US2757633A

US2757633A - Chime signal device

Info

Publication number: US2757633A
Application number: US404690A
Authority: US
Inventors: Roseman Michael
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1954-01-18
Filing date: 1954-01-18
Publication date: 1956-08-07
Anticipated expiration: 1973-08-07

Description

7, 1956 M. ROSEMAN CHIMEZ SIGNAL DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 18, 1954 INVENTOR.

MICHAEL ROSEMAN United States Patent:

CHIME SIGNAL DEVICE Michael Roseman, New York, N. 1.

Application January 18, 1954, Serial No. 404,690

11 Claims. (Cl. 116-141) This invention relates to a signal device and more particularly to a signal device designed to produce a musical chime of one or more musical notes by means of a mechanical construction which, when operated, produces a pleasing tone.

Many chime signals are presently in use, but are subject to frequent failure as they rely mainly on two springs under tension at all times. Since these springs are subject to fatigue, frequent repair of the devices are necessary. The instant invention avoids this type of construction and provides a device that is seldom in need of repair.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a door chime that is capable of producing the desired signals and is not subject to mechanical failure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a signal device which maintains the chime producing member in pivoted position without relying on a tension spring to move the chime producing member.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a device that is adjustable so that the door chime of the invention can be fitted to a panel of any reasonable width.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a durable structure, inexpensive in manufacture and pleasing in appearance.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the 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. l is a perspective view of the signal device of the invention mounted on a wooden panel.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the signal device of the invention with the cover removed and showing the striker in the first position after the button has been pushed.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation similar to Fig. 2, illustrating the striker in the second position after the button has been released.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the signal device.

Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the signal device.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is an exploded view of the pivot construction for the shaker.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the pivot block and pivot illustrated in Fig. 7.

Referring to Fig. l of the invention, the chime is designated generally by numeral 1t] and discloses the signal device mounted on a frame 12, the cover 14 thereof hiding the mechanical parts to present a device pleasing in construction. Apertures 16, in the side walls of the cover, are opposite the internal sounding members, and

thus serves to function as a resonance medium to improve the sound provided by the sounding members.

Figs. 2 to 6 illustrate the construction of the invention in assembly. A pair of sounding leaves or

elements

18 and 20 are provided adjacent each longitudinal edge of backing plate 22 in spaced relation therefrom, by means of mounting brackets 24. The horizontal leg 26 of each bracket 24 is secured to the base plate with the vertical leg 28 mounting the sounding members by means of crimping lugs 30. A grommet 32, of any resilient material, contains a central groove upon which the sounding element fits, grommet 32 extending through a suitable aperture 36 in the sounding member for such purpose. Member 20 is slightly longer than member 18 and thus sounds of different pitch are produced when the striker construction 38 alternately strikes each sounding leaf. While the leaves are preferably made of metal, it is obvious that any material capable of producing chime notes of different pitch when vibrated, is equally applicable.

The sound means is designated generally at 33 and is mounted on backing plate 22. Striker hammer 4% consists of a fiat plate 42 and is aperture-d at 44 adjacent the upper end (see Fig. 7) to pivot on pin 46 extending from pivot block 48. Hammer 46 is provided with a laterally extended cross-piece 5G. Cross-piece Si) is arcuately bent at the free ends thereof at 52. and S4- and represents the actual contact means for

resonance leaves

18 and 20, rwpectively. A tension spring 56 is cooperatively engaged with hammer 4t) and is secured to one of bracket members 24, as is illustrated in the figures, to maintain the striking member in the inoperative position (see Fig. 3) when the bell is not being rung.

As is more clearly illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8, the means to mount hammer 40 and to retain it for pivoted movement when the device is in operation consists of the aforesaid pivot block 48, pivot pin 53, elongated channel housing 60 and hammer 4i). Pivot block 48 mounts striker hammer 4i) and is of substantial thickness to allow the hammer member to clear the structure below it secured to the base plate. Block 43 includes a medial aperture 62 of substantial diameter to admit a threaded pivot pin 64, about which it pivots. Since hammer plate 42 rests on block 48, pin 64 also extends through an aperture 66 aligned with aperture 62 and is threaded into base member 22. Pin 64 includes a headed free end 68 adapted to permit screw threading into the base member and also serving to prevent block 48 and hammer 49 from being displaced.

Block member 48 is enlarged at the end opposite pivot pin 46 and includes a crescent-shaped cut-out section 7-9. Pivot pin 58 is T-shaped with the head or cross-piece 72 flat in construction and freely received within the crescent-shaped cutout section 70 of block member 48. The extended leg, or stem 74 of cross-piece 72 extends beyond the pivot block member 48. Pivot pin 58 is kept within cut-out section 70 of the pivot block member by means of hollow tube 76. Stem '74 is received within passageway 78, with coil spring 3%) thereon urging cross-piece 72 within the recess of crescent-shaped cut-- out 70. Both stem 74 and tube '76 are rectangular in cross-section to prevent rotation. An aperture 82, extending through tube 76, receives bolt 84 to pivotally secure the tube to the base plate. Shims or washers 36 are provided, if necessary, to maintain tube 76 free for pivoted movement.

The actuating mechanism is operatively connected with pin 46, as will shortly be explained, to move striker means 50 in two directions to produce the resonance tones of the chime signal. As is most clearly shown in Fig. 6, a push button 88 is fixed on one end of an adjustable lever 90 extending through an opening in door 12 and.

in alignment with a similar opening 92 in plate 22. Lever 90 contains a plurality of adjacent holes 94 adapted to lie over a U-shaped actuating member 96. A short, vertically projecting lug 98 extends from the connecting arm 1% and extends through a selected hole 9-4. A flange 102 extends from one end of arm 100 and is pivotally secured at M4 to an L-shaped bracket member 106. The depending portion of bracket 1% is fixed on plate 22 by any suitable means, such as bolts 108. The arm 110 of U-shaped member 96 adjacent flange MP2 is adapted to urge operating assembly 112 against the force of spring 56, whereby the leaf members 18 and are struck.

Operating assembly 112 comprises a flat metal strip 114 having an tip-struck flange lllb at one end against which arm iii rests, and an elongated depending lever 118, the bent free end 120 providing a cradle for pivot pin 46. Spring 56 is secured in a suitable aperture on lever 118. Since operating assembly 112 must also pivot, a pair of depending lugs 122 extend from metal strip TM in parallel spaced relation, as is shown in Fig. 6, and receive therethrough a pivot rod 124 threaded through sleeve E26 and through base plate 22. Thus, levers 114 and 118 together form a bell-crank lever.

The operation of the device is readily apparent. To actuate the chime, button 83 is pressed forward causing lever 90 to move forward. This pivots actuating member Q6 about pivot point 104, causing arm 110 to urge flange member 116 towards the left. This requires operating assembly 112 to pivot on pin 1Z4, causing lever 118 to move towards the right. Pin 46 is carried along by this movement, urging pivot block member towards the left, enabling hammer 50 to strike leaf 18. When button 88 is released, the entire device returns to the inactive position illustrated in Fig. 3, enabling hammer 50 to strike leaf 20. Since each leaf is of different resonance, a two-note chime is produced. T-shaped pivot member 58 passes its center line in each direction and urges pivot block 48 towards each musical leaf. Member 58 is retained in opening 70 at all times by means of spring 80 and channel member 76.

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

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent l. A chime signal device comprising, a pair of spaced sounding leaf members, means supporting said members, a striker hammer adapted to alternately strike each leaf member, a pivot block assembly secured to said hammer for pivoted movement, an operating assembly pivotally engaging said pivot block assembly, and an actuating mechanism engaging said operating assembly to produce the chime signal, said pivot block assembly including a crescent-shaped opening, pivot means freely received in said opening, and a pivot pin extending through said striker hammer and engaged by said operating assembly.

2. A chime signal device comprising, a pair of spaced sounding leaf members, means supporting said members, a striker hammer adapted to alternately strike each leaf member, a pivot block assembly secured to said hammer for pivoted movement, an operating assembly pivotally engaging said pivot block assembly, and an actuating mechanism engaging said operating assembly to produce the chime signal, said pivot block assembly including a crescent-shaped opening, pivot means freely received in said opening, and a pivot pin extending through said striker hammer and engaged by said operating assembly, said pivot means comprising a T-shaped member, the

cross-piece thereof being received in said crescent-shaped opening.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said T-shaped member includes a stem and a hollow tube pivotally secured, said hollow tube receiving the stem.

4. A chime signal device comprising, a pair of spaced sounding leaf members, means supporting said members, a striker hammer adapted to alternately strike each leaf member, a pivot block assembly secured to said hammer for pivoted movement, an operating assembly pivotally engaging said pivot block assembly, and an actuating mechanism engaging said operating assembly to produce the chime signal, said pivot block assembly including a crescent-shaped opening, pivot means freely received in said opening, and a pivot pin extending through said striker hammer and engaged by said operating assembly, said operating assembly including a horizontal lever, means on said lever engaging said actuating mechanism, and means on said lever retained on said pivot pin to move the hammer.

5. A chime signal device comprising, a pair of spaced sounding leaf members, means supporting said members. a striker hammer adapted to alternately strike each leaf member, a pivot block assembly secured to said hammer for pivoted movement, an operating assembly pivotally engaging said pivot block assembly, and an actuating mechanism engaging said operating assembly to produce the chime signal, said pivot block assembly including a crescent-shaped opening, pivot means freely received in 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein said actuating engaging means comprises a vertical flange.

7. The combination of claim 6, wherein said horizontal lever includes depending lugs and pivot means extending through said lugs to enable the operating assembly to rotate.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein tension means is secured to said depending lever and to said leaf member to urge the signal device into inoperative position.

9. A chime signal device comprising, a pair of spaced sounding leaf members, means supporting said members, a striker hammer adapted to alternately strike each leaf member, a pivot block assembly secured to said hammer for pivoted movement, an operating assembly pivotally engaging said pivot block assembly, and an actuating mechanism engaging said operating assembly to produce the chime signal, said pivot block assembly including a crescent-shaped opening, pivot means freely received in said opening, and a pivot pin extending through said striker hammer and engaged by said operating assembly,

' said actuating mechanism comprising an apertured lever,

a U-shaped actuating member, means on said member received in a selected aperture, said U-shaped member engaging said operating means, and means to move said apertured lever.

10. A chime signal device comprising, a pair of spaced sounding leaf members, means supporting said members, a striker hammer adapted to alternately strike each leaf member, a pivot block assembly secured to said hammer for pivoted movement, an operating assembly pivotally engaging said pivot block assembly, and an actuating mechanism engaging said operating assembly to produce the chime signal, said pivot block assembly including a crescent-shaped opening, pivot means freely received in said opening, a pivot pin extending through said striker hammer and engaged by said operating assembly, said actuating mechanism comprising an apertured lever, a U-shaped actuating member, means on said member received in a selected aperture, said U-shaped member engaging said operating means, means to move said apertured lever, said U-shaped member including a flange, and means pivotally securing said flange to the device for pivoted movement.

11. The combination of claim 10, wherein said operating mechanism comprises a bell-crank lever, said lastnamed lever engaging said U-shaped actuating member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS