US2361128A - Clock - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 24, 1944- M. E. scHLENKER CLOCK Filed April 12, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.

MAX E. .FCHLFNKEQ ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1944.

M. E. SCHLENKER CLOCK Filed' April 12, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 50 lllllll!! 4a INVENTOR.

MAX E. SCHLENKEB BY ATTORNEY.

Oct. 24, 1944. M. E. scHLx-:NKr-:R

'CLOCK Filed April l2, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 0N p05/ T/ON INVENTOR. 'aux E. SCHLENKER A TTORNEY.

Patented Oct. 24, 1944 CLOCK Max E.'Schlenker, Peru, Ill., assignor to General Time Instruments Corporation, New York, N. Y.. a corporation of Delaware Application April 12, 1943, Serial No. 482,698

11 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to clocks and more particularly to clocks of the alarm type. The main object of the invention is toprovide an alarm clock having an improved alarm switch or shut-off mechanism.

According to one feature of the invention, the manual member which controls the alarm switch mechanism is arranged to be operated in the same direction'irrespective of whether the alarm is According to another feature of the invention, the manual member for controlling the alarm switch mechanism has means associated therewith for visually indicating whether the alarm mechanism is in on or off position.

Another feature of the invention relates to the means for holding the manual member in a partially operated position when the alarm mechanism is in oi position.

The above and other objects and features of the invention will be clearly understood from a perusal of the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, comprising Figures 1 to 5, inclusive, in which Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a clock embodying the present invention taken along line I-l of Fig. 2, some of the parts not essential to an understanding of the present invention having been omitted for clarity;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the as viewed from the left in Fig. l;

clock mechanism Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view of the time and alarm setting means;

Fig. 4 shows the alarm switch mechanism in on position; and

Fig. 5 shows the alarm switch mechanism in off position.

Referring now in detail to the drawings, only suicient of the parts of a clock have been shown to clearly illustrate the present invention. The casing member of the clock is indicated by the reference character l, the gong or back cover of the clock by the character 2, and the movement holder by the reference character 3.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the major portion of the clock movement is mounted between the front movement plate 5 and the rear movement plate 4, which plates are held in parallel spaced relationship by means of the pillars 1.. Secured to the front movement plate 5 is the dial plate 6 which is held in spaced relationship thereto by means of the bent-up portions 'I9 of dial plate 6, these portions having reduced projections which nt into holes in the front movement plate 5. The movement holder 3 is secured to the casing members of the clock in a manner not illustrated in the drawings and in turn mounts the clock movement. This movement holder is connected to the rear movement plate 4 by means of the spacing pillars 8. The gong 2 is mounted on the movement holder 3 by means of screws such as 9.

For the sake of clarity, the usual escapement mechanism, and spring and spring barrel have been omitted from the drawings since these may be of the usual construction as found in the ordinary clock.

The center shaft 46 is journalled in the two movement plates and passes through a bushing in the dial plate E. Fixedly mounted on this center shaft is the gear Wheel 65 which is part of the setting mechanism for the hands, the collar 49 against which bears the friction spring 50, and the pinion 5| which is part of the 12 to 1 reduction gearing between the minute and hour hands. Also directly mounted on the center shaft 46 is the minute hand 56. The gear wheel 4l and associated pinion 48 are rotatably mounted on shaft 45, and are'connected thereto through the friction connection comprising the spring 5U which bears against the end of pinion 48, and against the previously mentioned collar 49. The pinion 48 is geared to the usual Spring barrel by means of which power is transmitted to the center shaft. usual train to the clock escapement.

Referring particularly to Fig. l, the l2 to I reduction gearing for the hour hand comprises the pinion 5| mounted on shaft 46 and geared into the wheel 13 mounted on shaft 'l5 together with the pinion 14. The pinion 14 is geared into the wheel 52 which is mounted on the hour sleeve which in turn is rotatably mounted on the center shaft 46. This hour sleeve extends through the dial plate 6 and at its outer end is mounted the hour hand 5l. another sleeve on which are mounted the alarm cam and associated gear 54 which is provided for setting the alarm mechanism. This sleeve also extends through the dial plate and at its outer end is mounted the alarm set indicating hand 58. The cam 55 .is provided with a notch or cutaway portion 16 which is adapted to cooperate with the cam follower 53 which consists of a bent down portion cut out of the wheel 52. The follower 53 ismaintained against the surface of the crown cam 55 by means of flat spring 59 mounted on the front movement plate 5. This fiat spring is provided with a lateral projection adapted to engage the teeth ofthe alarm The gear 4l is connected through the I Surrounding the hour sleeve is escape wheel In when the follower 53 is on the high portion of cam 55. When the follower drops into the notch 'I6 the projection 60 is withdrawn from the teeth of the escape wheel IIJ and permits the alarm mechanism to function.

The alarm escape Wheel I IJ is mounted on shaft II which is journalled in the movement plates 4 and 5. The pinion I2 is xedly mounted on shaft I I to the rear of plate 4 and this pinion is adapted to engage a gear wheel (not shown) attached to the spring shaft. The power for operating the alarm mechanism, therefore, is transmitted from the drive spring to pinion I2. An alarm hammer I3 (Fig. l) is mounted on shaft I6 which is journalled in the two movement plates. This hammer .member consists of an extended arm carrying at its lower end the weighted hammer mechanism I4 which is adapted to Strike against the gong 2 when the alarm mechanism is operated. This arm operates through a hole I5 in the movement holder 3.

The hammer member I3 is also provided with the pallets cooperating with the escape wheel I and an arm 4I extending upwardly from the member I3 and cooperating with the manual shut-off mechanism as will be explained later.

The manual alarm switch or shut-off mechanism includes a bell crank lever 36 flxedly mounted on shaft 35 journalled in the two movement plates. This bell crank lever consists of an arm 39 which extends into the path of lateral projection 40 on the end of arm 4I which is part of the hammer member. Another arm 42 of this bell crank lever 36 is provided with a lateral projection 43 at its lower end, this projection being adapted to engage a multi-toothed cam mem ber 34 mounted on shaft 33 together with the ratchet wheel 32. The third arm 31 of the bell crank lever 36 extends upwardly and is provided at its upper end with a laterally projecting latching plate 38 which is adapted to engage the shoulder of the enlarged portion 23 of the manual shut-01T member I9. The bell crank lever 36 is normally held in the position shown in Fig. 1 by means of the spring 44 which is coiled around shaft 35, one end being held by the hook 45 formed by a struck-out portion of the front movement plate 5, and the other end bearing against the edge of the plate 38. In this position of the bell crank lever 36, the extension 39 lies in the path of projection 40 of the hammer mechanism and the alarm cannot function.

Also journalled in the two movement plates 4 and is the shaft 26 which has rigidly mounted thereon a bell crank lever 25. This lever comprises a' downwardly extending arm 29 having a -at spring 30 attached to its lower end. This at spring 30 is provided with a hole which is adapted to be engaged by the teeth of the ratchet wheel 32. The flat spring 30, therefore, functions as an operating pawl for the ratchet wheel 32. Downwardly extending arm 28 of bell crank lever 25 engages one of the spacing pillars I to limit the movement of the bell crank lever in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1.

The arm 29 is also provided with a laterally extending projection 3I which extends through and is adapted to engage the edge of a hole in the rear movement plate 4 in order to limit the clockwise movement of bell crank lever 25.

Bell crank lever 25 is also provided with a third arm carrying a flat laterally extending plate 24 which is located in the path of movement of the enlarged or knob portion 23 of the manual shutoff member I9. The shut-off member I9 is journalled in a bushing 20 secured in the movement holder. The spring clip 22, retained in a groove in shaft I9, limits the upward movement of the member and same is biased to its upper position by means of the spring 2I surrounding shaft I 9 and bearing at its lower end against bushing 20 and at its upper end against the manual control member I'l secured to shaft I9.

The means for setting the alarm cam and the alarm set indicating hand 5B comprises the shaft 62 journalled in the movement plates 4 and 5 and bearing at its lower end the gear 6I which engages the alarm gear 54. Shaft 62 at its upper end carries the gear Wheel 63 which in turn is in mesh with the gear wheel 64 mounted on the sleeve 10. This sleeve 'I0 is rotatably mounted on and forms the bearing for the hand setting shaft 69. This shaft 69 has its lower end journalled in the movement plate 4 and mounts the gear wheel 66 which is geared into the wheel 65 mounted on center shaft 46.

From a, study of Fig. 3 of the drawings, it will be seen that the sleeve I0 extends through the movement holder 3 and the gong or back cover 2, and has securely mounted thereon at its outer end, the operating knob 68. This knob is provided with a cut out portion adapted to receive a washer 'II and a nut l2 which is tightened on the threads provided on the outer end of sleeve I0 in order to clamp the knob 68 against a shoulder provided on the sleeve.

The operating knob 6l is provided with an insert Il containing internal threads which engage the threads on the outer end of the shaft 69. As will be seen from Fig. 2, the knob 68 lies directly over the screws 9 which mount the gong to the movement holder and all unsightly mounting screws are thereby eliminated from the rear of the clock.

The hands of the clock are set by turning knob 61 which is geared to the center shaft 46 by means of gears 66 and 65 as previously described.

The alarm set indicating hand 58v is adjusted by means of the operating knob 68 which is geared to the sleeve carrying hand 58, through gears 64, 63, 6I and 54. The alarm cam 55 is prevented from being rotated by the cam follower 53 by means of a spring spider I8 which bears against the dial plate 6 and against a shoulder on the cam sleeve.

The operation of the alarm shut-olf mechanism will now be described in connection with Figs. 4 and 5.

Fig. 4 discloses the mechanism in its on position, that is, with the shut-off mechanism released so that the alarm may be set in operation at the pre-determined time indicated by the alarm set indicating hand. In this position the arm 39 of bell crank lever 36 is in its lower-most position and out of the path of projection 40. The projection 43 on arm 42 is in engagement with one of the high points on the control cam 34. The manual member I'I is held in its upper-most position by spring 2I and the major portion of this member extends through the case I to disclose the lettering which is embossed in the member. Also, to indicate the on condition of the switch in the dark, the holes or wells I8 in member II are filled with luminous material. The member I'I may be made of transparent plastic material so that the glow of the luminous material may be seen in the dark.

When the manual member II is depressed, the lower knob 23 strikes the horizontal plate 24 and rotates bell crank lever 25 in a clockwise direction. During this rotation the pawl 30 engages a sociated with said last means for indicating the tooth on ratchet 32 and moves same in a counter- ,position of said shut-oit member. clockwise direction. The cam 34 moves with the 2. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, an ratchet wheel 32 and the projection or cam folalarm shut-oir member having an ofi position lower 43 is moved from a high point on the cam 5 in which it blocks said alarm mechanism and an -to a low point on the cam, permitting bell crank on position in which it frees said alarm mechlever 36 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise dianis-m for operation, a manual member for conrecticn by means of spring 44 to the position trolling said shut-off member, means responsive shown in Fig. 5. In this position the latching to successive operations of said manual member plate 38 engages the shoulder on knob 23 and 10 in the same direction for alternately moving said holds the manual shut-off member in its lower shut-off member to its on and off positions, :position against the urge of spring 2 I. The and means for latching said manual member in a counter-clockwise rotation of the bell crank lever partially operated position when said shut-ofi le- 36 also brings the arm 39 into the path of prover is moved to off position. jection 4U, thereby stopping the sounding of the 15 3. In an alarm clock, alarm operating mechaalarm. nism, a first means for blocking said mechanism When it is desired to turn the alarm on, the and time controlled means for releasing said first manual member I1 is again depressed, rotating blocking means, a second blocking means for said bell crank lever in the counter-clockwise direcalarm operating mechanism, a manually deprestion and advancing the ratchet wheel 32 and asso- 2o sible member, means responsive to successive de- Cttted Cam 34. ROtatlOll Of Cam 34 fOICeS the pressing movements 0f Said member for alter.. cam follower 43 to a high portion of the Cain nately rendering said second blocking means efthereby rotating bell crank lever 36 in a clockwise feotive and ineffective, and visual signal means direction. This unlatohes the latohng plate 38 for indicating when said second blocking means, from knob 23 and permits the manual member 5 15in @Hooi-,ive blocking position H to be raised toits upper position by Spring 2|. 4. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism and In this pOSllOll the WOI'd O11 1S Visible and also Operating means therefor means for blocking the luminous indicators are visible so that the said operating moansy timo meohanism for con- Condition 0f the alarm mechanism may be Seen trolling said blocking means, an alarm shut-off ata glance. lever having a first 4position in which it blocks Clockwise rotation of bell crank lever 33 also said alarm mechanism and a second position in removes arm 39 from the path of projeeton 40 which it is free of said alarm mechanism, a thereby preparing the alarm mechanism S0 that it manually depressible member for controlling said VVU. Opeaite at the Set When Calm OHOWGI' Shut 0ff1ever, means responsive to Successive de- 53 drops into notch 16 and removes the projec- 35 pressing movements of Said member for altertion 63 of spring 59 from the teeth of the alarm nMols, moving said lever to its blocking and nom @Scape Wheel '0- blocking positions, and means for indicating From the fofegong description O the mecha' when said lever is in non-blocking position. nism and the operation of the same, it will be 5 In an alarm ,clocky alarm mechanism and seen that there is provided an improved alam 40 operating means therefor, time controlled means switch or shut-oit mechanism for an alarm clock for controlling said operating moans, blocking which is very convenient and easily operable. It moans for said alarm mechanism a manually ds Wm be Seen that the manual Operatmg member pressible member, means responsive to successive for the alam mechansm-s always Operated in depressing movements of said member for alterthe Same dllectlony that 1S the member 1S de 45 nately rendering said blocking means effective pressed irrespective of whether the alarm mechand ineffective and means for retaining said anism 1s to be turned on or offf When the member in a partially depressed position When mechanism is in off position, the manual mem-v Said blocking moans is effeotlvo ber S in lOWeY-'Illst position Only a, Smau 6 In an alarm clock alarm mechanism and portion thereof extending through the case of operating means therefor, means for blocking the Clock. When the alarm 1S in 011 DOStOYl said operating means, time mechanism for conthe manual member assumes tS upper pOStOIl trolling said blocking means, an alarm shut-oil I in which it extends through the Casing far lever having ablocking position and anon-blockerlOugh t0 be easily grasped t0 Shut Off the alarm ing position with respect to said alarm mechaand in this upper-most position it also serves aS nisrn, a manually operable member for controlling a signal to indicate that the alarm switch is 0n. said shut-oir lever, means responsive to successive Although only one embodiment of the invenoperations of said member in the same direction l tion has been disclosed and described, it will be for alternately moving said lever to its blocking apparent to those skilled in the art that many and non-blocking positions, resilient means for modifications may be made in this mechanism urging said member to its unoperated position, without departing from the spirit of the invenand means for holding said member in a partially operated position when said shut-off lever tion.

Having described the invention, what is claimed is in blocking position. as new and is desired to have protected by Letters 7. In an alarm clock, 'alarm mechanism and Patent is: operating means therefor, a shut-off lever for 1. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, an blocking said alarm mechanism, a manual memalarm shut-ofi member having an ofi position ber for controlling said shut-off lever, means rein which it blocks said alarm mechanism against sponsive to successive operations of said memoperation and an on position in which it reyber in the samedirection for causing said shutleases said alarm mechanism, a manually operoir lever to alternately block and release said able member for controlling said shut-off memalarm mechanism, means for biasing said member, means responsive to successive operations of ber to a normal position, and a projection on said said manually operable member in the same dishut-off lever for holding said member in parrection for alternately moving said shut-oir memtially operated position when Said shut-off lever ber to its on and off positions, and means asis in blocking position. I

8. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, an alarm shut-off member having an 01T position and an on position, a manual member for controlling said shut-on member, means responsive to successive operations of said manual member in the same direction for alternately moving said shut-orf member to its off and on positions, means for latching said manual member in a partially operated position when said shut-oil? lever, is moved to 01T position, and visual signal means associated with said manual member for indicating the position of said shut-off member.

9. In an alarm clock including a case, alarm mechanism and operating means therefor mounted Within said case, control means including a manual member extending from said case for alternately blocking and releasing said operating means responsive to successive depressing movements of said manual member, signal means associated with said member to indicate the release position of said control means, and means for latching said manual member in partially depressed position When said control means is in blocking position to render said signal means ineffective.

10. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, a shut-off lever having an arm adapted to block said alarm mechanism, a cam for controlling the position of said arm, a manually operable member, means responsive to successive operations of said member for rotating said cam to alternately move said arm to blocking and non-blocking positions, and means associated therewith for indicating whether said arm is in blocking or nonblocking position.

11. In an alarm clock, alarm mechanism, a shut-01T lever having an arm adapted to block said alarm mechanism, a cam for controlling the position of said arm, a manually operable member, means responsive to successive operations of said member for rotating said cam to alternately move said arm to blocking and non-blocking positions, and a second arm on said shut-off lever for latching said member in partially operated position when said first arm is in blocking position.

MAX E. SCHLENKER.

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