US2510912A - Automatic watch part cleaning machine - Google Patents

Description

June 6 1950 o. scHuRENBr-:RG 2,50912 AUTOMATIC WATCH PART CLEANING MACHINE y Filed Aug. 27, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet l JNVENTOR. OTTO SCHURENBERG A Mmm/5y June 6, 1950 o. SCHURENBERG 2,510,912

AUTOMATIC WATCH PART CLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1948 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 |50 E ,43 l4q 34 A 4e fma wsu rj?. 1

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OTTo ScHuRENBERe June 6, 1950 o. scHURENBERG AUTOMATIC WATCH PART CLEANING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 27, 1948 IN V EN TOR.

G R E B N L R U H C S O T T O June 6, 1950 o. SCHURENBERG 2,510,912

AUTOMATIC WATCH PART CLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1948 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 le@ :ce (16am 8., s

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AUTOMATIC WATCH PART CLEANING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 27, 1948 June 6, 1950 o. scHuRENBERG 2,510,912

AUTOMATIC WATCH PART 'CLEANING MACHINE Filed Aug. 27, 1948 7 Sheecs-SheefI 6 MOTOR r|56 (SPlNmNG) HEATER MlcRo-Sw|Tcn `|'35q Oe (NoRMALLv Oren) I se G6 las MlcRo-SwnTcH (NomALLv (losen) nos TIMER s o6 (om, -|o\ "a H4 l O us s 3 l v MlcRo-SwxTcH |58 (Nonmux Oven) rn w PlLoT Lmn :u1 oz I2 qy/ Izq MAIN SwlTcH L|| q n STARTER sql qs (Douma Tmzow Smm) I JNVENToR. 129.14. OTTO SCHURENBERG BY Patented June 6, 1950 AUTOMATIC WATCH PART CLEANING MACHINE Otto Schurenberg, New York, N. Y.

Application August 27, 1948, Serial No. 46,495

Claims. 1

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in an automatic watch part cleaning machine. More particularly, the present invention constitutes an improvement of the watch part cleaning machine disclosed in my co-pending earlier application Serial No. 671,756 led May 23, 1946.

That earlier application discloses an automatic machine in which the parts of a watch to be cleaned are placed in a basket which is automatically advanced from a starting position and then from one station to the next to first dip and whirl the basket containing the watch parts in a container of cleaning fluid, then in a container of rinsing fluid, then in a container of drying fluid, then in a heated drying container yand then back to the starting position at which the watch parts can be removed from the container thoroughly cleaned and other watch parts to be cleaned can be placed in the basket and the cleaning cycle repeated.

The present invention relates to certain improvements in the electrical circuit which controls the lifting and lowering and turning of the basket from one station to the next, in the electrical circuit which controls spinning of the basket containing the watch parts being cleaned and in the mechanism for eifecting the desired rotation of the basket from one station to the next between upward and downward movements thereof.

More specifically, the present invention relates to improved electrical circuits for the operation ofthe various parts of the machine which circuits are all so interconnected that their en,V

ergization is controlled by a main switch but so arranged that all of the circuits are independent of each other for their intended purposes when the main switch has been moved to an on position.

Still further, the present invention proposes a circuit including a source of electrical energy, the main switch and a pilot light clearly visible at the front of the machine and arranged to be Ilit all the time the main switch is in its on po sition in a manner to clearly indicate that there is electric current in the machine.

Another object of the present invention proposes the provision of a lifting motor for lifting and lowering the basket containing the watch= parts and for action in cooperation with a turning means for turning the basket from one station to the next when the basket is at the top of its stroke which electric motor is mounted in an electrical circuit including a timer having i 11.91- -7 mally closed switch which is arranged to be mechanically opened at the end of each down stroke of the basket in a manner to retain the basket within the containers for a preselected length of time.

The present invention further proposes the provision of a normally open micro-switch controlled by rotations of lifting motor and mounted in a circuit to the lifting motor which shunts the time controlled switch of the timer for momentarily closing the shunt circuit after the time controlled switch has been opened to insure stopping of the basket at the lowest point of each of its down strokes.

Still another object proposes the provision of a normally closed micro-switch mounted in the circuit to the lifting motor which includes the time controlled switch of the timer and which is arranged to be opened by a suitable cam portion as the machine finishes a complete operating cycle to stop the machine and prevent the automatic re-starting of another operating cycle.

A further object of the present invention proposes the provision of a further circuit to the electric motor which shunts the circuit which includes the timer and the normally closed microswitch and which includes a manually operabletwo pole switch arranged in a manner to energize the lifting motor, notwithstanding that the normally closed micro-switch is being held open by its operating cam portion, to start an operating cycle of the machine to move the cam portion clear of the normally closed micro-switch permitting it to close so that further operations of the machine during one complete cycle may be controlled by the circuit which includes the normally closed micro-switch and the time controlled switch of the timer.

The present invention further proposes a spin motor for spinning the basket containing the watch parts to be cleaned and which motor is mounted in an electrical circuit including a normally open micro-switch controlled in a novel manner by one of the links of the mechanical lever arrangement which lifts and lowers the basket to spin the basket while in its lowered position in each of the containers and again while the basket is moving out of the containers and is at a position above the liquid level of the containers and while not moved clear of the top thereof to centrifugally throw all excess liquid from the watch parts and the basket.

A modication of the present invention proposes the provision of a novel mechanical means which is caused to operate by the mere act of 3 lifting and lowering the basket to turn the basket through an arc corresponding to the distance between adjacent stations in a manner to move the basket from one station to the next.

It is a further object of this invention to construct a watch part cleaning machine which is entirely automatic in operation to pass through a complete operating cycle when it has been set in operation, which is simple and durable and which can be manufactured and sold at a reasonable cost.

For further comprehension of the invention,

and of the objects and advantages thereof, re

ference will be had to be following description and accompanying drawings, and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth..

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of the watch part cleaning machine constructedi in accordance -withthe present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. l look- `ing from the left side thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional View of the machine taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged View of the'bottom portion of Fig. 2 with the left side of the cover removed, but with the parts in their lowered position.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of Fig. 4 illustrating a different position of the parts.

Fig. 6 is a. further detailed` view of a portion of Fig. 4 illustrating still another position of the parts.

Fig. 1 is a horizontal sectional view takenv on the line 1-1 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged'brokenf vertical sectional view through theY vertical post of the. machine and taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 9---51A of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line. lll-|11 of Fig 8.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line of Fig'. 8.

Fig. 12 is a partialV horizontal sectional. View takeny on the line |2-l2 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 13 is a partial horizontalv sectional view taken on the lineV |3'-|3 ofl Fig. 3.

Fig. 14 is a schematic wiring diagram of the device.

Fig. l5 is a side elevational view'similar to Fig. 2 but illustrating the machine-constructed. in accordance with a modication of the invention.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged detailed View of a, portion of Fig. 15.

Fig. 17 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line |1|1 cf Fig.v 16.

The watch part cleaningl machine, according tothe present invention,- includes. a hollow base consisting of a at bottom wall 3| and a bracket 32 mounted upon or integrally formed at the back of the bottom wall and overhanging a portion thereof. A panel 33 is attached to the front end of the bottom wall 3| and extends vertically therefrom. The hollow base 3B is completed by a cover 34vformed' of separate sections which meet along a center line 35, see Figs. l and 3. which extends from the front to the rear of the base 33. The cover 34 is removably retained in position by means of screws 35. which pass through the cover 34; and which threadedly engage the adjacent portions of the bottom wall '3L the bracket 32 and the panel 33.

Extended vertically from the base 30, there is a iixedly mounted vertical post 31. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the bottom end of the vertical post 31 is extended into a boss 38 formed at the front end of the overhanging portion of the bracket 32 and is secured thereto by a set screw 39. The vertical post 31 is tubular in cross-section, see Figs. 8 to 10.

Mounted upon the top face of the cover 34 of the base 3U there are three liquid containers 40, 4| and 42 and a drying container 43. Each of the liquid containers 40, 4| and 42 is preferably formed of glass or some other transparent material and midway of their heights are provided with marks 44, see Figs. 1 and 2, designated Liquid level denoting the height to which the containers are to be filled with liquid. The bottoms of the liquid containers 4U, 4| and 42 are retained within shallow receiving receptacles 45 securely mounted upon the top face of the cover 34'. The drying container 43 comprises a tubular metal member securely mounted in position on the cover 34 concentric with an opening 46, see Fig. 13, formed in the respective section of the cover 34. At the front of the machine between the liquid container 40 and the drying container 43 there is a space which will be hereinafter referred to as the starting and stopping space.

The liquid containers 40, 4| and 42 and the drying container 43 are evenly spaced with the starting and stopping space and arranged in a oncle concentric with the tubular vertical post 31. Container 40 is to contain the cleaning fluid, container 4| a rinsing uid and container 43 a drying fluid while the drying container is provided with a heater 41, which will be referred to in greater detail as this specication proceeds, for drying the watch parts prior to their removal from the machine.

Vertically slidable and rotatively mounted on the tubular vertical post 31 there is an outer tubular sleeve 48. FiXedly mounted by means of set screws 49 on the tubular sleeve 48 intermediate of its top and bottom ends, but closely adjacent the top end', there is a ring 59. A flat circular plate 5| is mounted concentrically on the sleeve 48 and extends radially in all directions therefrom. The plate 5| has its bottom face resting on the top face of the ring 50 and is secured thereto by several screws 52, see Fig. 8. Thus. the plate 5| moves vertically with the tubular sleeve 48 towards and away from the top ends of the containers 4U, 4|, 42 and 43.

The bottom face of the plate 5| is covered by a layer of soft rubber 53 and in the lowered or normal position of the plate 5|, the layer of soft rubber 53 engages the open tops of the containers 4B, 4| and 42 closing the same and preventing the loss of liquid by evaporation while the machine is standing idle or by evaporation and splashing while the machine is in operation. The top open ends of the containers 4Q, 4| and 42 are only open during the time the plate 5| is moving up and down. From Fig. 1 it will be clearly noted that the drying container is what shorter than the liquid containers 40, M and 42 so that in the normal or lowered position of the disc 5| the layer of soft rubber 53 will not engage and close the top of the drying container 43 permitting the heat from the drying container 43 to escape, thus preventing the portions of the layer of rubber which fall over the open top of the drying container 43 from being cooked.

Mounted radially upon a portion of the top face of the plate 5| there isa spin motor 54 which has its driven shaft 55 extended through the plate 5| and provided at its bottom with an openable basket 56 into which the parts of the watch to be cleaned can be placed. A portion of the basket 56 is formed of wire mesh to permit a free passage of the liquid of the containers 49, 4| and 42 into the basket 56 and about the watch parts contained therein. Further details of the baskets 58 will not be given in this specification as they form no part of the present invention and as such baskets are generally known to those skilled in the art. Details of the operation of the spin motor 54 will be given later in this specification. It is apparent that as the plate 5| moves up and down that the spin motor 54 and the basket 58 will move therewith.

Above the plate 5|, the tubular sleeve 48 is provided with ve inwardly extending pins 51. The pins 51 are evenly spaced and have their inner ends projected into five evenly spaced utes 58 formed in the 'vertical post 31 permitting vertical movement of the tubular sleeve 48 while restraining the sleeve 48 and parts carried thereby `against rotational movement. At their top ends, the flutes 58 communicate with a reduced neck portion 49 formed about the vertical post 31. Upon upward movement of the tubular sleeve 48, the pins 51 move out of the top ends of the flutes 58 and into the reduced neck portion 58 freeing the plate 5| and the parts carried thereby for rotational movement relative to the xedly mounted vertical post 31 and the containers 48, 4|, 42 and 43.

Means is provided for lifting and lowering the tubular sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby for extending the basket 58 into the containers 48, 4|, 42 and 43 and for removing it from the containers. This means comprises an arm 80 which passes between the containers 4| and 42 and which has its rear end pivotally supported upon the top end of a bracket 8| by means of a pin 62. The bracket 6| is integrally formed with and extends vertically from the bracket 32, see Fig. 4. Between the containers ,4| and 42, the arm 6i) is formed with a downwardly offset portion which permits passage of the lower end of the basket 58 when moving from the container 4| to the container 42. The forward end of the arm 6l) is bifurcated and extends about the tubu lar sleeve 48 concentric therewith.

Pivotally attached at their upper ends to the forward bifurcated end of the arm 60 there is a pair of depending links 83. The lower ends of the links 63 are pivotally attached to diametrically opposite sides of a collar 64 by means of pins 85. The lower end of the tubular sleeve 48 extends rotatively through the collar 84 which has its bottom face resting onI the top face of a radial flange 68 integrally formed with the lower end of the tubular sleeve 48. The top face of the collar 84 is engaged by ball bearings 81 retained in position by means of a race S8 which is secured to the tubular sleeve 43 by one or more set screws 59. Thus, as the arm 6I] is moved up and down about its pivot pin 82 the tubular sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby will be similarly moved up and down on the vertical post 31.

A vertical link has its upper end pivotally attached to the arm 68 closely adjacent its pivot 6 tached to the rear end of a horizontal lever 13 by means of a pivot pin 14. The lever 13 is pivotally supported intermediate of its ends by means of a pin 15 upon a depending portion 16 of the bracket 32.

Mounted upon the bottom wall 3| of the hollow base 38 adjacent one side of the front end of the lever 13 there is a lifting motor 11 which includes a gear reduction unit. The driven shaft 18 of the lifting motor 11 extends therefrom on the side adjacent the lever 13 and has fixedly mounted on the outer end thereof a radial arm 19. A stud 88 projects from the side of the radial arm 19 and engages an elongated slot 8| formed in the front end of the horizontal lever 13. Thus, as the driven shaft 18 is rotated by the lifting motor 11 the radial arm 18 will be rotated turning the stud 80 through a complete circle. As the stud 80 turns it will move back and forth in the length of the elongated slot 8| and pivot the lever 13 and move the link 18 up and down to in turn .pivot the arm 60 up and down about its pivot pin 62 and raise and lower the tubular sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby.

A counterbalance is provided for smoothing out the lifting and lowering of the tubular sleeve 48 under the influence of the lifting motor 11. This counterbalance comprises a contraction spring 82 which has one end anchored to the top end of a post 83 which extends from the bottom wall 3|, by means of a screwf84. The rear end of the spring 82 is connected to one end of a cable 85 which extends over a pair of vertically spaced pulleys 86 rotatively supported on the bracket 32. The free end of the cable 85 depends from the topmost pulley 85 and is attached at its lower end to the back of the vertical link 18 slightly above the pivot pin 14, by means of a screw 31. The contraction spring 82 is always under slight tension so as to resist erratic movement of the tubular sleeve 48 and the linkage system interposed between the sleeve and the lifting motor 11 so that up and down movements of the sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby will be smooth.

Several independent circuits are provided for controlling the energization of the lifting motor 11 in accordance with certain mechanical operations of the machine. In this connection it is pointed out that most wires for the various electrical parts have been omitted from the constructional details shown in Figsl to 13; however, those electrical circuits are clearly shown in Fig. 14, the schematic wiring diagram of the device. Referring to Fig. 14, it will be noted that the electrical circuits include the usual plug 88 adapted to be inserted into one of the usual electrical outlet receptacles or other source of electrical energy. One lead 88 from the plug S8 is connected to one contact of a toggle-type main switch 90 mounted on the panel 33 of the hollow base 30. The other contact of the main switch 98 isl connected by 4means of a lead 9| with one contact of a pilot light 92. The other lead 93 from the plug 88 is connected to the other contact of the pilot light 92 so that the pilot light is connected in series with the source of electrical er1- ergy which causes the pilot light 92 to be lit when the toggle-type main switch Sil is closed to indicate that current is flowing in the machine.

Referring to Fig; l it will be noted that the pilot light 92 is Xedly mounted upon one arm of an L-shaped bracket 94 which has its other arm secured to the inside face of the panel 33. The panel 33 is provided with a hole in alignment with the pilot light and the hole is covered by a piece of glass 94 throughA which. rays of light from the pilot light 92 pass. The glass 94 is preferably tinted a red color as is generally known in the art to form a suitable warning signal that the main switch 90 is in an on position.

A lead 96 is connected to an intermediate portion of the lead 9| between the main switch 90 and the pilot 92 and has its other end connected to one of the outer poles 91 of a three pole two positionv starter switch 98.. 98 is also mounted on the panel 33 and has a manually depressible button 99A extended from the front face of the panel 33. The button 99 is normally in an extended position and completes the circuit to a timer |v through a lead |0| whichv extends between one contact of the timer |00 and the center pole |02 of the starter switch 98. A- lead |03 connects the other contact of the timer lll'with one contact of a normally closed micro-switch |04. TheA other contact of the micro-switch |04 is connected by a lead |05 to one contact of the lifting motor 11. A lead |05 con'- nects the other' contact of the lifting motor 11 with the lead 93 between the plug 88 and the pilot light 92 completing the normal operating circuit to the lifting motor 11.

The timer |00 is of a type generally known in the art and includes a clock mechanism (not shown) and a normally closed electrical switch (not shown). Means is interposed between the lifting motor 11 and the timer |00 for opening its normally closed switch and for setting the clock mechanism in operation to measure a predetermined length of time after which the normally closed switch of the timer |00 will again be closed for completing the circuit to the lifting motor 11. This all occurs while the plate 5| is in its lowered position and the basket 56 is lowered into one of the containers 40, 4|, 42 or 43.

The means for operating the timer |00 comprises an arm |91, see Figs. 4 to '1, pivotally supported at its rear end to one side of the depending portion 16 of the bracket 32 upon the same pivot pin which pivotally supports the horizontal lever 13. Intermediate of its ends the arm |01 is formed with an offset portion |08, see Fig. 1, which extends in the normal path of travel of the end of the stud 80 which projects beyond the side of the lever 13. As the stud moves in its orbit and approaches the end of each of its complete revolutions. its free end engages beneath the offset portion |08 of the arm |01 and raises the arm to the fully raised position shown in Fig. 5. Just before the stud 80 completes each of its complete revolutions, the extended end of the stud 80 moves clear of the offset portion |08 of the arm 01 and the arm drops, under the influence of gravity, back to its starting position as shown in Fig. 6.

A rod |09 projects laterally from the side of the end of the arm 01 and normally rests on the top of the casing of the timer |00, as clearly seen in Figs. 4 and 6. An operator stem H0 extends vertically slidably from the top of the casing of the timer |00 and freely slidably passes through a complementary hole formed' in the adiacent end of the rod |09. An enlarged head ||2 is formed on the top end of the operator stem H0 preventing disengagement of the top end ofv the stem ||0 from the hole in the rod |09.

Assume that the tubular sleeve 48 is moving downwards on the vertical post 31 lowering the basket 56 into one' of the containers 40', 4|, 42 or 43, and that the stud 80 is about to complete one revolution from theposition shown in Fig. 4. The

The starter switch stud 80v thenbegins lifting the arm |01 which in turn raises the operator stern ||0 of the timer |00. This upward movement of the operator stem |.|0 winds the spring of the clock mechanism of the timer |00 and when these parts reach the fully up position shown in Fig. 5 the operator stem 0 will release the clock mechanism to snap the electric switch of the timer |00 from it normally closed position to an open position interrupting the supply of electrical current to the lifting motor stopping rotation o'f the stud, except for a shunt circuit which retains the motor 11 in operation for a moment longer toy move the stud 80 clear of the oiset portion |08 of the arm |01 freeing the arm |01 to drop back to the position shown in Fig. 6 with the operator stem ||0 extending vertically above ther rod |99. In the position of the parts shownv in Fig. 6, the clock mechanism ofthe timer |00 will measure off the periodof time from which it has' been set and at the end of the period, the clock mechanism will snap the normally closed switch of the timer |00 back to its closed position t'o complete the circuit to the lifting motor 11 to energize the same for another complete revolution to raisel and again lower the tubular sleeve 48 on the vertical post. At the same instant, the clock mechanism releases the operator stem I0 which drops under the influence of gravity back to the position shown in Fig. 4 stopping the operation of the clock mechanism until the operator stem l 0 is again raised by the arm |01.

The shunt circuit referred to in the paragraph above functions to move the stud 80 to drop the oiiset portion |08 of the arm |01 and also insures stopping of the lifting motor 11 at the same point-the lowest possible point of movement of the plate 5| in which the layer of soft rubberv 53 tightly seals the open tops of the liquid containers 40, 4| and 42v and in which the basket is extended completely into one of the containers 40, 4|, 42 or 43 or at its lowest point in the starting and stopping space between the rst liquid container 40 and the drying container 43.

That shunt circuit comprises a normally open micro-switch I3 xedly mounted within the hollow base 30 immediately adjacent the path traversed by the free end of the radial arm 19 of the lifting motor 11, see Figs. 4 to 7. This normally open micro-switch ||3 has a depressible plunger ||4 adapted to be engaged by the free end of a spring member ||5 secured to the casing of the micro-switch ||3 below the plunger ||4. The outer end of the radial arm 19 of the lifting motor 11 carries a tail member ||6 which engages the spring member |l5 and moves it to urge the plunger |4 into close the normally open micro-switch ||3 and hold the same closed until the tail member ||6 moves clear of the free end of the spring member ||5. One contact of the micro-switch ||3 is connected by a lead ||1 to the lead 96 between the main switch 90 and the center pole |02 of the starter switch 98. The other contact of the micro-switch ||3 is connected by a lead I |8 to the lead |05, between the micro-switch |04 and the lift motor 11, to complete the circuit to the motor 11. Thus, when the normally open micro-switch ||3 is closed by the tail member H5 of the radial arm 19 of the lift motor 11 rotation of the stud 80 will continue to move the stud clear of the offset portion |03 of the arm |01 and until the end of the tail member IIS moves clear of the spring member I I5, in spite of the fact that the normally closed switch of the timer |00 is open. However, when the tail member H8 moves clear of the spring member ||5, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6, rotation of the lift motor 11 will be stopped as the normally closed switch of the timer is open at this time and the lift motor 11 will remain out of operation until the normally closed switch of the timer |00 snaps back to its closed position and closes the circuit through the timer |00 to the lift motor 11.

A manually controllable means is provided for setting the timer for a pre-selected period of from one to seven minutes, as the period during which the normally closed switch of the timer |00 will be open and the circuit to the lift motor 11 will be broken and the plate 5| and the basket 56 will be in their lowered positions. This manually controllable means comprises a pivotally mounted lever |9 which extends from the casing of the timer |00. Within the casing, the lever ||9 connects with the time adjustment mechanism of the clock mechanism to set the same for various pre-selected lengths of time as the lever ||9 is pivoted up or down. A vertical stem |20 has its lower end connected to the front end of the lever ||9 by means of a pivot pin |2|. At its top end the stern is pivotally connected by means of a pin |22 to the outer end of a lever |23 which is xedly attached to and extends radially from the inner end of a stud shaft |24. The stud shaft |24 is rotatively extended through the panel 33 and is provided at its forward end with a control knob |25. The control knob |25 operates over a scale |26 numbered from l to "1 denoting various time intervals for which the timer |00 may be set by merely turning the knob |25. Further details of the timer |00 will not be given in this specication as its constructional details, beyond those already set forth in this specification, form no part of this invention and are generally known to those skilled in the electrical eld.

The normally closed micro-switch |04 is mounted within the hollow base 30 on the front end of the overhanging portion of the bracket 32 by two screws |21, see Figs. 4 and 7. yThis micro-switch |04 includes a depressible plunger |28 which extends upwards through a hole in the cover 34 adjacent the bottom end of the fixedly mounted vertical post 31. The flange 65 on the bottom end of the tubular sleeve 48 is formed with an outwardly extending cam portion 66B. This cam portion 88a is formed on the side of the flange 68 adjacent the basket '58 to engage and depress the plunger |28 of the normally closed micro-switch |04 to open the same when the basket has left the drying container 43 and has reached its fully down position in the starting and stopping space between the containers and 43. When the basket 56 reaches this down position in the starting and stopping space a complete cycle of the machine will have been completed and the opening of the normally closed micro-switch |84 will prevent the restarting of another complete cycle.

In this connection it is pointed out that at the end of each operating cycle, the timer |00 will be operated to open its normally closed electric switch and to set its clock mechanism in operation for measure of the period of time for which this timer has beenv set. However, the clock mechanism will merely harmlessly tick off the period of time for which it has been set and at the end of that period it will reclose its normally closed electric switch, but the circuit to the lifting motor 11 through the timer |00 willnot go into operation because the normally closed micro-switch will be held in its open position by the cam portion 66a of the flange 66, interrupting that circuit through the timer |00.

Normally, the manually depressible button 99 of the starter switch 98 is extended completing the circuit to the lift motor 11 through the timer |00. However, the button 99 may be pressed inwards to start an operating cycle of the machine by energizing the lift motor 11"to raise the sleeve 48 and move the cam portion |56a free of the depressible plunger |28 freeing the same to snap outwards and permit the normally closed microswitch |84 to snap ba-ck to its normally closed position. To accomplish this the starter switch 98 has its other outside pole |29 connected to a lead |30 which in turn is connected to the lead |05 of the lift motor 11, between the lead I I8 and the motor. Thus, when the manually depressible button 99 is pushed inwards it connects the lift motor 11v in an energizing circuit which includes in series the lead 89, the main switch 90, a portion of the lead 9|, the lead 96, the center pole |02 of the starter switch 98, the outside pole |29, the lead |30, a portion of the lead |05, the lift motor 11 and the lead 06 back to the lead 83. The button 99 must be held depressed a sulcient length of time to permit a suii'icient opera-fv tion of the lift motor 11 to lift the tubular sleeve 48 `a suiiicient distance to completely disengage the cam portion 66 of the flange 66 from the depressible plunger |28 of the micro-switch |04 freeing the same to reclose itself. The button 99 is then released freeing the starter switch 98 which will then assume its other closed position closing the circuit through the timer |00 to control operation of the lift motor 11 at each of the operating stations of one complete operating cycle of the machine.

Mechanical means is provided which operates between each lifting and lowering of the tubular sleeve 48 on the vertical post 31 to turning the plate 5| and the parts carried thereby through one-fifth of a complete revolution which is the distance between adjacent operating stations of the machine. This mechanical means comprises five upwardly facing ratchet teeth |3| formed on the upper end of the tubular sleeve 48. A bushing |32 is flxedly mounted on the upper end of the vertical post 31 above the reduced neck portion 59 thereof. The bushing |32 is secured to the upper end of the vertical post 31 by several set screws |33. The bottom edge of the bushing' |32 is formed with five downwardly facing ratchet teeth |34 arranged to be engaged by the ratchet teeth I3 of the tubular sleeve 48. With the pins 51 of the tubular sleeve 48 engaging the flutes 58 of the vertical post 31, the adjacent ends of the ratchet teeth |3| and |34 will be slightly disaligned, see Fig. 2. Thus, as the tubular sleeve 48 nearly reaches its fully up position, the pins 51 will move out of the top ends of the utes 58 and into the reduced neck portion 59 freeing the sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby for rotation relative to the vertical post 31. Simultaneously, the ratchet teeth |3|wi1l begin to engage into the ratchet teeth |34 so that continued upward movement of the sleeve 48 will cause the ratchet teeth |3| and |34 to ride over one another until they reach their fully engaged positions in the complete up position of the tubular sleeve 48. However, since the teeth |3| and |34 were slightly disaligned when they started their engagement the teeth will only turn the plate 5| through the major portion of the one- 1"'1 fifth revolution required to move the basket 5 5 from one operating station to the next.

The top end lof the material of the vertical post 31 between adjacent flutes 5,8 is formed with downwardly sloping .cam surfaces |35. Thus, when the tubular sleeve 48 begins to move downwards the ratchet teeth |,3I .of the sleeve .48 will move out of the ratchet teeth |34 of the bushing |32 and the pins 51 will move .downwards through the reduced neck portion -59 of the vertical ypost 31. However, as the -'sleeve 48 was only moved through the major portion of the required oneiifth revolution the pins 51 will be disaligned with the flutes B and will engageand ride over the cam surfaces |135 which will turn the plate 5| and the .parts carried thereby through tn e remaining portion of the one-fifth revolution aligningthe pins51 with the flutes 58 to move downward therein and also `aligning the basket 56 eoncentrically with the next operating station, Also, 'this movement through the remaining portion vof the :one-fifth revolution will disalign the ratchet teeth |r3| and |34 and condition these teeth for proper reengagement on the'rlext up.- ward movement ,of :the sleeve 4.8. Movement of the plate 5| through the oneffth revolution occurs while the Vbasket .56 is disengaged vfrom the containers and at a location above the top ends thereof.

The heater '41 which is cylindrical in form is supported concentrically beneath the tubular drying container by a, metallic .strap |36, see Figs. 3 and 13, which has .one end bent about-the heater 41 and secured in :posi-,tion by-a .screw |31. The other .end of the Vstrap V| is secured to the cover 34 outwards of the opening .45 by means of several nuts and .bolts |38. The heater `41 is connected in'series in a circuit which includes the main switch 90 so that theheater 41 will be energized .when .themain switch 9.0 is in anon position. This `circuitcomprises a lead |39 connected'to th'e'lead 96 whichfin :turn .connects'with the .lead 9| connected Vto the ymain switch S0 and ywhich lead v|39 has its other end .connected to one side of the 'heater '1.4. Ailead |40zis con..- nected to the other -side of the .heater and has its other endconneeted tothe lead |06 'which in turn 'connectswith the lead 83. Thus, when the main 'switch lllis'turn'ed on, the .heater .41 will be Venergized to heat the interi'or of the drying .container 431to thoroughly dry the watch parts in the basket 55 While the basket is in its lowered position in the drying chamber .43.

Rotatively extended through the vertical post 31 there'iis a tube 14| the topend .of which'extends beyond the top end .of the vertical post 31 and-the adjacent endof the bushing |32, A llexible tube I'|`;42 has one .end engaged over the extendedtop end of thertube |4| and is secured there'toiby 'means of a 'collar |43and set screws |44 which threadedly pass through Vthe collar I43,'through alignedope'ningsformed .in the end of Vthe flexible 'tube |42 and bear against the sides of the tube .|4|. The other end of the llexible tube |42 is securely attached to the casing of the spin motor 54 about an opening v(not shown) which .connects the interior of the flexible tube with the interior of the motor casing. While the tube |42 is of flexible material it has sufcient rigidity to act asi-.a drive connection between the spin motor 54 and the tube |4| to turn the tube |4| within the vertical post y31 to mimic all rotative movements of the tubular sleeve 48 and theparts carried thereby.

The lower end of the tube |4I .carries an in- Sulation member |45 formed with spaced circular grooves |46, Within ,each of the grooves |46 there is .xedly .mounted acollector ,ring |41 of conductive material. The insulation member |45 is formed with a tubular-extension |45E extended into the bottom vend of the Ytube |41 and secured thereto by a .screw |48 so that the insulation member |45 will rotate with the tube .4.4L

A pair of electric leads |49 and |50 extend upwards through the tube |4| and through the fiexible tube |42 and into the casing of the spin motor 54 and have their upper .ends connected to the contacts of the spin vmotor 54. The lower ends ofthe leads 1.49 and |50 ,are each connected to :one V of the collector .rings I 4'1 'by means of pins |5I, ,see Fig. B.

Mounted upon .one side of the overhanging portion of theibracket 32 within the yhollow base 3,0 there is a Ablock .of insulation material |5|' securely held in position by several screws |52. spaced brushes L53 of ilexble conductive material v,are secu-red at their adjacent ends to the block of insulation material I|5I' by means of screws |54. The free .ends of the brushes |53 extend into the `grooves |46 of Athe insulation member |45 and make electrical Acontact with the collector rings |41. One of the brushes |53 isv connected by a lead |55 to the lead 96 which connects with a portion lof the lead 9| which in turn is connected to one .of the contacts of the main switch 9U. The other brush |53 is connected by 'a :lead |56 to the `lead |06 which in turn is .connected to the lead S3. Connected in series .in the 'lead |55 there is a normally open micro-switch |51 and a rheostat |58 for controlling the koperation of the spin motor 54.

The micro-switch |51 is mounted with the `hollo-w 'base 30 adjacent the path traversed by the lower end .of the 4vvertical link 1|). The micro switch |51 isprovided with a depressible plunger |59 which is arranged to be pushed inwards for closing thignorma'lly open micro-switch |51. A flexible member |50 `has its lower end xedly attached to the 'casing of the micro-switch |51, its :intermediate portion f. extended across the plunger |59 and is provided at its upper end with a'roller 16|. Thus, as the flexible member isllexed towards the casing of the microswitch |51 it vvv-ill'urge/the plunger l|59 in closing the switch |51 and completing the circuit to the spin motor 54. V

'Means is :provided for lflexing the flexible member |60 to close the micro-switch |51 While the basket 56 is in a-lowered position in one of the containers 40, 4|, 42 or 43 and again'when the basket 59 is moving out of the containers and at a position between the Liquid level marks 4 4 and the tops of the containers, which is approximately 4the position shown in Fig. 2. This closing of the micro-switch energizes the spin motor^54 to-spin the basket A56 while in the lowered position to thoroughly circulate the liquids of the Containers 40,41 and 42 through linebacket and about the watch parts contained therein and to thoroughlycirculate the heatedvair of the drying container 43 about the watch parts to dry V-thesa-me. Again closing the micro-switch |51 while the basket is moving out of the containers and is above the Liduid level marks 44 causes all the excess accumulated liquid to be entrifugally lthrown ,from the basket V56.

"The means for ilexing the flexible member 16| to close the micro-Switch 51 in its lowered position comprises an L-shaped actuator'lz having one arm securely attached to the side of the vertical link and its other arm extended laterally from the side of the link 16 at a suitable elevation to engage the roller I6| and ilex the ilexible member |60 when the link 16 reaches its fully down position, as shown in Fig. 4. Rotatively mounted on the pin 14 which pivotally connects the adjacent ends of the vertical link 16 and the horizontal lever 13, there is a second actuator |63 having a forwardly extending detent 64 which is arranged to pass the roller |6| while the basket 56 is moving vertically into and out of the containers. The second actuator |63 is formed with a vertical pin |65 which has its top end normally disposed within the front end of an elongated slot |66 formed in the laterally extending arm of the L-shaped vactuator |62, limiting rotative movement of the second actuator |63 to a rearward direction only. A light spring |61 has an intermediate portion wound about a pin |68 mounted on the laterally extending arm of the L-shaped actuator |62. One end of the spring |61 bent about the rear edge of that laterally extending arm of the L-shaped actuator |62 anchoring the same, and the other end of the spring |61 is disposed behind the pin |65 holding it within the front end of the elongated slot |66 and retaining the second actuator |63 in a rotative position in which its detent |64 will be operatively extended from the side oi the actuator |63.

Assuming that the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 4 and that the lever 13 is pivoted to move the vertical link 16 upwards to move the basket 56 up and out of the container into which it is now engaged, as the link 10 starts its upward movement, the laterally extending arm of the L-shaped actuator |62 moves clear of the roller I6I and the micro-switch |51 irnmediately opens and the circuit to the spin motor 54 is interrupted and spinning of the basket 56 is stopped. As upward movement of the link 16 continues, the detent |64 of the second actuator |63 will engage the roller |6I and momentarily close the micro-switch |51 and energize the spin motor 54 to spin the basket 56 and centrifugally throw the excess liquid from the basket 56 while the basket is disposed above the Liquid level marks 44 of the containers but still within the top portion thereof. When the detent I 64 moves clear of the roller |6| the micro-switch |51 will again snap to its open position interrupting the circuit to the spin motor 54. On upward movement of the link 16 the second actuator |63 is retained against rotating in a forward direction upon engaging the roller |6| by reason of the disposition of the pin |65 in the front end of the elongated slot |66. Upward movement of the link 10 continues until the fully up position is reached when both the actuators |62 and |63 are disposed above the roller IBI. As the link 10 starts its downward movement to lower the basket 56 into the next container the detent |64 of the second actuator |63 is the first to engage the roller I6|. However, this time the flexible member |66, which is stronger than the light spring |61, causes the second actuator |63 when the detent 64 engages the roller IBI to be rotated in a rearward direction against the holding action of the light spring |61 and the detent |64 will merely idle past the roller |6| without ilexing the flexible member |60 to close the micro-switch |51 with the result that the spin motor 54 will notl be 14 energized to spin the basket 56 while it is moving down into its respective container.

Downward movement of the vertical link 10 continues until the fully down position is again reached when the laterally extending arm of the L-shaped actuator will again engage the roller I6| and flex the ilexible member |66 to close the micro-switch 54 and spin the basket 56 in its lowered position in its respective container.

Means is provided to prevent completion of the circuit to the spin motor 54 while the basket 56 is moving up and down in the starting and stopping space between the first container 46 and the drying container 43 and while the basket 56 is in its lowered position in that space. This means comprises non-conductive elements: I 69, see Figs. 8 and 11, mounted on superimposed sides of the collector rings I 41 to be engaged by the brushes |53 while the tubular sleeve 4S and the tube |4| are in a rotative position with relation to the vertical post 31 in which the basket 56 is idle or moving vertically in the starting and stopping space. These non-conductive elements function to interrupt the circuit to the spin motor 54 notwithstanding that the main switch and the micro-switch |51 are in their closed positions.

The rheostat |58 is connected in series in the lead |55 of the .circuit of the spin motor 54 to control the R. P. M. of that motor. The rheostat |58 is mounted in position on the inner face of the panel 33 and has an operator stem |16 rotatively extended through the panel 33 and is provided with a control knob I1I. The knob I1| operates over .a calibrated scale |12 on the face of the panel 33 to indicate the R. P. M. at which the spin motor 54 is operating.

The operation of the machine is as follows:

With the machine in the starting position shown in Fig. 1, the operator first places the watch parts to be cleaned in the basket 56 and reassembles the basket With the dniven shaft 55 of the spin motor 54. Then the main toggletype s-witch 96 is turned to an on position to light the pilot light 92 and energize the heater 41. The operator then presses in on the button 69 of the starter switch 93 to energize the lift motor 11 to raise the tubular sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby and to disengage the cam portion 66a from the plunger I 28 of the normally closed micro-switch |64 freeing that switch to snap to a closed position. When the cam portion 66a has moved entirely clear of the plunger |28 the operator releases the button 93 of the starter switch 98 which will snap out and complete the circuit to the lift motor 11 through the timer |66. From this point on the operation of the machine is entirely operative. Rotation of the lift motor will now continue, but the spin motor 54 will not energize as the brushes I 53 are now engaged with the non-conductive elements |69 of the collector rings |41.

As the tubular sleeve 48 reaches its fully up position, the pins 51 will move out of the flutes 58 with which they )are engaged and into alignment with the reduced neck portion 59 of the vertical post 31. Al; the same instant the ratchet teeth I 3| and |34 will begin to engage each other and turn the tubular sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby through the major portion of the one-fifth revolution required to align the basket 56 with the rst container 40. When the tubular sleeve 48 begins its downward movement the ratchet teeth |3| and |34 become disengaged and then the pins 51 engage the cam surfaces |35 and turn lthe tubular ysleeve 48l through vthe remaining portion of the oneefifth revolution completing the alignment `to the basket 5,5 with the erst container 4o. As :downward movement oi the tubular sleeve 48 continues the pins 51 reenter the flutes 5,8 and the ldetent 16.4 of the second actuator |63 idles past the roller |6| with.- out closing the normally open ymierosw it h |51. S that the `basket ,55 is not `spun'loy .the spin motor 54,

As the tubular sleeve 4 8 nearly completes its downward movement en tbe vertical post 31, the stud B9 driven by the lift motor 1.1 will nearly complete one revolution and will engagethe offset portion |08 of the arrn |01 and lift the arm to draw upward on the operator Stern H0 o f the timer |00, When the operator ystem ||U reaches its fully up position, in the yfully up position of the adjacent end of the arm |01, the operator stem ||0 will open the normally closedelectric switch of the timer |80 and release the cloclt, mechanism to tick o the period of time-for which the timer |00 has been pre-set, This opening of the 4normally closed electric switch oi the timer |00 interruptsthe circuit to the lift motorA 11 through the timer |00, howeverz the op.- eration of the lift motor 11 does not immediately stop asthe shunt circuit to the lift motor 11 through the normally open micro-switch ||3 is retained closed `by the tail.- portion ||6 of the radiallarm 19 of the lift motor 11. Rotation of the lift motor continues `moving the stud 60c1ear of the offset portion |08 freeing the Aarm |01 to drop back to its starting position Shown in Fig. 6, and when the tail portion ||6 moves clear of the spring member H of the micro-switch H3 the shunt circuit .will be broken and rotation of the lift motor 11 will be instantly-stopped. This occurs in thecomplete downposition of thetubular sleeve 48 on the verticalpost 31 and in which the basket 56 is completely extendedinto the -rirst container` 40.

In this completely downlposition of the parts, the laterally extending arrn of the L-shaped actuator |52 engages the roller |6| and exes the from the position shown in Eig. 6 to that shown in Fig. 4 and acts to again close the normally closed electrical switch of the timer |00 completing the circuit to the lift motor 1.1 to again liftthe tubular sleeve i8 on the vertical post`31 and start the `vvithdrwval of the basket 56 from the first container. 4E. Immediatelygthe laterally ex tending arm of the L -shaped actuator |62 moves clear ofthe roller l6| `freeing the micro-.switch |51 to assume its normally open position inter.-4 rupting the circuitvto the spin motor-54 and stopping spinning of the basket l5b.

As upward movement of the tubular `sleevey continues, the detent |94 of thefsecond actuator |63 engages the roller |6 andmomentarily exes the flexible member V|50 Yto close thenormally open mioro-switch |51 to momentarily `close the circuit to the spin motor 54to spin thebasket 56 While still within thefrstcontainer 4.0 but While in a position slightly above the Liquid level mark 44 to centrifugally throw all excess liquid from the. basket Y56. As upward movement continues, the detent .|64 moves clear of the roller |6| and micro-switch |51 again Snaps to its nor- Inal'ly open position disrupting the circuit to the .Spin motor 54 stopping rotations of the baskeit 55.

Whenthe yfullyupposition of the tubular sleeve 48 is again reached, the ratchet teeth |3| and |34 and related parts will again function to turn the sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby through a second one-fifth of a revolution required to turn the basket 56 from its axially. aligned position with .the rst container 40 into its axially aligned position with the second container 4|. The down and u p movements described in connection with the first container .40 is then repeated for the second container el, for the drying container 43; however, in the drying container 43, the basket 56 is not submerged into any liquid but its spinning is effected in the drying container 43 to thoroughly circulate the heated air of thatchamber about the watch partsin the basket 55.

When the basket moves out of the drying chamber 43 and starts its final downward movement in the startingand stopping space between the iirst container 40 and the drying container 43, the non-conductive elements |69 of the collector rings |41 will have been turned through one complete revolution to be engaged by the adjacent ends of the brushes |53 to interrupt the circuit to the spin motor 54 and prevent the ener- -gization of that motor notwithstanding the closing of the normally open micro-switch |51 when the sleeve 48 reaches its fully down position in that starting and stopping space.

When the tubular sleeve 43 reaches its fully down position with the basket in the starting and stopping space, the cam portion 66 will reeng-age the-plunger |28 of the normally closed micro-switch |04 and open the same and interrupt the circuit to the lift motor 11 and the lift motor will again be deenergized when the tail portion |6 again releases the spring member I5 of the normally open micro-switch ||3 freeing that switch to assume its normally open position shutting off the lift motor 17. During this downward movement of the basket in the starting position, the arm |61 was againraised by the stud 80 to lift the operatorstem ||0 of the timer |00 to lset Ythe clock mechanism in operation and open the normally closed switch of that timer. However, the timer'will'merely tick off the period for which it has been set and at the end of that period recloseits normally closed switch but the circuit to the lift motorfl'l through the timer |00 isfnot completed as the micro-switch |04 is being held in its openposition by the cam portion 66a.

In this fully down position of thebasket 56 in the starting space the basket 56 can be reymoved and the watch -parts taken therefrom.

Additional parts to be cleaned may then be placed inthe basket andthe basket reconnected lwith the driven shaft of the spin motor 54 and another complete cycle of the machine started 4by again pressing on the button 99 ol' the starter switch 98.

The period for which the timer |00 is set may be adjusted by turning its control knob |25 and the R. P.l\/I. of the spin motor 54 may be varied by turning the control |1| of the rheostat |58.

In the modificationrof -the watch part cleaning machine illustratedin Figs. 1.5 to 1'7 the con struction of the machineis similar to that previ- `ously described diiering only in the means for effecting the required one-iifth revolution of the tubular member 48 to move the basket 56 from its aligned position with one container into its aligned position with the next container.

In this modification of the invention, the .bushing |32' is axially slidably and rotatively mounted on the upper end of the vertical post 31 above the reduced neck portion 59. Movements of the bushing |32' are limited by a radially inwardly extending pin |13 which engages into a complementary upwardly inclined groove |14 formed in the side of the vertical post 31. The bushing |32 is resiliently urged into a lowered position by an expansion spring |15 concentric with the vertical post 31 and Which operates between the adjacent ends of the bushing |32' and the collar |43.

The bottom edge of the bushing |32 is formed with ratchet teeth |34 in vertical alignment with complementary teeth |3 formed on the top end of the tubular sleeve 48.

With this modified form of turning means, this watch part cleaning machine operates as follows:

As the sleeve 48 nears the completion of its upward stroke, the pins 51 will move out of the top ends of the flutes 58 and at substantially the same time, the ratchet teeth |3|' and |34' will become completely engaged. As further upward movement of the sleeve 48 continues it will cause upward movement of the bushing |32 against the holding action of the spring |15 and the pin |13 riding in the groove |14 will cause rotation of the bushing |32 and in turn the tubular sleeve 48' due to the interengagement of the ratchet teeth |3I and |34. The groove |14 is of a length to effect nearly a complete onefth revolution of the tubular sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby by the time the pin |13 reaches the top end of the groove |14. As the sleeve 48 reverses itself and starts its -downward movement the pins 51 will engage the cam surfaces |35 and eiiect a rotation of the sleeve 48 through the remaining portion of the one-fifth revolution before the pins 51 reenter the flutes 58 as downward movement of the sleeve 48' continues. If the groove |14 is made of a length to eiect the entire one-fifth revolution of the sleeve 48 and the parts carried thereby, then the cam surfaces |35 will merely act as guides insuring a proper reengagement of the pins 51 with the ilutes 58.

In other constructional respects and in other phases of operation this modied form of the invention is similar to the rst form of the invention and like reference numerals are used to identify like parts in each of the several views.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modications coming within the scope of the invention as deiined in the appended claims.

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

1. In a watch cleaning machine having a hollow base and a vertical post extending centrally therefrom and a series of evenly spaced containers and a starting and stopping space between the rst and last containers arranged in a circle about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on the vertical post, means operated by a lift motor for raising and lower- 18 ing said sleeve, a circular plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof and arranged to engage over and close the v open tops of certain of the containers in the lowered position of said sleeve, a spin motor mounted at a radial point on said plate and having a depending driven shaft, a basket for watch parts to be cleaned mounted on the lower end of said driven shaft to be successively extended into the containers in the various turned and lowered positions of said sleeve, means on said sleeve and the vertical post effective while said sleeve is approaching its full raised position and again moving away therefrom for turning said sleeve through that portion of a complete revolution corresponding to the spacing of said container to shift said basket from axial alignment with one container into axial alignment with the adjacent container, a source of electrical energy, a main switch, a timer including a normally closed electric switch, and a circuit connecting said source of electrical energy, said main switch, the switch of said timer and said lift motor in series to energize said lift motor to raise and lower said sleeve when said switches are closed.

2. In a watch cleaning machine having a hollow base and a vertical post extending centrally therefrom and a series of evenly spaced containers and a starting and stopping space between the rst and last containers arranged in a circle about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on the vertical post, means operated by a lift motor for raising and lowering said sleeve, a circular plate mounted'concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof and arranged to engage over and close the open tops of certain of the containers in the lowered position of said sleeve, a spin motor mounted at a radial point on said plate and having a depending driven shaft, a basket for watch parts to be cleaned mounted on the lower end of said driven shaft to be successively extended into the containers in the various turned and lowered positions of said sleeve, means on said sleeve and the vertical post effective while said sleeve is approaching its full raised position and again moving away therefrom for turning said sleeve through that portion of a complete revolution corresponding to the spacing of said containers to shift said basket from axial alignment with one container into axial alignment with the adjacent container, a source of electrical energy, a main switch, a timer including a normally closed electrical switch, and a circuit connecting said source of electrical energy, said main switch, the switch of said timer and said lift motor in series to energize said lift motor to raise and lower said sleeve when said switches are closed, and means for opening the normally closed switch of said timer and for setting said timer in operation to measure a pre-selected period of time when said sleeve is in its lowered position at the end of which period of time said timer recloses its switchV to reenergize said lift motor to raise said sleeve.

3. In a watch cleaning machine having a hollow base and a vertical post extending centrally therefrom and a series of evenly spaced containers and a starting and stopping space between the iirst and last containers arranged in a circle about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on the vertical post, means operated by a lift motor for raising and lowering said sleeve, a circular plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof and arranged to engage over and close the open tops of cerersffand fa, starting and fstomng'space between the iii-rst land i'ast containers far-ranged in a circle aboutV the vertical post, 'a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on 4'the vertical posi-J vmeans 'operated by a'liit "motor-y forraising and' loweringsfaid sleeve, aA circular plate mounted concentricailyon -said sleeve adjacent thevtopvend thereoi-and'varranged toY engage over fand close lthe open tops- -off ceri tain lof 'the containers in thelowered position of saidsleeve, a spin motor mounted-at a radial point on isaid plate and Vhavingfa vdependingv driven shaft, aleasket for watchpar'ts to be cleaned mounted on the-lower end o-sa'id driven shaft to be 1 'successively `extended into fthe' containers'n the various vturned andfloweredpo'sitions of saifdslceve, means on said sleeve-and the vertical post effective while said sleeve-istanproaching itsl full raised position and again mov ing away therefrom for turning said -sleeve through f "that portionl oi a complete revolution corresponding to the -spacing '-of `-said containers to .shift said basket iro'm axial alignment-with onev container? into axial alignment with the vade jacent container, a source oi electrical energy, a `inain lslevitchga timer including -a normally closed-Y electrical switch; 'andi-a' circuit-connecting said-source ofselectricalenergy; vsaifclm'ain switch, theswitcn ofssaid timer andfsaid lift motor in series-'to'energize' said lift motor to raise land lower said sleeve when -said, switches are lclosed, aheater -orone ofrfsaid containers, and a-second' circuity connecting said heaterin series-with said source of electrical energy `andsaid main switchto causer saidv heater to be energized when said main switch `is moved to an on position'.

'lil-nf a'vwatch cleaning machine having ahollow base-fandv ayertical post extending centrally therefrom and a series offevenly spaced containers andl-astarting-.and stopping space between therstfand last containers arranged in acircle' about thevertical post,=a tubular sleeve vertically slidableon the vertical post, `anal-m pivotally mounted at: onel end of a bracket extending -up-- wardy from said hollow case andhaving'its other end pivotally connected tosaid sleeve, a vertical' link-'having its top end connected to said arm intermediate of` its ends' and 'tslower 'end-extendedinto `saidloase, means within saidffbas'e operated byfa lift motor and connected to the bottoni endl ofv saidylink to raise-and lower `said link`to pivot said arm vand irl-turn raise and lowersaidfsleeve on Isaidpost, a circular plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof andarrangedf toengage over and close thev open tops of lcertainof the containers in 'the loweredposition' oli-saidl sleeve, a spin motormounted at a'radial point on said plateA and having a depending driven -`shent, Y a basket for watch lparts-to"be cleaned mountedon the lower endrof ysaid driven shaft -to be successivelyuextended into the containers in the various-turned and Vlowered 'positionsY of said'sleeve; means onvsaid sleeve and thevertical'fposteffective while said sleeve is :approaching its fully'raised'po'sitionand again .movingaway therefromifor turning saidsleeve through-that portion of'a:'completeT revo lution` corresponding to thespacing -ofllsaidcontainers to -sliift said yloasketfrom axial aligiflrrieiit With one container intolaxialealignmet with the ad-jacentscontainer, asource oi electrical energy,` a main switch, a timer-including fanormally' closed electrical switch, andfa circuit connecting saidl source of electricall energy,-'said main switch, thefrswitch ofvsaid' timerandsaid lift motori in sei'ies u'to-'fenerg-ize said i lift motor #to raise and ward movement of: .said link.

22 lower said sleeve-'when said switches are closed, 'af-normally 'openm'i'cro-switch, a seco-nd circuit connecting in` series 'said source of electrical ergy, said mainv switch,said normally iopen'microf switch y'andfsaidspin 'mo-tor 'for energizing said spin motor to rotate-saidbracket when said norm'ally open -niicro-swi-tch is'closed, and vmoeurs on said vertically movable -linlty `-for closing said Vnormallyopen micro-switch in thelowered V'position i of-f'said link-*and ioragain closing said normally open micro-switch as said llink is moving upwards.

`8. In a -Watchcleaning "machine havingca hol'- low ba'se and a vertical post extending centrally therefrom Vand af series of evenly spaced 'zontai'r`i--- ers anda -'starting land stopping spa-ce between the '-r'st and llast containers arranged ina circle about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidalole onfthe verticalpost, fanarm pivotally mounted at one end of a loracketextendin'g upward from said hollow haseand having Aits lother end. pivotally connected to said sleevaa vertical link" having its' top end `connected to Said 'arm intermediate `of its Vends 'and its `lower end extended'K-into said base, means within ysaid"ba-se operated by al lit motor 'and -connectedto "the bottom end' ofsaid link'V tol raise vvand lower' "said link to pivot said farm-fand in turn raise rand-lower said sleeve onsaid'post, av circular'plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent thetop end "thereof and 'arranged i to VLen-,wge over*V and closethe open 'tops` of' certain of' =thel "containers in thelowered'positio'n ci said'sleeve, a `"spin motor mounted at a radial point onv ysaid plate and'ha'vin'g a depending driven shaft, -a'basket forwatch parts tobecleanedmounted-on the lower endof 'said driven 'shaft to be successively extended into the containers in the various turned andlowerd po'stOI'ls f said rsleeve,neans'-dfi saidl sleeve 'and the vertical post elective while said 'sleeve is approaching its fl'llly raised position andagain moving away therefrom for turning saidfslee've lthrough` that porti-on of'acomplete revolution corresponding to the spacingofsaid containers to 'shift said basket 'irom-axialalign- '-mntwith one container into axial alignment with the adjacent container, a source of electrical energy, a main switch, a timer including a normally closed electrical switch, and acircuit connecting said source of electrical energy, sai-d mainswitch, the switch of said timer and'said liftlmotor yin series toenergize said' lift Imotor to raise and lower said sleeve'when said switches are closed, a normally open micro-switch, a second-'circuit connecting in series said source rof electrical-energy, said main' s'vitch, said normally open microeswitch and said' spin;'motor` for-errergizing said spin f motor to frotate;'saidy bracket when said normallyopen micro-switch is' closed, and ymeans Olisaid "vertically -novb11iliik 'for closingsaid normally.v open micro-switch in v"the lowered position of said linkan'd'vfor a'gain'mcl'ose ing said A.normallyfope micro-switches said link is --Tnovn'gfipwads Said "closing v'meal-1s Coin 'pS'essanfaGtuatD Initd-O'n Said? lilik toeln gage .saldi ymicro-sw-itchA in the lowered Position ofsaidlihkand fa second 'actuator mounted 'on said? link below `'Said' ctiiat''t' ehgag'ela'd' los said" Imicroes'witch- Ion`y upward movement' ofA Vsaid linkf but t0'Lid1e OVei Said Icr -SWtCh' -n 'dwe i9; ina watch cleaninginaehinerha iig a' hole low vbase land A a vertical fpostfeXtedi-ngfcentrally therefrom and a series Iof evenly spaced cntaine esland afstartiiig and stopping lspacerbtwee 75 inheemse aria Alest containersarrangea lies circle 23 about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on the vertical post, an arm pivotally mounted at one end of a bracket extending upward from said hollow base and having its other end pivotally connected to said sleeve, a vertical link having its top end connected to said arm intermediate of its ends and its lower end extended into said base, means within said base operated by a lift motor and connected to the bottom end of said link to raise and lower said link to pivot said arm and in turn raise and lower said sleeve on said post, a circular plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof and arranged to engage over and close the open tops of certain of the containers in the lowered position of said sleeve, a spin motor mounted at a radial point on said plate and having a depending driven shaft, a basket for watch parts to be cleaned mounted on the lower end of said driven shaft to be successively extended into the containers in the various turned and lowered positions of said sleeve, means on said sleeve and the vertical post effective while said sleeve is approaching its fully raised position and again moving away therefrom for turning said sleeve through that portion of a complete revolution corresponding to the spacing of said containers to shift said basket from axial alignment with one container into axial alignment with the adjacent container, .a source of electrical energy, a main switch, a timer including a normally closed electrical switch, and a circuit connecting said source of electrical energy, said main switch, the switch of said timer and said lift motor in series to energize said lift motor to raise and lower said sleeve when said switches are closed, a normally open microswitch, a second circuit connecting in series said source of electrical energy, said main switch, said normally open micro-switch and said spin motor for energizing said spin motor to rotate said bracket when said normally open microswitch is closed, and means on said vertically movable link for closing said normally open micro-switch in the lowered position of said link and for again closing said normally open microswitch as said link is moving upwards, a tube extended rotatively through the tubular vertical post, a flexible tube connecting the top g end of said tube with the casing of said spin motor to cause rotation of said tube within the vertical post, an insulation member mounted on the lower end of said tube and formed with vertically spaced circular grooves, conductive collector rings mounted in said grooves, leads of said second circuit connecting said collector rings to said spin motor, and xedly mounted brushes connected in said second circuit and having free ends engaging said collector rings for conveying electrical current to said rings in all rotative positions of said tubes.

v10. In a watch cleaning machine having a hollow base and a Vertical post extending centrally therefrom and a series of evenly spaced containers and a starting and stopping space between the first and last containers arranged in a circle about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on the vertical post, an arm pivotally mounted at one end of a bracket extending upward from said hollow base and having its other end pivotally connected to said sleeve, a vertical link having its top end connected to said arm intermediate of its ends and its lower end extended into said base, means within said base operated by a lift motor and connected to the bottom end of said link to raise and lower said link to pivot said arm and in turn raise and lower said sleeve on said post, a circular plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof and arranged to engage over and close the open tops of certain of the containers in the lowered position of said sleeve, a spin motor mounted at a radial point on said plate and having a depending driven shaft, a basket for watch parts to be cleaned mounted on the lower end of said driven shaft to be successively extended into the containers in the various turned and lowered positions of said sleeve, means on said sleeve and the vertical post effective while said sleeve is approaching its fully raised position and again moving away therefrom for turning said sleeve through that portion of a complete revolution corresponding to the spacing of said containers to shift said basket from axial alignment with one container into axial alignment with the adjacent container, a source of electrical energy, a main switch, a timer including a normally closed electrical switch, and a circuit connecting said source of electrical energy, said main switch, the switch of said timer and said lift motor in series to energize said lift motor to raise and lower said sleeve when said switches are closed, anormally open micro-switch, a second circuit connecting in series said source of electrical energy, said main switch, said normally open micro-switch and said spin motor for energizing said spin motor to rotate said bracket whensaid normally openmicro-switch is closed, and means on said vertically movable link for closing said normally open micro-switch in the lowered position of said link and for again closing said normally open micro-switch as said link is moving upwards, a tube extended rotatively through the tubular vertical post, a flexible tube connecting the top end of said tube with the casing of said spin motor to cause rotation of said tube within the vertical post, an insulation member mounted on the lower end of said tube and formed with vertically spaced circular grooves, conductive collector rings mounted in said grooves, leads of said second circuit connecting said collector rings to said spin motor, and fixedly mounted brushes connected in said second circuit and having free ends engaging said collector rings for conveying electrical current to said rings in all rotative positions of said tubes, and non-conductive elements mounted on adjacent sides of said collector rings to be engaged by said brushes t0 prevent completion of said second circuit to said spin motor while said basket is moving vertically or is in a lowered position in the starting and stopping space.

11. In a watch cleaning machine having a hollow base and a vertical post extending centrally therefrom and a series of evenly spaced containers and a starting and stopping space between the first and last containers arranged in a circle about the vertical post, a tubular sleeve vertically slidable on the vertical post, means operated by a lift motor for raising and lowering said sleeve, a circular plate mounted concentrically on said sleeve adjacent the top end thereof and arranged to engage over and close the open tops of certain of the containers in the lowered position of said sleeve, a spin motor mounted at a radial point on said plate and having a depending driven shaft, a basket for watch parts to be cleaned mounted on the lower end of said driven shaft to be successively extended into the containers in the various turned and

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