US3638418A - Alarm wristwatch - Google Patents

Alarm wristwatch Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3638418A
US3638418A US833596A US3638418DA US3638418A US 3638418 A US3638418 A US 3638418A US 833596 A US833596 A US 833596A US 3638418D A US3638418D A US 3638418DA US 3638418 A US3638418 A US 3638418A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
alarm
watch
watch case
setting
movement
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US833596A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Paolo Spadini
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.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3638418A publication Critical patent/US3638418A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C21/00—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means
    • G04C21/02—Constructional details
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C21/00—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means
    • G04C21/16—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means producing the signals at adjustable fixed times
    • G04C21/20—Producing acoustic time signals by electrical means producing the signals at adjustable fixed times by closing a contact to ring an electromechanical alarm

Definitions

  • the remaining ele- 1 ments of the alarm device (buzzer, battery, switch, inter- [56] References Cited rupter, setting mechanism) are all together carried by a supporting member arranged for receiving the watch movement UNITED STATES PATENTS and holding it firmly within the watch case.
  • This invention relates to alarm Wristwatches and, in particular, to alarm Wristwatches comprising a usual watch movement with a spring motor and a mechanical escapement mechanism, a switching device for switching on the alarm at the desired time being mounted on said movement, said switching device having a switch with two contact elements, one of said contact elements being carried by a member driven by the watch movement and the other contact element being carried by an adjusting member.
  • the main problem of the invention is to produce an alarm wristwatch provided with an electrical alarm device while using a usual mechanical watch movement without having to modify that movement, the alarm device being arranged in such a manner that the watchmaker who has to assemble the watch can proceed in the usual manner without having to take care of the electrical circuit elements and of the electrical connections to be provided therebetween.
  • Another object of the invention consists in providing the watch with a rotary bezel driving the alarm hand in order to avoid any modification of the standard movement.
  • the supporting member carrying the different parts of the alarm device can consist of an independent piece located in the watch case.
  • the watch case bottom has, in that event, to be provided with openings for ensuring a free propagation of the sounds produced by the alarm device and for enabling a replacement of the battery without having to open the watch case.
  • some members have to be secured to the watch case bottom so that the latter has to be made thicker than usual.
  • the last requirement can advantageously be avoided by making the supporting member carrying the different parts of the alarm device integral with the watch case bottom.
  • FIG. I is a perspective and exploded view of the first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a wiring diagram of the alarm device of the watch represented in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to that of FIG. I showing some elements of the second embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a plan view of the third embodiment, the bezel, the glass, the hands and the dial having been removed;
  • FIG. 5 is a perspective view on a smaller scale of a piece of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view on a larger scale along line VI-VI of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 7 is a part sectional view similar to that of FIG. 6 along line VII-VII of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 8 is a plan view from the under side on a reduced scale of the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 9 is a wiring diagram of the electrical control device of the same embodiment.
  • FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 6. but showing the fourth embodiment
  • FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 7 showing some parts of the fourth embodiment.
  • the watch represented in FIG. I is a rectangular wristwatch. It comprises a circular usual watch movement 1 provided with a self-winding mechanism and comprising a spring motor and a mechanical escapement.
  • the watch movement I is of a standard type.
  • a switching device 2 is, however, mounted on movement 1 for switching on the alarm.
  • the switching device 2 comprises a metallic disc made integral with a tubular projection on which the alarm hand 3 is rigidly set. This tubular projection isjournaled in the central opening of dial 4 which is made out of an insulating plastic material.
  • the metallic disc of the switching mechanism 2 and its tubular projection are partly embedded in a body member made out of an insulating plastic so as to insulate that piece from the hour wheel around which it is mounted for free rotation and, consequently, from the ground mass of the watch including movement I.
  • the metallic disc of the switching device 2 has, however, one point ofits periphery which is not covered by the plastic.
  • a resilient arm (not shown) carried by the hour wheel (not shown) is arranged for coming in contact with the uncovered part of the metallic disc of switching device 2 when the hour wheel is in a predetermined angular position with respect to the disc of switching device 2, i.e., when the watch hands indicate the same hour as the alarm hand 3.
  • the resilient arm carried by the hour wheel and the metallic disc of switching device 2 constitute the two contact elements of a switch of the switching device.
  • the position of alarm hand 3 can be set at will by rotating the glass 5 ofthe watch.
  • glass Sis carried by a bezel 6 snap-fitted onto an annular projection of a cover member 7.
  • the mechanical driving connection between glass 5 and hand 3 is ensured by means of a notch (not shown) provided in the peripheral rim of the glass and in which the outer end of hand 3 extends.
  • Movement 1 is mounted in a recess 8 of an encasing member 9 moreover provided with recesses 10, I1 and 12 for the different circuit means of the electrical alarm device.
  • Member 9 is made out of an insulating plastic material; its contour is similar to that of the watch case. The sizes of member 9 are chosen in such manner that this member can be snugly inserted into a lower piece 13 of the watch case comprising the bottom thereof and carrying the wristband attaching lugs 14.
  • a usual winding and hand-setting stem 15 extends throughout corresponding openings 16 of member 9 and 17 of piece 13. The latter, moreover, carries a control button 18 to permit the alarm device to be rendered operative or to be stopped at will.
  • the electrical alarm device is fed by means of a battery I9 and it comprises a buzzer 20 and a switch 21 which are electrically interconnected by means of conductors 22, 23, 24 carried by member 9. As indicated by the arrows in FIG. I, the
  • the buzzer 20 comprises a frame member constituted by a'plate bent in such manner as to have a U-shape.
  • Frame member 25 carries a magnetized tube 26 in which coils (not shown) are located. These coils are connected to a transistorized circuit comprising circuit means 27 also secured to frame member 25. Circuit means 27 cause the current flowing through the coils located in tube 26 to be modified thus producing a variation of the magnetic flux. That variation in turn causes a spring blade (not shown) extending above tube 26 to vibrate at a natural frequency.
  • the buzzer 20 and in particular its spring blade are arranged in such manner that the natural frequency of that spring blade will range within the audible spectrum.
  • That spring blade transmits its vibration to a membrane (not shown) which is secured to cover member 7 below openings 28 provided in this cover member for setting the membrane in communication with the atmosphere and thus ensuring a free propagation of the sounds produced by that membrane. Dust cannot, however, enter the watch movement through openings 28 because of the membrane of the buzzer.
  • the different elements of the alarm device are interconnected as shown in the diagram of FIG. 2.
  • the buzzer 20 is mounted in series in the circuit of battery 19 together with switch 21 and switch 2 mounted on movement 1. While one pole of battery 19 is in contact with an insulated terminal 30 provided on member 9 (FIG. 1) and connected by means of conductor 22 to buzzer 20, the other pole of battery I9 is connected to the movement I through the ground mass of the watch including the lower watch case piece 13, with which this other pole of the battery is in contact.
  • the last connection has been indicated by conductor 29 which electrically connects that pole of the battery to the resilient arm of the switching device 2.
  • a switching device 2 has merely to be added to that movement.
  • the second embodiment represents the application of the invention to a circular alarm wristwatch.
  • the movement I to which a switching device 2 has been added as in the first embodiment, is held in place within the watch case (not shown) by means of a supporting member 32 constituting an enlargement ring.
  • this enlargement ring 32 is provided with recesses 33, 34, 35 for the accommodation of a battery 36, control members 37, 38 (similar to members 27 of the first embodiment) and the buzzer, respectively.
  • the members provided for controlling the buzzer are preferably mounted in a remote position with respect to the buzzer so as to adapt the space occupied by the elements of the alarm device to the particular shape of ring 32.
  • the watch case opening provided for setting the membrane of the buzzer in communica tion with the atmosphere is advantageously provided in the bottom of the watch case thus enabling the use ofa dial extending outwards so far as to reach the periphery of the watch case as well as the use of watch hands having lengths adapted to the sizes of the dial.
  • an annular collector 39a need only be provided along the outer edge of the enlargement ring instead of providing it along the inner edge of ring 32.
  • the alarm hand 3 can also be set by means of a rotary bezel and the winding and hand-setting stem 15 also extends across ring 32.
  • the Wristwatches according to the third and to the fourth embodiments are represented in FIGS. 4 to 9 and I0, II, respectively. Since these watches are composed to a large extent of the same elements and accordingly only slightly differ from each other, these two watches are hereinafter described simultaneously, the differences therebetween being indicated as the description proceeds.
  • the watch case of these two watches has a square shape with rounded corners.
  • Their movement 40 has a rectangular shape with arcuate sides. Movement 40 is a usual standard movement with a spring motor and a mechanical escapement.
  • a switching device 146 is mounted on movement 40 to ensure switching on the alarm at the desired time.
  • Device 146 comprises a metallic disc 41 carrying an arm 42 extending radially outwards and constituting one contact element of a switch controlled by the watch movement.
  • Disc 41 is made integral with a tubular projection 43 (FIG. 6) journaled in the central opening of dial 44.
  • Disc 4] is thus mounted for rotary motion coaxially to the hour wheel 45 carrying the hour hand 46, to the cannon pinion (not shown) carrying the minute hand 47 and to the shaft carrying the seconds hand 48.
  • Projection 43 carrying the alarm hand 49 has a diameter large enough to avoid any contact either with the sleeve of the hour hand 46 or with the tubular projection on which that sleeve is set.
  • Electrical current is led to arm 42 through the dial 44 which is metallie and completely insulated from the ground mass including the movement 40 and the watch case as described more in detail hereinafter.
  • the electrical connection between dial 44 and the metallic piece (41 to 43) is ensured by means of a thin waved metallic spacer ring 50 inserted between dial 44 and disc 41, the waves of that spacer ring alternately bearing on either one of these two elements.
  • disc 41 and its arm 42 are embedded in a body member 5] made out of an insulating plastic.
  • Body member 51 is provided at its periphery with a toothing 52 by means of which it can be driven in rotation in a manner described hereinafter.
  • An annular groove 53 coaxial to projection 43 is provided in the surface of body member 51 directed toward the movement 40.
  • the depth of groove 53 is chosen in such a manner that arm 42 will have a radially extending narrow projection being flush with the bottom of groove 53.
  • the second contact element of the switching device described is carried by the hour wheel 45. It is constituted by a resilient arm 54 made integral with a sleeve 55 set onto the tubular projection of the hour wheel 45.
  • An embossing 56 is formed at the end of arm 54 and the latter is bent in such a manner as to cause embossing 56 to bear against the bottom of groove 53.
  • the position of the alarm hand 49 can be set from outside the watch case by means of a setting mechanism represented in FIGS. 4, 7 and 11. That mechanism comprises a setting wheel 57.
  • the setting wheel 57 is pivotally mounted on an encasing member 58 provided for movement 40. Wheel 57 is, therefore, held in place by means of a screw 59 (FIG. 7) provided with a bearing surface.
  • Member 58 which is represented in perspective in FIG. 5, is provided with recess 60 having the same shape as movement 40.
  • a shoulder 61 formed in recess 60 serves as an abutting surface for a peripheral rim of the baseplate of movement 40.
  • a shallower recess 62 communicating with recess 60 is provided for the accommodation of setting wheel 57. As shown in FIG. 7 recess 62 is, however, deep enough to avoid any contact between wheel 57 or its fixation screw 59 and the dial 44 which is circular and extends within a recess 63 of member 58.
  • the screw 59 about which setting wheel 57 is pivotally mounted, is screwed into a peripheral portion 148 of the watch case bottom 149i and the recess 60, the shoulder 61 and the further recesses 62 and 63 are provided in portion 148 made integral with the watch case bottom 149 (see also FIG.
  • setting wheel 57 meshes with the toothing 52 of body member 51 (FIG. 4) so that wheel 57 may thus drive the alarm hand 49.
  • Wheel 57 is itself driven in rotation in the same manner as the crown wheel of the usual winding mechanisms provided in watches with a spring motor, i.e., by means of a setting pinion 64 idly mounted on a bearing surface of a setting stem 65.
  • pinion 64 is provided firstly with teeth 66 extending radially outwards (FIGS, 7 and 11) and meshing with wheel 57, and secondly with ratchet teeth 67 extending in an axial direction and with which a corresponding toothing of a clutch wheel 68 can be brought into meshing relation upon shifting setting stem 65 in an axial direction.
  • Clutch wheel 68 is set on a square portion 69 of stem 65 so as to be rigidly fixed to that stem for rotary motion.
  • a springy latch ring 70 engaging a groove of stem 65 holds clutch wheel 68 axially in place on the square portion 69.
  • the setting stem 65 has three different working positions according to the axial position of the stern. These axial positions are determined by means of a ball 71 set under the action of a spring 72 and cooperating with three grooves 73, 74 and 75 of stem 65. In the position represented in the drawing, stem 65 is pushed into its innermost position. Ball 71 engages groove 73.
  • Clutch wheel 68 is remote of pinion 64 and the inner end 76 of stem 65 actuates a manually operable switch (disclosed hereinafter) of the alarm device so as to break the control circuit of that device and to stop the alarm.
  • stem 65 When stem 65 is, on the contrary, pulled into its outermost position, in which ball 71 engages groove 75, the two crown toothings of clutch wheel 68 and setting pinion 64 are in meshing relation so that the rotary motion of stem 65 will be transmitted to the alarm hand 49. Finally, when ball 71 engages groove 74, stem 65 is in an intermediate axial position in which neither its inner end 76 nor the clutch wheel 68 are operative.
  • the intermediate position of stem 68 is that in which the alarm device of the watch described is ready to operate as soon as the watch hands 47, 48 will indicate the same time as the alarm hand 49. Even in stem 65 is inadvertently driven in rotation in that intermediate axial position, the alarm hand will not be moved.
  • a crown 77 fixed to the outer end of stem 65 which extends through a tube 78 secured to member 58 in the third embodiment and to the lower watch case piece (148, 149) in the fourth embodiment, enables ac tuating stem 65 from outside the watch case.
  • FIGS. 7 and 11 show that the members of the manually operable switch controlled by the inner end 76 of stem 65, on the one hand, and that the setting pinion 64 and the clutch wheel 68, on the other hand, are located in recesses 79 and 80, respectively, of member 58 in the third embodiment and of the lower watch case piece (148, 149) in the fourth embodiment.
  • Recesses 79, 80 are only open on the side of the dial 44.
  • FIG. 7 shows how recesses 79, are closed on the side of the bottom 81 of the watch case in the third embodiment.
  • FIGS. 6 and 10 similarly show that recess 60 provided for the watch movement 40 is also only open on the dial side.
  • the three recesses 60, 79 and 80 are communicating.
  • the space in which they open is, however, tightly closed by means of the watch glass 82.
  • glass 82 which is circular, is provided with a peripheral flange 83 lying on a watertight gasket 84 extending around dial 44 within recess 63 of member 58 (FIGS. 4 to 7) or of the lower watch case piece (148, 149) (FIGS. 10 and 11).
  • member 58 which has a shape similar to that of the watch case, is set into a wall 85 made integral with the bottom 81 (FIG. 6).
  • Wall 85 is provided with a Ushaped cutout 86 (FIG. 7) providing for the passage oftube 78 and the setting stem 65 of the alarm hand.
  • the flange 83 of glass 82 is pressed onto the watertight gasket 84 by means of a bezel 87 made integral with a sidewall which is provided with a U-shaped cutout 88 for tube 78 as the sidewall 85 of bottom 81 in the third embodiment.
  • Projections 89 of the lower watch case piece (81, 85), (148, 149) engage corresponding grooves provided in the inner surface of the sidewall made integral with bezel 87 thus ensuring the fixation in axial direction of the two watch case pieces, while notches 90 provided in the corners of the lower watch case piece (81, 85), (148, 149) can be engaged by a sharp tool for opening the watch case.
  • the winding and hand-setting stem 91 of the watch movement 40 extends in parallel with the setting stem 65 of the alarm hand.
  • Stem 91 extends throughout a radial bore of member 58 in the third embodiment and of the lower watch case piece (148, 149) in the fourth embodiment.
  • the outer end of stem 91 extends throughout a tube 92 secured to member 58 and to the lower watch case piece (148, 149), respectively, in these two embodiments.
  • a crown 93 similar to crown 77 is fixed to stem 91.
  • tube 78, the bezel 87 and the lower watch case piece (81, 85), each is pro vided with a U-shaped cutout for tube 92.
  • Member 58 on the one hand, and the lower watch case piece (148, 149), on the other hand, moreover, carry the different elements of the alarm device of the watch described. These elements chiefly comprise a buzzer which is mounted outside the space enclosing the watch movement 40.
  • member 58 (FIG. 6) and the lower watc'n case piece (148, 149) (FIG. 10) each is provided with a recess 94 which, in the third embodiment, opens in the surface of member 58 directed toward the watch case bottom 81 and, in the fourth embodiment, opens in the outer surface of the watch case bottom 149. In the two embodiments recess 94 is closed on the side of dial 44.
  • member 58 as well as the lower watch case piece (148, 149) each is provided with a recess 95 for the battery 96 feeding the alarm device of the watch with electrical current.
  • recess 95 is also provided outside the space enclosing the watch movement 40. It similarly opens either in the surface of member 58 directed toward the bottom 81 or in the outer surface of bottom 149 and it is similarly closed on the dial side.
  • the buzzer of the alarm device of the watch described firstly comprises a ferromagnetic plate 97 (FIGS. 6 and 10) which is located on the bottom of recess 94.
  • a ferromagnetic core 98 is fixed to plate 97.
  • Two permanent magnets 99 (FIG. 4) having a parallelepipedic shape are set on plate 97 near the ends thereof. The height of magnets 99 is equal to that of the part of core 98 projecting above plate 97.
  • the buzzer moreover, comprises a plastic body member 100 which is located in recess 94 on the side of plate 97.
  • body member 100 is flush with the lower surface of the encasing member 58.
  • body member 100 carries the electric circuit means ensuring the operation of the buzzer.
  • These electric circuit means comprise a transistor 101 and a resistor 102 both embedded in body member 100.
  • Said means also comprise two coils 103, 104 which are rigidly secured to body member 100, for instance by gluing, and which extend around core 98 between magnets 99 (FIGS. 4, 6 and 9). As shown in FIG. 9 the coils 103 and 104 are connected to the input circuit and the output circuit, respectively, of transistor 101 which starts oscillating as soon as its input lead 105 and its output lead 106 are connected to an electrical potential.
  • the extremely thin threads the diameter of which is about five one-hundredths mm., which protrude from coils 103 and 104 and are connected to transistor 101 and resistor 102, are also embedded in body member 100 and, consequently, protected.
  • the input lead 105 and the output lead 106 of the oscillator described hereabove can be connected to terminals being flush with body member 100 by passing either through encasing member 58 or through the lower watch case piece (148, 149) from a plate 107 (FIG. 4).
  • the third embodiment plate 107 is secured to encasing member 58 and it extends within a recess 108 provided in the upper surface of member 58 and, in the fourth embodiment, it is secured to the lower watch case piece (148, 149) so as to extend in a similar recess 108 provided in the upper surface of that lower watch case piece.
  • a part of the leads 105 and 106 is printed on the upper surface of plate 107 made out of an insulating material.
  • a frame member 109 made out of an mag netic material and extending above magnets 99 and coils 103, 104, is secured at its two ends either to member 58 or to the lower watch piece (148, 149) by means of two screws 110.
  • the latter moreover, serve to secure the ends of a spring blade 111 on frame member 109 so that blade 111 extends above magnets 99, coils 103, 104 and core 98.
  • a ferromagnetic armature 112 is secured to blade 111 so as to extend within frame member 109, however, without coming in contact either with magnets 99 or with core 98.
  • the current oscillations produced by the transistor 101 in the coils 103, 104 cause the armature 112 to be periodically attracted and blade 11] to vibrate at a natural frequency which can range between 600 and 900 Hz.
  • a projection 113 is formed in the center of blade 111 and it strikes against a conical plastic membrane 114 which produces an audible sound when the transistorized oscillator is energized.
  • Membrane 114 is made with a flat peripheral flange which is secured for instance by gluing to a threaded ring 115 screwed into a tapped opening 116 of bottom 81 (FIG. 6) or 149 (FIG. of the watch case.
  • the outer surface of ring 115 is provided with holes 117 which can be engaged by an appropriate tool for screwing and unscrewing ring 115 in opening 116.
  • a perforated cover member 118 formed with a peripheral threaded rim portion is screwed into opening 116 above ring 115. Cover member 118 protects membrane 114 by preventing foreign bodies from coming into contact with the membrane and tearing the same. The perforations of cover member 118 place membrane 114 in communication with the atmosphere thus enabling a free propagation of the sound produced by that membrane.
  • blade 111 advantageously strikes against the membrane at a point located as near as possible to its apex, i.e., to its center point. Due to the fact that the blade 111 is fixed at its two ends, it is also the center point of this blade which has the largest amplitude when the transistorizcd oscillator is energized, and which strikes against the membrane 114.
  • the use of a blade 111 fixed at its two ends has the advantage of enabling the use of a membrane 114 having a relatively large diameter and of locating membrane 114 in the vicinity of one corner of the watch located on the same side as the crowns 77 and 93 as shown in HO. 8.
  • blade 111 it is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the diagonal of the watch case passing through the center of membrane 114 as shown in FIG. 4.
  • a buzzer which, instead of a blade fixed at its two ends, would comprise a blade fixed only at one end and, consequently, strike against a plastic membrane out its other end, would not permit such a location of the buzzer within the watch case.
  • a buzzer with a spring blade fixed only at one end could, firstly, not comprise a membrane as large as that represented in the drawing unless it would strike the membrane at a point remote from its apex, which would be disadvantageous. Moreover, such a membrane could not be located in the same corner of the watch case.
  • the spring blade In order that the end of the spring blade reaches the center of the membrane, the spring blade should, indeed, extend in parallel with one of the two sides of the watch case adjacent to the corner occupied by the membrane.
  • H6. 4 shows that there would be no place for the spring blade either along the watch case side where the crowns 77 and 93 are provided, because of the winding and hand-setting stem 91, or along the other side of the watch case because of the watch movement.
  • the only possible location for such a buzzer comprising a spring blade fixed only at one end would thus be along the opposed watch case side. Under those conditions the buzzer membrane should be located in the vicinity of one of the two watch case corners adjacent to said watch case side.
  • membrane 114 If membrane 114 is set too far away from blade 111, the latter will no longer reach membrane 114 upon vibrating. On the contrary, if membrane 114 is set too near to blade 111, it impedes the latter. By making tests, it can easily be noticed that the distance between membrane 114 and blade 111 must be set with a precision of about some hundredths of mm. Since blade l11 is fixed to the encasing member 58 in the third embodiment, and since mem brane 114 is fixed to the watch case bottom, these two buzzer members do not come automatically at the exact distance to each other, even if they are fixed with a great precision to their supports.
  • membrane 114 is fixed under the same conditions to the bottom I49. Setting its distance to blade 111 can thus be carried out as in the embodiment of FIG. 6.
  • a watertight gasket 119 is set below ring 115 which compresses more or less gasket 119 on a shoulder of bottom 81 (FIG. 6) or 149 (FIG. 10), according to the position in which membrane 114 is finally set.
  • gasket 119 ensures the tight closure of the buzzer, whichever the position of membrane 114 may a be, the gasket is chosen with a cross section enabling relatively important deformations of the gasket.
  • the bottom 81 is provided with an opening 120 (FIG. 6) coaxial to recess 95 of member 58. Opening 120 is closed by means of a bushing 121 screwed into member 58. A slot 122 enables rotating bushing 121.
  • the fourth embodiment (FIG. 10) only differs from the third one by the fact that bushing 121 is screwed into the watch case lower piece (148, 149) provided with the recess 95 for battery 96. t
  • the positive pole of battery 96 constituted by a cap member 124, is electrically connected to the ground mass of the watch through bushing 121.
  • the negative pole 125 of the battery it is in contact with a stud 126 held in place by means of a screw 127 in a bore either of member 58 (FIG.
  • That supporting member can he made out of different materials. It could be metallic and have been machined out of a full blank or alternatively have been injected. However, it will preferably be made out of an insulating plastic either by moulding or by injection. In the embodiment of FIG. 10 it could then be covered by a metal coating. In spite of these advantages, it is, however, the first event which has been supposed in the two embodiments described. In that event the metallic dial 44 must, of course, be perfectly insulated from the ground mass of the watch and, in particular, from the support 58 or (148, 149) to avoid shunting the switch of device 146 mounted coaxially to the watch hands. For that purpose, an insulating ring 129 is inserted between dial 44 and said sup porting member.
  • this dial which is substantially larger than the movement, is fixed to the support 58 or (148, 149) by means of feet (not shown) which enter blind holes of the support. Insulating sleeves have, of course, to be inserted between the dial feet and said support to avoid any short circuit.
  • Screw 127 holding stud 126 in place simultaneously serves to fix to support 58 or (148, 149) one of the two arms 130, .131 made integral with plate 107 carrying a printed circuit.
  • that printed circuit still comprises two conductors 132 and 133 (FIGS. 4 and 9).
  • the conductor 132 firstly extends along arm 130 and then along plate 107 so as to connect the negative pole of battery 96 to the buzzer lead 106.
  • conductor 133 it also extends in part over plate 107 and in part along arm 131 at the end of which it is connected to a stud 134 carried by arm 131 and made integral with a cam (FIG. 7).
  • Arm 131 is bent out of the plane of plate 107 so as to cause stud 134 to bear normally on dial 44 thus establishing an electrical connection between these two members which constitute the contact elements of a manually operable switch provided for stopping the alarm at willv
  • switch is held open by means of stem 65 which is in its innermost position in which its inner end 76 engages cam 135 thus holding stud 134 remote from dial 44.
  • the control circuit of the electrical alarm device of the watch described would be established from the negative pole 125 of battery 96 through the conductor 132 to the buzzer, then from the buzzer through lead 105 and conductor 133 to the switch (44, 134), then from that switch through the dial 44 to the switch 146 and, finally, from that switch through the ground mass back to the positive pole 124 of batter 96 (see also FIG. 9).
  • the two switches are mounted in series and must consequently be closed together to energize the buzzer.
  • the manually operable switch (44, 134) is closed when setting stem 65 has been pulled in its intermediate or in its outmost position.
  • the switch of device 146 it is closed when the watch hands 46, 47 indicate the same time as the alarm hand 49.
  • the alarm hand 49 need only be set at that time by means of crown 77 by firstly pulling the setting stem in its outmost position and then by pushing that stem in its intermediate position to prevent the alarm hand from moving upon inadvertently rotating crown 77.
  • the conductor 133 is, however, not directly connected to lead 105 of the buzzer.
  • An electronic interrupter comprising a transistor 136 (FIG. 9) associated with a control device 137 (see also FIG. 4) is connected between these two conductors.
  • Device 137 has three terminals: 138, to which lead 106 and conductor 132 of the printed circuit 107 are connected; 139, to which the buzzer lead 105 is connected, and 140, to which the conductor 133 of the printed circuit 107 is connected.
  • Device 137 includes a multivibrator of the flip-flop type with two transistors 141, which is connected to the base of transistor 136 through a resistor 142 (FIG. 9).
  • resistor 142 is chosen in such a manner that, for one potential of the base of transistor 136, the latter allows current to flow between terminals 140 and 139 of device 137, whereas the other potential of the base of transistor 136 interrupts the current flow between terminals 140 and 139.
  • the device 137 thus produces an intermittent sound.
  • the watch manufacturer can, at will, produce short interruptions of the alarm following each other at more or less spaced time intervals, or, on the contrary, cause membrane 114 to operate only during very short time periods, at time intervals which are more or less spaced apart from each other.
  • the device 137 is mounted below plate 107 carrying the printed circuit.
  • Device 137 is located in a recess 145 of encasing member 58 or of the lower watch case piece (148, 149).
  • the encasing member 58 of the third embodiment or the lower watch case piece (148, 149) of the fourth embodiment not only carries the elements of the alarm device which have to be positively electrically interconnected, i.e., the buzzer, the manually operable switch and the battery, but also all the setting and adjusting members of the alarm, i.e., those which enable setting the time at which the alarm has to be switched on as well as those for adjusting the nature of the alarm.
  • battery 96 which is usually set in place when selling the watch, all the other elements of the alarm device, except wheel 57,.can be mounted on member 58 or on the lower watch case piece (148, 149) independently of movement 40.
  • the whole unit thus obtained will still have to be inserted into the lower watch case piece (81,
  • the glass 82 and the bezel 87 need only be set thereover and pressed down until projections 89 enter the corresponding grooves. Then comes the only moment at which the watchmaker has to take care of the alarm device by setting the position of membrane 114 in the manner described hereabove.
  • the watch could also be provided with a circular movement instead'of that represented in the drawings. Moreover, the movement could comprise a selfwinding mechanism.
  • the electrical alarm device described does not comprise any electrical conductor which would be exposed to the risk of being broken, for instance because of an inappropriate handling of the supporting member of the alarm device.
  • the switching device 146 controlled by the watch movement has to be mounted on the latter, the watchmaker who assembles the watch, has not to take care of the electrical contacts which have to be established between the circuit means carried either by member 58 or the lower watch case piece (148, 149) and the switching device 146.
  • the latter is automatically connected to the control circuit of the alarm device, on the one hand, through the ground mass including the watch movement and the watch case, and, on the other hand, through the insulated dial.
  • An alarm wristwatch comprising, in combination, a watch case, a watch movement of the type comprising a spring motor and a mechanical escapement mechanism, said movement being located in said watch case and including a member driven at a predetermined rate and an adjustable member, an electrical alarm device comprising a switching device and further circuit means, each of them being electrically connected to the other ones, said switching device comprising a switch with a pair of contact elements, one of said contact elements being carried by said driven member of the watch movement and the other contact element being carried by said adjustable member, said watch case having a bottom constituting a supporting member arranged for receiving said watch movement and holding it firmly within said watch case, said supporting member carrying said further circuit means of the electrical alarm device, said alarm device further comprising a buzzer enclosed in a watertight housing, the watch case bottom having an outer surface and being provided in said outer surface with a fully blind hole having no opening but that in the bottom outer surface, said housing of the buzzer being located in said blind hole and secured therewithin.
  • An alarm wristwatch comprising, in combination, a watch case, a watch movement of the type comprising a spring motor and a mechanical escapement mechanism, said movement being located in said watch case and including a member driven at a predetermined rate and an adjustable member, an electrical alarm device comprising a switching device and further circuit means, each of them being electrically connected to the other ones, said switching device comprising a switch with a pair of contact elements, one of said contact elements being carried by said driven member of the watch movement and the other contact element being carried by said adjustable member, and a supporting member arranged for receiving said watch movement and holding it firmly within said watch case, said supporting member carrying said further circuit means of the electrical alarm device, wherein said supporting member is provided with a first recess arranged for receiving an electrical battery constituting the source of electrical energy of said alarm device, with a second recess arranged for receiving a manually operable switch which can be controlled from outside said watch case, and with a third recess arranged for receiving a buzzer forming part of said alarm device and being fed by
  • said buzzer comprises a resilient member that upon energization of the buzzer oscillates at a natural frequency ranging within the audible spectrum, said resilient member mechanically transmitting its oscillation to a membrane producing the audible sounds.
  • the alarm wristwatch of claim 3 further comprising a supporting piece forming part of said watch case and being provided with an opening, said membrane being carried by said supporting piece and extending across said opening thereof while tightly closing said opening.
  • An alarm wristwatch comprising, in combination, a watch case, a watch movement of the type comprising a spring motor and a mechanical escapement mechanism, said movement being located in said watch case and including a member driven at a predetermined rate and an adjustable member, an electrical alarm device comprising a switching device and further circuit means, each of them being electrically connected to the other ones, said switching device comprising a switch with a pair of contact elements, one of said contact elements being carried by said driven member of the watch movement and the other contact element being carried by said adjustable member, said watch case having a bottom con stituting a supporting member arranged for receiving said watch movement and holding it firmly within said watch case, said supporting member carrying said further circuit means of the electrical alarm device, said alarm device further comprising setting and adjusting means carried by said watch case bottom.
  • said setting and adjusting means comprise a setting stem and a setting mechanism controlled by said stem, said setting stem being pivotally mounted in the watch case bottom and said setting mechanism being mounted in said bottom from the inner surface thereof.
  • said setting and adjusting means of the alarm device further comprise an electronic interrupter controlled by a multivibrator for periodically interrupting the sounds produced by the alarm device, said interrupter being also mounted in the watch case bottom from the inner surface thereof.
  • said alarm device comprises a manually operable switch for stopping the alarm at will, said setting stem being shiftably mounted in the watch case bottom and arranged for controlling said manually operable switch.
  • An alarm wristwatch comprising. in combination, a watch case, a watch movement of the type comprising a spring motor and a mechanical escapement mechanism, said movement being located in said watch case and including a member driven at a predetermined rate and an adjustable member, an electrical alarm device comprising a switching device and further circuit means, each of them being electrically connected to the other ones, said switching device comprising a switch with a pair of contact elements, one ofsaid contact elements being carried by said driven member of the watch movement and the other contact element being carried by said adjustable member, a supporting member arranged for receiving said watch movement and holding it firmly within said watch case, said supporting member carrying said further circuit means of the electrical alarm device, and said alarm device further comprising setting and adjusting means carried by said supporting member.
  • said setting and adjusting means comprise an electronic interrupter controlled by a multivibrator and mounted in series with said switch of the switching device and said manually operable switch.
  • the alarm wristwatch of claim 9, further comprising an alarm hand, an alarm hand setting wheel and means for actuating said alarm hand setting wheel from outside said watch case, said alarm hand setting wheel forming part of said setting and adjusting means.
  • said setting stem has an outermost control position in which it is opera tively connected to said alarm hand setting wheel, an innermost control position in which it opens said manually operable switch, and an intermediate position in which it is unclutched from said alarm hand setting wheel and it leaves said manually operable switch closed.
  • the alarm wristwatch of claim 14 further comprising a metallic dial and a resilient arm carried by said supporting member, said resilient arm carrying camming means, one contact of said manually operable switch and an electrical conductor connecting said contact to the other elements of said further circuit means, said dial constituting the other contact of said manually operable switch and electrically connecting one contact element of said switch of the switching device to said further circuit means, said setting stem cooperating with said camming means for opening said manually operable switch.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US833596A 1968-06-17 1969-06-16 Alarm wristwatch Expired - Lifetime US3638418A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH896868 1968-06-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3638418A true US3638418A (en) 1972-02-01

Family

ID=4346837

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US833596A Expired - Lifetime US3638418A (en) 1968-06-17 1969-06-16 Alarm wristwatch

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US3638418A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
CH (1) CH896868A4 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (22)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3777472A (en) * 1971-03-30 1973-12-11 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Watch with electronic buzzer
US3788060A (en) * 1971-12-09 1974-01-29 Y Kawamura Watch with an electronic buzzer
US3824782A (en) * 1972-02-25 1974-07-23 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Correction switching device of wrist watch with electronic buzzer
US3858389A (en) * 1971-02-18 1975-01-07 Suwa Seikosha Kk Electronic wrist watch with alarm
DE2503949A1 (de) * 1974-02-20 1975-08-21 Timex Corp Uhr mit elektrischer weckvorrichtung
JPS52141373U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-04-20 1977-10-26
JPS52154270U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-05-18 1977-11-22
US4095411A (en) * 1975-07-22 1978-06-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic wristwatch having an alarm device
FR2392435A1 (fr) * 1977-05-23 1978-12-22 Seiko Koki Kk Commutateur de detection d'heure pour un mouvement d'horlogerie
US4180970A (en) * 1976-07-06 1980-01-01 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Wristwatch with sound-making device
US4218875A (en) * 1977-08-26 1980-08-26 Rothman Michael L Alarm
US4250573A (en) * 1976-05-12 1981-02-10 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Digital alarm wristwatch
FR2478928A1 (fr) * 1980-03-21 1981-09-25 Fontainemelon Sa Fabriques Hor Transducteur electro-acoustique
US4534661A (en) * 1977-08-25 1985-08-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electric alarm wristwatch including cylindrical sound tube for transmitting sound
US6322246B1 (en) * 1999-09-07 2001-11-27 Wing Root Limited Water-resistant movement holder for a pocket watch
US7406004B1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2008-07-29 Hiromori Corporation Clock with an insertion part
US7492274B1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2009-02-17 Morgan Kennedy Osborne Notification/alert motion for electronic equipment and or devices
US20090154302A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2009-06-18 Smith Judd C Clock for displaying collectibles
US20090175130A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-07-09 Beppo Hilfiker Device for operating an electronic multifunctional device
US20110032804A1 (en) * 2009-08-04 2011-02-10 Fathom Watch Company, Llc Wrist mounted watchcase having separable main body and surrounding protective frame and wristwatch incorporating same
US8870449B2 (en) 2009-08-04 2014-10-28 Daniel Scioscia Wrist mounted watchcase having separable main body and surrounding protective frame and wristwatch incorporating same
US11137723B2 (en) * 2018-01-04 2021-10-05 Uphill Projects GmbH Professionally customizable timepiece

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US565761A (en) * 1896-08-11 Electric time-alarm
US1019193A (en) * 1911-01-09 1912-03-05 Gustav Schneider Memograph or reminder-clock.
US1128751A (en) * 1914-03-19 1915-02-16 Clair H Brown Time-indicator.
US1529852A (en) * 1924-02-21 1925-03-17 William M Tanglin Alarm watch
US1630207A (en) * 1923-11-26 1927-05-24 Newth Basil Mechanism-controlling alarm in clocks
US2709331A (en) * 1950-12-22 1955-05-31 Lehner Victor Ernest Single hand electric alarm clock
US3233401A (en) * 1964-03-03 1966-02-08 Harold A Hoffman Reminder clock

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US565761A (en) * 1896-08-11 Electric time-alarm
US1019193A (en) * 1911-01-09 1912-03-05 Gustav Schneider Memograph or reminder-clock.
US1128751A (en) * 1914-03-19 1915-02-16 Clair H Brown Time-indicator.
US1630207A (en) * 1923-11-26 1927-05-24 Newth Basil Mechanism-controlling alarm in clocks
US1529852A (en) * 1924-02-21 1925-03-17 William M Tanglin Alarm watch
US2709331A (en) * 1950-12-22 1955-05-31 Lehner Victor Ernest Single hand electric alarm clock
US3233401A (en) * 1964-03-03 1966-02-08 Harold A Hoffman Reminder clock

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3858389A (en) * 1971-02-18 1975-01-07 Suwa Seikosha Kk Electronic wrist watch with alarm
US3777472A (en) * 1971-03-30 1973-12-11 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Watch with electronic buzzer
US3788060A (en) * 1971-12-09 1974-01-29 Y Kawamura Watch with an electronic buzzer
US3824782A (en) * 1972-02-25 1974-07-23 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Correction switching device of wrist watch with electronic buzzer
DE2503949A1 (de) * 1974-02-20 1975-08-21 Timex Corp Uhr mit elektrischer weckvorrichtung
US4095411A (en) * 1975-07-22 1978-06-20 Kabushiki Kaisha Daini Seikosha Electronic wristwatch having an alarm device
JPS52141373U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-04-20 1977-10-26
US4250573A (en) * 1976-05-12 1981-02-10 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Digital alarm wristwatch
JPS52154270U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-05-18 1977-11-22
US4180970A (en) * 1976-07-06 1980-01-01 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Wristwatch with sound-making device
FR2392435A1 (fr) * 1977-05-23 1978-12-22 Seiko Koki Kk Commutateur de detection d'heure pour un mouvement d'horlogerie
US4534661A (en) * 1977-08-25 1985-08-13 Kabushiki Kaisha Suwa Seikosha Electric alarm wristwatch including cylindrical sound tube for transmitting sound
US4218875A (en) * 1977-08-26 1980-08-26 Rothman Michael L Alarm
FR2478928A1 (fr) * 1980-03-21 1981-09-25 Fontainemelon Sa Fabriques Hor Transducteur electro-acoustique
US6322246B1 (en) * 1999-09-07 2001-11-27 Wing Root Limited Water-resistant movement holder for a pocket watch
US20090154302A1 (en) * 2001-08-20 2009-06-18 Smith Judd C Clock for displaying collectibles
US7997789B2 (en) * 2001-08-20 2011-08-16 Smith Judd C Clock for displaying collectibles
US7406004B1 (en) * 2005-03-30 2008-07-29 Hiromori Corporation Clock with an insertion part
US7492274B1 (en) * 2006-05-15 2009-02-17 Morgan Kennedy Osborne Notification/alert motion for electronic equipment and or devices
US20090175130A1 (en) * 2007-12-19 2009-07-09 Beppo Hilfiker Device for operating an electronic multifunctional device
US7794138B2 (en) * 2007-12-19 2010-09-14 Beppo Hilfiker Device for operating an electronic multifunctional device
US20110032804A1 (en) * 2009-08-04 2011-02-10 Fathom Watch Company, Llc Wrist mounted watchcase having separable main body and surrounding protective frame and wristwatch incorporating same
US8366313B2 (en) * 2009-08-04 2013-02-05 Daniel Scioscia Wrist mounted watchcase having separable main body and surrounding protective frame and wristwatch incorporating same
US8870449B2 (en) 2009-08-04 2014-10-28 Daniel Scioscia Wrist mounted watchcase having separable main body and surrounding protective frame and wristwatch incorporating same
US11137723B2 (en) * 2018-01-04 2021-10-05 Uphill Projects GmbH Professionally customizable timepiece

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CH896868A4 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1972-11-15

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3638418A (en) Alarm wristwatch
US3577876A (en) Watertight alarm wristwatch
JP4722445B2 (ja) 電子調整器と連結した機械式ムーブメントを有する時計
US7190638B2 (en) Electronic timepiece with radio communication function
JP4630621B2 (ja) 電子調整器と連結した機械式ムーブメントを有する時計
US3462943A (en) Alarm wristwatch
JPH04249792A (ja) 無線放送されたメッセージを受け取るための腕時計
US3777472A (en) Watch with electronic buzzer
US3676993A (en) Electronic watch
US3530463A (en) Buzzer having spring blade vibrating at natural frequency
GB1572513A (en) Quartz crystal controlled analogue timepiece
US3879931A (en) Electronic watch with an electronically operated sound producer
US3526088A (en) Watch setting crown mechanism
US2002433A (en) Electrical actuating means fob
US3469389A (en) Electromechanical vibrator assembly for a timepiece
US3487629A (en) Drive balance wheel arrangement for timepiece
US3906713A (en) Electronic alarm wristwatch
US3999369A (en) Electromechanical watch movement
US2883827A (en) Electrically actuated horological instrument
US3780522A (en) Alarm timepiece
US3283495A (en) Electronic watch
GB1432884A (en) Acoustical sound producer for timepieces
US2988868A (en) Electronic time-measuring arrangement
US3004179A (en) Electric clock
US3628323A (en) Miniaturized electronic watch