US960186A - Electrically-operated clock. - Google Patents

Description

T. MUN GALL. I ELEGTRIOALLY OPERATED CLOCK. V v APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1909. 960,1 86. Patented May 31, 1910.

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904mm I T. M UNGALL. ELEGTRIGALLY OPERATED CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30, 1909. Q

Patented May 31, 1910.

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anvenlc bi UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS MUNGALL, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELECTRICALLY-OPER-ATED CLOCK.

To all. whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS IIUNGALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electrically-Operated Clocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in electrically operated clocks, especially adapted for use as master clocks for controlling the operation of a series of secondary clocks.

The object of my invention is to provide such a clock which shall be of constant operation irrespective of variations of the strength of the electric current operating the same, which utilizes the operating current for actuating the relay for operating the secondary clocks and which shall have a simple and compact construction.

My invention consists of the combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

My invention will best be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings forming part of this specification and in which-Figure 1 is a front elevation of a clock embodying my invention. Fig. 2, an enlarged front elevation of the operative mechanism of said clock with certain parts of the frame removed for the sake of clear ness. Fig. 3, a partial end View of Fig. 2.

In a suitable casing 1 is mounted a suitable frame 2, in which the operative parts of the clock mechanism are mounted. In the frame 2 is mounted a rotatable shaft 3, to which is secured a sleeve 4 carrying a horizontally extending threaded rod 5. A cylindrical weight 6 is threaded upon rod 5 so as to be adjustable toward and a ay from shaft 3. Below shaft 3 are mounted electro-magnets 7 and a swinging armature 8 opposed thereto. A downwardly projecting arm 9 carried by sleeve 4i on shaft 3 contacts with the inner face of armature 8. By this arrangement it will be seen that upon excitation of magnets 7 the armature 8 will be drawn toward said magnets and the weight 6 elevated as indicated in the full lines in Fig. 2. At one side of the armature 8 is provided a catch 10 cooperating with a trigger 11 to hold the armature in the position of excitation of magnets 7 and consequently the weight 6 in elevated position. I11 front of frame 2 is suspended a pendulum 12. The pendulum is preferably suspended on a fiat spring 13 taking over a threaded rod Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 30, 1809.

Patented May 31, 1910.

Serial No. 510,443.

and adjustably positioned thereon by means of threaded nuts 15 on said rod. The rod is supported in ears 1b in frame 2 and held in position by means of lock nuts 17 located outside of said ears. On the outer end of shaft 3 is secured a downwardly extending lever arm 18 having an outwardly bent arm 19 at its lower end. adapted to contact with the side of the pendulum 12. A circuit breaker shaft 20 is pivoted in frame 2 and carries an outwardly extending contact arm 21 provided with an adjustable contact at its upper end. Secured to shaft 20 is a downwardly extending lever 23 having an outwardly bent arm 24 at its lower end, adapted to contact with the side of pendulum 12 opposite to arm 19. The shaft 20 also carries a trip arm 20 adapted to contact with the end of trigger 11 to release armature 8 and weight (3. Opposed to contact 22 is spring leaf contact connected with the binding post 26 on the plate 27. The plate 27 is composed of fiber or other insulating material and carries another binding post 28 on its other side. Binding post 28 is connected with one end of the winding electromagnets 7 by means of wire 29, the other end of said winding being grounded to the frame 2. Binding posts 26 and 28 are connected by wires 3031 with a battery or other suitable source of current 32 and a relay 33. ires and 3G connect with secondary electric clocks and a suitable source of electric current for operating said clocks, as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

By the construction above set forth it will be seen that upon oscillation of the pendulum 12 in the direction of the arrow on Fig. 1 the electric circuit through magnets 7 will be closed, the armature 8 drawn toward said magnets and the weight 6 elevated as indicated in full lines in Fig. 2. The end of plate 27 is extended far enough to serve as a stop to limit the upward movement of weight 6. The trigger 11 operates to temporarily hold said weight in its elevated position as explained above. This action also serves to close the circuit through relay 33, thus closing the circuit through wires 3536 by operating the secondary clocks as will be readily understood by those skilled in the art. Upon the reverse oscillation of pendulum 12, the circuit breaker shaft 20 oscillates to break the circuit, the trigger 11 serving to temporarily hold weight 6 in its elevated position. one end of reverse oscillation of pendulum 12 the trip arm 20 contacts with trigger ll releasing armature 8 and permitting the fall of weight 6. The energy produced by the fall of weight 6 is imparted to pendulum 12 through lever 18, thus serving to keep the pendulum in motion. By employing a Hat leaf spring for suspending pendulum 12 the friction is avoided, the energy consumed in bending said spring being returned through the elasticity thereof.

By this construction I am enabled to con struct a clock having a very short pendulum making a stroke every second. Owing to the fact that the action of gravity is a constant force it will be seen that the impulse imparted to the pendulum at each oscillation will be constant irrespective of any variations in the force of the current used to elevate said weight. By adjusting the weight 6 on the rod 5 the strength of the impulse imparted to the pendulum at each oscillation may be regulated as desired and when once so regulated will remain constant.

It will be seen that the above construction is very simple and compact and etlicient in operation.

\Vhile I have illustrated and described the preferred construction for carrying my invention into effect, this may be varied without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction set forth but wish to avail myself of such variations and alterations as come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a device of the class described, the combination with a pendulum of a weight mounted upon a horizontally extending piw otal arm; a depending arm connected with said weight; an electro-magnet; an armrture pivoted to be drawn toward said electro-magnet upon closing of its circuit the i said armature contacting with the lower end of said depending arm and arranged to elevate said electromagnet; a catch on said armature; a trigger adapted to engage said At the catch to lock said weight in elevated position; a second depending arm connected with said weight and having its lower end adapted to contact with one side of said pendulum; a pivotal circuit closing member carrying an arm adapted to engage said trigger to release said weight when said cir cuit is broken; a depending arm connected with said circuit closing member and contacting with the other side of said pendulum to cause said member to be moved to circuit closing position; and a stationary contact adapted to cooperate with said circuit closing member to close said electromaguet circuit substantially as described.

in a device of the class described, the combination with a pendulum of a weight adjustably mounted upon a horizontally extending pivotal arm; a depending arm connected with said weight; an electro-magnct; an armature pivoted to be drawn toward said electro-magnet upon closing of its circuit the said armature contacting with the lower end of said depending arm and, arranged to elevate said weight upon its movement to ard said electro-magnet; a catch on said armature; a. trigger adapted to ensaid catch to lock said weight. in elcvated position; a second depending arm connected with said weight and having its lower end adapted to contact with one side of said pendulum; a adjustable pivotal circuit closing member carrying an arm adapted to engage said trigger to release said weight when said circuit is broken; a depending arm connected with said circuit closing member and contacting with the other side of said pendulum to cause said member to be moved to circuit closing position; and a stationary spring contact adapted to cooperate with said circuit closing member to close said electroanagnet circuit. substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

TI'EOMAS rlllii .iuklili.

ll itnesses HELEN F. LiLms, Josrroa R. H. PO'ITS.

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