the sockets 48 erated at a low cost, and which will be long lived. is adapted t0 hold e dryer 41, the deck plete 45 The manner of accomplishing the foregoing obhaving a hole 48 therein beneath the dryer 41.

jects as well as further objects and advantages Just above the hole 48 is a ring of asbestos 58 15 will be made manifest in the following description vwhich supports an electric heating element 5I taken in connection with the accompanying (see Figs. 2, 5 and 6). The dryer 41 also includes drawings in which: a tubular wall 52 which ts within its socket Fig. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment 48 and rests on ring 50. of'my invention; i Mounted on the base floor I2 is an electric mo- 20 Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on tor 55 driving a blower 58, the discharge 0f which the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; is connected to a tube 51 leading to a nozzle 58.

Flg.3isahorizontal sectional view taken on the This DOH-1e iS located S0 8S t0 direct air 11D- line 3 3 of Fig. 2; wardly, and is disposed the same radial distance Fig, 4 1S 9, fragmentary veri-,ical sectional View from the axis of the shaft 40 as the hole 48 so'that 25 taken on the line 4 4 of Fig, 3; this hole may be brought directly over the nozzle Fig. 5 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view 53 as ShOWn in Fig- 2. taken on the line 5 5 0f Fig, 2; The other sockets 48 support jars 88, 8| and Fig. 6 is a fragmentary detailed sectional view 32 Which have Vertical flengeS 63 extending in- 38 taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2; wardly from lthe walls thereof and are adapted 30 Fig. '1 is a diagram cf electrical wiring cf the to contain liquids to be employed in the cleaning machine illustrated in the other views. 0I Watch, parte.

I shall now refer specifically to the drawings Mounted on a lower portion 18 of the floor I2 is in which a machine m comprising the preferred a. drive motor 1I having a shaft 12 which carries a embodiment of my invention is illustrated. This Welm 73 and the end 0f Which Shaft iS'JOur- 35 machine has a. base frame II which includes a nalled in the bearing 29 (see Fig. 3). Journalled 'oor I2 having legs I3 and a flange I4 from which in bearings 21 and 28 is a shaft 14 having va worm flange a wall I5 extends vertically upward. Segear 15 which meshes with the worm 13 so as to cured to the upper edge of the wall I5 and suptransmit rotary motion from the shaft 12 to the 40 ported thereonisaframering I8 having an openshaft 14. Also provided on the shaft 14 is a 40 ing I1 in the center thereof and a vertical bearworm 18 which meshes with a worm gear 11 ing I8 which is in vertical alignment with a bearprovided on a vertical shaft 18, the opposite endsv ing I9 provided on the floor I2 (see Figs. 3 and of which are journalled in bearings I8 and I9. 4). The iioor I2 also has bearings 28 and 2l, Fixed on the shaft 18 above gear 11 is an arm 80 the axis of which lies in the same plane as the having a. roller 8| which is adapted to travel in 45 axis of the bearings I3 and I8. Also providedin slots 44 of the table hub 43 in a manner and for the floor I2 are bearings 25, 28, 21, 28 and 23 a purpose to be described hereinafter. Fixed on (see Figs. 2, 3 and 4). the shaft 18 below the gear 11 is a mitre gear 85 The oor I2 has a wall 38 formed integral which meshes with a mitre gear 86 provided on therewith and which extends downwardly therethe inner end of a shaft 81 which is journalledV 50 from just beneath the bearings 2l and 28, the in the bearings 28 and 2| (see Figs. 3 and 4). wall 38 being enclosed within a flat portion 3l Fixed on the opposite end of the shaft 81 is an of the wall I5. Extending outwardly from the intermittent drive gear 88 having toothed secwall 38 is a platform 32 on which is provided a tors 89, and sectors 98 which are bare of teeth. socket 33, the 'lower end of this serving coor- Journalled in bearing 28 is a crank shaft 9| hav- 55 Opposite terminals of heater 3| are connected by ing a switch cam 32 fixed to its inner end and a gear 33 and crank arm 33 nxed to its outer end. Gear 33 has toothed segments 33a and smooth dwells 33b. 'I'he wall 3| has an opening surrounding the hub of gear 33 and lies between v this gear and the crank arm 33. The gear 33 is in radial alignment with the gear 33 and when a sector 33 is opposite the gear 33, a segment 33a of the latter meshes with this sector. When a sector 33 is opposite the gear 33 however, this sector extends into a dwell 33h in gear 33 which holds the latter from rotating until engaged by the next sector 33. f

Mounted in the socket 33 is a vertical slide shaft 33 on which is splined for vertical sliding movement a sleeve 33 having a shaft 31 extending horizontally therefrom inwardly towards the table 32. Pivotally mounted at its lower end on the crank 33 and at its upper end on the shaft 31 is a. pitman 33. The inner end of the shaft 31 supports an electric motor 33, the shaft |33 of which has a downward extension |3| which is adapted to support basket |32 containing watch parts and to transmit rotary .motion from the shaft |33 to the basket |32 when the motor 33 is energized.

Mounted on the floor I2 is a switch |33 (see Fig. 5) Iior controlling the motor 33, said switch being actuated by'a roller arm |33 which follows the periphery of the cam 32 as the gear 33 rotates.

' Mounted on the bottom of the floor |2 is a rotarydistributing switch |33 which includes a hub |33 of insulating material, the latter being fixed upon the downward extension 3| of the shaft 33. The hub |33 of switch |33 has ring conductors ||3 and and segmental conductors ||2, ||3, |I3 and H3. Asl shown in Fig. '1, the conductor ring ||3 is electrically connected to the segmental conductors ||3 and ||3 and the ring is connected to the segmental conductor H3. Bearing against the cylindrical outer surface of the switch hub` |33 in the same planes as the conductors ||3, |I2, ||3, ||3 and respectively, are brushes H3", ||3, ||1, ||3 and ||3 (see Figs. Zand 7) As indicated in the wiring diagram of Fig. 7, electricity is received from the generator G and transmitted continuously to the main drive motor 1| when a main switch |23 is closed. Electricity is also transmitted from the generator G to the basket rotating motor 33 whenever the switch |33 is closed. The latter takes place whenever the low point or dwell of the cam 32 is rotated with the gear 33 so as to come opposite the roller arm |33 of the switch |35. The conductor ring and segments ||3 and H5 are provided to rotation of the hub |33 of the switch |33 brings the segment ||2 into contact with the brush ||3 and the blower motor 33 is only energized when the rotation of the hub |33 brings the segment ||3 thereon into contact with the brush ||1, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Operation The preferred manner in which the machine |3 of my invention operates is as follows:

'I'he switch |23 is always shut of! at the conclusion of a watch parts cleaning operation with the crank 33 turned so as to. lift the pitman 33 upwardly and thus hold the basket |32 entirely above the level of the upper edges of the jars 33, 3| and 32 and the dryer 31 and with the table l32 so positioned that when the crank 33 again turns to lower the basket |32, the latter will be extended downwardly into the jar 33. Before starting the cleaning operation, the jar 33 is partly fllled with a quantity of cleaning liquid, the jar 3| is partly filled with abody of rinse liquid and the `iar 32 is partly lled with a second body of rinse liquid.

The basket |32 is now removed from the member |3| the watch parts to be cleaned are placed in the basket, and the basket is reapplied to the member |3| as shown in Fig. 2, although this basket-'is still suspended above the upper end of the jar 33. The main switch |23 is now closed starting the main drive motor 1|, which, until the end of the cleaning operation about to be described, continuously rotates shafts 12, 13, 13 and 31.

When the switch |23 is thus thrown in, the gears 33 and 33 are related to each other approximately as shown in Fig. 5, and the energizing of control the speed of the basket rotating motor 33.

The segment ||3 being electrically connected to the ring H3 causes the motor 33 to run at full speed when the contact I3 rides on the `segment ||3. When the contact ||3 passes from the segment ||3 onto the segment I3 the current is reduced by a suitable resistance R to cause the motor 33 to run at slow speed when extending down into the jar 33.

As also shown by the wiring diagram of Fig. "I, the rotary switch |33 controls the passage of electricity from the generator G to the heater 3| of the dryer 31 and to the motor 53 of-this dryer.

suitable conductors with the segments ||3 and ||2 of the switch |33, these conductors being diagrammatically shown in Figs. 2 and 7. In other wdrds, the heater 3| is energized only when the the motor 1| results in the operative meshing of one sector 33 of the gear 33 with the gear 33, so as to rotate the latter and swing the crank arm 33 downwardly, thus lowering the basket |32 into the jar 33 which is disposed therebeneath. When this takes place, the arm 33 (see Figs. 3 and 4) is swinging in the direction of the arrow |23 and carrying the roller 3| on the end of this arm out of one of the slots 33 of the Geneva gear 33 so as to leave the table 32 standing still.

As the basket |32 reaches its lowermost position, the gear 33 has rotated to the point where the teeth of the sector 33 disengage the teeth of the gear 33, this causing the rotation of the gear 33 to cease with the crank arm 33 extending downwardly. When this occurs, the cam 32 has rotated so that the low point in the periphery thereof is opposite the roller arm |33 causing the latter to swing inwardly and close the switch |33, this energizing the motor 33 through resistance R, ring and sector ||3 (see Flg.7) so as to rotate the basket |32 at a relatively slow rate of speed.

As the jar 33 in which the basket is now disposedis lled with cleaning liquid to a level above the upper end of the basket, the basket and the watch parts contained therein aresubmerged ln this liquid, as the basket is rotated, thereby disaromas the end-thereof approaches mouth of the xnext slot 44 onthe Geneva wheel 40. Before this bringing the teeth of 'the secondsector 00 into mesh with the gear 90 and rotating the crank arm 94 so as to lift the basket |02 out of and entirely above the Jar 00. Beforethe basket 02 reaches the upper end of jar 00, the rotation of the motor 99 is stopped by the high portion of the cam 92 coming opposite the-roller arm |00 of the switch |05 controlling this motor, as shown in Fig. 5. The basket |02 isthus not rotating when it is removed from the jar 00. This prevents liquid being thrown from the basket ,|02 by centriiugal force which would take place if the basket was allowed to continue rotating.

As the basket |02 is thus lifted from the jar 00, the roller 8| moves into the next slot 44 of the Geneva wheel 43 and rotates the table 42 just a suiilcient distance to bring the Jar directly beneath the basket |02. As will be recalled, this jar contains the iirst rinseu solution, and immediately after this jar has thus been positioned beneath the basket |02, the latter is lowered into the rinse solution in this jar and the rotation oi the basket by the motor 99 is started by the switch |05. The motor 09 nowA rotates at full speed because it is energized through the ring |.|0 and sector 4 which cuts out the resistance R. Only while the watch parts are being cleaned in jar 80 is the speed of motor 99 decreased, this being preferable for maximum cleaning efficiency of the cleaning ,solution in jar B0.

In the same manner as the basket |02 was rotated for a substantial period in the cleaning solution in the jar 00, it is now allowed to continue to rotate in the jar 6|,after which it is lifted up in the same manner as previously described, the table 42 is again rotated to brins the jar 02 in position beneath the basket |02 and the latter is again lowered, this time within the lar 02 which contains a second rinse solution and in 4which the basket is rotated again for a given period at high velocity by the motor 99. At the conclusion of the period during which the basket |02 is rotated in jar 62, the basket is lifted upward automatically from this lar, the

table 42 is rotated to bring the dryer 41 into position beneath the basket and the latter is now lowered into this' dryer and rotated fora period of the same length as it was rotated previously in each of the jars 00, 0| and 02.

When the jar 62 was first brought into position beneath the basket |02, the switch 08 caused contact to be made between the conductor I|2 and the brush ||6 so as to energize the heater f a blast of air to be expelled upwardly from the nomle 50 through the hole 48 and the heating element against the basket |02, which now is being lowered into its lowermost position in the dryer and is being rapidly rotated by the motor 00.

e switch |20 has a handle |50 which when ed to the full line position in Fig. 1, turns line position |0| that ngure turns the switcl |20 oir.v The ta le 42 is' provided with a dog |02 which is so tioned thereon thatafter the basket has been r ted for its usual period in the dryer 41 and then lifted upwardly, and the table rotated by the engagement. oi' the roller 0| with the Geneva wheel\40 the dog |02 engages the handle |50 oi' the switch |20 so as to shut oi! this switch and de-energize the motor 1| when the table is rotated to a position in which the dryer 41 and the jar 60 are spaced equally on opposite sides of the elevated basket |02. When the table 42 is thus stopped, .the dog |52` is ap- ;irioxilmately in its dotted line position |50 (see 'I'he watch parts which are now completely cleaned and dried, may beremoved from the basket |02 and another set of-watch parts placed in this basket in order to clean lthese in the machine |0. To cause the machine I0 to go through another complete cycle of operations as above described, the operator merely turns the handle |50 of the switch |20 from its dotted line position |5| to its full line position as shown in Fig. 1.

For convenience the basket |02 and motor 99 may be considered as a watch bart dousing unit.

,What I claim is:

1. In a machine for cleaning watch parts and 1the like, the combination of: adousing unit including a basket, for containing wat'ch parts to be cleaned, and a motor for rapidly rotating said basket;`power means for reciprocating said unit between raised and lowered positions. said means having lost motion while said unit is in said lowered position; container means providing a seriesof ltreating chambers; means actuated by said power means to produce relative horizontal cluding a basket for containing watch parts to be cleaned and a motor for rapidly rotating said basket about a vertical axis; container means providing a series of treating chambers; power means for automatically causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said container means to cause a minimum spaced relation therebetween in which said basket is disposed in one of said chambers and then to restore a maximum spaced relation in which said basket is located outy oi' said chamber; mechanism actuated by said power means in timely relation with said relative vertical movement to producerelative horizontal movement between Asaid container means and L said unit during said maximum spaced relation to bring another given one oi' said chambers into vertical alignment with said basket; and switch means actuated by said power nieans in timely relation with said relative vertical movement to energize said .motor when said l basket is disposed in one of said chambers and to deenergize said motor whenl said basket is removed by said relative vertical movement from said chamber.

3. In a machine for cleaning watchparts and the like,A the combination of: a dousing unit including a basket for containing watch parts to th switch |20 on and when turned tothe broken be cleaned and means i'or rapidly rotating said 7| basket about a vertical axis; container means providing a series of treating chambers; power means for automatically causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said container means to cause a minimum spaced relation therebetween in which said basket is disposed in one oi' said chambers and then to restore a maximum spaced relation in which said basket is located out of said chamber; mechanism actuated by said power means in timelyrelation with said relative vertical movement to produce relative horizontal movement between said container means and said unit during said maximum spaced relation to bring another given one of said chambers into vertical alignment with said basket, said power means being continuously operative when once started to cause said basket to be disposed as aforesaid consecutively in all of said treating chambers; means for heating the final chamber in which said basket is disposed in the operation of said machine; and means controlled by said power means, in timely relation with said mechanism, for energizing said heater means during the period said basket is disposed in the chamber heated by said heating means and for denergiz- Y ing said heating means when said basket is removed from said last mentioned'chamber.

4. In a machine for cleaning watch parts and the like, the combination of: a dousing unit including a basket for containing watch parts to be cleaned and means for rapidly rotating said basket about a vertical axis; container means providing a series of treating chambers; power means for automatically causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said container means to cause a minimum spaced relation therebetween in which said basket is disposed in one of said chambers and then to restore a maximum spaced relation in whichsaid basket is located out of said chamber; mechanism actuated by said power means in timely relation with said relative vertical movement to produce relative horisontal movement .between said container means and 4said unit during said maximum spaced `relationlto bring another given one lof said chambers into vertical alignment with said basket, said power means being continuously operative when once started to cause said basket to be disposed as aforesaid consecutively in all of said treating chambers; means for starting and i Y cluding a basket for containing watch-parts t be cleaned and means for rapidly rotating said basket about a vertical axis; container means providing a series of treating chambers; power means for automatically causing relative vertical movement between said unit and said container means to cause a minimum spaced relation therebetween, in which said basket is disposed in one of said chambers, and then to restore a maximum spaced relation in which said basket is located out of said chamber; mechanism actuated by said power means in timely relation with said relative vertical movement to produce relative horizontal movement between said container means and said unit during saidl maximum spaced relation to bring another given one'of said chambers into vertical alignment with said basket, said power means being continuously operative when once started to cause said basket to be disposed as aforesaid consecutively in all of said treating chambers; and means operated in timely relation with said mechanism for varying the speed with which said basket is rotated in said different chambers.

HERMAN F. PABST.

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