US3184911A - Combined multiple clock and radio - Google Patents

Description

y 1965 P. CANALE ETAL COMBINED MULTIPLE CLOCK AND RADIO 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 cm RN T0 T N PAY B E 3 6 2 O O ,4 m/ w P j 3 v s W w \3 m O. l\ a hn m 1 L3 W c, wnww ATTORNEY y 25, 1965 P. CANALE ETAL 3,184,911

COMBINED MULTIPLE CLOCK AND RADIO Filed Sept. 4, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 RADIO ECEIVER.

q mmvrozzs PIETRO CANALE BYANTONIO CANALE ATTORNEY May 25, 1965 P. CANALE ETAL COMBINED MULTIPLE CLOCK AND RADIO 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Sept. 4, 1962 TO POWER SUPPLY y 25, 1965 P. CANALE ETAL 3,184,911

COMBINED MULTIPLE CLOCK AND RADIO Filed Sept. 4, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS P! ETRQ CANALE.

ANTONiQ CANALE BY A TTORNEY y 25, 1955 P. cANALE ETAL 3,184,911

COMBINED MULTIPLE CLOCK AND RADIO Filed Sept. 4, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 m a. [Iii 252 a I In INVENTORS zefi smwma MIMI/I4 ATTORNEY-W United States Patent 3318 9311 CQMEBENED MULTTPLE CHECK AND RADEQ Pietro Canals, Mid-3% 52nd Ave, and Antonio Canaie,

0 339 ltifird Sta, both of @orona, N

Filed Sept. 4, 1962, Ser. No. 221,285 2 Claims. (Cl. 58--44-) This invention concerns an illuminated multiple clock and globe display device.

According to the invention the-re is provided a display device including a support on which is rotatably mounted a triangular casing. in the three vertical walls of the casing are .supported'clocks set to indicate times in different cities. A globe map of the world is rotatably mounted on the casing. Suitable lamps are provided to illuminate the globe and clocks as the casing and globe rotate. A selector switch is provided for selectively controlling an electric circuit in which the lamps and drive motors for the casing and globe are connected to illuminate the lamps or to energize any of the motors. in one form of the invention, the display device is intended for use in a home, hotel lobby or other place where persons congregate. In this use, thesuppor-t may include a radio or other audio or video entertainment means. In another form of the invention, the display device is intended for use ontop of a building, and the support for the device may be thereof of the building, a roof tower, or the like.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a display deviceincluding a plurality of clocks carried by a rotatable casing on a support, with a globe map rotatably mounted on the casing, and lamps carried by the casing to illuminate both the clocks and globe.

Another object is to provide a circuit selector device for selectively causing rotation of drive motors which rotate the globe and casing and for lighting the lamps.

Still another object is to provide a device as described wherein the lamps define a ring-like structure marked with a uniformly divided scale, and the globe carries pointers which onset with the scale to serve as a sweep second timer as the globe rotates.

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. 1 is a perspective view of a display device embodying the invention.

PEG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 5-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of an electric circuit employed in the device.

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another display device according to the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of the display device of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view on a reduced scale taken on line 7-7 ofFlG. 6.

FIGS is a sectional view on a further enlarged scale taken on line S-S of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a lamp employed in the device of FIGS. 6-8.

FIG. it) is a sectional view on an enlarged scale taken on line 1il1t of FIG. 9..

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective View of parts of a framelike support bracket employed for the lamps of FIGS. 5-10. I

Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. l3 a display device 1d including a support in the form of a rectangular box 12. The box has a flat top 14- dethe device.

fining a platform, vertical opposing sides 15% 15", a front wall 16, [rear wall 17 and flat rectangular bottom 13. Over the top is is a triangular casing 20 having three vertical walls 21 21 21 disposed at angles of 60 to each other. The casing has a flat horizontal triangular bottom 22 and a flat horizontal triangular top 24. In each of the vertical walls 21 321 is a hole 25. Electric clocks 25 25 2,6 are mounted in the respective holes. The minute and hour hands 28, of the clocks can be set by turning a control knob 32 which extends outwardly of the face of each clock. in a hole 31 over each clock is a socket 33. Lamps 34*, 34*, 34 are supported in the sockets.

The casing Ztl is rotatably supported over the flat top 1 by an axially vertical shaft 36 extending upwardly from a motor 37 mounted inside the box 12 on bottom 18; see FiG. 3. The shaft extends through a hole 38 in top 14. A flat circular dish 46 is secured to the upper end of the shaft as. The disk is secured in a recess 42 by screws 44 in the bottom 22 of the casing 20. The shaft has an axial extension it; extending into the casing; see FIG. 3. Three spaced prongs 48 43 48 extend downwardly through holes 5b in the bottom of the casing. The prongs are held in position by spring lugs 52 secured by screws 54. These lugs serve as connecting means for wires 53 which terminate at the clocks and lamp sockets inside the casing. The Wires also terminate at a motor 5'5 secured to the underside of top wall 24 of the casing.

Three concentric, conductive rings 56*, 56 are set in the top of the box. Connected to the rings are depending contact elements $57. Wires 5d connected to these elements terminate at switch 6d. The switch has a control knob 62 located on the front wall 16 of the box. This switch has three switch positions marked C, G, L and ALL.

Over the top of casing 26 is a globe '79. This globe has a map 72 inscribed thereon. A shaft 74 extends upwardly from motor 55. On this shaft is a sleeve shaft 75 extending downwardly from the globe. The shaft 75 has a radial flange 7? set in a recess 76 in the bottom of the globe. A bearing plate 73 is mounted on top of the casing and is held by screws Ed. The shaft 75 passes rotatably through and is supported in bore 81 of the bearing plate.

FIG. 4- shows the electric circuit roe associated with This circuit includes the globe motor 55, casing motor 37, lamps 3d 34, clocks flo -26, switch so, the three contact rings 56 -56, and prongs as -as One terminal of each lamp, motor and clock is connected to a common wire 30192 which terminates at shaft extension as. A spring wiper contact 47 supported on the underside of the casing makes continuous contact with shaft 36 of motor 3'7. Return wire 1M is connected from contact 47 to the power supply plug 1%. Motor 37 has a return wire 165 connected to wire TM.

The prongs i -48 may include springs 48' to improve the electrical connections.

Instead of two electric motors, one may be used with suitable reduction gears for producing any desired speed.

Switch 69 has four fixed contacts tip-61 at its four positions, a rotatable switch arm 63 and a contact strip 65 at the end of arm 63. Two further fixed contacts 67 67* are loeatedon either side of contact 61 Ann 63 is connected via a single pole-single throw switch to power line 112. Switch 110 is mounted on the front wall 16 of the box. The power line 112 is also connected to outer ing, Sh which in turn is connected via prong 48 and wire lid to all of the clocks in the casing. Center ring 56 is connected to switch contacts 61* and 61 Prong 4 55 contacts ring 56 and is connected via wire 11s to lamps 34 434. Inner ring 56 is connected to switch contacts 611 and 67 Motor 37 has a wire 118 5.9 connected to switch contacts di and 67 Plug 106 can be inserted in any suitable convenience outlet. Prong 48 contacts ring 56 and is connected via wire 115 to motor 55. A radio receiver 120 can be connected via wires 122 to the power plug. This radio receiver is disposed inside the box 12 and is operated by controls 123 on the front wall of the box.

In operation of the device 10, when switch 110 is closed and the plug 106 is connected to a suitable power supply, the casing 29 can be caused to rotate by setting the switch 60 to position C to energize motor 37. If the switch is set to position G the motor 55 will be energized and the globe 70 will rotate. If the switch is set to position L the lamps will be energized and will light. When the lamps light they illuminate the map 72 on the globe and the faces of the clocks 26-26. If the switch 60 is set to position ALL, then both motors 37 and 55 will be energized and the globe and casing will both rotate. At the same time the lamps will light to illuminate both the globe map and casmg.

The radio may be turned on at the same time so that the illuminated display of turning clocks and globe map may be accompanied by music.

FIGS. -11 illustrate another form of the invention in which the display device 19 is mounted on top of a building B. Parts corresponding to those of display are similarly numbered. On the roof 2% of the building is a cylindrical tower 262 which acts as a support for the triangular casing 26. On the side walls 21 of the casing are large electric clocks 26. The minute and hour hands 28 3t of the clocks may be set to times in ditferent cities as indicated by indicia 204 on the walls of the casing. Casing Zit rotataes on shaft 36 driven by motor 157 Globe 70* has a map 72 of the world inscribed thereon. vice 10 there are provided three arcuate tubular fluorescent lamps 34-, shown best in FIGS. 6, 9 and 10. These lamps are circularly curved and extend through about 120 of arc. When assembled together on frame 210 which supports them on the casing, the lamps define a ring structure. The lamp ring extends all around the globe.

On each lamp is a series of spaced markings 209 each extending circumferentially 180 around the outer side of the lamp. Each lamp has a transparent tubular glass body 211 around which is a transparent plastic sleeve 212; see FIGS. 9 and 10. The markings 209 are molded into the transparent plastic sleeve and may be opaqued or may have various colors. Each lamp terminates in caps 214 at opposite ends from which extend contact pins 216. These pins fit into contact sleeves 218 set into double sockets 220 carried by a frame structure 21%; see FIG. 8.

Frame 218, as best shown in FIGS. 8 and 11, includes a flat annular ring 221 having three circumferentially spaced arms 224 extending upwardly and outwardly of the ring. The ring has holes 225 for receiving bolts to secure the ring to the top of the casing Each arm terminates in a semicylindrical seat 219 which supports a cylindrical lamp socket 229. Electric cable 228 extends from socket 220 and lies in a groove 229 extending longitudinally of the arm. This cable provides power to the lamps whose ends are engaged in each socket. A clamping arm 23h is removably mounted on each arm 224. Holes 232 in arms 23th register with holes 233 in arms 224 for receiving bolts to secure the arms together. Each arm has a semicylindrical clamp 234 on its outer end and upper which fits over the semicylindrical seat 219 to form a cylindrical housing therewith for socket 220 and to lock the ends of the adjacent lamps therein. A flat lug 236 extends inwardly at the lower end of each arm 230. The lugs have holes 238 for receiving bolts to secure the lugs to the flat top of ring 221.

Three arms 250 extend outwardly of the globe 70 The arms extend in a flat horizontal plane just above the horizontal plane of the ring of lamps 34. Arms 250 have In place of the lamps 3 5 34 of de- M depending pointers 252 at their outer ends just outside of the ring of lamps.

On top of the globe may be provided a socket 255 which receives staff 260 supporting a flag 262. The globe rotates on shaft which has a radial flange 263 riding on a bearing 255 in the top of the casing. The shaft is driven by motor 55 in the casing.

The circuit of FIG. 4 is applicable to display device lit except that parallel connected lamps 34 -34 may be replaced by the arcuate lamps 34 as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 4.

Operation of the device It) is the same as for device 10 described above. When the switch 60 is set to ALL position, the lamps 34 light to illuminate the map 72 on the rotating globe 7i) and also illuminate the clocks 2-1 on the rotating casing. If the speed of rotation of the motor 55' driving globe 73 is once per minute and if markings 299 are sixty in number, then the pointers carried by arms 250 will serve as sweep second hands marking out seconds while the hands of the clocks mark out minutes and hours. This sweep second function will be performed even though the lamps 34 are extinguished during the daytime, as long as the globe rotates either while the casing 20 is stationary or is rotating. Since the globe and lamps 34 rotate with the casing while the casing rotates, and the globe is carried by the casing, there will be no loss of accuracy in timing seconds.

The devices described thus serve as multi-purpose display means useful indoors or outdoors. If desired, the display device 19 can be made on a smaller scale for use indoors. Instead of three individual parallel connected arcuate lamps34 a single 360 ring lamp can be used for smaller size indoor installations.

While we have illustrated and described the preferred embodiments of our invention, it is to be understood that we do not limit ourselves to the precise constructions herein disclosed and that various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent 1s:

1. A clock and globe map display, comprising a support, a casing rotatably mounted on a vertical axis on said support, said casing having a plurality of Walls facing in diiferent horizontal directions, an electric clock mounted on each of the walls, a globe inscribed with a map rotatably mounted on a vertical axis on top of said casing, a lamp means carried by the casing to illuminate both the clocks and map, a first motor in said support driving the casing, a second motor in said casing driving the globe, circuit means connected to the lamp means. clocks and motors for energizing the same, and a selector switch in said circuit means for selectively energizing the lamp means and motors individually and all together, said lamp means being a circular ring lamp structure surrounding the globe and casing, a frame supporting said lamp structure on the casing, said ring lamp having a series of equally spaced division markings thereon, and a pointer carried by the globe and circumferentially passing along the lamp markings to indicate passage of time as the globe rotates.

2. A clock and globe map display, comprising a support, a casing rotatably mounted on a vertical axis on said support, said casing having a plurality of walls facing in different horizontal directions, an electric clock mounted on each of the walls, a globe inscribed with a map rotatably mounted on a vertical axis on top of said casing, lamp means carried by the casing to illuminate both the clocks and map, a first motor in said support driving the casing, a second motor in said casing driving the globe, circuit means connected to the lamp means, clocks and motors for energizing the same, and a selector switch in said circuit for selectively energizing the lamp means and motors individually and all together, said lamp sasaeu means being a circular ring lamp structure surrounding the globe and casing, a frame supporting said lamp structure on the casing, said ring lamp having a series of equally spaced division markings thereon, and a pointer carried by the globe and circumferentially passing along the lamp markings to indicate passage of time as the globe rotates, said casing being triangular in horizontal. cross section, said walls being three in number with each one of the walls disposed at an angle of 60 to the other two Walls.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Silvernail Mar. 8, 1892 Gourley Jan. 16, 1934 Warren Mar. 17, 1936 Harrison Mar. 31, 1936 Clark Oct. 17, 1961 Ducommun Oct. 14, 1963

Claims (1)

1. A CLOCK AND GLOBE MAP DISPLAY, COMPRISING A SUPPORT, A CASING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON A VERTICAL AXIS ON SAID SUPPORT, SAID CASING HAVING A PLURALITY OF WALLS FACING IN DIFFERENT HORIZONTAL DIRECTIONS, AN ELECTRIC CLOCK MOUNTED ON EACH OF THE WALLS, A GLOBE INSCRIBED WITH A MAP ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON A VERTICAL AXIS ON TOP OF SAID CASING, A LAMP MEANS CARRIED BY THE CASING TO ILLUMINATE BOTH THE CLOCKS AND MAP, FIRST MOTOR IN SAID SUPPORT DRIVING THE CASING, A SECOND MOTOR IN SAID CASING DRIVING THE GLOBE, CIRCUIT MEANS CONNECTED TO THE LAMP MEANS, CLOCKS AND MOTORS FOR ENERGIZING THE SAME, AND A SELECTOR SWITCH IN SAID CIRCUIT MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY ENERGIZING THE LAMP MEANS AND MOTORS INDIVIDUALLY AND ALL TOGETHER, SAID LAMP MEANS BEING AS CIRCULAR RING LAMP STRUCTURE SURROUNDING THE GLOBE AND CASING, A FRAME SUPPORTING SAID LAMP STRUCTURE ON THE CASING, SAID RING LAMP HAVING A SERIES OF EQUALLY SPACED DIVISION MARKINGS THEREON, AND A POINTER CARRIED BY THE GLOBE AND CIRCUMFERENTIALLY PASSIN ALONG THE LAMP MARKINGS TO INDICATE PASSAGE OF TIME AS THE GLOBE ROTATES.

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