US3583152A - Protective pallet assembly - Google Patents

Protective pallet assembly Download PDF

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Publication number
US3583152A
US3583152A US15759A US3583152DA US3583152A US 3583152 A US3583152 A US 3583152A US 15759 A US15759 A US 15759A US 3583152D A US3583152D A US 3583152DA US 3583152 A US3583152 A US 3583152A
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United States
Prior art keywords
lever
pallet
pins
axis
post
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Expired - Lifetime
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US15759A
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English (en)
Inventor
Robert R Lawson
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Bunker Ramo Corp
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Bunker Ramo Corp
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Publication date
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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
    • G04B15/00—Escapements
    • G04B15/12—Adjusting; Restricting the amplitude of the lever or the like

Definitions

  • U.S.Cl 58/116 ABSTRACT A timepiece escapernent pallet lever carrying 1 Cl 15/00 pallet pins and journaled proximate a frame support post for [50] FiQld O'Sfill'lfh 58/116; pivotal oscillation within a predetermined an le to time a driven escape wheel by intermittent engagement of escape wheel teeth with the allet ins. Bum ers extend from one [56] 'f c'ted side of the pallet lever to be r against the support post upon UNITED STATES PATENTS pivoting of the pallet lever beyond extremes of the oscillation 1,343,798 58/116 angle to prevent damage to the pallet pins.
  • PROTECTIVE PALLET ASSEMBLY SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to timepiece escapements, and more particularly, to a protective pallet assembly therein.
  • Timepiece configuration and gear train geometry usually require that the escapement mechanism be located at or near the periphery of the timepiece support framework.
  • a framework support post is often located proximate to the escapement mechanism to afford some protection thereof. Nevertheless, portions of the escapement mechanism remain unprotected; for example, the pallet escape lever generally has an outermost periphery which extends beyond or to the outer edges of the framework at an extreme of its pivotal oscillation.
  • the pallet escape lever carries a pair of delicate pallet pins which engage the teeth of a driven escape wheel for timing thereof.
  • the present invention envisions modification of existing pallet escape levers to provide a novel protection means.
  • the pallet escape lever is modified to provide a pair of spaced bumpers defining therebetween an open portion of the lever which receives the framework support post therein.
  • the bumpers have a clearance with respect to the support post, at the oscillation extremes, which is within the deformation limits of the pallet pins.
  • the configuration of the pallet escape lever is asymmetric with respect to a central axis to provide portions balancing the bumpers. Also, the outermost periphery of the invented pallet lever configuration is within a radius concentric with the movement center to eliminate any outstanding projection at oscillation extremes.
  • one of the objects of this invention is to provide improved protection for a timepiece escapement mechanism.
  • Another object is to provide pallet escape lever protection without addition to the timepiece support framework or modification of the timepiece geometry.
  • Still another object is to provide a modification to a pallet escape lever which protects against movement beyond oscillation extremes by engagement against the timepiece support framework.
  • Yet another object is the provision of a protective pallet lever modification which is easily achieved and susceptible to economical mass production manufacturing techniques.
  • An object of this invention is the provision of a pallet escape lever modified for protection and balance thereof.
  • FIG. I is a partial plan view showing a portion ofa prior-art timepiece escapement mechanism.
  • FIG. 2 is a partial side elevational view of a timepiece escapement mechanism having a protective pallet assembly therefore according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the escapement mechanism and protective pallet assembly of FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3 thereof.
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of a form of pallet lever according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 an illustration of a prior-art timepiece escapement mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 10.
  • the timepiece support frames include two or more frame plates, such as the one shown at 12, which are spaced apart by support posts such as the one indicated at 14.
  • the escapement mechanism shown is typical and includes escape wheel 20, balance wheel 30 and pallet lever 40, all journaled on shafts 25,35 and 45, respectively, between frame plates 12 in the manner illustrated at FIG. 2.
  • the escapement wheel 20 is driven by a timepiece gear train (such as that partially visible at 22 in FIG. 2) and timed by intermittent engagement of the teeth 26 with the pallet pins 46, which are carried on pallet lever 40.
  • balance wheel 30 is driven, with rotary oscillations, by the pallet lever 40 through interaction between fork slot configuration 48 and impulse pin 38. Oscillations of balance wheel 30 are timed by a hairspring such as shown at 32 in FIG. 2.
  • the pallet lever 40 will oscillate back and forth, as indicated by the double-headed arrow of FIG. 1, in a customary manner to time the escape wheel 20.
  • the usual regulator fan and rate adjusting means 33 shown in FIG. 2 may be utilized to change the oscillation period if necessary to correct the timing.
  • the phantom representation in FIG. I of pallet lever 40 indicates its position at one extreme of the oscillation angle 6. It is readily apparent from FIG. I that an outer peripheral corner of the pallet lever 40 is exposed and that the pallet lever 40 can pivot beyond the extremes of the oscillation angle 0.
  • the pallet pins 46 are delicate and have a specific spacing for the proper timing of escape wheel 20. It is readily understood that the pins 46 are highly susceptible to damage in the exposed and unprotected assembly of FIG. 1.
  • FIGS. 2 through 4 A protective pallet assembly, according to the present invention, is set forth herein with references to FIGS. 2 through 4. Parts of the escapement mechanism shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 which are identical to those shown in FIG. I are indicated by identical numerals, and no further description of those parts is believed necessary. However, the pallet lever 40', to which the improvement relates, according to the present invention, is particularly pointed out by the following detailed description of pallet lever 40' parts.
  • the pallet lever 40' in accordance with the present invention, has a markedly different configuration from that of the prior-art pallet lever 40; however, both may be metal punchings which are force fitted, each on an individual shaft 45 which extends perpendicularly therethrough for pivoting about an axis indicated at (X) in FIG. 4.
  • the shaft 45 and its pivot axis are parallel and relatively proximate to the support post 14.
  • the pallet pins 46 are spaced apart in the projections 50, SI at one side of the central axis (Z-Z) through the pallet lever 40 as shown in the detail of FIG. 4.
  • the pallet lever 40' also includes at one end a guard pin 47 and a fork slot configuration 48 for interaction with the roller crescent 37 and impulse pin 38 of the balance wheel 30, in the conventional manner.
  • Bumper means for bearing against the post 14 upon pivoting beyond extremes of the oscillation angle are provided by the spaced bumper arm members 60, 61 which extend outwardly at the side of the central axis (Z-Z) opposite that of the projections 50, 51.
  • the bumper arm members 60, 6I define therebetween an open portion 63 of the lever, within which the post I4 is partially received as shown.
  • the open portion 63 extends over an arc concentric with axis (X), between the bumper points 65, 66 at the ends of the arm members 60, 61 respectively.
  • the opening 63 naturally must be sufficient in extent to permit unimpaired oscillation between the extremes of oscillation angle 0.
  • the pallet pins 46 are of a resilient material which springs back without damage when displaced one pin diameter or less at the escape wheel 30. To insure unimpaired oscillation, the resiliency of pins 46 is taken ad vantage of and a clearance is provided between the arm members 60, 61 and post 14 at the corresponding extremes of the oscillation angle 9. With reference to FIG. 3, notice the clearance (C) between the phantom edge of arm member 60 and the post 14. Clearance (C) may be chosen by an ap limbate extent of the arc of open portion 63 to allow a displacement of pins 46 at the escape wheel of one diameter of the pins, or less if desired.
  • the extent of the are between bumper points 65, 66 may be determined by reference to FIG. 4. Tangents 70, 71 between the axis (X) and post 14 subtend an arc length 72 between the tangential points 73, 74 on post 14. Projections 75, 76 of tangents between axis (X) and diametrically opposed points on the pins 46 may be transposed as indicated in FIG. 4 to subtend two are lengths 78.
  • the total of arc lengths 80 are subtended by the oscillation angle, that is, each separate arc length 80 being equal to one-half 6.
  • the extent of the arc of open portion 63 is readily understood to be a summation of arc lengths 72, 78 and 80, as shown in FIG. 4. Therefore, the lever 40' may oscillate between the extremes of oscillation angle 0 with a clearance (C) at each extreme sufficient to allow displacement of the pallet pins 46 one pin diameter at the escape wheel 20.
  • the pallet lever 40 is asymmetric with respect to the central axis (2-2).
  • the asymmetry is to provide balanced areas on each side of the axis (2-2).
  • the periphery 90 at the outermost and of lever 40 has a configuration within a radius (R) which is concentric with the axis (X). With reference to FIG. 3 it may be seen that the periphery 90 is well within the confines of the frame plates 12 at any extreme of the oscillation angle.
  • Timing operation of the timepiece escapement shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is conventional, as described beforehand. How-- ever, the protective pallet assembly thereof, in accordance with the present invention, prevents damage to the delicate pallet pins 46.
  • the protective pallet assembly thereof prevents damage to the delicate pallet pins 46.
  • the clearance (C) between each bumper arm member 60, 61 and post 14, at each extreme of angle 0, allows unimpaired timing oscillation.
  • lever 40' is forced beyond either extreme of angle 0, one of the pins 46 which is engaged at teeth 26 of escape wheel 20 will be displaced up to the limit of one diameter of the pin.
  • a protective pallet comprising:
  • an escape lever carrying a pair of pallet pins and journaled on a shaft in said frame to pivot about an axis proximate said post for pivotal oscillation within a predetermined angle
  • bumper means on said lever cooperating with said support post for limiting the pivoting of said lever beyond extremes of said angle to protect said pins.
  • said bumper means are provided by a pair of spaced bumper arm members of said lever defining therebetween an open portion of said lever for reception of said post therein, said open portion extending over an arc concentric with said axis, said are being of an extent sufficient to include an arc length subtended by said angle and an arc length subtended between tangents from said axis to said post, each of said arm members extending outward from said axis a radial distance sufficient to meet the tangential points of said tangents to bear against said post thereat upon pivoting of said lever beyond a corresponding extreme of said angle, respectively.
  • each of said arm members has a clearance with respect to said post at said corresponding extreme of said angle, said clearance being sufficient to allow deflection of said pins within their elastic limit, and said clearance being provided by said are extent also including arc lengths equivalent to those subtended by projections of tangents from said axis to diametrically opposed selected points on said pins.
  • a pallet according to claim 4 wherein said lever includes an outermost periphery with respect to said frame, said periphery having a configuration within and conformity to a radius concentric with said axis and within said frame to eliminate exposure therebeyond of said periphery at any extreme of said angle during said oscillation for protection thereof within said frame.
  • a protective assembly therefore, comprising in combination:
  • a pallet escape lever journaled on a shaft between said plates on an axis proximate said post, said lever carrying said pallet pins for pivotal oscillation about said axis within a predetermined angle, and;
  • bumper means extending from said lever for bearing against said post upon pivoting of said lever substantially beyond extremes of said angle to prevent damage to said pins.
  • a pallet according to claim 7 wherein said lever is asymmetric with respect to a central axis to provide portions balancing said bumper means, and wherein said pins and bumper means are on opposite sides of said axis.
  • a pallet according to claim 7 wherein said lever has an 5 for protecnon thereof outermost periphery with respect to said plates, said periphery having a configuration within and conforming to a radius concentric with said shaft and within said plates to prevent exposure therebeyond of said periphery at extremes of said angle hin said plates.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Component Parts Of Construction Machinery (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
  • Adjustment And Processing Of Grains (AREA)
  • Transmission Devices (AREA)
  • Micromachines (AREA)
US15759A 1970-03-02 1970-03-02 Protective pallet assembly Expired - Lifetime US3583152A (en)

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US1575970A 1970-03-02 1970-03-02

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US3583152A true US3583152A (en) 1971-06-08

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US (1) US3583152A (ref)
JP (1) JPS549070B1 (ref)
DE (1) DE2101385A1 (ref)
GB (1) GB1329148A (ref)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4203281A (en) * 1977-04-21 1980-05-20 Portescap Assembly comprising a timepiece pallet anchor and its frame
US20030112709A1 (en) * 2001-12-15 2003-06-19 Richemont International S.A. Constant-force device
CN113495474A (zh) * 2020-03-18 2021-10-12 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 设有包括锚状件的擒纵机构的机械钟表机芯

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1343798A (en) * 1918-11-14 1920-06-15 Tomokichi Takata Pin-anchor escapement for timepieces
US1535286A (en) * 1923-04-30 1925-04-28 W N Bradford Balance escapement
FR1316624A (fr) * 1961-12-20 1963-02-01 Anciens Etablissements Duverdr Perfectionnements aux systèmes d'enfourchement des mouvements d'horlogerie
CH373703A (fr) * 1961-01-10 1963-08-15 Suisse Horlogerie Dispositif d'entraînement du rouage d'une pièce d'horlogerie
US3137122A (en) * 1962-01-04 1964-06-16 Amphenol Borg Electronics Corp Resilient means for driving escape wheel

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS472056U (ref) * 1971-01-27 1972-08-23

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1343798A (en) * 1918-11-14 1920-06-15 Tomokichi Takata Pin-anchor escapement for timepieces
US1535286A (en) * 1923-04-30 1925-04-28 W N Bradford Balance escapement
CH373703A (fr) * 1961-01-10 1963-08-15 Suisse Horlogerie Dispositif d'entraînement du rouage d'une pièce d'horlogerie
FR1316624A (fr) * 1961-12-20 1963-02-01 Anciens Etablissements Duverdr Perfectionnements aux systèmes d'enfourchement des mouvements d'horlogerie
US3137122A (en) * 1962-01-04 1964-06-16 Amphenol Borg Electronics Corp Resilient means for driving escape wheel

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4203281A (en) * 1977-04-21 1980-05-20 Portescap Assembly comprising a timepiece pallet anchor and its frame
US20030112709A1 (en) * 2001-12-15 2003-06-19 Richemont International S.A. Constant-force device
US6863434B2 (en) * 2001-12-15 2005-03-08 Richemont International S.A. Constant-force device
CN113495474A (zh) * 2020-03-18 2021-10-12 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 设有包括锚状件的擒纵机构的机械钟表机芯
CN113495474B (zh) * 2020-03-18 2022-12-13 斯沃奇集团研究和开发有限公司 设有包括锚状件的擒纵机构的机械钟表机芯
US11927917B2 (en) 2020-03-18 2024-03-12 The Swatch Group Research And Development Ltd Mechanical horological movement provided with an escapement comprising an anchor

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DE2101385A1 (de) 1971-09-16
GB1329148A (en) 1973-09-05
JPS549070B1 (ref) 1979-04-20

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