US2309065A - Alarm clock electric switch - Google Patents

Description

' Jan. 19, 1943. e. w HALL ALARM CLOCK ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Dec. 22, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. 60138 2% fie (Z G. w. HAL.L

ALARM CLOCK ELECTRIC SWITCH Jan. 19, 1943.

Filed Dec. 22 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. I

Jan. 19, 1943.

w. HALL ALARM CLOCK ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Dec. 22, 1941 4 Sheeis-$heet 75 m m m m QQW Q\ \g E QWW \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\Q\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ W y Jan. 19, 1943.

' G. W. HALL ALARM CLOCK ELECTRIC SWITCH 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 22, 1941 ATTORNEYS I N VEN TOR.

m 1 w my Patented Jan. 19, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE ALARM CLOCK ELECTRIG SWITCH George W. Hall, Kansas City, "Kans. Application December 22, 1941,"Serial No.*424,051

6 Claims. 61. 200-38) This invention relates to an alarm clock elec tric switch and has for an object to provide a device of this character which may be manually set to open and close an electric circuit 'forturning off and turning on a radio, for example, to receive selected programs, or maybe controlled by the setting of the alarm mechanism ofthe alarm clock to turn on "an electrically operated device, such as a window opener 0r closer or a furnace when the alarm is energized.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which will be formed of a few simple, strong and durable .parts, which will be inexpensive to manufacture, .and which will not easily get out of order.

With the above .and other objects'in view the invention consists of certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter fully described and claimed, it being understood that various modifications may be resorted to within the scope of the'appended claims without departingfrom the spirit or sacrificing "any of the advantages of. the invention.

In "the accompanying drawings forming part offthis'specification Figure "1 is *a' front elevation of an alarm clock electric switch constructediin accordance with the invention.

Figure '2 'is a rear elevation of the alarm clock electric switch.

Figure 8 is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 1, showing the manual control lever of the time selector mechanism together with the indicators for indicating the position of the corresponding circuit closer whether in on or in off position.

Figure 9 is a detail cross sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 8, showing indicator.

Figure 10 is a front elevation of the indicator.

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view showing the alarmsetting'shaftextension.

Figure 12 is a .detailsectional view jtaken'i'on the line [2-1 2 ofFigure I1.

Figure'lB :is a side elevation of one ofthc'time selector pins.

Figure 14 is 'a "detail sectional vi'ewtaken on the line [4-H o'fFigure 7.

Referring noW to the drawings in which-like characters :of reference 'designate"similar parts in the various views, IU designatesia conventional alarm clockwhich is-"disposed in an elongated casing Hand the clock dial 'is'exposed through a suitable opening in the front wall of the casing.

The rearwallof the casing'is'hingedtopne ofthe en'dxwalls as shown-at 13in Figure 4 andforms a door which may be opened to afford access to the interior'ofthe'casing. The'door is provided with louversldtthroughwhich the sound of the clock alarm may be heard. The alarm clock is located on one -side of the centerof the casing and the adjacent end wall of the casing is equipped with outlets +5 for plug in connectors programs. The time selector and its circuit closer, controlled :by the main spring winding shaft, is =disposed-on thesame side 0f -*the center of the "casing as theoutlets l6 andwillbe first described-and then themechanism controlled by the alarm winding shaft-andits circuit closerwill be described.

As best shown in Figures 1 and :4, the time selector -mechanism includes :a disk i1 exposed through a :suitable opening 18 .in the front wall of the casing, and a dial [9 disposed ou'tside of the disk and-concentrictherewith. The dial is graduated by numerals designating hour :periods throughtwelve hours, and by indicia designating half hour periods. @Otbergraduattions :may be used. "The-disk I1! is assem'bledasa unit witha disk '20 through the medium-hf l-bolts 1| .and spacers 22 which space the disks apart, see Fig- 'ure'4.

Both disks-are mounted-to rotate-as a unit with a driven shaft -23 which has a reduced :end engaged through a central opening :in the disk '20 andrigidly secured-to the disk by :a-nut 24. The shaft "is rotatably mounted in "an "opening in a longitudinal *wall 25'which rises from-the bottom ofthe casing, see Figure'bpand'a spacing sleeve 26 isdisposed onthe shaft between the'disk 20 and the wall. The shaft is driven by a gear train designated in general by the numeral 21, from the main spring winding shaft 28 of the alarm clock |9. The ratio of the gear train is such that the timeselector disk I1 is driven at the same speed as the hour hand of the clock.

Pins 29 are engaged through registering openings in both disks and are provided between the disks with respective collars which engage the disks to limit endwise movement of the pins when selectively shoved in to project beyond the inner face of the inner disk or when pulled out to dispose the ends of the pins substantially flush with the inner face of the disk 23. The pins are arranged in an annular series concentric with the axis of rotation of the disks and individual pins are disposed opposite respective hour designating numerals on the dial l9, and opposite respective half hour indicia.

Pins 3| are engaged through registering openings in both disks and are arranged in an annular series concentric with the axis of rotation with the disk, these pins being disposed inwardly of the pins 29 and opposite respective half and hour designation indicia on the dial l9. Likewise the pins 3| are provided with stop collars 32 between the disks.

The pins of both annular series are frictionally held in the rear disk 20, see Figure 5, by springs 9 housed in radial openings 8 and maintained under compression by screw plugs in the outer ends of the openings.

As best shown in Figures 4, 5, and 6, a circuit closer 32 is mounted on the front face of the wall approximately at the bottom of the inner disk 20 and comprises a housing 33, and a pair of spaced stationary blade switch contacts 34, of the type shown in Figure 14, adapted to be cross connected by a bridging contact which extends transversely of, and is secured to, a switch operating arm 36. The arm 36 is slidably mounted in openings in the housing 33 and is limited in endwise sliding movement in both directions by stop pins 31 which are engaged through respective slots 33 in the arm. The outer end of the arm is equipped with a lever 39 which extends vertically upward and is pivoted between its ends on a pivot pin 49 secured to the wall 25, see Figure 4. The upper end of the lever is directed toward the rear disk 20 and is equipped with cam head 4| which extends between the annular concentric series of pins 29 and 3|, see Figure 3.

When a pin of the inner series is pushed in it will impinge against the head 4| of the lever 39 as it arrives at a point about midway between the top and the bottom of the casing during counterclockwise rotation of the time selector disks, and will swing the upper end of the lever outwardly to move the bridging contact 35 into circuit closing position with both fixed contacts 34 to turn on a radio set at a predetermined time.

A pin 29 of the outer annular series is set or pushed in at the same time the pin of the inner series is pushed in to turn off the radio set at a predetermined time. When the pin 29 arrives at the head 4| of the lever 39 it will swing the upper end of the lever inwardly to move the switch arm 36 outwardly and disconnect the bridging contact 35 from the fixed contacts 34 to open the radio circuit and turn off the program selected to be heard during the time period corresponding to the setting of the two pins as just described.

The arm 35 is moved quickly to open and to closed circuit position and for this purpose a lever 42 is pivotally connected at the lower end to the arm within the housing 33, and extends upwardly to a point above the shaft 23, see Figure 5, and is equipped at the upper end with a weight 43. The lever is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the wall 25 by a pivot pin 44. When the lever 42 passes avertical position in either direction under impulse of the switch arm 36, the weight 43 will accelerate movement of the arm 36 to quickly dispose the bridging contact 35 in open or closed circuit position.

The switch arm 36 may be operated manually to move the bridging contact 35 to open or closed circuit position and for this purpose a lever 45, see Figures 1, 5, and 8, is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pivot pin 46 which projects above the top of the wall 25 at the left end thereof. The lever extends through an opening 41 in the front wall of the casing The lever is connected to one end of a link 48, the other end of the link being connected to a lever 49 which is pivoted intermediate its ends to the front face of the wall 25 by a pivot pin 50, see Figure 5. The lower end of the lever 49 is provided with an eye 5| which loosely received the weighted lever 42 below the weight 43. When the lever 45 is manually moved to the right or to the left the weighted lever 42 will be actuated to move the arm 36, correspondingly for controlling the position of the bridging contact 35.

For indicating the position of the circuit closer 32 an indicating slide 52, see Figures 1, 8, 9, and 10, is mounted to slide from right to left, and reverse, in the opening 41 in the front wall of the casing and is slidably secured to the rear face of the front wall of the casing II by guide screws 53 engaged in the wall and having their heads overlapping the slide. The slide is provided centrally on the front face with a red target 54 and the ends of the front face are provided with white targets 55. The lever 45 projects through an opening 56 in the slide and moves the slide endwise when the lever is manually moved, or when the lever is moved by the weighted lever 42 through the medium of the link 48, to display the red target and one of the white targets through a sight opening 51 in the front wall of the casing, below respective legends on and off marked above the sight opening. The red target is the indicating target and when exposed below either legend the legend indicates the position of the circuit closer 32.

As best shown in Figure 7, a current supply cable 58 enters the casing Hi. One wire 59 of the cable is trained around to the front side of the wall 25 and is connected to one of the stationary contacts 34 of the circuit closer 32. A wire 69, see Figure 5, is connected to the other stationary contact and is connected to the outlets IG. The other wire 6| of the cable is connected to the outlets. Thus when the circuit closer is on the plug in connectors IE will be energized, and will be dead when the circuit closer is off.

A sign 62, see Figure l, is marked on the front wall of the casing on a level with the head 4| of the circuit closes operating lever 39. The sign indicates where the pins operate the circuit closer during their circular path of travel.

Alarm controlled mechanism and circuit closer As best shown in Figures 4, 6, and 'I, the alarm winding shaft 63 is provided with a cam 64. During rotation of the shaft while the alarm is being sounded the cam will impinge against the end of a link 65, best shown in Figure '7. The

link.

link is slidably secured to the back of theclock by a screw 66 engaged through aslot 6! in the The link extends horizontally along the backflof the wall 25- and is pivoted as shown at I58 to a leverti) which is pivoted at its upper end to the back of the wall as shown at ID. The lower end of the lever is pivotally connected to a horizontally disposed operating arm II, as shown at '12. The arm actuates a circuit closer 73 which will now be described.

The circuit-closer I3 is mounted on'the rear face of the wail 25 as best shown in Figure 6, opposite the circuit closer 32 of the time selector mechanism. The circuit closer comprises a housing 14, and a pair of spaced stationary blade switch contacts ":5, of the type shown in Figure 14, adapted to be cross connected by a bridging contact 16 which extends transversely of, and is secured to, the operating arm' 7!. The operating arm is slidably mounted inoponings in the housing l3 and is limited in endwise sliding movement in both directions by stop pins I? which are engaged trough respective slots '58 in the arm. When the arm II is pushed inward by the cam fit, link 65, and lever 69, it will move the bridging contact I6 into circuit closing position with both fixed contacts "I to turn on an electric appliance such as a cooker, window openor or closer, furnace, or other appliance. The circuit closer '53 must be moved to open circuit position manually as will presently be described.

The arm II is moved quickly to open and to close the circuit closer I3 and for this purpose a lever i9, see Figure 4, is pivotally connected at the lower end to the arm outside of the housing M, and extends upwardly to a point at about the level of the shaft 23, and is equipped at the upper end with a weight 80. The lever is pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the wall 25 by a pivot pin 8i. When the lever T9 passes a vertical position in either direction, under impulse of the cam 64, or manual control devices about to be described, the Weight 80 will accelerate movement of the arm H to quickly dispose the bridging contact '56 in open or closed circuit position.

The switch arm TI may be operated manually to move the bridging contact 15 to open or closed circuit position and for this purpose a lever 82, see Figures 4, 5, and '7, is pivotally mounted intermediate its. ends on a pivot pin 83 which projects above the top of the wall 25 at the center thereof. The lever extends through an opening in the front wall of the casing II. The lever is connected to one end of a link 84, see Figure 7, the other end of the link being connected to a lever 85 which pivoted intermediate its ends as shown at 85 to the rear face of the wall 25. The lower end of the lever 85 is provided with an eye 8! which loosely receives the weighted lever I9 below the weight Hi). When the lever 82 is manually moved to the right or to the left the weighted lever 75 will be actuated to move the arm 'II correspondingly for controlling the position of the bridging contacts I6.

For indicating the position of the alarm operated circuit closer I3, an indicating slide 88, see Figure '7, is mounted to slide in an opening in the front wall of the casing I I and is slidably secured to the rear face of the front wall by guide screws 89. Slide is provided centrally with a red target 9!], and at the ends with white targets 9| see Figure 1, and the lever 82 projects through an opening in the slide to move the slide endwise. When the lever 82 moves the slide, or when the slide is moved by the alarm operated lever 85, the red targetandone of the -white targets is displayed to -'a sight openingfil in the front wall of the casing, below respective legends on and oil markedabove the sight opening, the red target being the indicating target, as heretofore described.

Referring-again to Figure 7, there willbeseen :the 'current --wire 59 is provided with a branch 93 which is connected to one of the stationary contacts I5 of the circuit closer '53. A wire i s is connected to the other stationary contact and is connected to the outlets I5. The other wire III of the supply cable 53 is provided with a branch 95 which is connected to the outlets I5. "Thus'when thecircuit closer T3 is on the plug in outlets will be energized, and will bedead when the circuit closer is oil.

Access to the interiorof the casing is aiiorded by releasing the catch 96 of the door I2 so that the alarm winding shaftfiagalarm setting shaft 91, see Figure 4, main spring windingshaft 28, may be accessible. The conventional silent and alarm button .98 is madeaccessible from the exterior of the casing through the medium of a button 99, see Figures 11 and 12, having a hollow stem I00 engaged through the top of the casing and threadily receiving the shaft ll of a yoke I02 which embraces the stem button 98.

It will be pointed out that a substantially triangular bearing plate I03, see Figures 5, 6, and '7, is secured to the wall 25 and to the clock through the medium of bolts I04 and spacing sleeves I115. The plate is provided with openings to receive the main spring winding shaft 28, see Fig- .ure 4, the shaft 23 which actuates the time selector disk and the shaft I04 which supports the intermediate gear of the gear train.

Since the operation of the parts has been de scribed as the description of the parts progressed it is thought that the invention will be understood without further explanation.

What is claimed is:

1. The combination with an alarm clock having a main spring winding shaft and an alarm winding shaft, of a time selector disk connected to the main spring winding shaft to be rotated by the shaft, concentric annular rows of push pins on the disk corresponding to time periods, a circuit closer, lever mechanism connected to the circuit closer and operated by the pins of one annular series to open the circuit closer and operated by the pins of the other annular series to close the circuit closer, a cam on the alarm winding shaft, a second circuit closer, lever mechanism connected to the second circuit closer and operated by the cam to close the second circuit closer, and manually operable means for opening the second circuit closer.

2. The combination with an alarm clock having a main spring winding shaft, of a time selector disk connected to the main spring winding shaft to be rotated by the shaft, concentric annular rows of push pins on the disk corresponding to time periods, a circuit closer, a lever connected to the circuit closer having the free end disposed between said rows of push pins and adapted to be engaged by a pushed in pin of one row to swing the lever to open the circuit closer and adapted to be engaged by a pushed in pin of the other row to swing the lever to close the circuit closer, a weighted lever pivoted intermediate its ends adjacent the first named lever and. connected to the circuit closer to accelerate opening and closing of the circuit closer, means connected to the weighted lever for manually moving the weighted lever to open and close the circuit closer, and means connected to the first named means adapted to indicate whether the circuit closer is in open or closed position.

3. The structure as of claim 2 and in which the first named means comprises a manually operable lever, a lever pivoted intermediate its ends and connected at one end to the manual lever, and an eye on the other end of the second named lever loosely receiving the weighted lever to swing the weighted lever when the manual lever is actuated.

4. The structure as of claim 2 and in which the last named means comprises a slide displaying a distinctively colored target, said slide having an opening, a manually operable lever engaged through said opening and connected to the weighted lever to be moved by the weighted lever to shift the slide, and indicia associated with the wires, a slidably mounted operating arm connected to both the push pin operated lever and the weighted lever, and a bridging switch contact extending transversely of the operating arm adapted to cross connect the fixed switch contacts.

6. The combination with an alarm clock having an alarm winding shaft, of an endwise sliding link, a cam on the shaft adapted to engage the link and move the link endwise, a lever pivoted at one end to swing in an arc and pivotally connected intermediate the ends to the link, a circuit closer connected to the free end of said lever, a weighted lever pivoted intermediate its ends adjacent the first named lever and connected to the circuit closer to accelerate opening and closing of the circuit closer, means connected to the weighted lever for manually moving the weighted lever to open and close the circuit closer, and means connected to the first named means adapted to indicate whether the circuit closer is in open or closed position.

GEORGE W. HALL.

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