US3832843A - Electric alarm timepiece - Google Patents

Electric alarm timepiece Download PDF

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Publication number
US3832843A
US3832843A US00444074A US44407474A US3832843A US 3832843 A US3832843 A US 3832843A US 00444074 A US00444074 A US 00444074A US 44407474 A US44407474 A US 44407474A US 3832843 A US3832843 A US 3832843A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
alarm
ring
spring
watch
switch
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
US00444074A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
P Wuthrich
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.)
Timex Group USA Inc
Original Assignee
Timex Corp
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
Priority to US00444074A priority Critical patent/US3832843A/en
Application filed by Timex Corp filed Critical Timex Corp
Publication of US3832843A publication Critical patent/US3832843A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Priority to CA214,698A priority patent/CA1009851A/en
Priority to GB54085/74A priority patent/GB1483656A/en
Priority to AU76440/74A priority patent/AU477746B2/en
Priority to JP50010391A priority patent/JPS50116075A/ja
Priority to CH116475A priority patent/CH617060B/xx
Priority to DE2503949A priority patent/DE2503949C2/de
Priority to FR7505339A priority patent/FR2261562B1/fr
Priority to HK134/78A priority patent/HK13478A/xx
Assigned to CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE reassignment CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE SECURITY INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: FREDERIKSPLEIN HOLDING 1970 B.V., TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP., TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP., TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP., TIMEX ENTERPRISES, INC., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX GROUP LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX MEDICAL PRODUCTS LTD., A BERMUDA CORP., TIMEX N.V.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G04—HOROLOGY
    • G04C—ELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C3/00—Electromechanical clocks or watches independent of other time-pieces and in which the movement is maintained by electric means
    • G04C3/001—Electromechanical switches for setting or display

Definitions

  • An electric alarm timepiece includes an on-off switch wherein the alarm ringing circuit is closed when the 1 pp 4441074 bottom surface of the hour hand contacts an alarm set spring extending beneath the tip of the hour hand.
  • the alarm set [56] References Cited spring is mounted at one end to the alarm set ring and UNITED STATES PATENTS is rotatable therewith for purposes of setting.
  • the alarm time set ring includes a downwardly extending outer portion comprising a ring gear which is engage- 3596460 8/1971 z fi l a 58/57 5 X 1 able by the stem pinion to set the alarm. 3,611,702 10 1971 8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures ELECTRIC ALARM TIMEPIECE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION for example, a ring or separate contact element which may be rotated to set the desired alarm time. After setting, this latter contact remains stationary and is contacted by the moving contact means to activate the alarm mechanism.
  • the alarm set contact has indicator means coupled thereto so that the time setting can be seen visually by the wearer.
  • switch reliability One of the problems encountered in alarm watches is switch reliability.
  • the switch must be as inexpensive, small and durable as possible and yet must possess the necessary reliability. After continued use, the contact spacing may tend to increase so that proper engagement of the contactsdoes not occur. This may cause intermittent ringing or the alarm may fail to ring at all.
  • Pat. No. 3,638,418 issued Feb. 1, 1972 'which is directed specifically to the switch arrangement for an electric timepiece.
  • TheSpadini patents disclose, in general, an arrangement wherein switch contact is made between an axial extension coupled to the hour hand and an axial extension coupled to the alarm hand This differs considerably from the structure of the present invention as does U.S. Pat. No. 3,596,460 to Wuthrich which issued Aug. 3,1971 and which discloses an alarm set disc carrying a contact point for making electrical contact with contact means mounted on the hour wheel.
  • the present invention relates to an electric alarm watch having an on-off switch wherein contact closure is produced by surface contact between the bottom surcomprising a ring gear which is engageable by the stem pinion to set the alarm.
  • the object of this invention is to provide a new and improved electric alarm timepiece.
  • a more specific object of this invention is to provide a new and improved electric alarm watch including a switch arrangement having numerous advantages over conventional alarm watch switches.
  • FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the face of an alarm watch incorporating the switch arrangement of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged partial view of the watch as shown in FIG. 1 with portions shown in cross-section;
  • the invention comprises an electric alarm watch 10 which includes an improved alarm on-off switch 11 which will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the watch 10 may be a day-date type watch although the invention may be incorporated in other type watches.
  • the watch movement (not shown) including alarm switch 11 is. mounted in watch case 12 between the crystal l3 and watch back 14.
  • the alarm circuit and alarm or buzzer are not discosed in detail since they are conventional. and any number of different arrangements may be used.
  • the subject alarm watch 10 of the preferred embodiment includes an hour hand 16, a minute hand 17, and a second hand 18 and in addition an alarm set indicator means 19.
  • a day ring 21 and a date ring 22 are visible through windows 23 and 24 respectively in the dial 26.
  • Conventional indicia 27 are mounted about the watch 10 to indicate time in cooperation with the hands 16, 17 and 18.
  • An alarm set ring 28 of transparent material is mounted beneath the indicia and extends circumferentially. about the watch.
  • the ring 28 which may be of plastic material includes inner and outer concentric rings 29 and 31 which comprise knurled surface portions on the upper surface of the alarm'set ring 28. These knurled portions provide a pleasing esthetic effect and obscure visibility into the watch;
  • the inner. ring 29 obscures the contact between the hour hand 16 and the alarm set spring 19 which comprises the alarm set indicator means.
  • the present invention is designed to provide positive contact between the contact portion 32 of the alarm set spring 19 and the tip 33 of the hour hand 16 at a predetermined alarm time.
  • the alarm circuit is activated.
  • the contact portion 32 of alarm set spring 19 is slightly offset and raised so that contact is established when the main portion of the spring 19 and the hour hand 16 are aligned. This offset portion 32 is hidden by the knurled ring 29.
  • the positive switch contact is provided by a formed ridge 34 on the alarm set ring 28 which guides the tip 33 of the hour hand 16 into engagement with the alarm set spring 19.
  • the ridge 34 is an extension of the'upper surface of the ring 28 and forms a recess 36 with the main body of the ring 28.
  • the tip 33 of the hour hand 16 rotates within the recess 36 while the set spring 19 is located beneath the hour hand 16.
  • the spring 19 is mounted to ring member 28 at 37 and is cantilevered outwardly therefrom towards the interior of the watch 10. Positive switch contact is thus provided by this arrangement over long periods of use thereby insuring a high degree of reliability in the alarm arrangement.
  • the alarm set ring 28 includes a curved body portion 38 leading to the ridge portion 34 extending inwardly at the inner periphery of said ring28.
  • the outer periphery of the ring 28 includes a downwardly'projecting portion 39 including ring gear means 41 at its lower extremity.
  • the ring 28 is rotated about the watch to set the alarm time by means of the ring gear 41 which is engaged by gear means coupled to the stem 42.
  • the alarm time is set by means of the conventional stem arrangement shown in the drawings.
  • the stem 42 includes an elongated shaft 43 which extends into the main body of the watch 10 and is held in position by mounting means 44 of member 45.
  • The'shaft 43 includes a pinion 46 mounted on an intermediate portion thereof and enlarged portion 47 which acts as a switch actuating means. Located inwardly of enlarged portion 47 are contoured shaft portions 48 and 49 which are engaged by member 51 to lock the stem in various positions within the watch.
  • the stem pinion 46 is designed to engage the ring gear 41 thereby rotating the alarm set spring 19 to a predetermined alarm time.
  • the pinion 46 and ring gear 41 are shown in engagement in FIGS. 2 and 3. This curs when the stem 42 is pulled, outwardly fromthe watch for alarm setting purposes. At this time, en-
  • the alarm set ring 28 may be rotated by means of the stem 42, causing the alarm set spring 19 which is mounted thereto to be moved to the desired alarm time.
  • the stem 42 is then disengaged from the ring 28.
  • the tip 33 of the hour hand 16 guided by ridge 34 engages the contact portion 32 of the alarm set spring 19, completing the alarm circuit to a conventional buzzer arrangement.
  • circuits and buuer arrangements are conventional and hence have not been described in any detail in this specification. Typical arrangements may be seen in the prior art described previously.
  • An electric alarm watch including a switch to activate the alarm circuit at a predetermined time interval comprising:
  • an alarm set ring extending circumferentially about the watch and including guide means at the inner periphery, an intermediate body portion and ring gear means at the outer periphery for purposes of rotating said ring, an alarm set spring comprising the other switch contact, said spring being mounted at one end to the alarm set ring and contacting the hour hand with the other end as said hand is guided into positive contact therewith by the guide means, and,
  • stem means including pinion gear means mounted thereto to engage said ring gear means during alarm setting.
  • An electric alarm watch including a switch to activate the alarm circuit at a predetermined time comprisan hour hand having an end portion comprising one contact of the switch, an alarm set spring comprising the other contact of the switch, one end of said spring being located beneath the hour hand and settable to engage the end portion thereof at a predetermined alarm time,
  • an alarm set ring extending circumferentially about the watch and comprising a main body portion, a recessed portion forming a ridge at the internal end thereof to extend over and guide the hour hand into positive contactwith the alarm set spring and a downwardly projecting portion at the other end, said end comprising a ring gear, and,
  • said alarm set spring is mounted at its outer end to the alarm set ring and wherein the alarm set ring is rotatable about the timepiece to set the alarm time.
  • the alarm set spring includes an end portion for contacting the hour hand, said end portion being above and parallel to the spring and being joined to the spring by a connecting portion projecting upwardly and at an angle to the spring.
  • the alarm watch further includes an alarm set stem having an enlarged stem portion projecting from the watch to be grasped for purposes of alarm time setting, a shaft portion having a pinion mounted at an intermediate point for engaging the ring gear during setting and an enlarged inner portion projecting outwardly from the shaft, and,
  • switch means activated by the enlarged inner portion of the stem.
  • the switch means comprises a first spring member fixedly mounted at one end and having an intermediate portion with a V-shaped contact portion projecting upwardly therefrom and an upwardly extending end portion which is engageable by the enlarged stem portion to make and break the switch means and a second spring member having a fixed 7.
  • first spring member fixedly mounted at one end and having an intermediate portion with a V-shaped contact portion projecting upwardly therefrom and an upwardly extending end portion which is engageable by the enlarged stem portion to make and break the switch means and a second spring member having a fixed 7.
  • the inner and outer opaque rings comprise a knurled- 6.
  • the alarm set ring includes a transparent main body 8.
  • An electric alarm watch in accordance with claim portion having opaque ring portions on both the 6 further including: inner and outer ends thereof extending circumfersupporting means for the alarm set ring which permit entially thereabout to obscure respectively the end rotation of said ring while in engagement thereportion of the spring and the end portion of the 10 with, and hour hand with the inner opaque portion and the wherein the main body portion of the ring comprises ring mounting arrangement with the outer portion. generally curved upper and lower surfaces.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Electromechanical Clocks (AREA)
  • Electric Clocks (AREA)
US00444074A 1974-02-20 1974-02-20 Electric alarm timepiece Expired - Lifetime US3832843A (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00444074A US3832843A (en) 1974-02-20 1974-02-20 Electric alarm timepiece
CA214,698A CA1009851A (en) 1974-02-20 1974-11-26 Electric alarm timepiece
GB54085/74A GB1483656A (en) 1974-02-20 1974-12-13 Electric alarm timepiece
AU76440/74A AU477746B2 (en) 1974-02-20 1974-12-16 Electric alarm timepiece
JP50010391A JPS50116075A (xx) 1974-02-20 1975-01-24
DE2503949A DE2503949C2 (de) 1974-02-20 1975-01-31 Uhr mit elektrischer Weckvorrichtung
CH116475A CH617060B (de) 1974-02-20 1975-01-31 Uhr mit elektrischer weckvorrichtung.
FR7505339A FR2261562B1 (xx) 1974-02-20 1975-02-20
HK134/78A HK13478A (en) 1974-02-20 1978-03-09 Electric alarm timepiece

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00444074A US3832843A (en) 1974-02-20 1974-02-20 Electric alarm timepiece

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3832843A true US3832843A (en) 1974-09-03

Family

ID=23763385

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00444074A Expired - Lifetime US3832843A (en) 1974-02-20 1974-02-20 Electric alarm timepiece

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US3832843A (xx)
JP (1) JPS50116075A (xx)
CA (1) CA1009851A (xx)
CH (1) CH617060B (xx)
DE (1) DE2503949C2 (xx)
FR (1) FR2261562B1 (xx)
GB (1) GB1483656A (xx)
HK (1) HK13478A (xx)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3975896A (en) * 1973-12-24 1976-08-24 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Switching device for electronic timepiece
US4157646A (en) * 1977-12-19 1979-06-12 Timex Corporation Alarm switch and alarm set device
US5305291A (en) * 1993-09-22 1994-04-19 Timex Corporation Alarm setting and actuating mechanism for analog timepiece
WO1996025694A1 (en) * 1995-02-13 1996-08-22 Timex Corporation Combined crown/pushbutton for illuminated analog watch
US5805533A (en) * 1996-09-12 1998-09-08 Timex Corporation Electroluminescent display for a timepiece
EP1435633A1 (fr) * 2002-12-31 2004-07-07 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Dispositif de commande à positions axiales multiples pour appareil électronique
US20180373204A1 (en) * 2017-06-23 2018-12-27 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Push-piece winding button control device for a portable object of small dimensions
US11480928B2 (en) * 2017-12-27 2022-10-25 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS60154185A (ja) * 1984-01-14 1985-08-13 パオロ・スパデイ−ニ 時計部品
CN113485083B (zh) * 2020-12-04 2022-07-26 深圳穿金戴银科技股份有限公司 表壳、手表调时结构及调时手表

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3079749A (en) * 1959-09-30 1963-03-05 Boites De Montres S Graber S A Alarm-watch
US3233401A (en) * 1964-03-03 1966-02-08 Harold A Hoffman Reminder clock
US3596460A (en) * 1969-04-29 1971-08-03 Timex Corp Alarm device for a horological instrument
US3611702A (en) * 1969-05-08 1971-10-12 Paolo Spadini Electric alarm timepiece
US3783599A (en) * 1971-07-15 1974-01-08 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Alarm timepiece

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CH470709A (fr) * 1966-08-18 1968-12-13 Surdez Mathey & Cie Dispositif avertisseur pour chronographe de bord
CH896868A4 (xx) * 1968-06-17 1972-11-15
CH527457A (fr) * 1968-06-17 1972-05-15 Spadini Paolo Montre-bracelet-réveil étanche

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3079749A (en) * 1959-09-30 1963-03-05 Boites De Montres S Graber S A Alarm-watch
US3233401A (en) * 1964-03-03 1966-02-08 Harold A Hoffman Reminder clock
US3596460A (en) * 1969-04-29 1971-08-03 Timex Corp Alarm device for a horological instrument
US3611702A (en) * 1969-05-08 1971-10-12 Paolo Spadini Electric alarm timepiece
US3783599A (en) * 1971-07-15 1974-01-08 Citizen Watch Co Ltd Alarm timepiece

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3975896A (en) * 1973-12-24 1976-08-24 Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Switching device for electronic timepiece
US4157646A (en) * 1977-12-19 1979-06-12 Timex Corporation Alarm switch and alarm set device
FR2412105A1 (fr) * 1977-12-19 1979-07-13 Timex Corp Mecanisme de reglage de l'heure de reveil pour montre et similaires
US5305291A (en) * 1993-09-22 1994-04-19 Timex Corporation Alarm setting and actuating mechanism for analog timepiece
WO1996025694A1 (en) * 1995-02-13 1996-08-22 Timex Corporation Combined crown/pushbutton for illuminated analog watch
US5644553A (en) * 1995-02-13 1997-07-01 Timex Corporation Combined crown/pushbutton for illuminated analog watch
US5805533A (en) * 1996-09-12 1998-09-08 Timex Corporation Electroluminescent display for a timepiece
EP1435633A1 (fr) * 2002-12-31 2004-07-07 ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Dispositif de commande à positions axiales multiples pour appareil électronique
US7111979B2 (en) 2002-12-31 2006-09-26 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogère Suisse Control device with multiple axial positions for electronic apparatus
CN100392783C (zh) * 2002-12-31 2008-06-04 伊塔瑞士钟表制造股份有限公司 用于电子设备的具有多个轴向位置的控制装置
US20180373204A1 (en) * 2017-06-23 2018-12-27 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Push-piece winding button control device for a portable object of small dimensions
US10768577B2 (en) * 2017-06-23 2020-09-08 Eta Sa Manufacturing Horlogere Suisse Push-piece winding button control device for a portable object of small dimensions
US11480928B2 (en) * 2017-12-27 2022-10-25 Eta Sa Manufacture Horlogere Suisse Device for controlling at least one electronic function of a portable object

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS50116075A (xx) 1975-09-11
CH617060GA3 (xx) 1980-05-14
FR2261562A1 (xx) 1975-09-12
CA1009851A (en) 1977-05-10
DE2503949C2 (de) 1983-12-22
FR2261562B1 (xx) 1981-03-27
HK13478A (en) 1978-03-17
DE2503949A1 (de) 1975-08-21
CH617060B (de)
GB1483656A (en) 1977-08-24
AU7644074A (en) 1976-06-17

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A., THE

Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:TIMEX CORPORATION, A DE CORP.;TIMEX COMPUTERS LTD., A DE CORP.;TIMEX CLOCK COMPANY, A DE CORP.;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:004181/0596

Effective date: 19830331