US3353347A - Reminder clock - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 21, 1967 GATES ETAL 3,353,347

REMINDER CLOCK Filed Nov. 30, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS J77/7f5 7.' 6/9756 W N/S10 A. AEGUE Nov. 21, 1967 J. T. GATES ETAL.

' REMI NDER CLOCK 4 Sheetsheet 2 Filed Nov. 30, 1966 Mr? E Nov. 21', 1967 GATE-s L 3,353,347

REMINDER CLOCK Filed Nov. 30, 1966 4 Sheetsheet 15 Nov. 21, 1967 J. T. GATES ETAL 3,353,347

REMINDER CLOCK Filed Nov 30, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS Ti 756' 7. 6/7755 United States Patent @fitice 3,353,347 REMINDER CLOCK James T. Gates, 1611 Kirkley Road 43221; Ronald L. Legue, 632 Derrer Road 43294; and William R. Dick, 83 W. Oakland Drive 43212, all of Columbus, Ohio Filed Nov. 30, 1966, Ser. No. 598,054 1 Claim. (Cl. 58-6) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLDSURE The present application is a continuation-in-part of our application Ser. No. 228,668, filed Oct. 5, 1962, now abandoned and a continuation-in-part of our pending application Ser. No. 444,279, filed Mar. 31, 1965, now abandoned.

The invention disclosed herein relates to an electromechanical remainder clock, or special appliance, so designed that preselected events, anniversaries, appointments, birthdays, and such, occurring at future dates, are brought to the attention of the user by the appliance just prior to the time of their occurrance by means of an audible signal and/ or flashing light.

Devices of this nature, so far offered to the public, have been complicated and bulky such that their purpose of being a helpful tool to the user has been deterently offset by the complexity of the preselection method and general over-all operating-cycle.

In some existing patent art, the writing medium on which events, birthdays and such are recorded is a continuously moving ledger, driven by the clock mechanism. Better reliability is proclaimed in our invention, over the previously stated system, by divorcing the writing medium from the clock mechanism and incorporating a separate index-pad drawer at the base of the reminder clock on which recorded data associated with preselected alarm dates can be stored.

Besides having a conventional synchronous electric time clock, added visual features of our invention include four indexing drums appearing through window openings on a line parallel with the base, just beneath the clock face. These drums identify the day of the year, day of the Week, month of the year, and day of the month. In addition, there is a separate index pad in a drawer at the base of the clock for recording data associated with specific dates and time. The appliance incorporates a simple method of selecting pre-alarm dates and times associated with the writings on the index pad of the clock for recollection at a specific future data and time. A pilot light jewel flashes the alarm on the reminder date, supplemented by an audible sound. The alarm can be shut off manually for the hour or day by depressing a button. The button automatically resets the succeeding cycle of the clock. It is the novel structure and operation of these components that are claimed for this invention.

The simplicity of setting the present device ahead of the time to alarm at a preselected day, or even on the hour, is accomplished by turning the lightly movable sprocketed control tape to the preselected time and depressing a spring-returned tape perforating punch. After resetting the control tape to the current date and time,

R 3,353,347 Patented Nov. 21, 1967 the tape indexes forward each day (or each hour if desired) by means of a cam-operated linkage driven by the clock mechanism, until the punched perforation in the control tape passes beneath a miniature switch actuator arm, which, when dropping into the perforation, initiates an alarm circuit.

An identical second hole perforation system, or monthly control track, running parallel to the track for selective date perforations, is also preferably incorporated in the sprocketed control tape initiates an electrical circuit of a second miniature switch. At the end of each month, whether 28, 29, 30 or 31 days, a respective end-of-the month perforation is moved by daily (or hourly indexes motor which drives a sprocketed day-of-the-mouth tape, returning the first day of the month to appear in the clock indicator reading location. This same motor also initiates the indexing of a pawl and ratchet linkage which indexes the month indicator drum to a new month.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the tape drive motor is a reversible, or two-directional motor. This motor runs only intermittently when actuated day-of-the-year tape, the day-of-the-week drum, and the day-of-the month tape to the current reading. The dayof-the week drum and the month-of-the-year drum have drawings, minder clock, have external setting, knobs, or levers, parallel in function with the completely automatic operation of all moving components.

A further feature is the incorporation of a self-winding sprocketed tape for the day-of-the-year tape thereby eliminating reel take-up mechanisms, clutches, and the It is a further ar tape by hours, as well as by days, so that the user can erence being the preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing a clock face, four window indicator openings, reading left to right, the day-of-the-year, day-of-the-week, month-ofthe-year, and day-of-the-month. A luminous pilot light indicator emblem is shown below the indicator windows. At the base of the appliance is a drawer housing an indexed writing pad.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a portion of the internal mechanism of the appliance.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 as seen along the line identified 33, showing the indicator drums and sprocket assembly as Well as the rear functional motor and indexing mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a fragmental sectional view of the appliance as indicated across the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 showing the mechanism which operates the day-of-the-week indicator drum, the day-of-the-year sprocketed drum and associated 3. indicator tape, and the day--of-the-month sprocketed drum and associated indicator tape.

FIG. is a fragmental sectional view of FIG. 2 taken along the line 55' thereof showing the month indicator drum indexing mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an electrical diagram showing circuits of the reversible drive motor and associated switches.

Referring now to thedrawings, FIG. 1, characters 1' to 16' inclusive, refer to external components, -1 being the shroud or external housing of the appliance; 2' is the knob for setting the clock; and 3" is a drawer on which an index writing pad assembly 4? rests. Indicator drums appearing through the window openings 5', 6, 7, and 8' show the day-of-the-year tape, day-of-the-week drum, month-of-the-year drum, and day-of-the-month tape, respectively. The day-of-the-year tape is set numerically forward, or reversed, by turning knob 12'. The sprocketed drum shown through window 5', moved by knob 12', in turn, moves a self-winding spring tape 30', similar to a spring back measuring tape. This tape has been prestressed such that it will wind into a roll at either end on spools 28' and 29' without external means. Knob 14 sets the day-of-the-month tape, window 8', also the tape 30', when turned counterclockwise and the day-of-the-week drum, window 6', when turned clockwise; 9' indicates the face of a synchronous electrical time clock. The synchronous time clock is independent of all memory clock mechanism, save the tripping of a periodic switch. This switch initiates a separate electrical circuit to a reversible drive motor and mechanism of the memory clock. The synchronous time clock can be replaced by various makes without interfering with the memory mechanism.

Upon setting of the day-of-the-year tape 30', window 5', by turning knob 12 to the desired dayto be remembered, button 10' is then. depressed, which places triggering indicia on the tape 30, by shearing a notch in the day-of-the-year thin tape with a selector punch 62'. The mechanism for accomplishing this perforation is shown in FIG. 2 and comprises said selector punch which is rotationally attached to lever 10'. The appliance is then reset to the current date. As the appliance functions through its daily cycle, explained later in detail, the notch previously punched, shown at 37 in the day-of-the-year tape 30', indexes under a miniature switch 58" at the preappointed time and initiates a circuit causing a light to flash at window 16' andcreates an audible sound by the signal device 60', FIG. 2. The alarm system is cancelled by depressing spring return button 11", which breaks the alarm circuit of the switch 79', FIG. 6, which is inelectrical series with the day-of-the-year pre-selection tape switch 58", and which remains in any position to which it is moved. As a cam finger 78' of a cam wheel 89 rotates daily, counterclockwise in FIG. 6, the limit switch 79' is reset to its closed (dotted line) position, preferably each morning. The shroud '1, is attached tothe appliance inner frame by four screws 15'.

Referring to FIG. 2, the inner frame base 18' contains superstructure sidemembers-19' and 20, which support the general mechanism. The clock, 90, is carried by mounting plate 21 and is held onto the inner frame by four screws. 22. The clock mounting plate ll and its assembled parts are later explained in connection with FIG. 6. The leftside member 19' at its lower portion rotatably supports a sprocketed drum 23' on which the day-of-theyear tape 30' runs. This tape isadvanced numerically by days by indexing the ratchet 75 forwardly. The day-ofthe-year tape 30' travels over drive sprocket drum 23', underneath the selector punch 61' and is wrapped around the upper tape spool 28 for storage. The spool 28' is held on the spool shaft by a washer 31' andsnap holder 32'. The upper storage spool 28' will reel off tape as it is indexed forward by the hand setting knob 12', FIG. 1. In like manner, take-up spool 29' will reel off tape to the upper spool 28 when hand-set backward by knob 12'. The tape 30has' been pre-stressed to roll up such that any slack in the tape will be immediately taken up at either spool 28 or 29', depending on the direction the hand knob 12' is turned. No other wind-up spring is required on the take-up spools 28 and 29. The hole 36' in the side of plate 19 allows the clock-setting shaft, not shown, to extend through to the exterior of the clock shroud 1', permitting setting knob 2 to be attached.

The two electrical switches 58" and 59" are mounted on the side plate 19' at its upper portion. The switch actuator arms of switches 58" and 59" ride on the day-ofthe-year control tape 30 and are energized by an electrical circuit entering the appliance by plug 81', FIG. 6. The switch actuator arms are designed so that they will pop in and out of tape holes 37 and 39' as tape 30' is moved up or. down. Both switches 58" and 59" are in;

normally open condition as their switch arms ride lightly on the control tape 30. Switch 58" is closed by the switch actuator arm falling into a punched hole similar to control hole 37' as the tapeis indexed beneath the switch actuator arm. Switch 58 is electrically in series with alarm shut-off switch 79, FIG. 6. When this circuit is closed, the signal light 61 behind window 16 flashes on and off by means of the signal device 60', which serve also as a flasher, also in the switch 58 circuit. As stated previously, the alarm circuit can be discontinued for the day by depressing the alarm shut-off button 11', FIGS. 1, 2 and 6, moving switch actuator arm 80, FIG. 6, between the dotted and full line positions to open the switch 58" circuit.

The month control switch 59" operates identically as the selective reminder switch 58", except that the switch functions only from a second track of holes 39 which have been punched in the control tape out of line with holes 37', a respective hole perforation being provided for the last day of each month of the year. When the normally open switch 59 actuator arm falls into a hole perforation such as 39", a second electrical circuit is completed to operate an electric motor 46, FIG. 2, attached to frame bracket 49. The motor 46 rotates the shaft 51' by means of the motor shaft 48' and mating miter gears 34 and Also attached to shaft 51, driven by motor 46', is gear 53 which meshes with the day-of-the-month tape sprocket drum gear 67 FIGS. 2 and 3. The ratio of gear 53 meshing with gear 67, FIG. 2, as well as the length of the day-of-the-month tape 57. running on sprocket drum 27 and over idler spool 44', FIG. 2, are interrelated such that 1 /2 revolutions of gear 53 will effect one complete revolution of the continuous day-of-the-month tape loop 57 and one revolution of the month drum indexer cam 43, FIGS. 2 and 6.

Referring to FIG. 3, there are two functional mechanisms attached to shaft 51' by way of a counterclockwise clutch 50 and a clockwise clutch 45', It will be understood that when either clutch 50' or 45 is driving, the opposite clutch slips. As functional gear motor 46 turns clockwise, as one looks into the motor shaft 48, miter gear 35 is rotated to turn shaft 51' counterclockwise as one looks along shaft 51' to clutch 50'. Clutch 50', in turn, rotates gear 53 in a counterclockwise direction to actuate the day-of-the-month-tape through mating gear 67', as previously described for end of the month correction. Now, when gear motor 46 is rotated in the opposite direction, or counterclockwise, mating miter gear 35 turns counterclockwise as one looks along shaft 51 toward clutch 45'. Clutch 45 engages gear 52 with shaft 51' and gear 52 meshes with gear 41'. Gear pin 42 rotates with gear 41 to engage with ratchets 74 and 75 are indexed daily by the clock mechanism, FIG. 3, three indicator drums are indexed down in FIG; 2 each day, namely, the day-of-theyear sprocketed drum 23', the day-of-the-week drum 24, and the sprocketed day-of-the-month drum 27'. As the day-of-the-month drum 27 continues to index each day, it finally reaches a minimum setting of twenty-eight days (month of February) before the month control switch 59 is actuated by the perforation 39 in tape 30 as previously described. At this minimum initiating point, for example, gear 53, being meshed with gear 67' and drum 27 has made slightly over one-half revolution. Shut-off switch 56' is in electrical series with the month system initiating switch 59", FIG. 2. However, at this minimum setting of the twenty-eighth day of the day-of-the-month tape 57', current has not yet been initiated to' pass through the series connected shut-off switch 56'. The month cam indexer shaft has made slightly over one-half revolution at this point. Now, when the drums are indexed to the following day, or the 29th day (later day, depending upon the month), as shown on the day-of-the-month tape 57, the actuator arm of switch 59" falls into a prepunched tape perforation 39 and switch 59" closes, initiating the month control cycle, mechanically driven by motor 46. Gear 53' now makes another half-turn and pin 54' shuts off the circuit by depressing the actuator arm of normally closed switch 56, thus opening the switch circuit. The half-turn of gear 53' has now completed the one revolution of the day-of-the-month tape through its associated meshing gear 67. Tape 57' now reads the first day of the month through window 8', FIG. 1. Completing the one turn of gear 53' has now also effected one complete revolution of cam 43', FIG. 5, which in turn has indexed the month-of-the-year drum 25 to show a succeeding month.

Further details of the month index mechanism are shown in FIG. 5. Slide lever shuttle 26' is used to manually index the month-of-the-year drum 2 by pushing the lever to the right, as shown in the drawings, FIG. 5. Spring 64' connecting shuttle hook 69 and spring adapter pin 63', secured to inner frame base 18, keeps tension on ratchet pawl 76 and the follower pawl 71'. Shuttle pin 72, as well as spring adapter pin 63', acting in slots, guide the slide lever shuttle 26'. As shaft 51' is rotated by drive motor 46, turning gear 53 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 5, cam 43', mounted with gear 53 on shaft 51, pushes abutment 70 on shuttle 26 to move ratchet pawl 76' to the right in FIG. 5. The ratchet wheel 73' is kept from turning by ratchet follower pawl 71 aflixed to base 18. As spring 64' returns shuttle 26 to the left, after cam 43' completes its rise and fall cycle, pawl 76 indexes ratchet wheel 73 to an advanced set ting and the month-of-the-year drum 25', being secured to ratchet wheel 73', indexes to a succeeding month.

A further explanation of the main indicator drum system is outlined in referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. Operation of the month-of-the-year indicator drum 25 has previously been explained. The month-of-the-year drum 25' is free to rotate on shaft 66'. The day-of-the-week drum 24' is pinned to shaft 66' by pin 91 and the day-of-themonth tape sprocketed drum 27 is attached to shaft 66' only by a unidirectional clutch 65, not shown in detail. Gear 67 is pressed into sprocket 27' and the clutch 65' is fastened to sprocket 27' 'by means of three pin rivets, not shown. Screw 33' secures knob 14 to shaft 66'. It can now be seen that rotation of knob 14' will turn the day-of-the-week drum 24' and will also turn sprocket 27 through the unidirectional clutch 65' if the shaft is turned in an advancing number direction, as shown on the day-of-the-month tape 57', FIG. 2, or by counterclockwise rotation of knob 14', FIG. 1. When knob 14' is turned clockwise, however, tape 57' on sprocket 27' will not turn, due to the slip action of unidirectional clutch 65', FIG. 3. Clockwise turning of knob 14 will set the day-of-the-week drum 24' only. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, when gear motor 46' is operating such that shaft 51 is rotating in a counterclockwise direction, as one looks along the shaft toward clutch 45, one can visualize that gear 52 also rotates counterclockwise. Gear 52', being mated with gear 41', rotates the ratchet actuator pin 42' in the opposite direction, or clockwise, as one looks along shaft 51 still toward clutch 45.

Ratchets 74' and 75' are indexed to show a new day of the year as well as indexing the day-of-the-week drum 24 to a succeeding day and the day-of-the-month tape 57' to a succeeding day. Referring to FIG. 6, synchronous clock 90' mounted on frame 21', FIG. 2, moves cam wheel 89' such that pin 78', carried thereby, closes normally open switch 68'. Switch being normally closed, completes a circuit to relay 88 and is held closed by holding circuit contacts 82' and 83 of relay 88'. Switch actuator pin 78' passes by switch 68, but holding contacts 82' and 83' keep the circuit closed until pin 42' trips switch 85 discontinuing the circuit until the next periodic cycle.

To summarize the circuits formed and broken during the operation of the reminder clock of this invention, the pin 78' on twenty-four hour cam Wheel 89' of the synchronous time clock closes normally open switch 68' every twenty-four hours (passes switch in less than 2 minutes) carrying current through normally closed contact switch 85' to operate relay 88'. Normally open contacts 82' and 83' close when the relay 88' is energized and hold the circuit to the motor 46' closed until pin 42' on ratchet wheel 41 opens switch 85 discontinuing current to relay 88, thus also stopping the counterclockwise rotation of reversible gear motor 46'. As gear motor 46 requires four minutes per revolution, switch 68 has now become inoperative because pin 78 on wheel 89' has passed by the switch. Toggle lever 80' of switch 79 is also closed by the pin 78' lever of switch 58" drops into a notch 37' of-the-year tape 30', FIG. 2, contacts of switch close carrying current to flasher 60' and blinking light 61'. This signal continues until button 11' on the top of the memory clock is depressed shutting off toggle switch 79'. At a predetermined period of the twenty-four hour cycle (8 am.) pin 78' on cam wheel 89' trips toggle lever 80' again closing switch 79 for the next alarm date.

At the end of each month (whether 28, 29, 30, or 31 days), switch arm of switch 59" drops into a hole 39' of the day-of-the-year tape 30', FIG. 2, and closes switch 59", FIG. 6, sending current through the normally closed switch 56' to cause the clockwise rotation of gear motor 46. This action continues to drive gear 53 in the counterclockwise direction until pin 54 on gear 53' trips switch 56 discontinuing the circuit. The action of gear 53' and how it operates drum 27 and 25' has been explained above.

It is to be understood that indexing the indicator drums by the hour, minute, or even shorter cycle, might be adopted.

It should also be understood that the holes 37' and 39' (or other triggering indicia) might be carried respectively by two separate tapes rather than by a single tape. In this case, the tape carrying the month control indicia 39' would never need changing except for leap year What is claimed is:

In a reminder clock mechanism, a frame, control tape made in day switch closable by said trlggering indicia; means controlled by said clock for closing a second electrical circuit once a day for a brief period only; means for driving said reversible motor in one direction energized by said second circuit; operating connections driven by said motor rotation in said one direction for advancing by one unit said first and fourth sets of indicia and said second set of indicia for the first twenty-eight daysof a month; end-of-themonth indicia on said tape means corresponding to the last day of each month; a thirdelectrical circuit including in series a switch closabie by'said end-of-the-month indi- 8 energized by said third circuit; operating connections drive en by said motor rotation in said opposite direction for completing the advance of said second set of indicia for thirty-one units and for advancing said third set of indi- 5 cia by one unit.

No references cited.

RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner.

cia; means for driving said motor in the opposite direction 10 MICHAEL LORCH, Assistant Examiner.

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