US2875668A

US2875668A - Projector for time indications

Info

Publication number: US2875668A
Application number: US637141A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mckenzie G Stuart
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-01-30
Filing date: 1957-01-30
Publication date: 1959-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1976-03-03

Description

March 3, 1959 G. s. MCKENZIE PROJECTOR FORTIME INDICATIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan 50, 1957 FIG. I

ll/ INVENTOR. /07 G. STUART MQKENZIE FIG. l2

ATTORNEY G. S. M KENZIE PROJECTOR FOR TIME INDICATIONS March 3, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 50, 1957 FIG.4

m R. Z mN E mg y T R RNJW M T FNM 0 6 5 m 7 F M? w 5 3 M 7 9 3 3 1 L a I w 7 y I 5 O4 3 March 3, 1959 G. s. M KENZIE PROJECTOR FOR TIME INDICATIONS 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Jan. 30, 1957 4/ FIG. 6

INVENTOR G. STUART MQKENZIE BY ATTORNEY 2,875,668 PROJECTOR FOR TIME INDICATIONS G. Stuart McKenzie, Concord, Mass. Application January 30, 1957, Serial No. 637,141

1 Claim. (Cl. 88--24) This invention relates to time indica'ting mechanisms and more especially to means in association therewith whereby a visual time indication may be displayed on a remote surface.

An object of the present invention is to provide a timeindicating mechanism with an associated means whereby a visual time indication may be displayed on the ceiling immediately above a bed; the display being under control of the occupant thereof. v

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for either continuous or momentary display of a time indication on a remote surface such as 'a floor, wall or ceiling during a blackout.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an exhibiting element and its advancing mechanism as a cooperative but separate and distinct unit for association with a time mechanism. A

Still another object of the present invention is to maintain the displayed individual time indications stationary for a sufficiently long period by effecting intermittently the advance of a film strip for the hour and a separate but cooperative strip for the minutes.

And still another object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical or an electrically operated clock with an associated mechanism for projecting the time on a remote surface; such mechanism being of simple construction, inexpensive to manufacture having a minimum number of mass produced parts, is easy to assemble and install and which is pleasing in appearancmcompact and efiicient in operation.

Other objects of the present invention will be pointed out in part and become apparent in part inthe following specification and claim.

Referring to the drawings in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures:

. Figure 1 is a schematic front elevation of twin beds in' a room with the new projector for time indications on a night table between them.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view of a clock provided with the new and improved projector for time indications. r Figure 3 is a plan view, with the film strips removed, of the mechanism for the new and improved-projector for time indications. I

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure' 6 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along line 77 of Figure 3.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along line 8--8 of Figure 3.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional viewtaken along line g rc= v v, v v.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary plan view showing the United States Patent 2,875,668 Patented M'ar. 3, 195.9

2 separate film strips for the minutes and hours of time which are projected to a remote surface.

Figure 11 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 11-11 of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a wiring diagram.

Figure 13 is a fragmentary transverse cross sectional view taken along line 1313 of Figure 3.

An electric 'clock 10 of any'manufacture, is illustrated in the drawings. The conventional electric clock. is provided with an electric motor 12 having a main drive shaft 13 (see Figure 9). A pinion 11 (see Figures 3 and 9) is fixed to drive. shaft 13. It is understood that drive shaft '13 may be the extension of the main drive shaft of a conventional mechanical clock.

A housing is provided consisting of a front plate 14, arear plate 15, a rightside plate 16, a left side plate 17 all secured together into an integral unit. It will be noted that this housing is a hollow vertical rectangular band.

A horizontal inverted U shaped band consisting of left leg 20, top plate 21 and right leg 22 (see Figures 3, 4 and 9) is inserted within the housing with left leg 20 secured to left side plate 17 and right leg 22 secured to right side plate 16 as by welding. Top plate 21 is provided with clearance areas 23 and 24. A bottom bracket'25 is secured on opposite ends to left leg 20 and right leg 22 as by welding if metal is used or with an adhesive if plastic material is employed.

Electricmotor 12 is secured to rear plate 15 with a right side bracket 26 interposed between the motor 12 and right side plate 16. Bracket 26 is secured on one side to motor 12 and on the other side to right side plate 16. Aleft side bracket 27 is secured on one side to left side plate 17 and on the other side to motor 12.

Said'housing, said'horizontal inverted U shaped band and said

brackets

26, 27 provide a frame which supports the various shafts and decorative outer housing.

. *Referring to Figures 3, 4, 5 and 9, an upper sprocket shaft 30 is fixed on one end in front plate 14 and on the other end in left side bracket 27. Similarly, a lower sprocket shaft 31 is fixed on'one end in front plate 14 and on the other end in left side bracket 27. A spool 32 provided with film engaging sprocket teeth 33 for the hour strip of film is rotatively mounted on upper sprocket shaft'30. A similar spool 34 provided with film engaging sprocket teeth 35 for the minute strip of film is rotatively mounted 'on upper sprocket shaft 30. Alspacer washer 36 is located between

spools

32 and 34.

A pair of hour and minute film carrying

third idler spools

37, 38 are rotatively mounted on lower sprocket shaft 31 with a spacer washer 39 between them.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 6 and 9, a sprocket indexing shaft 40 is fixed in front plate 14 and in the casing ofmotor 12. Rotatively mounted on sprocket indexing shaft 40 are two sprocket indexing

Wheels

41, 42 for hour indexing and minute indexing, respectively and separated by a washer 43.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 7 and 9, a shaft 24 is rotativelyvmounted on one 'end in ,the casing of motor --12. An idler pinion gear 45 for speed reduction is rotatively mounted on shaft 44. Idler pinion gear 45 is provided with 'a reduced shoulder to which'is fixed an idler gear 46 for speed reduction. A collar 47 is fixed to shaft 44 adjacent idler'gear 46. A second hand pinion gear 48 is rotatively mounted on shaft 44. Secondhand pinion gear 48 is provided with a reduced shoulder to which is fixed a second handgear 50; A bushing 51 is fixed to shaft 44 with one end abutting second hand pinion gear 48. A spacing collar 52 is fixed to bushing 51 and is provided with two reduced portions. One reducedportionis. fixediin front plate 14 to-supporgjthe end of shaft 44 thfotigh bushing 51. "As new ham gear 3 53 is rotatively mounted on the other reduced portion of spacing collar 52. A minute hand pinion gear 54 is fixed to bushing 51 and. is provided with a reduced shoulder to which is fixed a minute hand gear 55. Figure 7 shows how these gears are aligned on shaft 44.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 8 and 9, a transfer shaft 57 is fixed on one end in front plate 14 and on the other end in bracket 26. A second reduction pinion 60 provided with a reduced shoulder is rotatively mounted on transfer shaft 57. A second reduction gear 61 is secured to said shoulder. A third reduction pinion 62 provided with a reduced shoulder is rotatively mounted on transfer shaft 57. A third reduction gear 63 is secured to said reduced shoulder. A fourth reduction pinion 64 provided with a reduced shoulder is rotatively mounted on transfer shaft 57. A fourth reduction gear 65 is secured to said last mentioned reduced shoulder. Two

spacing washers

66 and 67 are secured to transfer shaft 57 to hold said reduction pinions 60, 62, 64 and reduction gears 61, 63, 65 in spaced relation on said transfer shaft 57.

Referring to Figures 3, 4, 9 and 13, wherein a second set of sprocket wheels and idler spools similar to those shown in Figure are provided, upper and

lower spool shafts

70, 71, respectively which are fixed on one end in front plate 14 and on their other ends in bracket 26. An hour film carrying first idler spool 72 provided with film engaging sprocket teeth 73 for the hour strip of film is rotatively mounted on upper spool shaft 70. A minute film carrying first idler spool 76 provided with film engaging sprocket teeth 74 for the minute strip of film is rotatively mounted on upper spool shaft 70. A spacer washer 75 is located between

spools

72 and 76. A pair of hour and minute film carrying second idler spools 77, 78 are rotatively mounted on lower spool shaft 71 with a spacer washer 79 between them.

Referring to Figure 10, a continuous strip of film 80, which may be of any color or be multi-colored, is provided with numerals 81 representing hours. Five sets of numerals from 1 to 12 inclusive are printed on strip of film 80. Strip of film 80 will make one complete revolution in sixty hours. Sprocket teeth orifices 82 are provided equi-distant in one edge of the film for engagement with

sprocket teeth

33 and 73.

A second continuous strip of film 83, which may be of any color compatible or non-compatible with the color of strip of film 80, is provided with numerals 84 representing minutes. One set of numerals from 1 to 60 inclusive are printed on strip of film 83. Strip of film 83 will make one complete revolution every hour. Sprocket teeth orifices 85 are provided equi-distant in one edge of the film for engagement .with

sprocket teeth

35 and 74.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 11, a lens 90 which may increase or decrease the size of the

numerals

81, 84 when these numerals are projected on a distant surface, is fixed in top plate 21. A U shaped casing 91 provided with pins 92, 93 on one end and pins 94, 95 on the opposite end houses a lens 96 which is compatible with lens 90. An electric light bulb 97 is housed in U shaped casing 91. Pins 92, 93 are supported in motor 12 housing.

Pins

94, 95 are supported in front plate 14. Strips of

film

80, 83 pass between

lenses

90, 96 to present the

numerals

81, 84 which are to be read at any given interval of time.

Indexing wheels

41, 42 are each provided with an indexing pin such as indexing pin 99 fixed in the side of indexing wheel 41.

Spools

32 and 34 are each provided with

indexing teeth

100, 101 respectively which are engaged by indexing pins such as indexing pin 99 engaging indexing teeth 100, to rotate

spools

32, 34 in timed sequence, as will presently appear. A second band 103 is fixed to shaft 44. A minute hand 104 is fixed to bushing 51. An hour hand 105 is fixed to spacing collar 52.

In operation, electric light plug 102 will be connected 4 to a 60 cycle source of electric current to rotate shaft 13 of electric motor 12. Thereby rotating pinion 11 three hundred and sixty revolutions per minute. Idler gear 46 will be rotated by pinion 11 and will in turn rotate idler pinion gear 45 which will rotate second reduction gear 61 and second reduction pinion 60, which engages second hand gear 50. Second hand gear 50 will rotate second hand pinion gear 48 fastened to shaft 44. Shaft 44 is driven at the rate of sixty revolutions per minute. The train of gears and pinions just described reducing the R. P. M. of pinion 11 from 360 R. P. M.s to 60 R. P. M.s at shaft 44. Second hand gear 50 will rotate at one R. P. M. and will transfer that R. P. M. through indexing wheel 42 and indexing pin to index or rotate spool 34 the distance of one indexing tooth 101 each minute to advance numerals 84 on film strip 83 one position each minute.

Second hand pinion gear 48 will drive third reduction gear 63, which turns third reduction pinion 62 and thereby turns minute hand gear 55 one revolution each hour. Minute hand gear 55 engages indexing wheel 41 carrying indexing pin to index or rotate spool 32 the distance of one indexing tooth each hour to advance numerals 81 on film 80 one position each hour.

Minute hand gear 55 will rotate minute hand pinion gear 54 fixed to bushing 51 to rotate bushing 51 one revolution each minute.

Minute hand pinion gear 54 will rotate fourth reduction gear 65, which will rotate fourth reduction pinion 64 engaging hour hand gear 53 which rotates spacing collar 52 one revolution each hour. Hour band is fixed ,to the end of spacing collar 52.

Referring to Figures 1 and 12,

momentary contact switches

106 and 107 are fixed to the sides of

twin beds

108 and 109 with a night table 110 between them. Clock 10 is placed on night table 110. The electric circuit consists of plug 102, clock motor 12, light bulb 97 and momentary contact switches 106, 107 all in a parallel series circuit with clock motor 12 running continuously. Momentary contact switches 106 and 107 are normally open. The occupant of either bed may close the switch on his bed to energize light bulb 97 to project the

numerals

81, 84 on the ceiling to tell the time. A rheostat 111 may be installed in the electric circuit to vary the intensity of light bulb 97.

Thus a clock is provided having a conventional face 112 and

hands

103, 104, 105 and a projector for time indications for the secondary telling of time from remote surface reflection.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention, by way of example, it should be realized that structural changes could be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

A projector for time indications comprising a hollow vertical rectangular band housing, a horizontal inverted U shaped band fixed to said housing to comprise a frame to support a clock mechanisms, a motor supported in said frame, a clock mechanism comprising 'a chain of gearing, time indicators secured to said mechanism, said motor driving said clock mechanism in timed sequence, a shaft supported in said frame, a minute sprocket indexing wheel and an hour sprocket indexing wheel rotatively mounted on said shaft, an upper sprocket shaft and a lower sprocket shaft supported in said frame, an hour sprocket spool provided with sprocket teeth and a minute sprocket spool provided with sprocket teeth rotatively mounted on said upper sprocket shaft, said minute sprocket indexing wheel rotating said minute sprocket spool in timed relation, said hour sprocket indexing wheel rotating said hour sprocket spool in timed relation, said clock mechanism rotating said minute and said hour sprocket indexing wheels in timed sequence, an upper spool shaft supported in said frame, an hour and minute film carrying first idler spools rotatively mounted on said upper spool shaft, a first lower spool shaft, an hour and minute film carrying second idler spools rotatively mounted on said lower spool shaft, a second lower spool shaft supported in said frame, an hour film carrying third idler spool and a minute film carrying third idler spool rotating normally on said second lower spool shaft, a film strip having hour indicia and provided with sprocket teeth orifices rotatively engaging said hour sprocket spool, said hour carrying first idler spool, said hour carrying second idler spool, and said hour carrying third idler spool with said sprocket teeth orifices engaging to be driven by said sprocket teeth on said hour sprocket spool, a second film strip having minute indicia and provided with sprocket teeth orifices rotatively engaging said minute sprocket spool, said minute carrying first idler spool, said minute carrying second idler spool and said hour carrying third idler spool with said sprocket teeth orifices engaging to be driven by said sprocket teeth on said minute sprocket spool, a casing supported in said frame below said film strips, an electric light supported in said casing, a first lens fixed in said casing, a second lens compatible with said first lens supported in said frame above said film strips, said electric light projecting said indicia on said film strips through said second lens.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,147,501 Genter July 20, 1915 2,078,936 Eitzen May 4, 1937 2,425,704 Nemeth Aug. 12, 1947 2,486,425 Loewe et a1. Nov. 1, 1949 2,652,745 Quinn Sept. 22, 1953 2,834,250 Stefani May 13, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Oct. 25,