US3381466A - Alarm-bell mechanism for an alarm timepiece - Google Patents

Alarm-bell mechanism for an alarm timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
US3381466A
US3381466A US492384A US49238465A US3381466A US 3381466 A US3381466 A US 3381466A US 492384 A US492384 A US 492384A US 49238465 A US49238465 A US 49238465A US 3381466 A US3381466 A US 3381466A
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United States
Prior art keywords
alarm
escapement
hammer
wheel
bell
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Expired - Lifetime
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US492384A
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English (en)
Inventor
Schneider Jean-Claude
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Tissot SA
Original Assignee
Fabrique dHorlogerie CHS Tissot et Fils SA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
    • G04B23/00—Arrangements producing acoustic signals at preselected times
    • G04B23/02—Alarm clocks
    • G04B23/10—Alarm clocks with presignal; with repeated signal; with changeable intensity of sound
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S56/00—Harvesters
    • Y10S56/15—Condition responsive

Definitions

  • the alarm-bell mechanism In alarm timepieces, the alarm-bell mechanism generally comprises an alarm-bell wheel provided with ratchet teeth driving the hammer. The latter is secured to an escapement comprising two projections which slide alternativeratively on the inclined flanks of the teeth of the alarm-bell wheel when the latter is freed, in such manner that the hammer oscillates and strikes the bell.
  • an alarm-bell mechanism for an alarm timepiece comprising an alarm-bell provided with teeth, a spring for the en tr'ainment of the alarm-bell wheel and an oscillating escapement provided with an impulsion member for urging an oscillating hammer from an equilibrium position, an input projection and an output projection, the said projections engaging alternately in the teeth of the alarmbell wheel, the input projection locking the wheel whereas the output projection is urged out by the teeth thereof, the hammer being arranged to return to its equilibrium position, the hammer striking a bell in the course of its oscillation.
  • FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the first embodiment in a first operating position
  • FIGURE 2 is a similar view in a second operating position
  • FIGURE 3 is a view in partial section of the mechanism shown in FIGURES 1 and 2,
  • FIGURE 4 is a partial plan view of the second form of embodiment
  • FIGURE 5 is a view in section along the line VV of FIGURE 4.
  • the mechanism shown in the drawings is intended to be lodged in a small alarm clock provided with a circular bell 1 and in its upper portion, with a rod 2 for stopping the ringing action, the rod being vertically movable and adapted to be displaced into different positions, as will be explained later.
  • a hammer 3 having the form of an arc of a circle is suspended within the bell 1 for free pivoting about a horizontal arbor 4. In the inoperative position, its center of gravity is located in a vertical plane extending through the axis of the arbor 4. Thus, the hammer occupies a position of equilibrium in which one of its ends contacts the bell 1.
  • FIG. URE 3 shows that the wheel 7 is mounted idly on an arbor 9 and has Breguet form teeth on its upper face. These teeth mesh with corresponding teeth 10a formed in the lower face of a cam .11 to which the inner end of the spring 8 is attached. The outer end of the said spring is secured to 'a post 12 which is attached to a frame element 13.
  • the cam 11 rotates clockwise during the loading of the alarm spring and anti-clockwise during the unloading thereof, the Breguet coupling 10 being designed in such manner that the wheel 7 is entrained only during the unloading.
  • the cam 11 is keyed to the arbor 9, by means of a central aperturehaving a rectilinear edge co-operating with a corresponding flat 14 on the arbor 9.
  • the latter is driven in rotation during the loading period by means which are not described and is then freed at the instant of tripping of the alarm mechanism. It then rotates in the anti-clockwise direction as seen in FIGURE 1.
  • the mechanism comprises an escapement 15 which pivots on a pin 16 secured to a frame element 17.
  • the escapement has two projections .18 and 19 which co-operate with the teeth of the wheel 5 in the manner of the pins on a conventional escapement.
  • the projeceion 19 constitutes an input projection which, when it is engaged in the teeth of the wheel 5 locks it, whereas the projection 18 constitutes an output projection which, when it is engaged in the teeth of the wheel 5, is expelled therefrom whilst rocking the escapement 15.
  • a stud 20, constituting an impulsion member and fixed in the escapement opposite the projections 18 and 19 then communicates a pulse to the hammer 3.
  • FIGURE 1 shows, in broken lines the position into which the hammer 3 rises under the effect of the impulses of the escapement. When removed from its position of equilibrium, it drops back under the effect of its own weight and the front edge of the 'arm of the hammer brings about, at the end of travel, the disengagement of the escapement which recovers the position shown in FIGURE 1, at the same time, the hammer 3 strikes the hell 1.
  • a resilient element 21 which consists of a rectilinear arm of a wire spring wound about a cylindrical post 22 on the frame element 13.
  • the said wire spring is normally in the position shown in full lines of FIGURE 1. However, it can be displaced into the position 21' shown in broken lines, in which case it bears constantly against a stud 23 fixed in the arm of the hammer. It is clear that the wire spring, in its position 21, is loaded as soon as the impulse is imparted to the hammer, in such manner that the latter ascends to a lower level than when it is free and the disengagement of the escapement 15 is brought about more rapidly.
  • the striking rate is thus accelerated.
  • This variation in the striking rate may be obtained automatically during the alarm-bell action due to a rocker 24 consisting of a thin blade pivoting on a stud 25.
  • Fixed in the said rocker are two parallel pins 26 which embrace the limb 21 of the wire spring at a point very near the post 22.
  • a rotation of the rocker 24 in the clockwise direction sulfices to displace the wire spring from the position 21 to the position 21.
  • This rotation is brought about by the cam 11.
  • the latter has in its upper face a series of grooves 27, 28 and 29.
  • the rocker 24 has, at its lower part, an arm at the end of which is secured a pin 30 which, in the position shown in FIGURE 1, is engaged in the groove 27.
  • the rocker 24 is resilient, in such manner that the pin 30 bears slightly against the bottom of i 3 the groove 27.
  • the resilience of the rocker 24 permits furthermore displacements of the cam 11 in the axial direction when it is entrained clockwise during windingup, the Breguet coupling 10, 10a being freed.
  • the grooves 27, 28 and 29 have a V-shaped profile. They extend in concentric arcs of a circle centred on the axis of the arbor 9.
  • the grooves 27 and 29 extend in an arc of substantially 330.
  • the groove 28 comprises two segments 28 and 28a and begins in the groove 27 at approximately 80 from its commencement. It extends along a chord of a circle having its centre on the axis of the arbor 9 then has a portion comprising an arc of a circle centred on the axis of the arbor 9, and then a second portion on the chord by means of which it reaches the groove 27.
  • the segment 28a also commences in the groove 27.
  • the device described also comprises a mechanism (not shown) which brings about the momentary stopping of the rotation of the cam 11 and of the wheel 7 at the instant at which the pin leaves the groove 28 to return into the groove 27, in such manner that the actuation of the alarm mechanism, when it takes place as described hereinabove, is eifected in two stages which may follow each other with an interval of greater or lesser length and each of which comprises as low-rate period and a rapid rate period.
  • the rocker 24 further comprises an arm 32 extending in the direction of the axis of the hammer and having an abutment face 33 at its free end.
  • the said abutment face 33 is disposed in such manner that the stud 23 of the hammer reaches a point very near this face at the instant at which the hammer impinges against the bell.
  • the face of the abutment 33 is thus inactive. It is also inactive when the rocker has pivoted towards the right so as to accelerate the hammer movement. On the contrary, it becomes active if the rocker pivots anti-clockwise out of the position shown in FIGURE 1 and passes into the position shown in FIGURE 8.
  • the abutment 33 then locks the hammer 3 in a raised position, spaced-apart from the bell 1.
  • the studs 26 remove the wire spring 21 from the stud 23 but bring up a further resilient element consisting of a shorter arm 34 of the wire spring 21 contacting a stud 35 projecting from the projection 19 of the escapement 15.
  • the resilient arm 34 causes disengagement of the escapement.
  • the wheel is able to rotate clockwise and the escapement 15 oscillates regularly without the hammer being actuated. Ifreference is again made to FIGURE 1, it will be seen that it suflices to pivot the rocker in such manner that the pin 30 passes from the groove 27 or from the groove 28 to the groove 29, so as to put the mechanism in the position illustrated in FIGURE 2.
  • the alarm-bell movement then develops idly until the pin 30 reaches the height of the groove 31 (FIGURE 2).
  • the rocker 24 has a third arm 38 terminating in an abutment face 36 extending under the control rod 2.
  • the lower end of the said rod extends normally to a height such that the abutment 36 just contacts it when the rocker is in the rapid-operation position. In the slowoperation position, a small space therefore extends between the rod 2 and the abutment 36 (position shown in full lines in FIGURE 1).
  • a pressure may be exerted on the rod 2 at any desired instant and it causes the rocker to pass from one of the two operating positions into the idle-travel position.
  • the rod 2 is carried on an annular member provided with an abutment which can be screwed into a support on the time-piece. By screwing this support, it is possible to displace the lower end of the rod 2 into the position shown in broken lines in FIGURE 1. It will be seen that the rocking of the rocker 24 in the clockwise direction at the instant of passage of the pin 30 at the inlet of the groove 28 is then prevented by this rod.
  • the screwed or unscrewed position of the support of the knob 2 does not of course have any influence on the pivoting of the rocker which displaces the pin in the groove 29.
  • the knob for stopping the ringing action, on the rod 2 may be actuated whatever the position of the support.
  • the pin 30, instead of sliding in the groove 31 as far as the inlet of the groove 28a, at the end of the ringing action will only slide as far as a point opposite the end of the groove 27.
  • an inclined ramp 37 is formed at the outlet of the said groove, so as to permit the pin to enter it readily at the instant of winding-up of the alarm-bell mechanism.
  • the cam 11 could also have only two grooves instead of three, if no variation in the operational rate is desired. It could also have only a single groove 28 instead of two grooves 28 and 28a, so as to produce only one variation in the striking rate during the complete ringing action.
  • the projections on the escapement could be inverted, in such manner that the inlet projection provides the impulse and the outlet projection serves as an abutment.
  • the alarm-bell mechanism shown in FIGURES '4 and 5 is similar, in broad outline, to that of FIGURES'I to 3. It comprises an alarm-bell wheel 40 which is capable of rotating in the direction of the arrow 41 under the' action of an alarm-bell spring (not shown), an escapement consisting of the two members 42 and 43 and a hammer 44 actuated by the escapement.
  • the main element 42 of the escapement is mounted on a pivot rod 45 (FIGURE 5) which is secured at its lower end in a boss 46 forming a part of a frame element of the alarm mechanism.
  • the element 42 has a stud 47 projecting from its upper face coaxially with the rod 45 and terminating in a pivot 48 of reduced diameter, which is freely engaged in a seating formed in a frame element located immediately above the escapement.
  • the element 43 is mounted on the stud 47. It comprises a sleeve portion 49 which guides it relatively to the stud 47.
  • the element 43 forms the input projection 50 of the escapement whereas the element 42 forms, at one of its ends, the output projection 51.
  • This latter member is prolonged beyond the pivoting point of the escapement in the form of an arm one of the sides 52 of which cooperates with the stud projecting from the hammer 44.
  • the member 42 has furthermore a lateral finger 53 forming, with the side 52, a notch in which a projection portion 54 of the member 43 is engaged.
  • the portion 54 limits the possible angular movement between the two elements of the escapement.
  • the latter each have a rectilinear side 56, 57 and the teeth 55 each have a plane, oblique face 58 extending from their apex in the direction of the arrow 41.
  • the member 43 only begins to engage in the teeth of the wheel 40 when its stud 54 contacts the side 52 of the member 42.
  • the depth of penetration of the said projection is thus diminished.
  • the action of the face 58 on the teeth 55 on the tip of the projection 51 prolongs the impulse to the maximum extent.
  • the member 43 which contacts a tooth 55 and retains the alarm mechanism wheel remains immobile until the finger 53 entrains it by contacting the stud 54.
  • the angular travel of the two parts of the escapement therefore retards the disengagement to the maximum extent.
  • the penetration of the outlet projection in the teeth may be increased in such manner that the impulse commences as soon as the disengagement has terminated, i.e. as soon as the tip of the projection 50 has reached the front end of the face 58 of the tooth which it retains.
  • FIGURES 4 and 5 permits an improvement in the efiiciency of the escapement by approximately 30% relative to the arrangement of FIGURES 1 to 3.
  • rocker provided for modifying the functioning conditions of the escapement and the spring adapted to be put into contact with one of the projections on the escapement so as to permit the rotation of the alarm mechanism wheel when the hammer is immobilised, have not been shown.
  • An alarm bell actuating mechanism comprising:
  • an alarm bell wheel provided with teeth
  • an oscillating hammer adapted to strike the bell in the course of its oscillation, said hammer having an equilibrium position and being arranged to return to its equilibrium position;
  • an oscillating escapememnt having an input projection and an output projection, said input and output projection alternately engaging the teeth of the alarm bell wheel, said output projection being located at the trailing side of the escapement with respect to the direction of rotation of the alarm bell wheel and being shaped so as to lock said wheel when it en-, gages the teeth thereof, said input projection being located at the leading side of said escapement with respect to the direction of rotation of the alarm bell wheel, said input projection being urged out of said wheel when it engages the teeth thereof whereby said escapement will rotate in a first direction;
  • a driving member mounted on said escapement, said driving member contacting said hammer and urging the hammer from its equilibrium position when said escapement oscillates in said first direction, said oscillation in said first direction causing said output projection to lock in engagement with the teeth on said alarm bell wheel, return of said hammer to its equilibrium position urging said output projection out of engagement with the teeth of said alarm bell wheel and permitting said hammer to strike the bell.
  • a mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the said resilient element is adjustable between two positions in one of which it remains constantly out of contact with the hammer whereas in the other it is loaded with each oscillation of the hammer.
  • a mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the said rocker comprises a sensing means co-operating with a guide element driven in rotation simultaneously with the alarm-bell wheel, the said guide element being disposed in such manner as to bring about a rotation of the rocker and the displacement of the resilient element from one of the said positions to the other during the ringing action.
  • rocker further comprises an arm for manual control permitting the rocker and the second resilient element to be selectively disposed in the position for rocking the hammer.
  • a mechanism according to claim 1 wherein the escapement comprises two members which are articulated to each other and which are capable of moving through a limited angle relatively to each other, each of them having one of the projections.
  • a mechanism according to claim 10 wherein the member which carries the output projection is secured to 7 an arm extending beyond the escapement pivoting point References Cited and carrying the said impulse member.
  • UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 A mechanism according to claim 10, wherein one 720 801 2/1903 Hauser 5821 12 l of the sad members constituting the escapement has :1 15911081 11/1928 Pierce 58 21.12

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US492384A 1964-10-09 1965-10-04 Alarm-bell mechanism for an alarm timepiece Expired - Lifetime US3381466A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH1313064A CH431393A (fr) 1964-10-09 1964-10-09 Mécanisme de sonnerie pour pièce d'horlogerie à réveil

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US3381466A true US3381466A (en) 1968-05-07

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601973A (en) * 1969-11-21 1971-08-31 Mallory & Co Inc P R Motor driven timer
US3694591A (en) * 1971-05-14 1972-09-26 Mallory & Co Inc P R Motor driven timer with cam operated buzzer construction
US8842502B2 (en) 2011-02-07 2014-09-23 Montres Tudor S.A. Watch movement part

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US720801A (en) * 1902-11-11 1903-02-17 Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik Alarm-clock.
US1691081A (en) * 1922-07-28 1928-11-13 Raymond C Pierce Alarm of variable intensity

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US720801A (en) * 1902-11-11 1903-02-17 Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik Alarm-clock.
US1691081A (en) * 1922-07-28 1928-11-13 Raymond C Pierce Alarm of variable intensity

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3601973A (en) * 1969-11-21 1971-08-31 Mallory & Co Inc P R Motor driven timer
US3694591A (en) * 1971-05-14 1972-09-26 Mallory & Co Inc P R Motor driven timer with cam operated buzzer construction
US8842502B2 (en) 2011-02-07 2014-09-23 Montres Tudor S.A. Watch movement part

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Publication number Publication date
CH1313064A4 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1966-09-15
CH431393A (fr) 1966-09-15

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