US3603075A - Device for limiting the alarm time in electric alarm clocks - Google Patents

Abstract

An alarm device for an electrical clock including a two-stage actuating member which serves to sequentially actuate and disengage an alarm switch. One element of the alarm switch is movable into an inoperative position.

Description

United States Patent Robert Wolber Lauterbach, Wurttemberg;

Friedrich Assmus, Schramberg, Wurttemberg, both of, Germany May 20, 1970 Sept. 7, 1971 Gebruder Junghans G.m.b.H. Schramberg, Wurttemberg, Germany Inventors Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE ALARM TIME IN ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCKS 14 Claims, 8 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 58/20, '58/21.15, 58/22, 200/38 C, 200/38 R Int. Cl G04c 21/22 lcla I I4 'IIIIIII.

Illa 111!!! I114 D" 'IIIIII/ Primary Examiner Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R. Franklin Attorney-Burns, Doane, Benedict, Swecker & Mathis ABSTRACT: An alarm device for an electrical clock including a two-stage actuating member which serves to sequentially actuate and disengage an alarm switch. One element of the alarm switch is movable into an inoperative position.

PATENTED SEP 7197i I w u ,M

r; IIIIIII IN V EN TOR.

DEVICE FOR LIMITING THE ALARM TIME IN ELECTRIC ALARM CLOCKS This invention relates to a device for limiting the alarm time for electrical alarm clocks, especially battery-powered clocks with electrical signal transmitter, which is made with a customary alarm-triggering device, consisting of the alarm-adjusting wheel, the alarm snap-in wheel, the triggering spring, and a local switch-controlled by this spring-for the alarm circuit.

Alarm clocks with spring traction have a comparatively short alarm time duration because the spring-force storage is quickly exhausted. In electrical alarm clocks, special devices are necessary if we want to obtain comparatively short alarm times for reasons of power savings because the mechanical alarm-triggering device required about 3045 minutes, in order to return the triggering parts to the starting position.

The invention starts with a known model of a triggering device with two-stage snap-in member, which however performs other functions. For example, two-stage or two-phase snap-in members are used in mechanical alarm clocks for triggering a preliminary signal or in cooking time clocks for the adjustment of the precooking time. For the local, clockworkcontrolled switch, there is provided a basically known switching switch which circles around a contact member or around which the contact member circles. These known devices likewise are used for different purposes, that is, for the brief closing of a circuit, for an electromagnetic windup device with pendulum or electrically powered rate regulator.

With regard to a special form here, the invention furthermore starts with known models in which a manually operable adjusting member, in the disconnect position, lifts a contact member, for example, acontact plate of a local clockworkcontrolled switch, out of its contact area or range by means of elastic form alteration. This eliminates the need for the second switch customarily used for the purpose of fully turning the alarm signal offsaid second switch being manually operable by means of an adjusting member. In all of these known devices however the clamping place of the local contact member is attached to a carrier part of the clockwork, for example, a clockwork plate.

The invention is intended to create a simple device for limiting the alarm time in electrical alarm clocks and guaranteeing reliable operation.

This problem is solved in the following manner: the triggering spring is controlled by a two stage snap-in member and a switching switch is-attached at its free end for the purpose of activating the local switch.

According to a further version of the invention, the clamping or mounting place of a contact element of the local switch may be connected with a manually operable adjusting member in a form-locking or force-locking manner, so that, as the contact member is tipped into the disconnect position, the contact element is lifted out of its contact area or range and brings about a sustained interruption of the alarm circuit.

Further advantages and features of the invention will emerge from the following description of one possible example,'from the drawing and from the claims.

In the drawing we have:

FIG. 1. A top view ofthe device;

FIG. 2. A view of the device from the top and details of the housing in a cross section;

FIG. 3a-d. Illustration of switching phases of local switch in cooperation with snap-in member;

FIGS. 4 and 5. Details of the triggering spring.

In the device illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the number 1 refers to the alarm adjusting wheel and 2 refers to the alarm snap-in wheel, respectively, the hour wheel. The snap-in nose 2a is injected, with the alarm snap-in wheel 2, preferably of plastic and has two stages or phases 2b/2c. The number 2d refers to a connecting ring-shaped piece. Since stages 212/20 are brought about in one work operation by means of injection or, in case we are dealing with metal, by means of a formcutter, the interval, which determines the alarm duration of several minutes, can be made very accurately. The triggering spring 3, which is attached to clock work plate, rests, with initial tension on the alarm snap-in wheel 2. In the alarm-adjusting wheel 1 there is a snap-in slit la.

The triggering spring 3, whose free end comes in the form of a switching switch 341/7, activates a local switch 3a/4la for the current of an electrical signal transmitter. For this purpose, the free, diagonally bent end of the triggering spring 3 is provided with a contact surface 3a, which, at the alarm moment or the wake-up time, cooperates with the contact surface 40 of a contact member 4 which is made in the form of a contact spring.

The mounting or-clamping place of the contact spring 4 is advantageously attached to adjusting member 5. In this way, the signal, triggered by switch 3a/4a at the wake-up time or alarm moment, can be disconnected ahead of time, in other words, before stage 20 of the snap-in nose 2a falls into the snap-in slit 1a. In the disconnected position (the'position of the adjusting member shown in FIG. 1 in the broken line), the electrical signal transmitter 12, indicated in FIG. I, is fully disconnected and the clockwork-controlled local switch 3a/4la is ineffective here, regardless of the position in which triggering spring 3 may be. The clamping or mounting place of a contact member of the local switch can also be positioned in the known manner on a carrier part of the clockwork, for example, a work plate, in a form'locking or force-locking manner, whereby, in connection with the tipping of a manually operable adjusting member into the disconnect position, the contact member is lifted out of its contact range. Within the framework of the invention, the timing for the signal duration can also be accomplished by means of any other local clockwork-controlled switch, if, according to the invention, a contact member of the latter is connected with the manually operable adjusting member in a form-locking or force-locking manner.

FIG. 1 is the adjusting member 5-executed here as a twoarm tipping key-in alarm readiness position. Arm 5a swung out of the housing 6 and arm 5b is flush with the housing edge 6b. The flush position is simultaneously a limitation for the tipping key 5 which is to be moved by hand. The flat tipping key 5 is made of plastic and is visible laterally on housing 6; this tipping key can be feasibly made transparent, from plastic, for example, Plexigum, so that the overall esthetic impression of the clock will not be impaired. In FIG. 2, the number 20 refers'to the glass hood and 21 refers to the dial. The number 22 refers to the alarm clock hand, 23/24 are the minute hand and the hour hand, and 25 is the second hand.

The tipping key 5 is swingably positioned on the baseplate 14 of the clockwork at a post 8, in an overhung manner. A convex safety spring or disc 9 brings about friction and axial securing. Additionally, stop locations are provided so that the adjustment will not be altered by impacts or shocks. For this purpose a projection 14a can be impressed in the baseplate 14 or a pin can be riveted therein and the recess 50 or 5d of the tipping key 5 will then engage elastically in the pan or pin.

Contact spring 4 is riveted into a little post 26. The latter is rotatably riveted into the connecting piece 10 with frictionfor adjustment of the position of the contact spring 4. A finger 10a is shaped onto connecting piece 10 for the insertion of an AMP-plug with cable. The current of the electrical signal transmitter 12 is indicated in FIG. I. The battery is designated with the number 13. Connecting piece 10, with contact spring 4 is attached-for example, by means of screw ll-to the projections 5e/5f of the plastic tipping key 5, insulated from the clockwork. Triggering spring 3, at its clamp-in place, which is not shown here, has a ground short circuit with a clockwork plate.

In order to be able to control the correct adjustment of the tipping key also in darkness, arm 5a of a tipping key 5 can be provided with a luminous dot 5g.

In order that the contact surface 4a and the reverse surface 4b of the contact spring 4 may easily glide over the switching switch 311/7 during the switching operation, the end 3a of the triggering spring 3 is obliquely bent and the contact spring 4 assumes a certain angular position with respect to the longitudinal direction of the triggering spring 3. An arrangement, as shown in FIG. 1-5, has proved to be advantageous.

Contact surfaces 3a/4a of the triggering and contact spring 3/4 may be given a coat of contact material to obtain a good contact function. The springs 3/4 can also be stamped out of strip-plated bimetal so that the noble-metal plated coat will be at the contact-giving surfaces 3a/4a The little insulating plate 7 is feasibly glued onto triggering spring 3. We can also make the kind or arrangement shown in FIG. 5. As the switching switch, a little insulating and contact plate 16 is attached at the diagonally angled end 17a of the triggering spring 17, for example, by means ofa rivet 18.

The device according to the invention operates as follows: before alarm time or the wake-up moment comes, parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 are in the alarm readiness position shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3a. The stage 2b of the snap-in nose 2a, rests-with initial tension of the triggering spring 3-on the flat surface lb of the alarm-adjusting wheel 1.

The switch 3a/4a is interrupted (see FIGS. 2 and 3a). The tipping key 5 is in the alarm readiness position drawn in FIG. 1. As the alarm snap-in wheel 2 is moved on by the clockwork, the tip [point] 2b of the snap-in nose 2a falls into snap-in slit 1a at the alarm moment. This moment is illustrated in FIG. 3b. The triggering spring 3-which follows after by virtue of the initial spring tension with contact surface 3a, now with sufficient contact pressure touches the contact surface 4a of the contact spring. The circuit for the electric signal transmitter 12 is closed. The alarm signal sounds. As the alarm snap-in wheel 2 continues to move on, the stage tooth 2c falls into snap-in slit la. This moment is illustrated in FIG. 30. The contact surface 30 has thus slid off the contact surface 4a. The circuit of the signal transmitter 12 is interrupted again. The interval of time between the first and second snap-in snap-in and, accordingly, the duration of the signal, is only a few minutes. As the alarm snap-in wheel 2 continues to move, parts 2 and 3 are once again lifted by the inclined surface 26 at the left edge 1c of the snap-in slit 1a. FIG. 3d shows roughly half of the lifting position. Here insulating surface 7 of the switching switch now touches the angled reverse or rear surface 417 of the contact spring 4. As the triggering spring 3 continues to be further completely lifted, in the arrow direction drawn in FIG. 3d, the contact spring 4 glides laterally off along insulating surface 7 and parts 2, 3, and 4 once again assume the alarm readiness position. illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3a, for the next alarm operation. The switching switch 3a/7 is circled, during the switching period, by contact element 4 which is made in the form of the contact spring. The initial tension of triggering spring 3 must reliably overcome the spring force of the contact spring 4 during the switching operation and must be dimensioned accordingly.

If we want to terminate the alarm signal ahead of time, in other words, during the alarm or wake up phase illustrated in FIG. 3b, we swing the tipping key 5 into the position shown in the broken line in FIG. 1. The contact spring 4, with its contact surface 4a, here is moved outside the range of the switching switch 3a/7, regardless of the position in which the triggering spring 3 may be. The tipping key 5 is also used for permanent shutoff, if the alarm device is not used. The formlocking or force-locking connections of the contact spring 4 with the tipping key 5 eliminates the need for associating an additional hand switch. Switch 3a/4a accordingly has a double function.

By way of recapitulation and summary, it will be recognized that the tip portion 2b of annular rim 2 may be considered as a disabling means operable to position the support 3 as shown in FIG. 3a, with the contact member 3a disengaged from the second contact member 4a. Integral ledge portion 20 of rim 2 may be considered as a first abutment means operable to permit the support 3 to move the contact 3a in one direction into electrically conductive contact with contact 4a but also limit movement of contact 311 in this direction as shown in FIG. 3b. Portion 2d of annular rim 2 provides a base or second abutment means operable to permit the support 3 to move the contact 3a to the other side of contact 4a, as shown for example in FIG. 30, but also limit movement of contact 3a, as shown in FIG. 30. The sloping integral portion 2eof rim 2 may be considered as cam means operable, as shown in FIG. 3d, to move the support member 3 so as to restore the contact 30 to the position on one side of the contact 4a, as shown in FIG. 3a.

If the alarm clock is used regularly, for example, in the morning, in order to wake up, all that is necessary is to move the tipping key 5 into the alarm readiness position by moving it in the evening, provided the alarm signal was manually interrupted during the preceding wake-up operation.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for limiting the duration of an alarm signal in an electrical alarm clock, said apparatus comprising:

electrical switch means operable, when closed, to generate an alarm signal;

said switch means including a first contact member,

a movable support movably supporting said first contact member, and

a second contact member; and

time-responsive alarm control means including,

disabling means operable to position said movable support so that said movable support positions said first contact member disengaged from said second contact member,

first abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member in one direction to engage one electrically conductive side of said second contact member,

second abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member generally in said one direction to a position where said first contact member is on another side of said second contact member, generally opposite to said one side,

insulating means on said other side of said second contact member interposed between said first contact member and said second contact member when said first contact member is in said position on said other side of said second contact member, and

cam means operable to move said movable support so as to displace said first contact member from said position to a location on said one side of said second contact member and disengaged therefrom; and

time-responsive drive means operable to sequentially actuate said disabling means, first abutment means, second abutment means and cam means.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1:

wherein said apparatus includes clock body means, and

manually positionable support means, supporting said second contact member,

said manually positionable support means projecting to an operating position on the exterior of said body; and

wherein said manually positionable support means is operable to be manually engaged at said operating position and moved to a position so as to displace said second contact member from engageable cooperation with said first contact member.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1:

wherein said disabling means, first abutment means, and

cam means comprise circumferentially displaced and generally axially facing portions of generally annular rim means; wherein said rim means is mounted in said alarm clock for time-responsive rotation about its longitudinal axis;

wherein said control means further includes selectively positionable alarm-setting means comprising plate means including aperture means operable to sequentially and telescopingly receive said disabling: means, said first abutment means, and said cam means;

wherein said aperture means includes a first edge portion operable to engage said first abutment means and prevent axial movement of said first abutment means relative-to said plate means,

a second edge portion operable to cammingly engage said cam means and displace said disabling means and first abutment means axially out of said aperture means.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 1: wherein said apparatus includes a flexible support, resiliently movable laterally of said first contact member supporting said second contact member;

wherein said first and second contact members are inclined transversely of the direction of movement of said movable support; and v wherein said cam means is operable to move said movable support so as to cause said first contact member to engage said other side of said second contact member and, through flexing of said flexible support laterally of said first contact member, displace said second contact member laterally of said first contact member as said movable support moves said first contact member to said location on said one side of said second contact member.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1:

wherein said apparatus includes clock body means, and

manually positionable support means, supporting said second contact member,

said manually positionable support means projecting to an operating position on the exterior of said body;

wherein said manually positionable support means is operable to be manually engaged at said operating position and moved to a position so as to displace said second contact member from engageable cooperation with said first contact member;

wherein said disabling means, first abutment means, and cam means comprise circumferentially displaced and generally axially facing portions of generally annular rim means;

wherein said rim means is mounted in said alarm clock for time-responsive rotation about its longitudinal axis;

wherein said control means further includes selectively positionable alarm-setting means comprising plate means including aperture means operable to sequentially and telescopingly receive said disabling means, said first abutment means, and said cam means;

wherein said aperture means includes a first edge portion operable to engage said first abutment means and prevent axial movement of said first abutment means relative to said plate means,

a second edge portion operable to cammingly engage said cam means and displace said disabling means and first abutment means axially out ofsaid aperture means; wherein said apparatus includes a flexible support, resiliently movable laterally of said first contact member and supporting said second contact member;

wherein said first and second contact members are inclined transversely of the direction of movement of said movable support; and

wherein said cam means is operable to move said movable support so as to cause said first contact member to engage said other side of said second contact member and, through flexing of said flexible support laterally of said first contact member, displace said second contact member laterally of said first contact member as said movable support moves said first contact member to said location on said one side of said second contact member.

6. An apparatus for limiting the duration of an alarm signal in an electrical alarm clock, said apparatus comprising:

electrical switch means operable to activate an alarm signal; said switch means including a first contact member, a movable support movably supporting said first contact member, and a second contact member; and

time-responsive alarm control means including,

first abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member in one direction to engage one electrically conductive side of said second contact member, second abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member generally in said one direction to a position where said first contact member is on another side of said second contact member, generally opposite to said one side, and means operable to move said movable support so as to displace said first contact member from said position to a location on said one side of second contact member and disengaged therefrom. 7. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said first contact member is moved past said second contact member in moving from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one side. 8. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said engagement of said first contact member with said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member closes an alarm circuit; wherein subsequent to the closing of said alarm circuit said second abutment means, in moving said first contact member to said position on said other side of said second contactmember, opens said alarm circuit; and wherein said first contact member is moved past said second contact member in moving from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one side. 9. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein an insulating plate is affixed to said other side of said second contact member and is engageable with said first contact member as said first contact member moves from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member. 10. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes mounting plate means carried by and extending transversely of said movable support and inclined obliquely relative thereto; and wherein said first contact member is provided by said plate means. 11. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes,

clock body means, manually positionable support means mounted in said clock body means, frictionally adjustable mounting post means carried by said support means, said second contact member being mounted on said post means, and said post means being frictionally adjustable to selectively adjust the position of said second contact member relative to said first contact member, said support means being electrically nonconductive. 12 An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes,

clock body means, electrically nonconductive support means mounted in said clock body means, an electrically conductive element mounted on said support means, said second contact member being electrically conductively connected with said electrically conductive element,

electrically conductive cable means electrically conductively connecting said element with an electrical power source. 13. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes,

clock body means, manually positionable support means mounted in said clock body means and supporting said second contact member, spring means engaging said support means and operable to frictionally impede movement of said support means relative to said clock body means, and detent means operable to selectively but yieldably secure said support means in at least two positions, with one of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member in engageable relation with said first contact member and with the other of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member out of engageable cooperation with said first contact member. 14. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said engagement of said first contact member with said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member closes an alarm circuit; wherein subsequent to the closing of said alarm circuit said second abutment means, in moving said first contact member to said position on said other side of said second contact member, opens said alarm circuit; and wherein said first contact member is moved past said second contact member in moving from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one side; wherein an insulating plate is affixed to said other side of said second member and is engageable with said first contact member'as said first contact member moves from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member;

wherein said first contact member is carried by and extends transversely of said movable support and is inclined obliquely relative thereof; and wherein said apparatus includes,

clock body means,

manually positionable and electrically nonconductive support means mounted in said clock body means,

an electrically conductive element mounted on said support means,

said second contact member being electrically conductively connected with said electrically conductive element,

electrically conductive cable means electrically conductively connecting said element with an electrical power source,

spring means engaging said support means and operable to frictionally impede movement of said support means relative to said clock body means, and

detent means operable to selectively but yieldably secure said support means in at least two positions, with one of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member in engageable relation with said first contact member and with the other of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member out of engageable cooperation with said first contact member.

Claims (14)

1. An apparatus for limiting the duration of an alarm signal in an electrical alarm clock, said apparatus comprising: electrical switch means operable, when closed, to generate an alarm signal; said switch means including a first contact member, a movable support movably supporting said first contact member, and a second contact member; and time-responsive alarm control means including, disabling means operable to position said movable support so that said movable support positions said first contact member disengaged from said second contact member, first abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member in one direction to engage one electrically conductive side of said second contact member, second abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member generally in said one direction to a position where said first contact member is on another side of said second contact member, generally opposite to said one side, insulating means on said other side of said second contact member interposed between said first contact member and said second contact member when said first contact member is in said position on said other side of said second contact member, and cam means operable to move said movable support so as to displace said first contact member from said position to a location on said one side of said second contact member and disengaged therefrom; and time-responsive drive means operable to sequentially actuate said disabling means, first abutment means, second abutment means and cam means.

2. An apparatus as described in claim 1: wherein said apparatus includes clock body means, and manually positionable support means, supporting said second contact member, said manually positionable support means projecting to an operating position on the exterior of said body; and wherein said manually positionable support means is operable to be manually engaged at said operating position and moved to a position so as to displace said second contact member from engageable cooperation with said first contact member.

3. An apparatus as described in claim 1: wherein said disabling means, first abutment means, and cam means comprise circumferentially displaced and generally axially facing portions of generally annular rim means; wherein said rim means is mounted in said alarm clock for time-responsive rotation about its longitudinal axis; wherein said control means further includes selectively positionable alarm-setting means comprising plate means including aperture means operable to sequentially and telescopingly receive said disabling means, said first abutment means, and said cam means; wherein said aperture means includes a first edge portion operable to engage said first abutment means and prevent axial movement of said first abutment means relative to said plate means, a second edge portion operable to cammingly engage said cam means and displace said disabling means and first abutment means axially out of said aperture means.

4. An apparatus as described in claim 1: wherein said apparatus includes a flexible support, resiliently movable laterally of said first contact member supporting said second contact member; wherein said first and second contact members are inclined transversely of the direction of movement of said movable support; and wherein said cam means is operable to move said movable support so as to cause said first contact member to engage said other side of said second contact member and, through flexing of said flexible support laterally of said first contact member, displace said second contact member laterally of said first contact member as said movable support moves said first contact member to said location on said one side of said second contact member.

5. An apparatus as described in claim 1: wherein said apparatus includes clock body means, and manually positionable support means, supporting said second contact member, said manually positionable support means projecting to an operating position on the exterior of said body; wherein said manually positionable support means is operable to be manually engaged at said operating position and moved to a position so as to displace said second contact member from engageable cooperation with said first contact member; wherein said disabling means, first abutment means, and cam means comprise circumferentially displaced and generally axially facing portions of generally annular rim means; wherein said rim means is mounted in said alarm clock for time-responsive rotation about its longitudinal axis; wherein said control means further includes selectively positionable alarm-setting means comprising plate means including aperture means operable to sequentially and telescopingly receive sAid disabling means, said first abutment means, and said cam means; wherein said aperture means includes a first edge portion operable to engage said first abutment means and prevent axial movement of said first abutment means relative to said plate means, a second edge portion operable to cammingly engage said cam means and displace said disabling means and first abutment means axially out of said aperture means; wherein said apparatus includes a flexible support, resiliently movable laterally of said first contact member and supporting said second contact member; wherein said first and second contact members are inclined transversely of the direction of movement of said movable support; and wherein said cam means is operable to move said movable support so as to cause said first contact member to engage said other side of said second contact member and, through flexing of said flexible support laterally of said first contact member, displace said second contact member laterally of said first contact member as said movable support moves said first contact member to said location on said one side of said second contact member.

6. An apparatus for limiting the duration of an alarm signal in an electrical alarm clock, said apparatus comprising: electrical switch means operable to activate an alarm signal; said switch means including a first contact member, a movable support movably supporting said first contact member, and a second contact member; and time-responsive alarm control means including, first abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member in one direction to engage one electrically conductive side of said second contact member, second abutment means operable to permit said movable support to move said first contact member generally in said one direction to a position where said first contact member is on another side of said second contact member, generally opposite to said one side, and means operable to move said movable support so as to displace said first contact member from said position to a location on said one side of second contact member and disengaged therefrom.

7. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said first contact member is moved past said second contact member in moving from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one side.

8. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said engagement of said first contact member with said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member closes an alarm circuit; wherein subsequent to the closing of said alarm circuit said second abutment means, in moving said first contact member to said position on said other side of said second contact member, opens said alarm circuit; and wherein said first contact member is moved past said second contact member in moving from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one side.

9. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein an insulating plate is affixed to said other side of said second contact member and is engageable with said first contact member as said first contact member moves from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member.

10. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes mounting plate means carried by and extending transversely of said movable support and inclined obliquely relative thereto; and wherein said first contact member is provided by said plate means.

11. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes, clock body means, manually positionable support means mounted in said clock body means, frictionally adjustable mounting post means carried by said support means, said second contact member being mounted on said post means, and sAid post means being frictionally adjustable to selectively adjust the position of said second contact member relative to said first contact member, said support means being electrically nonconductive.

12. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes, clock body means, electrically nonconductive support means mounted in said clock body means, an electrically conductive element mounted on said support means, said second contact member being electrically conductively connected with said electrically conductive element, electrically conductive cable means electrically conductively connecting said element with an electrical power source.

13. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said apparatus includes, clock body means, manually positionable support means mounted in said clock body means and supporting said second contact member, spring means engaging said support means and operable to frictionally impede movement of said support means relative to said clock body means, and detent means operable to selectively but yieldably secure said support means in at least two positions, with one of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member in engageable relation with said first contact member and with the other of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member out of engageable cooperation with said first contact member.

14. An apparatus as described in claim 6: wherein said engagement of said first contact member with said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member closes an alarm circuit; wherein subsequent to the closing of said alarm circuit said second abutment means, in moving said first contact member to said position on said other side of said second contact member, opens said alarm circuit; and wherein said first contact member is moved past said second contact member in moving from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one side; wherein an insulating plate is affixed to said other side of said second member and is engageable with said first contact member as said first contact member moves from said position on said other side of said second contact member to said one electrically conductive side of said second contact member; wherein said first contact member is carried by and extends transversely of said movable support and is inclined obliquely relative thereof; and wherein said apparatus includes, clock body means, manually positionable and electrically nonconductive support means mounted in said clock body means, an electrically conductive element mounted on said support means, said second contact member being electrically conductively connected with said electrically conductive element, electrically conductive cable means electrically conductively connecting said element with an electrical power source, spring means engaging said support means and operable to frictionally impede movement of said support means relative to said clock body means, and detent means operable to selectively but yieldably secure said support means in at least two positions, with one of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member in engageable relation with said first contact member and with the other of said positions of said support means locating said second contact member out of engageable cooperation with said first contact member.

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