US2876344A

US2876344A - Automatically controlled signal receivers

Info

Publication number: US2876344A
Application number: US469458A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles E Miller
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1954-11-17
Filing date: 1954-11-17
Publication date: 1959-03-03
Anticipated expiration: 1976-03-03

Description

March 3, 1959 c. E. MILLER AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SIGNAL RECEIVERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 17, 1954 \Hi Mu MdI/BJEM Z ZZZ A TTORNE I AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SIGNAL RECEIVERS Filed Nov. 17, 1954 C. E. MILLER March 3, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 110 km r 1-6 JUPP! y iillrlif.-- E...

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A TTOR NE 1 March 3, 1959 c. E. MILLER AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED S IGNAL RECEIVERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 17, 1954 SQ Q ATTORNE Y Filed Nov.. 17, 1954 AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SIGNAL RECEIVERS 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

mar/w aim/1- ATTORNEY March 3, 1959 c. E. MILLER AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SIGNAL RECEIVERS Filed Nov. 17, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEY United States Patent *O AUTOMATICALLY CONTROLLED SIGNAL RECEIVERS Charles E. Miller, Cambridge, Ohio, assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application November 17, 1954, Serial No. 469,458

4 Claims. (Cl. 250-20) This invention relates to automatically controlled. signal receivers, and more particularly to radio receivers and the like which are adapted to be turned on and off at predetermined times by clock operated means. Such receivers have come to be known commercially as clock radios or radio receivers.

In clock radio receivers, a switch is arranged to turn the receiver on at a time determined by an alarm setting of the clock. In addition, a manually operated off-on switch is generally provided. A third type of control means found on certain clock radio receivers is a slumher control that is used to turn on the receiver and automatically to turn it off after a selected length of time has expired and the listener has gone to sleep. This controlis designed to. be used without affecting the auto matic alarm setting.

The combination of the slumber control with the automatic radio alarm feature has given rise to two main problems. First, the user may desire to listen to one station at night when the mechanism providing the control functions referred to is in the slumber position, but to another station when the receiver is automatically turned on the next morning; and second, the user may desire to use different volume levels for the slumber and automatic alarm operations,

Accordingly, it is one of the objects of the present invention to provide an improved clock controlled radio receiver, which may be preset to be automatically turned on at a preselected time and to a preselected station as.

an awakeningalarm for example, and yet at any time, as at bedtime, it may independently be turned on and operated to receive a different station for a selectable length of time, at the expiration of which time the receiver is automatically turned off until said preset time.

It is another object of the invention to provide an improved clock-radio receiver providing a preset automatic awakening alarm on a preselected station at a preselected sound volume level, and also providing for listening to a second station at a second volume level fora preselected length of time after such alarm setting is made and with automatic turn-off after the selected length of time has expired.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved control system for a clock radio receiver wherein a first station may be selected for automatic alarm action when a preset control is actuated or adjusted, and a second station may independently be selected for reception when a slumber control is actuated or adjusted.

These and further objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved, in general, by providing a radio receiver that has two separate and independent sets of tuning and volume control means and also a function selector control element which may be moved to different positions to adjust the receiver for difierent modes of operation as referred to. In'one embodiment it may have four positions. In the first or oil? position, a power switch which supplies operating current to theradio re- 2,876,344 Patented Mar. 3, 1959 ceiver is held in the open position. In the second or on position, the power switch is held in the closed position and causes the receiver to be energized.

In the third or alarm position, called the auto position, a clock mechanism automatically closes the power switch for energizing the receiver at a time selected by the user, as for the awakening alarm hereinbefore mentioned. In this position, a first or main set of volume and tuning control means, which may have operating controls located on the front panel of the receiver, are electrically connected to the receiver circuits. In the fourth or preset position of the function selector control, called the ;set" position, the clock mechanism again automatically closes power switch means .at a time selected by the user. However, in this last position, a second or auxiliary set of tuning and volume control means, the operating controls for which may be located on the back panel of the receiver, are electrically connected to the receiver circuits and are effective to select stations and adjust the volume level, while the first set of tuning and volume control means are disconnected.

A slumber control means is also provided that, when operated, turns on the receiver to any station and at a volume level that has been selected by the first set of controls, for a selected period of time and also disengaging the second set of tuning and volume control means if the function selector control is in the fourth or set position. The receiver after operating for the selected length of time is then automatically turned off and at the same time the second set of controls are reengaged if the function selector control is in the set position. However, the invention, both as to its organization and operation, will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, and its scope is defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

. Figure l is a front elevation view, partially broken away, showing the selector controls of a control mechanism for a clock radio receiver in accordance with the invention;

. Figure 2A is a side elevation view, partially in section and partially broken away, of the control mechanism shown in Figure 1 together with a portion of a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical control connections therefor;

Figure 2B is a further portion of the schematic circuit diagram of Figure 2A showing the remainder of the electrical connections for the control mechanism of Figures 1 and 2A and the controlled radio receiver, in accordance with the invention, and

Figures 3 and 4 are, sectional front views of the clock timer control mechanism shown in Figure 2 taken through line 44 to show certain of the parts thereof under different operating conditions in accordance with the invention.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like elements are designated by like reference numerals throughout the figures, and referring particularly to Figure 1, the radio receiver control means includes a control mechanism or assembly having a front mounting plate 10 on which the indicating and most of the manually operated panel elements, including the clock timer, are mounted. A rotary bezel or function selector control element 14 of suitable material, such as transparent plastic, is mounted on the face of the front mounting plate 10. Rotation of the bezel or ring 14 from one angular position to another, as will be more fully explained hereinafter, over a limited arc, provide for setting the mechanism and the receiver for the various desired functions hereinbefore described.

An annular mounting ring 16 is fixedly connected to the base of and moves with the bezel 14, and the combined assembly is held in position for rotation on the face of the front mounting plate by positioning lugs 18, which are fastened to the front plate 10 to fit over and loosely hold the mounting ring 16.

A clock face 20 for an internal clock, hereinafter re ferred to, is mounted in spaced relation between the front mounting plate 10 and the inner face of the bezel 14. A circular aperture 22 in the clock face 20 allows

concentric shafts

24, 26, 28, and to project through into the space between the clock face 20 and the inner face of the bezel 14. The hands of the clock are mounted on these shafts-a sweep second hand 32 being mounted on the first or inner shaft 24; a minute hand 34 on the second shaft 26; and hour hand 36 on the third shaft 28; and an alarm set hand 38 on the fourth or outer shaft 30.

A slumber control knob 40 located at the top of the assembly is connected to turn the associated radio receiver on for a selected period of time after which it will automatically turn ofi, and the amount of time selected for the receiver to remain on in response to this action is determined by how far the knob 40 is rotated, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

The indicator plate 42 which moves in response to rotation of the knob 40, and is marked to indicate the amount of time selected for the radio receiver to remain on, is positioned between the clock face 20 and the mounting plate 10. A portion of the movable plate 42 is visible through a rectangular aperture 44 in the clock face 20 and the indicia, such as numbers on the plate are visible through the aperture and indicate, preferably in minutes, the amount of time selected.

Gear teeth are cut or otherwise formed for a portion of the inner circumference of the mounting ring 16 to provide a segment of a ring gear 46. As the bezel or function selector control 14 is rotated to different angular positions, the ring gear 46 rotates a spur gear 48 which is meshed therewith. The spur gear 48 is mounted on a control shaft 50 which is connected to actuate a power switch 62 (shown in Figure 2A) of the clock timer control assembly. The particular position of the function selector control 14 that has been selected is indicated by the position of a pointer 52 (fastened to and movable with the function selector control 14) with respect to the previously referred to legends Set, Auto, 011, and Off, on the clock face 20.

The function selector control 14 and the slumber control knob 40 control the operation of a radio receiver that has two sets of tuning and volume controls conditioned to be selectively connected to it. The operation of the mechanism in each of the four positions of the function selector control 14 will be fully explained hereinafter but it may be summarized as follows:

(1) In the off position the power switch 62 (Figure 2A) is open, and no power is supplied to the radio receiver,

(2) In the on position, the power switch 62 is mechanically closed and a first or main set of tuning and volume controls are connected to the receiver. The receiver then operates with a station and a volume level selected by these Controls, independently of the clock timer mechanism,

(3) In the auto position, the power switch 62 is auto- 4 slumber control knob 40 may be summarized as follows:

(1) Rotation of the slumber control knob 40 rotates a slumber actuating shaft 94 (shown in Figure 2A) mechanically closing the power switch 62 and holding it closed until the shaft 94 is returned to its initial position,

(2) The degree of rotation of the slumber control knob 40 will determine how long the slumber actuating shaft 94 will remain held in the rotated position and, hence, how long the power switch 62 will be held closed, by determining how far a clutch mechanism 104 is moved onto a drive wheel 106 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4),

(3) The mechanism disconnects the second or auxiliary set of tuning and volume controls from the receiver and connects to the receiver the first or main set of tuning and volume controls, if the function selector control 14 is in such a position to connect the second or auxiliary set of tuning and volume controls to the receiver. If the mechanism is in a position that the first set of volume and tuning controls are already connected to the radio receiver it merely remains in this position, and

(4) After the slumber control knob 40 has been turned back to its initial position by action of the clutch mechanism 104 and the drive wheel 106, the mechanism will open the power switch 62 and, if the function selector control 14 is in the set position, disconnect the first set of tuning and volume controls from the receiver and reconnect the second set to the receiver.

Referring now to Figures 2A, 3 and 4, a clock timer mechanism 54 is mounted on a rear mounting plate 56 which is held in parallel spaced relation to the front mounting plate 10 by four spacer pins 15 (Figure 1). The clock timer mechanism 54 has three sections: a clock motor 58, a clock mechanism 60 driven by the motor, and a power switch 62.

The control shaft 50 is fixed rigidly to the first spur gear 48 (shown in Figure 2A), and carries the position selector cam 64 behind the front plate 10. As is indicated by a dotted line 66, the power switch 62 can be controlled by rotation of the selector shaft 50. An actuating shaft 68 extends from the front plate 10 through the rear plate 56 and the clock mechanism 60 to the rear of the unit. Fastened rigidly to the end of the actuating shaft 68 is an actuating lever 70. An insulated switch plate 72 is urged against a flange 73 of the actuating lever by a spring 74. Also fastened to the actuating shaft 68 between the mounting

plates

10 and 56 is a second lever 76 which carries on its lower end a first pin 78 adapted to fall into a first depression 80 in the selector cam 64 when the cam 64 is rotated to the proper position as shown in Figures 3 and 4.

A third lever 82 is held between the mounting

plates

10 and 56 on a third shaft 84, and its lower end is in contact with the right angle flange 86 on the second lever 76. The upper end of the third lever 82 carries a second pin 88 which is designed to fall into a second depression 90 (see Figures 3 and 4) on a second cam 92 which is carried on a slumber actuating shaft 94, which shaft extends into the clock mechanism 60. Also carried on t the slumber actuating shaft 94 is a second spur gear 96 which is meshed with a first bevel gear 98 carried on an indicating shaft 99, and which, in turn, is meshed with a second bevel gear 100. The second bevel gear 100 is connected by a sixth shaft 102 to the slumber control knob 40. The indicator plate 42 is carried on that portion of the indicating shaft 99 projecting through the front mounting plate 10.

Also mounted on the indicating shaft 99 is a clutch mechanism 104 which is adapted to operatively contact a drive wheel 106 which is carried on a drive shaft 108 that is continuously rotated by the clock mechanism 60. The clutch mechanism 104 is adapted to be selectively placed in contact with and driven by the drive wheel 106 when the slumber knob 40 is rotated to hold this knob in the rotated position. The particular point that the clutch 104 is initially placed against the drive wheel 106 when the slumber control knob 40 is rotated will determine the length of time that a radio receiver will be operated in the slumber position, as will be more fully explained when the operation of the mechanism is described.

Time set and alarm set thumb wheels, 110 and 112, respectively, project through the rear of the clock mechanism 60 and operate in the usual and conventional manner.

A 110 volt A. C. supply is connected directly to the clock motor 58 and through a power switch 62 to the leads 114 and 116, which are connected to a radio receiver power supply (see Figures 2A and 2B). The power switch 62 can be operated in any of three ways, that is, by rotation of the control shaft 50 by turning the function selector control 14 (as indicated by the dotted line 66), or by rotation of the slumber actuating shaft 94 by turn ing the slumber control knob 40 (as indicated by the dotted line 109), or automatically by the clock mechanism 60 (as indicated by the dotted line 111).

As was mentioned before, it is necessary to automatically switch from one set of tuning and volume controls to a second set of tuning and volume controls for the radio receiver when the control assembly is performing certain of its functions. This switching of tuning and volume control is accomplished by a switch plate 72 and its associated contacts. The switch plate 72 has two positions: an up position (as shown in Figures 2A and 4) which will connect a first set of tuning and volume controls to the radio receiver, and a down position (as shown in Figure 3) which will connect a second set of tuning and volume controls to the radio receiver.

To accomplish the above mentioned switching the switch plate 72 carries on its rear face three single-pole doublethrow switches to switch the tuning and volume controls. Three movable shorting bars 118, 120, and 122 form single-throw, double-pole selector switches with the three contacts associated with each shorting bar, as indicated schematically in the drawing. The upper shorting bar 118 has three contacts 124, 126, and 128 associated with it; the middle shorting bar 120 has three

contacts

130, 132, and 134 associated with it; and the lower shorting bar 122 also has three

contacts

136, 138 and 140 associated with it.

In the up position of the switch plate 72, as shown in Figure 2, the shorting bars 118, 120 and 122 connect together the upper pair of each triplet of contacts, that is, contacts 124-126, 130-132 and 136-138. In the down position, of course, the shorting bars 118, 120 and 122 will connect together the lower pair of each triplet, that is, contacts 126-128, 132-134, and 138-140.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2B, a superheterodyne radio receiver, shown in block diagram, includes the ordinary units, that is, antenna, mixer and local oscillator, I. F. amplifier, detector, audio amplifier, speaker, and power supply. A signal input inductor 142 is connected between the mixer and ground, and the R.-F. high potential side of the inductor 142 is connected to the center contact 126 of the upper triplet of contacts controlled by the shorting bar 118. As has been stated before, in the up position of the switch plate 72 a first set of tuning and volume controls is connected to the receiver and in the down position of the switch plate 72 a second set of tuning and volume controls is connected to the receiver.

As can be seen, a first and a second, or main and auxiliary, tuning condensers, 144 and 146, are connected respectively to the outer two contacts 124 and 128 of the triplet. It is readily apparent that if the shorting bar 118 is in the up position that contacts 124 and 126 are connected together connecting the first condenser 144 in parallelwith the inductor 142; and if the shorting bar is in the down position that the lower two-contacts 126 6 and 128 are connected together connecting the second condenser 146 in parallel with the inductor 142.

Similarly, a first anda second, or main andauxiliary, oscillator condenser, 148 and 150,are connected to the outer contacts and 134 associated with the middle shorting bar 120, and the center contact 132 is connected to the local oscillator. A frequency determining inductor 152 is connected between the local oscillator and ground. With the middle shorting bar 120 in the up position the first oscillator condenser 148 is shunted across the inductor 152, and with the shorting bar in the down position the second oscillator condenser will be shunted across the inductor 152. A first and second or main and auxiliary, volume control potentiometers, 154 and 156, are connected in parallel across the output of the detector. Firstand second variable taps 158 and of the volume control potentiometers 154 and 156 are connected to the

outer contacts

136 and 140 of the triplet associated with shorting bar 122. The center contact 138 is connected with the audio amplifier. With the lower shorting bar 122 in the .up

position contacts

136 and 138 are connected together connecting the variable tap 158 of the first volume control 154 to the audio amplifier, and in the down position variable tap 160 of the second volume control 156 is connected to the audio amplifier.

In operation, with a 110 volt A. C. supply connected to the clock timer control assembly, the clock mechanism continuously drives the

concentric shafts

24, 26, and 28 carrying the various hands of the clock to indicate the time.

.With the function selector control 14 rotated to its furtherest counterclockwise position as viewed in Figure 1, the control assembly will be in the off position and the power switch 62 will be mechanically opened. This will be so indicated by the pointer 52 being adjacent the off legend on the clock face 20.

Only the function selector control 14, ring gear 46, the selector spur gear 48, the control shaft 50, the position selector cam 64, the

levers

76 and 70, and the actuating shaft 68, are concerned with the selection of the manually on and automatically on functions, and their operation will be described without reference to the remainder of the mechanism at this time.

With the pointer 52 in the off position the selector cam 64 will be rotated by the ring gear 46 and the spur gear 48 in a counterclockwise direction from that position shown in the Figure 3 until the depression 80 will be at the position indicated by the dotted line depression 81. In the on position the depression will be rotated clockwise a third of the way toward the solid line position; in the auto position the depression will be rotated twothirds of the way from the dotted position toward the solid position; and the solid position is the position of the position selector cam'64 when the pointer 52 indicates set.

As will be best seen by reference to Figures 2A, 3, and 4, the switch plate 72 is being constantly urged downwardly by the compression spring 74. This tends to force the right end of lever 70 downward, tending to rotate shaft 68 in a clockwise direction, which then urges the lower end of lever 76 to the left to keep the pin 78 in contact with the surface of the cam 64. As can be readily seen in the off, on, and auto positions the switch plate 72 will then be in a up position as is shown in Figures 2A and 4, but when the depression 80 is opposite the pin 78, the pin 78 will be forced into the depression 80, and the right end of the lever 70 can then be forced into a downward position at the urging of the spring 70 allowing the switch plate 72 to assume a down position (as shown in Figure 3).

As was stated before, in the up position of the switch plate 72 the shorting bars 118, 120, and 122 will be in the up position, allowing the first set of tuning and volume controls (condenser 144, oscillator condenser 148,"

and potentiometer 154) to be connected to the radio receiver of Figure 2A. In the down position the second set of tuning and volume controls (condenser 146, oscillator condenser 150, and potentiometer 156) are connected to the receiver. It is readily apparent that in all positions of the function selector control 14, except the set position, that the first set of tuning and volume controls are always connected to the radio receiver, and that in the set position the second set of tuning and volume controls may be connected to the radio receiver.

When the function selector control 14 is rotated to the on position the power switch 62 will be mechanically closed as indicated schematically by the dotted line 66. With the power switch 62 closed, power will be supplied to energize the radio receiver. Since the first set of tuning controls are connected to the receiver in the on po sition, as before explained, this set of tuning and volume control will select the station and volume that is reproduced by the receiver. In the on position the operation of the receiver is independent of the clock timer mechanism 54.

When the function selector control 14 is rotated to the auto position the power switch 62 will be closed automatically at a future preset time by the clock mechanism. The time of automatic closure of the power switch 62 is selected by rotation of the alarm set thumb wheel 112 on the rear of the mechanism, and this time is indicated by the position of the alarm set hand 38 on the clock face 20. Automatic closure of the power switch 62 by the clock mechanism 60 is indicated schematically by the dotted line 111. When the power switch 62 is closed automatically by the clock mechanism, power will then be supplied to the radio receiver and it will operate to a station and volume selected by the first set of tuning and volume controls, for, as explained before, with the control assembly in the auto position the first set of tuning and volume controls is connected to the radio receiver.

When the function selector control 14 is rotated to the set position the clock mechanism, as before, will automatically close the power switch 62 at a preset time selected by the user. The automatic closure of the power switch 62 in the set position is identical with that in the auto position. But in the set position, as noted before, the switch plate 72 will be in the down position and the second set of volume and tuning controls will be connected to the receiver. Hence, when the function selector control 14 is in set position, the radio receiver will be automatically turned on to a station and volume selected by the second set of tuning and volume controls.

The slumber operation of the control assembly is initiated independently of the position of the automatic positions of the function selector control 14 by rotating the slumber control knob 40 in a counterclockwise direction (viewing the knob from above) which rotates the shaft 102 and the second bevel gear 100 in the same direction. The first bevel gear 98 is meshed with the second bevel gear 100 and is also rotated in a counterclockwise direction (when viewed from the front as in Figures 3 and 4). The second spur gear 96 is meshed with the first bevel gear 98 and is rotated in a clockwise direction, which rotates the slumber actuating shaft 94 in a clockwise direction. When the slumber actuating shaft 94 is rotated in a clockwise direction it mechanically closes switch 62 as indicated schematically by the dotted line 109. The slumber actuating shaft 94 will hold the power switch 62 closed as long as it is in the rotated position, but when the slumber actuating shaft 94 is returned to its original position the power switch 62 will no longer be held closed.

When the slumber control knob 40 is in its initial or off position the clutch mechanism 104 will be in the position indicated in Figure 3, not in contact with the drive wheel 106. The drive wheel 106 is continuously rotated by the clock mechanism 60 in a counterclockwise direction at a relatively slow speed. The clutch mechf5 anism 106 is made up of two metal leaves roughly in the shape of a sector of a circle fastened together along their shortest sides as shown. The two halves of the clutch mechanism 104 spring together but are forced to part as they divide over the drive wheel 106 and are held in this position by their own friction against the drive wheel 106. As the drive wheel 106 rotates slowly in a counterclockwise direction the top of the wheel in contact with the clutch mechanism 104 rotates to the left carrying with it the clutch mechanism 104.

As long as the clutch mechanism is held in a rotated position the shaft 99 will be held in a rotated position holding the first bevel gear 98 in a rotated position which in turn will hold the second spur gear 96 and the slumber actuating shaft 94 in a rotated position thus keeping the power switch 62 closed.

The amount of time that the slumber control knob 40 will keep the power switch 62 closed is determined by how far the mechanism is rotated onto the drive wheel 106. It is apparent that the farther the clutch mechanism 104 is rotated onto the drive wheel 106 the longer time it will take for the drive wheel 106 to turn the clutch mechanism 104 back to the otf position shown in Figure 3.

The second cam 92 is also fastened rigidly to the slumber actuating shaft 94. With the slumber control knob 40 in its initial position as in Figure 3, the second depression 90 in the second cam 92 will be opposite the second pin 88 so that no force will be exerted to the right on the pin 88. However, if the slumber control knob 40 is rotated, the cam 92 will be rotated, as explained before, and the depression 90 in the cam surface will no longer be opposite the pin 88, and this pin 88 will be forced to the right by the cam surface, as shown in Figure 4. This will force the lower end of the third lever 82 to the left and against the right angle flange 86 on the second lever 76, and this, in turn, will force the upper end of the second lever 76 to the left rotating the actuating lever 70 counterclockwise, forcing the switch plate 72 into its up position thus connecting the first set of tuning and volume contacts to the radio receiver.

It will be seen that if the function selector control 14 is in the set position, normally positioning the switch plate 72 in the down position and connecting the second set of tuning and volume controls to the radio receiver, that rotation of the slumber control knob will force the switch plate 72 into its up position connecting the first set of tuning and volume controls to the radio receiver.

Of course, if the function selector control 14 is in the off, on or auto positions the switch plate 72 will already be in its up position and rotation of the slumber knob will not move the switch plate 72 but will continue the first set of tuning and volume controls connected to the radio receiver.

After the amount of time selected by the slumber control knob 40 has expired, the clutch 104 will have been turned off of the drive wheel 106 allowing the cam 92 to return to its original position and the depression 90 in the second cam 92 will again be opposite the second pin 88. The top of the third lever 82 can then move to the left, allowing its lower end to move to the right. This action allows the second lever 76, and the actuating lever 70 to rotate clockwise (if the function selector control 14 is in the set position) so that the first pin '78 can be urged into the first depression in the selector cam 64 by the spring 74, and, finally, this last action will allow the switch plate 72 .to go into the down position and reconnect the second set of tuning and volume controls to the radio receiver.

The indicator plate 42 is also fastened rigidly to the indicator shaft 99 and rotates with the clutch mechanism 104. A portion of the indicator plate 42 is visible through the rectangular aperture 44 in the clock face 20, and numbers can be placed on the indicator plate 42 to be viewed through the aperture 44 to indicate in minutes or some othersuitable-units of time the amount'of time that has been selected by the slumber control knob 40for the radio to remain in operation.

- The power switch 62 can also be used to control the application of voltage to a common household receptacle 162 which may be connected directly across the voltage input leads 114 and 116 to the receiver power supply, and this receptacle 162 may be located on the radio receiver chassis.

The entire mechanism is designed and shown here to be operated by rotation of the function selector control 14. The mechanical functions, of course, could be designed to operate on a linear rather than a rotary motion, so that the functions of the function selector control 14 could easily be performed by a push button type of mechanism.

It is possible to use, as may be desired as a further modification of the invention, only one unswitched set of tuning controls with two volume control potentiometers, or to use one unswitched volume control and two sets of tuning controls.

A clock timer control assembly to control the operation of a radio receiver has been provided that will allow a first station and volume level to be used as an alarm to turn on automatically at a predetermined time; and that will also allow a second station and volume level to be turned on manually by the user after the mechanism has been set for an alarm for a selected length of time after which time it will automatically turn off.

What is claimed is:

1. In a clock controlled radio receiver the combination comprising, radio receiver means having a main and an auxiliary set of tuning and volume controls, a power switch operative to connect a source of operating current to said radio receiver, a function selector control having manually selectable off, on, and first and second automatic on positions, said control in the on position operative to close said power switch and in said automatic on positions operative to close said power switch at a predetermined time, a tuning selector switch having two positions, means operative to connect said main set of tuning and volume controls to said radio receiver in a first position of said tuning selector switch and to connect said auxiliary set of tuning and volume controls to said radio receiver in a second position of said switch, means connected with said function selector control operative to position said tuning selector switch in said first position when said function selector control is in said oif, on, and first automatic on positions and to move said tuning selector switch to said second position when said function selector control is in said second automatic on position, a second manually operated means operative to close said power switch for a predetermined length of time, further means responsive to said manually operated means only when said function selector control is in said second automatic on position to move said tuning selector switch from said second position to said first position, and means responsive to the automatic opening of said power switch operable only when said function selector control is in said second automatic on position operative to reconnect said tuning selector switch from said first position to said second position.

2. A clock controlled radio receiver comprising, radio receiver means having a first and a second set of tuning and volume controls, a power switch for connecting a source of operating current to said radio receiver, a function selector control having manually selectable off, on, and first and second automatic on positions, said automatic on positions operative to close said power switch at a predetermined time, a tuning selector switch for connecting either of said sets of tuning and volume controls to said radio receiver, means actuated by said function selector control operative to position said tuning selector switch. to connect-saidfirst set of tuning and volume controls-to said radio-receiver when said function selector control is in said off, on, and first automatic on positions and to connect said second set of tuning and volume controls to said radio receiver when said function selector control is in said second automatic on position, a second means for closing said power switch, means responsive'to said second means for maintaining said power switch closed for a selected length of time, further means responsive to said second means only when said function selector control is in said second automatic on position operative to move said tuning selector switch to disconnect said second set of tuning and volume controls from said radio receiver and to operably connect said first set of tuning and volume controls to said radio receiver, and means responsive to the automatic opening of said power switch operable only when said function selector control is in said second automatic on position to move said tuning selector switch to disconnect said first set of tuning and volume controls from said receiver and to connect said second set of tuning and volume controls to said receiver.

3. In a clock controlled radio receiver the combination comprising, radio receiver means adapted to be energized from a source of operating current, a tuning circuit and a volume control circuit for said receiver means, two sets of receiver tuning and volume control devices, a selector switch having contacts connected with said tuning and volume control circuits and with said tuning and volume control devices, said switch having an operating element movable to connect either of said sets of devices selectively to said circuits, a unitary control mechanism for said receiver having a movable switch actuating member operatively engaging said switch element, said control mechanism comprising means for positioning said actuating member to operate said switch to connect one of said sets of devices with said circuits, a power switch operative to connect a source of operating current to said receiver means, clock timing means connected with and operative to close said power switch at a preselected time, means independent of said clock means operative to close said power switch and to position said actuating member to operate said switch to disconnect said first named set of devices from said circuits and to connect the other set of devices to said circuits, means including a friction clutch operative to adjust and maintain said last named means in operation for a selectable length of time, and means operative to open said power switch and to reposition said actuating member to operate said switch to disconnect said last named set of devices from said circuits and to reconnect said first named set of devices to said circuits.

4. In a clock controlled radio receiver the combination comprising, radio receiver means adapted to be energized from a source of operating current, a tuning circuit and a volume control circuit for said receiver means, two sets of receiver tuning and volume control devices, a selector switch having contacts connected with said tuning and volume control circuits and with said tuning and volume control devices, said selector switch having an operating element movable to connect either of said sets of devices selectively to said circuits, a unitary control mechanism for said receiver having a movable switch actuating member for engaging and operating said selector switch operating element, said control mechanism comprising a single power switch operative to connect a source of operating current to said receiver means and meansoperative to close said power switch and to position said actuating member to operate said selector switch to connect one of said sets of devices to said circuits, said last named means including a movable timing control element operative to maintain said one set of devices in connection with said circuits and said power switch closed for a selectable length of time, means in said control mechanism operative substantially simultaneously to open said power switch and to position said actuating member to operate said switch to disconnect said one set of devices from said circuits and to connect the other of said sets of devices to said circuits, and clock timing means connected with and operative to move said timing control element for said selectable length of time and to close said power switch at a preselected time after said selectable length of time.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Germanton July 11, 1933 Cutler Jan. 19, 1937 Goodwin Jan. 9, 1945 Haydon Apr. 13, 1948