US868696A - Self-winding electric clock. - Google Patents

Description

PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

A. P. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN. 24, 1906.

5 SHEETSSHEET 1.

InvEn UP Ar hi? mule A DPnE :/IMZZFSES PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907.

A. P. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 24, 1906.

5 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Wflfiessas: Aim hvEIi-Bp @ZLW 7 UP T. Paula No. 868,696. PATENTBD OCT. 22, 1907. A. F. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.24, 1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

WI T155555 IDVEHIUP Z4), Am? 5 No. 868,696. PATENTED OCT. 22, 1907. A. F. POOLE.

SELF WINDING ELBGTRIG CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JLN.24,1906.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Aflhup F. Paula W W m W W meg No. 868,696. PATENTED OCT; 22, 1907. A. F. POOLE. SELF WINDING ELECTRIC CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.24,1906;

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HI UPDEU.

ARTHUR F. POOLE, OF, WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA.

SELF-WINDIHG ELECTRIC CLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

rammed Oct. 22,1907.

Application filed January 24,1900. Serial Ho. 297.552.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, Aa'rnua F. Poona, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wheeling, in the county of Ohio and State of West Virginia, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Self-Winding Electric Clocks, (Case 3,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification. Y

My invention relates to self-winding electric clocks, that is, clocks which are rewound at proper intervals by mechanical means brought into action by the automatic closure of an electrical circuit, the object of my invention being to provide a self-winding clock which is of more simple construction and of greater reliability and efficiency than self-winding clocks as they have been heretofore manufactured. V

It is one of the primary objects of my invention to provide a clock of this nature in which the operating parts are diminished in number and are of a more simple nature, thereby reducing the liability of derangement or improper operation and thus providing a self-winding clock relieved of all the complexities thathave heretofore been present in clocks of this nature.

The essential feature of my invention is the manner in which the contact springs at which the electrical circuit is opened and closed are operated. Irr'selfwinding clocks of the prior art the circuit was controlled by a means operated by the momentum of the clock weight. This is manifestly not a desirable featurc; as the train of operating parts was necessarily too long and too complex for reliable operation. In clocks of this nature as they have heretofore been constructed, the electrical circuit was closed for an instant only, the action of the mechanical parts, therefore, being operated with a quick and sudden motion. This, of course, was unreliable as the clock was capable of proper operation only when the battery was new and of considerable strength; a weak battery being unable to bring about this spasmodic action. In my invention I eliminate these very undesirable features and I provide a construction in which the contact springs are actuated by way of distinct and separate means, and are given positive action, the electrical circuit when thus closed bringing about positive and reliable action of the rewinding mechanism.

Another of the" mential features of my invention is the compact arrangement given to the various parts so that an instrument of good appearance and durability is obtained. I provide means whereby the battery or other electric current generator may be so disposed with reference to the operative parts of the'clock, that it may be applied conveniently and without, necemity of complex electrical connections.

The construction herein described is such that when the clock has reached a certain predetermined point when it must be rewound for the continuance of its operation the electrical circuit is automatically closed and the mechanical parts are brought into operation,

this operation causing the clock weight to be raised to a certain predetermined point or degree whereby the clock is once more in condition for continuance of operation.

It is one of the features of my invention that the power required to actuate the contact springs, lies in a spring which is normally under tension, and which is released when the clock has reached the predetermined degree when it must be rewound, thisirelease.

effecting the operation of the contact mechanism, as will be hereinafter described.

I also provide in my invention means whereby the clock may be adjusted and indicating means, whereby it may be indicated when the clock is in positi n for proper operation.

It is further one of the features of my invention that that part of the mechanism which accomplishes the rewinding of the clock mechanism itself is not of a sensitive nature and does not require extreme nicety of adjustment. Therefore, my invention provides a selfwinding clock which does not easily get out of order and which can easily be brought into perfect, reliable and eficient operation. My invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention; .Fig. 2'

is a rear elevation thereof; Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an isolated section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5 is an isolated sectional view taken on line 5.5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a bottom viewof my device showing the disposition of the parts within the base cover; Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the base, the cover being broken away to disclose the parts within;

and Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic drawing showingthe circuit employed in my invention. Fig. 9 is a view showing principally the clock mechanism; Fig. 10 is a view taken on line 10- 10 of Fig. 9.

To the base frame 9 is securely fastened by means of the screws 10 and 11 the electmmagnet 12, composed of the legs 12v and 13 and the yoke 14, the metallic cover 9 being clamped between the magnet and the frame, as shown. To the upper ends of the magnetic cores is securely fastened by means of the screws 15 and 16 the bridge plate'l7, the'brm clock frame supports 18 and 19 being securely clamped between said bridge and said magnet cores, as shown.

The clock mechanism may be of any ordinary construction, and in the drawings I have shown it within a the bran inclosure 20, which is securely mounted upon the clo ck frame supports 18 and '19 by means of the screws 21. The main shaft of the clock mechanism is shown at 22. This shaft, of course; being the one which carries the minute hand of the clock and which is aucciatcd with the sleeve which carries the hour hand.

This may, of course, be of any ordinary construction and will, therefore, need no description. I dial 24 is mounted upon the clock inclosure or frame 20,

I by means of the pillars 2525. The usual pendulum extending from the clock mechanism is shown at 27,

the bob 28, therefore, being adjustable upon the rod 29. Upon the main shaft 22 is mounted the ratchet wheel '30, also uponthis shaft, being loosely mounted, the

arm 31, upon which at its outer extremity the weight 32 is attached. Iivoted at 33 is the pawl 34, adapted for engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel 30.

The pawl 34 is provided with the leg or extension, 35, the spring 36 fastened to the arm-31 being adapted to engage said extension, as shown, and to exert downward pressure upon the same thereby holding the pawl 34, into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel, 30. v

Thus far those parts have been described which would constitute a clock which would operate and which could be rewound by the resetting manually of the weight 32 at proper intervals so that it could always exert a force upon the main shaft 22 by virtue of gravitation, to rotate it in the direction of the arrow, 37, by way of the pawl and ratchet mechanism.

The ratchet wheel 30 is connected to the shaft 22 by means of the usual power maintaining mechanism to maintain the operation of the clock during the time when it isbeing rewound. Since thismechanism is well known in the art, I have not shown it in the drawings to avoid complication, but I have shown the ratchet wheel 30 keyed directly to the main shaft 22.

it is manifest that a clock of this construction would operate properly and with perfect reliability-when toned the armature 40, which is so disposed with reference to the magnetic poles 41 and 42 of the electromagnet 12, that it may be attracted by them when the electromagnet is energized. At its upper end the armature shaft 38 is provided with the horizontal bar 43, extending radially therefrom.

Upon the stud 44 mounted in the rear wall 45 of the dial is pivoted thebell crank lever 46; the arm 47 is provided with the bifurcated end 48 with which the bar 43 is adapted to engage as shown in the drawings. The arm 49 of the bell crank lever extends at approximately right angles to the arm 47 toward the clock weight 32, as is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 3. Pivoted .at one end to the end of the lever arm 49and at its other end pivoted to the stud 33, which extends through the arm 3], is the link 50 which completes the train of operating parts between the armature shaft and the weight mechanism. With this train of operating parts, as has just been described, conumsed of the shaft 38, bar 43, bell crank lever 46 and link 50, it is apparent that'any rotation of the shaft 38 will be accordingly transmitted to the weight mechanism, and, of course,

The clock I any motion of the weight mechanism will be transmitted to the armature shaft.

- The armature 40 is provided with the extension 51 which has the cam surface 52 concentric with the shaft 38. This cam surface is adapted to be engaged by the cam roller 53, which is mounted upon the pivot 54.

p The pivot 54 is secured to the lever'arm 55 which is pivoted at 56 to the arm 57 of the bell crank lever 58. This bell crank lever is pivoted at 59, its arm 60 being provided with the insulating block 61 for engaging the contact spring 62, as is best shown in Fig. 5. The spring 55 serves to hold the cam roller 53 in close engagement with the cam surface.- The movement of.

the bell crank lever 58- is limited by the stops 57 and 58. Associated with the contact spring 62 and mounted' in the same insulating block 63 therewith, is the contact spring 64. The springs 62 and 64 being normally out of engagement it is evident that sufficient movement of the bell crank lever in the direction of the arrow 65 will, by way of the lever arm 60, and insulating block 61, bring the contact spring 62 into engagement with the contact spring 64, making connection at the contact 66. vThis movement of the bell crank lever in the direction of the arrow 65 is procured 'in my arrangement by way of the cam mechanismv which is most clearly illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5.

It is one of the important features of my invention that surface 52 of the cam is concentric with the axis of rotation of the cam. It is evident that this construction relieves the clock weight of all work other than operating the clock movement, excepting, of course, the friction of the various bearings of the armature shaft and the associated lever mechanism. This relief of the clock weight of all work other than operating the clock, of course, adds to the time keeping qualities of the clock. The precise operation of the rewinding mechanism will be described hereinafter.

The base frame is in the form of a spider which is composed of the central piece 67 and the three legs, 68 68. I prefer to have the clock mounted upon framework provided with three-legs in such a manner as shown in the drawings, because the clock when mounted in this manner may be more positively set, and more easily adjusted. In order to secure a. fine adjustment I provide the legs with thumb screws 69, 69, which may, in an obvious manner, boa-manipulated to secure the desired position of the clock. In order that the proper position may be indicated when adjustment is being made,'I provide the indicator 70, on the yoke 14, and also an indicating mark 71 upon the pendulum rod 29, this indicating mark being so dis.- posed that when the clock is in the position for perfect operation the mark 71 will register vertically with the indicator point 70. The central portion 67 of the frame is provided with the lugs 72, 72 which extend downwardly and "which form engaging surfaces for the storage or dry battery 73. The battery is provided with the terminals74, 74'. Upon the portion .67 of the. frame are mounted, as shown in Figs. 6 .and 7, the contact springs 75 and 76, these contact springs serving the double purpose of making good electrical connection with the contacts 74, 74, of the battery, and of holding the battery securely in place. It is evident that by forcing the contact spring out of engagement with the contact surface of the battery it may be easily relfluYt-tl from the frame. Thus, it is apparent that this battery may be casil y and quickly replaced when necessary the connections being simple andsecure, any necessity for complex electrical connections being eliminated. The contact spring 75 is connected with the elcctromagnet 12 by mcaats of thc conductor 75, the other contact. spring 76 being conncctcd therewith by means of the conductor 76.

l provide, in order to secure an instrument of good :tlilftalt'ztlltft. and further as protection for the parts disosed within it, the metallic base cover 9. This base cou-r which I prefer to tnake out of sheet brass may be of any desired form, but i prefer it to be such that the lower surface is above the engaging surfaces (59, of the tlmtnb screws on. This, of course, is preferable so that the base cover will in no way interfere with the proper adjustment of the clock. A glass cover '78 tnay be disposed over the operating parts to protect them from dust or other injuriotts matter.

lt is apparent that this construction, as has been described in the foregoing pantgraphs. is such that the clock may be easily and economically manufactured.

As the clock unwinds. the ratchet wheel 30 is moved by means of the weight and pawl mechanism, in the direction of the arrow 37. This movement causes, by virtue of the connection, 50, between the arm 3t and the arm 49 of the bell crank lever 46, movement of the bell crank lever 46 in the direction of the arrow 75). This movement of the bell crank lever 46 causes, because of the engagement of the rod 43 by the arm 47, a movement. of the armature shaft 38 in the direction of the arrow 80. As has been before stat ed. the cam surface 52 is concentric with the armature shaft 38. It is, therefore. manifest that while the cam roller 53 is in engagement with the cam surface 52, there will be no displacement thereof when the armature shaft: is rotated. As the clock unwinds, that is, as the armature rotates in the direction of the arrow 80, the point 52 on the cam approaches the cam roller. The surface 52 is such that when the clock has reached the aforesaid predetermined condition when it must be reset, it. will no longer engage the roller 53, and will allow a certain predetermined displacement of the cam approaches. This displacement of the bell crank lever 58 is facilitated by the spring 55. which is normally uttder tension, and which. of course, contracts when the cam roller 53 is not engaged by the catn surface 52. The displacement is such that the roller is brought into engagement with tlicsurtlu-c 17" of the bridge plate 17, the bell crank lever 58 being drawn over in the direction of the arrow (35, about the pivot 59. thereby bringing about by way of the arm no and the insulating block (if, the movement of the spring (33 toward the contact spring (34. (QUINN-3t tion is thereby obtained at fit) between the springs (32 and (5-1. the spring ()2 being placed under tension.

liy reference to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the electrical circuit may be completed at titi. '1herel'ore. when this displacement of the cam roller 53, as has just been described. takes place. th reby making connection between the springs o2 and M. the electrical circuit through the electromagnetic coils of the magnet 12, and the battery 73 is closed. The cores of the electromagnet thereby being energized the arrangement is such. as is clearly shown in Fig. 4. that the armature may be attracted, the ends of the armature 81 and 82 being drawn toward the magnetic poles 41 and 42, respectively. This attraction will cause rotation of the armature shaft in the direction of the arrow 83, which rotation will, by way of the rod 43, move the bell crank lever 46 about the pivot. 44, in the direction of the arrow 84, which movement of the bell crank lever 4t; will, by way of the link 50. draw the arm 31 upward about the ntain shaft 22, thereby bringing the weight 32 in the raised position and resetting the pawl with reference to the ratchet 30, thus once more bringing the weight mechanism into such a position that the operation of the clock may be continued. This position is shown in Fig. 3. The electrical circuit is closed com stantly while this reset-ting or raising of the weight. is taking place and it is evident, therefore, that the movement is positive and reliable, does not require excessive strength of current, and is operated by a steady pull. rather than a sudden attraction as in clocks of the prior art.

By reason of the combined tension of springs 55 and 62 the bell crank lever and link 55 have a tendency to assume their normal position. This is prevented, however, at. this time by the engagement of the roller 53 with the surface 52. Since when in this displaced position the roller engages the surface 17, as the armatttre rotates in the direction of the arrow 83, it. will, by reamn of its engagementalso with the cam surface 52, be moved toward the right, rcfcrring to Fig. This will increase the tension of the spring 02, the circuit, of course, remaining closed. when the armature rt aches the position in line with the magnetic poles, thc catn surface 52 will have passed out of cngagemcnt with the l'tlllt-I' 53, and the roller will, by reason of the cotn bincd tension of the springs (52 and 55, be shifted to the left on the cam surface 52. \\'hcn this restoration takes place, the electrical connection between the springs 62 and (34 is, of course, broken, thus leaving the cores 4] and 42 unencrgized and therefore incapable of interfering w th the subsequent. rotation of the armature in the direction of the arrow 80, until the circuit is again closed. So that this description may be more clear, the cycle of operation may be re iewed briefly as follows: The mechanism may first be assumed to be in the position shown in Fig. 3. As the clock continttcs in its operation the clock weight is moved downwardly in the direction of the arrow 37 about the main shaft 22.

This movement causes, by virtue of the train of operating parts, consisting of the link 50. bell crank lever to, rod 43 and armature shaft 38, a rotation of the armature in the direction of the arrow 80. When, during this rotation, the cam surface 52 reaches such a point. where it no longer engages the roller 53; that is the predctcrmined point where the clock is to be reset, the ram roller 53 is so displaced that the link 55, and bell crank lever 58 are drawn in such a position as that shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5. This displacement, as is evident from the drawing, causes connection to be made between the springs 62 and 64 at (56. The electrical circuit, including the clectromagnets and the battery, is thereby closed and the. electromagnetic cores are enc gized and therefore attract the armature 40, setting it in motion in the direction of the arrow 83. By virtue of the train of operating parts composed of the annature shaft 38, rod 43, bell crank lever 46 and link 50, this motion causes the arm 31 to be drawn upwards in the direction of the arrow 90 until it has reached the position shown in Fig. 3. The cam roller is lifted to the circle of the, cam, thereby once more bringing the link 55 and bell crank lever 58 into their normal positions. This, of course, opens the electrical circuit. The entire mechanism is now in condition for this cycle of operation as just described to be repeated.

It is evident from the foregoing that the operative parts are positive in their action, require little power and are of extreme simplicity of construction.

The attraction by the magnet is in the nature of a steady pull, the circuit being closed during the entire time while the clock is being reset. Excessive strength of battery is not needed, the battery therefore being capable of long use, thus eliminating frequent necessity for renewal. I provide means whereby the clock can be easily adjusted and whereby the proper adjustment is indicated. The clock is of such construction that it can be easily made. It is such that no special construction of the clock mechanism itself is necessary. The construction is such that the current generator may be easily renewed and without the necessity oi intervals in precisely the same manner as the weight is reset as hereindescribed.

It is evident that changes'or modifications of my invcntion herein described and shown could be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of my invention, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise construction herein disclosed.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. in a device of the class described, the combination with a clock train, of a weight for driving said clock train, ratchet mechanism interposed mechanically between said weight and said clock train, an electromagnet, a movable armature therefor, mechanism for transmitting the motion of the armature to the weight and from the weight to the armature. a switch controlling the circuit of the elcctromagnet, a switch actuating lever, a link pivoted on said lever, a cam roller carried on said link, a cam controlled by the armature and adapted to move forward and back under said cam roller, there being a projection on the cum surface, stops independent of the rotation of the cum to limit the movement of the cam roller, and a spring act ing to maintain said cam roller on the surface of the can] and tending to move the cam roller away from the projection on the cam in thatdirection from the projection, of the cum in which the cam roller may lie.

2. In a device-attire class described, the combination with an electromagnet, of a movable armature therefor, a

cam having a movement corresponding with that of the armature, a cam roller adapted to occupy two alternate positions, a projection on the surface of the cam over which the cam roller must ride in passing from one nltcrnate position to the other, a spring coiipcrniing with the cam surface upon the cam roller and producing a tclidclicy for the cum roller to move from the projcction of the cam in either direction, a switch controlling the circuit of. the electronmgnet, and inczins whereby the cum roller may actuate said switch.

Ii. in a device of the class described, .the combination with an electrolmignet, of a movable armature therefor, a cum having a projection on its cam surface and the move ment of which is controlled by the movement of the armature, a cam roller riding on the surface of said cum, stops independent of the movement of the cam to lllnit the movement of the cam roller, a spring acting to maintain said cam roller on the surface of the cam and tending also to move the cum roller away from the projection on the cam surface. a switch controlling the circuit of.the electromagnet. and means whereby the operation of said switch is controlled by the cam roller. I

4. in a device of the class described, the combination with a clock train, of a weight for. driving said clock train, ratchet mechanism interposed mechanically between said weight and said clock train, an electromagnet, a movable armature therefor, mechanism for transmitting the motion of the armature to the weight and from the weight to the armature, a switch controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, a switch actuating lever, a link pivoted on said lever, a cam roller carried on said link, a cam constructed integrally with the armature and having a surface concentric with the pivot of said armature and adapted to move forward and backward under said cam roller there being a projection on the cam surface, stops independent of the rotation of the cum to limit the movement of the cam roller, and a spring acting to maintain said cam roller on the surface of the cam and tending to move the cam weight from the projection on the cam in that direction from the projection of the cam in which the cam roller may lie.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination with an electromagnct, of a pivoted armature therefor, a cam having a surface concentric with the pivot of said armature and having a movement corresponding with that of the armature, a cam roller adapted to occupy two ulternate positions. a projection on the surface of the cam over which the cam roller must ride in passing from one alternate position to another, a spring coiiperatlug with the cam surface upon the cam roller and producing a tendency for the. cam roller to move from the projection of the cam in either direction, a switch controlling the circuit of the electromagnet, and means whereby the cam roller may actuate said switch.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination with an electromagnct, of a movable armature thci'cfoi, a cam having a projection on its cum surfaces and the movement of which is controlled by the armature, a cam roller riding on the surface of said cam, stops independent of the movement of the cam to limit the movement of the cam roller, :1 spring'acting to maintain said cam roller on the surface of the cam and tending also to move the cam roliernway from the projection of the cam surface, a switch controlling the surface of the elcctromngnet, and link mechanism associated therewith whereby the opcra' tion of said switch is controlled by the cam roller.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 17th day of January A. 1)., 1906.

ARTHUR I POOLE.

Witnesses OLrvn V. Rmm, THOMAS E. Cos'rmn.

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