US909503A - Clock system. - Google Patents

Description

E. E. YAXLEY.

CLOCK SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED OUT. 26, 1908.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

WITNESSES:

ERNEST E. YAXLEY Kw A TTORNE Y UNITED @TATPB PATENT OFFEQE,

ERNEST E. YAXLEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO MONAROH TELEPHONE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF CHICAGO,

ILLINOIS.

ILLINOIS, A OORPORAIJON OF cLooK SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 12, 1909.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, Banner E. YAXLEI, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Clock Systems, 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.

My invention relates to clock systems and resides in a clock system employing a master clock mechanism or master timingdevice that includes clectro-magnetic mechanism for periodically winding the master clock or otherwise periodically energy in the motive device of the master clock mechanism, a relay, switching mechanism operablcl1 y the aforesaid electro-inagnetic mechanism to energize the relay whenever said electric-magnetic mechanism is operated, and sub ClOCKS or timing devices (one or more) in a circuit governed by the relay, the switch governed by the relay for the control of the sub clock circuit being adapted to be restored slowly to its normal condition after it is released by the magnet of the relay, thereby giying ample'timc for adjustment or operation of the timing devices in the sub clock circuit. magnetic devices of the sub clock, by maintaining the hands or other indicating elements of the sub clocks in synchronism with the master clock, constitute synchronizing devices, and I, therefore, do not wish to limit myself to sub clock mechanisms in which only electro-magnets are employed for operating the clocks. By means-oi my inntion it is immaterial for how short a spac-c of time the energizing circuit of the relay'is closed, as the switchin the sub clock circuit is caused to resume its normal position with suliicient slowness to permit the electro-magnets of the sub clocks or timing devices to perform their functions.-

.litherto difficulty has been experienced in synchronizin because of the shortness of the time during which the synchronizing circuit for the said clocks was kept closed,

it frequently happening that the circuits would not be kept closed long enough to permit the synchronizing function or the clock 7 operating function to be performed.

- In accordance with my invention, the advantages which I seek may be secured withstoring The cl ctro out causing the mechanism that is actuated by the power device in which energy is stored by the clectro-magnet, to operate a special switching mechanism, inasmuch as I am enabled to secure the results sought by mere circuit connections with the switching mechanism that is already employed in the master clock mechanism for including the electroenagnet of the master clock in circuit to replenish power in the power device and to open the circuit ofsaid electromagnet when power-has been replenished, though I do not wish to be limited to the employment of this identical switching mechanism.

My invention may be employed in connection with the clock mechanism shown in my application Serial No. 424,760, filed April 2, 1908, wherein I have illustrated and claimed a clock mechanism'including an eleetro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized,mechanism operable by said power de ice to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the. electro-magnet to close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished and operated when said eleetroanagnet has discharged its function of storing energydn the power device, to exclude the electromagnet from circuit. 1 do not wish to be limited, however, in all embodiments of the invention to the employment of the master clock mechanism whose operating electro-magnet has circuit opened therethrough only when the armature of such electromagnet has been fully attracted.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawing, showing an embodiment thereof as employed in connection with the clock mechanism forming the subject matter of my aforesaid 'copending application, the drawing illuswhich torque is initially applied for. the purpose or operating thebalance of-the train res upon an armature e and power is effectively exerted upon the pawl 0 by the spring d through sald armature, it being understood that this power is effectively exerted during the time that the magnet f provided for the armature is in open circuit. When thearmature has completed its normal receding movement from its electro-magnet, the circuit including the electro-magnet and a suitable source of current, as the battery 9, is closed between the contacts h and i, as will be presently described, whereby the tension of the spring d is increased for the purpose of renewing the power that is required to operate the motor. Durin the attraction of the armature this circuit is maintained closed, as I will now describe. To accomplish this result in the embodiment of the invention shown, Ienable the holding pawl or detent is to act upon the spring contact 2' in such a manner that when the actuating pawl 0 has moved the wheel 1) its predetermined arc-ail distance, preferably one tooth,

the holding pawl will drop into engagement with a fresh tooth and permit the spring contact '5 to engage the contact lz by reason of the resiliency of the spring contact 91, the spring contact 2' having been placed under increased tension byreason of the depression of the detent is during the movement of the wheel I) the space of one tooth. It will, therefore, be seen that the contact 2' practically travels with the detent Zr, so that when said dctent engages a new tooth, it closes circuit through the magnet.

in order to open the circuit, the spring 71. is lifted, which lifting operation takes place when the armature e-has been fully attrac t ed, it being understood that when the armature is fully attracted, the actuating pawl chas engaged a fresh tooth, the pawl, when dropping into engagement with a fresh tooth, permitting an agency to effect the elevation of the contact h, which agency is de-.

sirably in the form of an adjustable spring d that is su'liiciently strong to overcome the tension of the spring /2, said spring Z preferably acting upon the spring h through the pawl o and a roller post at, ctmstituting cam element, carried upon said pawl, the spring it having its end suitably upturned for engagement with said post, whereby the pawl ni *anisin has cam engagement with said spillig 71.. The upturned end of the spring 2. that engages the post an is so r lated l o the surface of the tooth over which the nose of the pawl o rides, that during the time that the nose of said pawl is riding over said tooth surface-the said tooth surface prevents the spring Z from having 'op erative lifting action upon the upturned end ceases of the spring it, though during this movement the post at desirably does not leave the spring it. When the pawl has left the tooth surface over which it has ridden, the restraining infiuence of said tooth surface is removed, whereupon said pawl is brought into actuatingengagement with the tooth over which it previously rode through the agency of the spring I, forming part of the pawl mechanism, which spring also lifts the contact. it through the intermediation of said pawl and the post- 121. carried thereby and engaging said spring it, so that the springs or contacts 11 and 2' are separated and are only separated when the pawl c has left the tooth surface over which it has ridden and has dropped into fresh tooth engagement.

After the pawl has newly engaged a tooth, the circuit of the magnet f then being open, the power device d acts through the armature e to move the pawl c in a direction opposite to that in which it previously moved, whereby turning effort is applied to the initial wheel 6 by the power device (Z to operate the motor train.

The detent it operates to prevent the wheel 0 from turning in a direction opposite to that which it follows through the agency of the pawl 0 during the time that the pawl 0 is riding over a tooth, the detent 7c freshly engaging a vtooth when the pawl c has turned the wheel Z) a step. During the time that the pawl c is turning the wheel I), the detent 7c rides over a tooth surface preparatory to a fresh. tooth engagement, during which riding action of said detent the contact i is depressed, the contact spring h being inherently adapted to follow the spring in its downward movement but being prevented from engaging the same, by reason of the engagement of the contact h with the roller m. It is desirable to preserve an approximately .fixed distance between the springs h and i when they are separated,-to which end 1 preferably dispose the upturned enu of the spring l1. parallel with the surface of the tooth over which the detent 7a is riding. When the detent is has escaped the tooth surfaceover which it has ridden and drops into fresh tooth engagement, the.

When the circuit of the electro-magnet is I opened, the contact terminal 2' is stationary.

The contact 2' is preferably made movable, as has been described, in order-to simplify the construction, for 111 the embodiment shown the contacts. h and i may be moved rela-' tively very quickly both in opening the circuit and in closing the circuit, a single'pair of contacts being only required. y

The relay circuit a is desirably opened and closed by the same switching mechanismh 2' that is governed in the manner which has been described, the switch parts it 2' constituting terzninals for the relay circuit 12 as well as terminals for the circuit of the magnet f,

the. lmttery 9 thus being common to the circuit of the magnet f and the relay circuit 71. The relay circuit a includes a relay 0 having an armature p which is adapted to be at-' tracted quickly, butwhich is retarded when being retracted by the retractile spring 9 by means of such suitable retarding device as that indicated at 1', the mechanism 1* including a retarding fan 8 that is operated by the armature when being retracted. The armature carries a leaf spring a which is quickly zgement with a contact a when the armare j) is attracted, the said armature being ted to continue in-its motion after the a to remain in engagement for an appreciable length of time after the armature 79 has 3 been released by the magnet of the relay 0. In other words, the spring t, by being engaged with the contact a during the first part of the movement of the armature 79, be-

comes a. follow-up spring or contact serving to maintain engagement with the contact u afterthe armature 12 has moved an appreciable distance upon being retracted. The contacts I- and 'u are in serial relation with a battery '0 included in the timing device circuit '10, which. circuit is shown with two parallel limbs between which timing devices a are connected, the circuit relation of one of the timing devices being shown somewhat more fully than the circuit relation of the remaining timing devices. illustrated in connection with one of the timing devices an electro-magnet 3 in bridge between the limbs of the circuit to and in cooperative relation withthe hand-operating mechanism 2 of the associate timing device. As I have above pointed out, the contacts 71 and i are moved relatively very quickly,

both in opening the circuit and in closing the c rcuit of the magnet f, and, consequently, of the relay 0. The closure of the contacts h and 2' is in fact too short to enable the sub clocks or timing devices a to be directly connected with said elements it and 2', on which account I interpose the relay. mechanism 0 and the switching mechanism t and a between the master clock and the sub clocks w, as I have setforth.

"WhileI prefer to employ as a switching device for controlling the circuit of the relay 0, the same switching mechanism, h 2', that is associated with the magnet f, I do not wish to belimited to the employment of the same iiililmg' mechanism in all embodiments of my invention, I v

I am aware that it is old to govern the moved an d preferably then brought into en- There has been I circuits of clocks to be synchronized by means of switching devices that are operated by the clock trains of clocks, which arrangements are radically different from the arrangement I have herein set forth, as will be well understood without particularexplanation.

By means of my invention, no extra load is imposed upon the clock train that is actuated by the power device, whereby many advantages ar'e gained. Moreover, by means of my invention the control of the circuit to may readily be adjusted within reasonable limits.

lVhile I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention, I do not wish to be limited to the precise arrangement illustrated, as changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent the following 1. A master timing device including an electro-magnet,- a power device in which energy is stored by theelectro-magnet when energized, mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuit through the eleetro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated when said electro-niagnet has discharged its function of storing energyin the power device, to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a. circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an elec' tro-magnetically controlled timing device.

A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which en ergy is stored by the electro-inagnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-inagnet for the purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the electro magnet to close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated bythe pawl mechanism when the pawl of the "pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, to exclude the clectro-magnet fron'icircuit, said power device being coupled ,with the actuating pawl of the pawl mech anism to enable said pawl to transmit power from theipower device to the toothed wheel" with a relay w'hosecircuit is governed by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnet andv slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circult governed by the latter switching mechanism and m- -cluding an electro-magnet-ically Controlled timing device. p

A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching device for closing circuit through the electromagnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, when brought into fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switching device for excluding the electro-magnet from circuit and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said power device being coupled with the actuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power fromthe power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnetand slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

i. A master timing electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purpose of, enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching device for closing circuit through the electro-magnet,whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for tooth engz'igement with said wheel, and acting, when brought into fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switching device for excluding the electromagnet from circuit and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said switching devices having a common contact member which is actuated by the device including an,

pawl mechanism to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit and which is engaged by the contact governed by the detent to close circuit through the electro magnet, said power device being coupled with the actuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operate by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

' 5. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, mechanism operable by said power device to enable the'transmission of power therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated when said electro-magnet has discharged its function of storing energy in the power device, to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, in' combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said electromagnet independently of the power device,

.mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

6. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform worlr, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electromagnet for the purpose ofenabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuit through the electro magnet, whereby energy in. the power device may be replenished, and operated by the pawl mechanism season mechanism operated by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when re leased by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

7. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which enelectro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, when brought into fresh tooth. engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switching device for excludingthe electro-magnet'from circuit and operated by the pawl mechanisinwhen the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said-power device being coupled with the actuating-pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit'is governed by said electro-magnet independently of the power device, switching mechanism operatcd by the relay magnet and slow to be re stored to,normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

8. A master timing device including an electi e-magnet,- a power device in which on ergyis'stored by the electro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purpose-of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth,-a switch-s ing device for closing circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, when broughtinto fresh tooth engag'ement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switchin device for excluding the electroniagnet rem circuit and operated by the pawl-mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said switching devices having a common' contact member which is actuated by the pawl mechanism'to exclude the electromagnet from circuit and which isengaged by the contact governed by the detent to close circuit through the electro-magnet,

said power device being coupled with the actuatingpawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said elettro-magnet independently of the power device, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro magnetically controlled timi'ngdevice.

9. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the electro-magnetto close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated when said electro'magnet has discharged its function of storing energy in ,the power device, to exclude the electroniagnet from circuit, in combinat on .w1th a relay whose circuit is governed by said electro-magnet independently of the mechanism for the operation of which the power device is employed, switching mechanism operated by the relay and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing device.

10. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the elect-ro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to'perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism, said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, switching mechanism; operated when the power device has transmitted energy replenished therein by the electro-magnet to close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to en-. gage a fresh tooth, to exclude the electromagnet from circuit, said power device being coupled with the actuating pawl of the 'toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl,

in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said electro-magnetindependtiming device.

ergy is stored by the electro-magnet--when' energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism,

said pawl mechanism being operable by the electro-magnet for the purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching device for closing circuit through the elec tro-magnet, whereby energy in the .power device may be replenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, when broughtinto fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switching device for excluding the electromagnet from circuit and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said power device being coupled with the actuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said electro-ma'gnet independently of the mechanism for the operation of which the power device is employed, switching mechanism operated by therelay and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism'and including an electro-magneticallycontrolled timing device.

12. A master timing device including an electromagnet. a power device in which energy is t ed by the electro-magnet when energized, pawl mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform work, a toothed wheel acted upon by said pawl mechanism,

said pawl mechanism'being operable by the" electro-magnet for the purpose of enabling the pawl to engage a fresh tooth, a switching device for closing circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, said switching device including a detent adapted for tooth engagement with said wheel, and acting, when brought into fresh tooth engagement, to occasion the closure of said circuit, a switching device for excluding the electromagnet from circuit and operated by the pawl mechanism when the pawl of the pawl mechanism drops to engage a fresh tooth, said/ switching devices having a common contact member which is actuated by the 'pawl mechanism to exclude the electro-mag circuit through the electro-magnet, said power device being coupled with the actuating pawl of the pawl mechanism to enable said pawl to transmit power from the power device to the toothed wheel in engagement with the pawl, in combination with relay whose circuit is governed by said electromagnet independently of the mechanism for the operation of which the power device is employed, switching mechanism operated by the relay and slow to be restored to normal. when released by the relay magnet, a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and. including an electro-mag netically controlled timing device,

13. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is stored by the electro-inagnet when energized, mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission of power therefrom to perform worlr, switching mechanism operated to close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated after circuit has been closed through said electro-magnet, to exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, in combination with a relay whose-circuit is governed by said switching mechanism, switching mechanism operated by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled. timing device.

14. A master timing device including an elc tro-magnet, apower device in. which energy is stored by the electro-magnet when energized, mechanism operable by said power device to enable the transmission. of power therefrom to perform work, switching mechanism operated to close circuit through the electro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and operated after circuit has been closed through said electro-magnet, tn exclude the electro-magnet from circuit, in combination with a relay whose circuit is governed by said electro-magnet independently of the power device, switching mechanism oper ated by the relay magnet and slow to be restored to normal when released by the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing de ice.

15. A master timing device including an electro-magnet, a power device in which energy is'stored by the electro-magnet when energized, mechanism operable by said power device to ""r ole the transmission of power therefrom perform work, switching mechanism operated to close circuit through the eleotro-magnet, whereby energy in the power device may be replenished, and I operated after circuit has been closed through said electro-inagnet, to exclude the electro-inagnet from circuit, in combination with a relay Whose circuit is governed by said electro magnet independently of the mechanism for the operation of which the power device is employed, "switching mechanism operated by the relay and slow to be restored to normal when releasedby the relay magnet, and a circuit governed by the latter switching mechanism and including an electro-magnetically controlled timing 15 device. r

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 23rd day of October A. 1)., 1908.

ERNEST EYAXLEY.

Witnesses G. L. CRAGG, .L. G. 'S'I' OH.

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