US3696607A - Center set for clocks - Google Patents

Center set for clocks Download PDF

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Publication number
US3696607A
US3696607A US117532A US3696607DA US3696607A US 3696607 A US3696607 A US 3696607A US 117532 A US117532 A US 117532A US 3696607D A US3696607D A US 3696607DA US 3696607 A US3696607 A US 3696607A
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United States
Prior art keywords
hand
clock
hands
minute
finger
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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
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US117532A
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English (en)
Inventor
Samuel Dinerstein
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.)
Bunker Ramo Corp
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Bunker Ramo Corp
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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
    • G04B27/00—Mechanical devices for setting the time indicating means

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT the clock, the second hand being driven by the second hand shaft through a frictional clutch device to prevent damage to the escapement mechanism of the clock movement while the position of the clock hands are being adjusted.
  • clocks having manually manipulated hand setting mechanisms mounted at a central location upon the clock crystal are well known.
  • a setting stem is journaled within an aperture in the clock crystal such that the axis of the stem is substantially coincident with the axes of the hour and minute hand shafts extending from the clock movement.
  • the minute hand shaft is generally a solid rod joumaled within a tubular hour hand shaft.
  • a knurled knob is affixed to the extremity of the setting stem which is external to the clock crystal while the internal extremity of the stem is shaped to engage a splined receptacle or the like in the end of the solid minute hand shaft of the clock movement.
  • the setting stem is further adapted for longitudinal movement along its axis and is spring biased to a normal rest position at which the internal extremity of the stem is out of engagement with the minute hand shaft.
  • This invention is directed to a clock having a manually manipulatable clock hand setting mechanism mounted on the clock crystal and wherein the clock is provided with a top mounted second hand.
  • the hand setting mechanism includes means for controlling the position of the second hand relative to the axis of the second hand shaft. More particularly, the invention is directed to a clock wherein the manually manipulatable clock hand setting mechanism is positioned on a crystal in front of the second hand.
  • the invention is also directed to this type of clock in which a frictional coupling is interposed between the second hand and 2 the escapement means to avoid damage to the escapement means when the second hand is manually positioned.
  • the invention is directed to a clock with hour, minute and second hands wherein the manually manipulatable clock hand setting mechanism is rotatable from a position external to the crystal and is connected to an engagement means for selective engagement and rotational adjustment of the second and minute hands of the clock.
  • the features of the clock are particularly advantageous in respect to top mounted second hand arrangements requiring selective adjustment of the second and minute hands without damage to the escapement means.
  • connection means are associated with the engagement means to permit transverse movement of the engagement means with respect to the axis of the second hand shaft. This feature enables the engagement means to move to the side of the second hand when initial contact is made on the front surface of the hand. Otherwise, continued force applied to the engagement means would result in bending of the second hand, the second hand shaft, associated linkages and possibly the minute hand.
  • a clock which has a manually manipulatable clock hand setting mechanism and includes in combination a clock movement with at least a second hand shaft extending therefrom for driving a time indicating hand affixed to the shaft.
  • the shaft is mechanically coupled to an escapement means integral with the clock movement.
  • a manually manipulatable means is provided for selectively engaging the second hand for controlling its position about the axis of the second hand shaft.
  • a torque limiting clutch means is interposed between the second hand and the escapement means to prevent damage to the escapement means during adjustment of the second hand.
  • the clock is constructed with a center set mechanism having built-in rotational lost motion or mechanical play, in respect of the second hand shaft axis to permit the engagement means to move off to the side of the second hand or minute hand in the event that the engagement means is forced against the front surface of either hand.
  • the front surface of the second hand is shaped to encourage movement of the engagement means to the side of the hand in the event that contact is made.
  • the second hand is resiliently coupled to its shaft to permit some movement of the second hand towards the dial in the event that the engagement means fails to move to the side of the hand.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view (without crystal) of an automobile clock illustrating the dial and hands.
  • FIG. 2 is an expanded view of the coaxially mounted shafts of the movement and the second, minute; and hour hands.
  • FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 showing by cross-section the shape of the second hand designed to force the finger to the side.
  • FIG. 4 is a section view along the axis of the center set and the coaxially mounted shafts showing a finger arrangement wherein two fingers are peripherally mounted on a plate and includes a block diagram representing conventional escapement means of the movement connected to the second hand shaft.
  • FIG. 5 is a similar view of the center set mechanism and illustrates a plate which utilizes one finger.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of a plate showing the shape of the finger shown in FIG. 5.
  • the invention is directed to a clock having a manually manipulatable'clock hand setting mechanism and including in combination a clock movement having at least a second hand shaft extending from the movement for driving a time indicating hand affixed to the shaft.
  • the shaft is mechanically coupled to an escapement means within the clock movement.
  • the manually manipulatable means serves to control the position of the hand relative to the axis of the second hand shaft.
  • a torque limiting clutch means is interposed between the second hand and the escapement means to prevent damage to the escapement means during positioning of the second hand.
  • the clock has a crystal positioned in front of the second hand and the manually manipulatable means comprises a rotable means which extends through an opening in the crystal and is connected to an engagement means positioned beyond the periphery of the second hand shaft and directed towards the second hand of the clock.
  • the manually manipulatable means comprises a rotable means which extends through an opening in the crystal and is connected to an engagement means positioned beyond the periphery of the second hand shaft and directed towards the second hand of the clock.
  • hour and minute hands are present and the rotable means and engagement means are movable towards the hands to selectively engage and rotationally adjust the second and minute hands of the clock.
  • the clock has a movement and a casing for the movement including a dial and crystal.
  • the dial has a centrally located opening in which hour, minute and second hand shafts of the movement are coaxially mounted with respect to one another. I-Iour, minute and second hands each are mounted on one of the shafts with the hour hand being positioned closest to the dial.
  • the movement includes escapement means which is connected to the second hand shaft and frictional torque limiting means are interposed between the second hand and the escapement means.
  • the crystal is positioned in front of the dial and has an opening located directly in front of the shafts.
  • Engagement means are located in a normal rest position immediately adjacent the inner surface of the crystal, with one or more fingers extending beyond the periphery of the shafts and extending toward the hands of the clock.
  • Rotable means extending through the crystal opening are connected to the engagement means and are movable towards the hands to selectively engage and rotationally adjust the second and minute hands of the clock.
  • Means are also provided for biasing the rotable means and engagement means to their normal rest position.
  • connection means are provided to permit transverse movement of the engagement means with respect to the axis of the second hand shaft.
  • This movement can be in the form of lost-motion or mechanical play" to permit the finger or fingers of the engagement means to move to the side of the second or minute hand in the event that contact is made with the front surface of either hand.
  • the finger or fingers are advantageously constructed of flexible material and the resultant resilience of the finger prevents damage to the second hand and second hand shaft. Similar benefits in respect of the minute hand are also obtained.
  • each finger when positioned over a hand is transverse to the axis of the hand and lays generally in a plane which is skewed relative to this axis.
  • the two opposing side walls of the finger generally along the periphery of the plate are tapered towards the clock hand and the tip of the finger is rounded.
  • FIG. 1 in which a clock 10, is shown including a casing 12 for housing the clock movement and a dial 14 with time indicia delinated thereon.
  • Centrally located hub 16 is mounted on the shaft for the second hand 18 (as more completely illustrated in FIG. 4).
  • Second hand 18, minute hand 20, and hour hand 22 are also illustrated.
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the hub and underlying coaxially mounted shafts.
  • front hub 16 is mounted on inner shaft 24 and top mounted second hand 18 is frictionally and resiliently mounted to this arrangement.
  • Minute hand 20 is rigidly attached to shaft 26 in a customary manner.
  • shaft 26 of the movement is interconnected with associated linkages to hour hand 22 so that motion of the minute hand 20 provides controlled movement of the hour hand 22.
  • Hour hand 22 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is connected to outer shaft 28.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the second hand 18 showing the outer surface 30 shaped to force the finger to the side of the hand in the event that thefinger is forced against the outer surface of the hand.
  • the shape is in the form of an inverted V although other forms such as an inverted U and the like may be utilized.
  • Minute hand 20 also is advantageously designed with a similar cross section although considerably thicker.
  • FIG. 4 there are illustrated three coaxially mounted shafts 24, 26 and 28, corresponding to the second-hand shaft, the minute-hand shaft and the hour-hand shaft of the clock movement. Secondhand 18, minute-hand 20 and hour hand 22 are respectively mounted to these shafts.
  • the second-hand shaft 24 is generally directly geared to the clock movement escapement means as indicated by the dotted line 67 extending therefrom to the block 29.
  • a setting stem 32 shown in its normal rest position extends through an opening 34 of the clock crystal 36.
  • the axis of the setting stem 32 is substantially coincident with the axes of the shafts 24, 26 and 28.
  • a plate 38 is loosely coupled to a turned down reduced diameter portion of the stem 32.
  • the plate 38 carries fingers 40 and 42 which are spaced apart so as to engage the second-hand l8 and the minute-hand 20 when the stem 32 is urged toward the clock hands.
  • the plate 38 is captured on the turned down portion of the stem 32 by suitable means such as the enlarged portion 44 which can be formed by peening the material comprising the shaft 32 after the plate 38 has been mounted thereon.
  • suitable means such as the enlarged portion 44 which can be formed by peening the material comprising the shaft 32 after the plate 38 has been mounted thereon.
  • the mechanical coupling between the plate 38 and the stem 32 is made purposely loose so that if the fingers 40 and 42 directly engage the surface of either the second-hand or minute-hand, the fingers will tend to slide off to one side or the other of'the hands as generally described in connection with FIG. 3.
  • the slot with which the key cooperates is made substantially larger than the width of the key. Additionally, the plate 38, although normally resting in a plane parallel to the inner surface of the clock crystal 38, may be easily skewed. This freedom of motion is ensured by making the diameter of the hole in the plate somewhat larger than the diameter of the turned down portion of the stem 32. This ensures that in the event both fingers 40 and 42 fall upon the same side of both arms of the second or minute-hand, the forcing of the stem 32 toward the bands will not tend to bend the hands.
  • the set stem 32 is biased by spring 50 acting upon the inner surface 48 of the set knob 46 to a normal rest position at which the fingers 40 and 42 are disengaged from the hands of the clock.
  • One end of the spring 50 engages the surface 52 of the set knob 46, while the other end of the spring 50 rides against the surface of a boss 54 on the crystal 36.
  • the length of the stem 32 is so established as to permit longitudinal movement of the fingers 40 and 42 to a position adjacent either the second-hand 18 or the minute-hand 20 without reaching the hour-hand 22. Movement of the minutehand, of course, will cause the desired movement of the hour-hand 22 when setting the hands of the clock.
  • the second-hand 18 is frictionally and resiliently coupled to the second-hand shaft 24. This obviates damaging the second-hand in the event that the fingers 40 and 42 engage the same on its upper surface without sliding off to either side thereof while the stem 32 is forced in a direction to engage the minute-hand 20, and at the same time obviates damage to the clock movement escapement means when the second-hand 18 is rotated by the fingers 40 and 42.
  • the spring 60 serves as a biasing means and forces the second-hand 18 at the surface 58 thereof to form a frictional torque restraining clutch mechanism with the surface 62 of hub 16.
  • the end 63 of spring 60 in turn acts against the flange 64 which is affixed to the hub by a suitable means such as upsetting the periphery of the hub or the like.
  • the spacing between the surface 62 of the hub 16 and the surface of flange 64 against which the spring 60 acts is such as to permit the second-hand to be tilted away from its normal rest position to an extent where the end of the second-hand comes into close juxtaposition to but does not touch the surface of the minute-hand. This degree of play is generally sufficient to prevent either the bending of the second-hand itself or the second-hand shaft 24 when the fingers fail to slip off to the sides of the hand.
  • FIG. 5 A still further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 5 which is in all respects substantially identical to the arrangement shown in FIG. 4 except that only one finger shown at is attached or made integral with the plate 71.
  • the plate 71 can be fitted to the stem 32 with closer tolerances so as to minimize the transverse looseness of the plate upon the stem 32 as by making the diameter of the hole in the plate 71 closer to the diameter of the reduced portion of the pin 32.
  • each of the fingers 40, 42 and 70 generally lay is skewed relative to the axes of the stem 32.
  • the fingers are accordingly made of a flexible material such as polypropylene, polyethylene, nylon or the like and sufficiently thin so that in the event the fingers directly engage the second-hand 18 or the minutehand 20, they will tend to yield longitudinally along the axes of the hands and exert a force thereon less than that required to permanently bend the hands.
  • FIG. 6 there is there illustrated a side view of fingers 70 showing the taper of the side 72 and the curved surface of the end 74.
  • This configuration may, of course, be used in connection with the fingers 40 and 42 shown in FIG. 4.
  • Finger 70 is positioned (as illustrated in FIG. 4) with the taper 72 and and curved or rounded end 74 being in the direction of second hand 18. These features cause finger 70 to move to the side of second-hand 18 or to move hand 18 in a lateral direction with respect to finger 70.
  • the taper 72 and 75 is controlled to avoid excessive taper and the development of a binding force against hand 18. Preferably there is less finger taper in the vicinity of the minute hand to ensure a more positive setting drive thereon as shown at 72a in FIG. 6.
  • a clock having a movement, a casing for the movement including a dial and a crystal, the crystal having a centrally located opening, said movement including hour, minute and second hand shafts coaxially mounted with respect to one another andescapement means connected to the second hand shaft, said shafts extending to the front of the dial, an hour, a minute, and a second hand each respectively mounted on a corresponding one of said shafts, with the hour hand closest to the dial, frictional torque limiting means interposed between the second hand and said escapement means, said crystal being positioned in front of the dial with said opening located directly in front of said shafts, engagement means normally positioned adjacent the inner surface of said crystal beyond the periphery of the shafts and extending toward the hands of the clock, rotatable means extending through said crystal opening, connected to said engagement means and movable toward the hands to selectively engage directly and rotationally adjust the second and minute hands of the clock.
  • a clock according to claim 1 which includes means for biasing the rotatable means and engagement means to their normal position away from said hands.
  • a clock according to claim 1 wherein the engagement means comprises at least one finger connected to the rotatable means.
  • a clock according to claim 4 wherein said finger is differentially tapered along its sides with less taper along those portions thereof which are adapted to engage the minute hand.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
US117532A 1971-02-22 1971-02-22 Center set for clocks Expired - Lifetime US3696607A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11753271A 1971-02-22 1971-02-22

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US117532A Expired - Lifetime US3696607A (en) 1971-02-22 1971-02-22 Center set for clocks

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US (1) US3696607A (enExample)
FR (1) FR2126169B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1367514A (enExample)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5080164A (enExample) * 1973-10-29 1975-06-30
US20040174775A1 (en) * 2001-10-10 2004-09-09 Frank Muller Watchland S.A. Spiral spring for time measuring device

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2978257B1 (fr) * 2011-07-21 2014-06-06 Olivier Michel Peria Dispositif manuel de reglage et/ou de correction des indications d'une montre

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1138690A (en) * 1913-03-18 1915-05-11 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Meter.
GB191513953A (en) * 1915-10-01 1919-03-20 Aeronautical Instr Company Ltd Improvements in Hands or Indicating Fingers for Instruments.
FR702060A (fr) * 1929-09-26 1931-03-28 Landis & Gyr Sa Horloge commutatrice enfermée dans une boîte
US1824781A (en) * 1930-10-06 1931-09-29 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Meter device
US1982495A (en) * 1932-03-05 1934-11-27 Chicago Flexible Shaft Co Clock and interval timer
US2564103A (en) * 1946-03-25 1951-08-14 Int Register Co Clutch construction
US2607188A (en) * 1947-06-27 1952-08-19 Bourquin Edgar Front setting means for clocks
US3142148A (en) * 1963-03-04 1964-07-28 Sunbeam Corp Indicator

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1548147B2 (de) * 1967-03-22 1975-01-09 Gebrueder Junghans Gmbh, 7230 Schramberg Uhr mit Mittelsekunde und mit einer zu den Zeigerwellen koaxialen Zeigerstellvorrichtung

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1138690A (en) * 1913-03-18 1915-05-11 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Meter.
GB191513953A (en) * 1915-10-01 1919-03-20 Aeronautical Instr Company Ltd Improvements in Hands or Indicating Fingers for Instruments.
FR702060A (fr) * 1929-09-26 1931-03-28 Landis & Gyr Sa Horloge commutatrice enfermée dans une boîte
US1824781A (en) * 1930-10-06 1931-09-29 Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co Meter device
US1982495A (en) * 1932-03-05 1934-11-27 Chicago Flexible Shaft Co Clock and interval timer
US2564103A (en) * 1946-03-25 1951-08-14 Int Register Co Clutch construction
US2607188A (en) * 1947-06-27 1952-08-19 Bourquin Edgar Front setting means for clocks
US3142148A (en) * 1963-03-04 1964-07-28 Sunbeam Corp Indicator

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5080164A (enExample) * 1973-10-29 1975-06-30
US3921387A (en) * 1973-10-29 1975-11-25 Jaeger Time-piece with time-setting adjustment
US20040174775A1 (en) * 2001-10-10 2004-09-09 Frank Muller Watchland S.A. Spiral spring for time measuring device
US7018092B2 (en) * 2001-10-10 2006-03-28 Franck Muller Watchland S.A. Spiral spring for time measuring device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2155635A1 (de) 1972-08-31
FR2126169B1 (enExample) 1975-08-29
FR2126169A1 (enExample) 1972-10-06
GB1367514A (en) 1974-09-18
DE2155635B2 (de) 1976-05-26

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