US1484041A - Electric clock-setting means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 19,1924;

ELECTRIC CLOCK SETTING MEANS Original filed March 22 1916 Patented Feb. 19, 1924.

UNITED STATES isten PATENT-OFFICE.

FRANK J. SEABOLT, OF SCHENEOTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH '10 ED- WARD F. PICKFORD, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; ONE-FOURTH TO i MABLE E. HALL AND ONE THIRTY-SECOND TO CHARLES D. KNIGHT, BOTH OF SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK. 1

ELECTRIC CLOCK-SETTING MEANS.

Application filed larch '22, 1918, Serial No. 85,776. Renewed Kay 11, 1921. Serial No. 468,725.

To all whom it 72mg concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. SEABOLT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Clock-Setting Means, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to electrically controlled clocks or the like, and has for its object the provision of means whereby devices of this general character are automatically set from a remote point in a simple and reliable manner.

My invention relates more specifically to the control of clocks or the like which are connected to electric light or powercircuits, one of the objects of my invention being to provide means whereby such a clock or any number of such clocks may be automatically set from a remote point by temporarily changing the condition of the circuit, as for instance, by opening the circuit or dropping the voltage for an instant.

My invention is particular-l applicable to clocks which are automatica l wound at intervals from an electric lighting circuit. In my previous application Serial No. 809, 849, filed J anuar Y 2nd, 1914, I have described and broad y claimed a clock mechanism provided with means whereby upon an instantaneous change in the circuit such as a drop in the voltage, or opening of the circuit, the clock hands will be set. In the par ticular embodiment of m invention disclosed in said application, 1 employ a device which sets the hands of the clock as it movesin response to a bias or spring-tension, the spring or other biasing means being put under strain or tension during the winding operation.- This setting device is held un-' 'der tension by an electromagnet connectel to a lighting circuit so that when the circuit is manipulated to either partially or totally deenergize the magnet, the device will be released and the hands set. It is intended that a large number of clocks will be connected to the lighting circuit so that by dropping the volta e'or interrupting the circuit at the power ouse, or central station all the clocks, connected to the circuit will be automatically set.

My present invention is an'improvement in certain respects upon the disclosure of my previous application. These improvements comprise a simplification of the setting device proper, whereby the setting member in the position in which it is held against its bias by a magnet does not interfere with the hands. A V-shaped member is attached to the minute hand and the setting member when released engages it and sets the hands. As shown the setting member is provided with a pin which passes through the V-shaped member in moving'in response to its bias, the arrangement being such that the pin will yield so as not to interfere when it is moved in the opposite direction. I have i also simplified the means for moving the setting member by providing an element pivoted to a rotating member so that the ele ment engages the setting member if the latter is in its normal position and then drops to an inoperative position in which it will not interfere with the return of the setting member. I also provide means whereby in case the circuit is not manipulated to operate the setting device, the circuit of the holding magnet will be automatically opened after a predetermined timeto release the setting device. This occurs, however, after sufficient length of time so that it does not interfere with the hands. Another feature of my invention is the provision of means w ereby if the clock mechanism should become inoperative, it can be removed from the case with almost as much ease as a burned out lamp can be removed from its socket. The case is simply opened, the clockmechanism pulled out of clips and a new mechanism inserted in its place. Other ob jects and pur oses of my invention will a pearfrom t e following specification in which I have shown one embodiment thereof for purposes of illustration.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating one form 0 my invention, Fig. l is-a view of a clock embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing circuit connections; Fig. 3 is a detail view of the setting mechanism; Fig, 4 shows the arrangement of the case with detachable clock mechanism and Fig. 5 shows a number, of clocks connected with the lighting circult.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, it will .be seen that I have illustrated an electrically wound clock of the type shown and described in the application above referred to. In order, however, that a thorough understanding of my invention may be had, I shall, explain the whole clock mechanism in detail.

In Figs. 1 and 2, therefore, M indicates an electric motor having an armature A. and a series field F which winds the clock sprin (not shown); The spring has its inner en secured to the shaft 10 and is wound by turning this shaft by means of a pinion 11, gearing l2 and main gear 13 secured to shaft 10. The outer end of the spring is secured to the spring drum (not shown) in the weE known manner. The rotation of the motor will therefore rotate the shaft 10 and wind the clock spring and as the clock runs down the spring drum will of course rotate and transmit its power to the clock mechanism in a manner well understood. In order to control the motor circuit 10 and the other by the spring drum. The

member which is secured to the spring drum consists of a flat disk 14 of insulating material upon which is mounted the disk 15 of metal, such as brass. This metallic disk is cut away to receive the plate 16 of insulating material. This plate is segmental in shape and is provided at its outer edge where.

it joins the metal disk with a rib or flange 17. This segmental late is so arranged with reference to the disk and the shaft 10 that the rib 17 is eccentric with reference to the shaft. The main body of the plate 16 is flush -face of the'other conducting member and is yieldingly held in contact therewith. This finger is likewise adjacent the rib 17 so that ,it will be deflected by the rib as the contacting members rotate with reference to each other. By referring to Fig. 2, the operation of the two contacting members will be clearly understood. Assuming that the finger 21 is in the position shown, the spring has just been wound and the finger has sna ped over the edge of the rib 17 and opened the motor circuit. 'As the spring runs down, the finger will ride around on the inside of the rib by the rotation of the spring drum and since the rib is eccentric, the finger will be' plac'ed under tension. When the finger reaches the end of the rib it will snap over the end of the rib across the flush surface 19 into enga ement with the conducting surface of-the isk 15. If the motor now operates it will rotate the gear 13 which will rotate the shaft 10 and wind the spring and will turn the finger in the same direction that the rib was rotated, viz., a clockwise direction, thereby causingthe finger 21 to slide around the outside of the rib and be placed under tension as before until it snaps over the end of the'irib, across the flush surface 19 to its initial position and opens the motor circuit. The spring has thus been wound up exactly the amount it has run down. If, however, when the finger snaps over across the flush surface 18 into engagement with the conducting surface of the disk, there is no current or the motor circuit is open at another point (as hereinafter described), then the finger will continue to rotate in contact with the disk so as to give a period during which the spring may at any time be wound if current is supplied, and

in order to positively stop the clock after a predetermined movement, I provide the stop element 22.

In order that the winding shall occur at a predetermined time of day and occur every day at the same time, I provide another switch independent of the contacting mechianism but in series therewith, which must be closed before the motor can be energized.

This switch is controlled by the position of the hands of the clock. To this end the hour hand arbor, which of course moves proportionately to the'minute hand, is rovlded with a gear 23 whichmeshes wit a gear 24 having twice as many teeth as gear 23 so that the gear 24 will be rotated once in twenty-four hours.

Secured to the gear 24 is a cam shaped member 25 preferably of insulated material which is. ada ted to be engaged by spring contact 26. ooperating with this contact 26 is a spring contact 27, the arrangement bein such that these two contacts 26 and 27 wi l'-make or break circuit depending upon adjusted with reference to the gear. on

which it is mounted by a key which may be inserted in the socket 29. By this means the 1 time at which. the contacts engage and hence the time at which the winding occursma be adjusted. With this arrangement the clock will be automatically wound every day when the hands of the clock reach a predetermined position, i. e. at a predetermined time.

In order to set the hands of the clock every do. and set all the clocks which are connecte to the circuit, I provide an arrangement shown in. detail in Figs. 2. and 3. This consists of a setting member 30 which is spring pressed to a downward position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 and is moved a ainst the bias or sprin tension as the c ock is being wound. oo eratin with this setting member is a V- aped e ement 31 which as shown is mounted upon the minute hand arbor of the clock. This V- shaped element is so shaped that a in 32 mounted upon the setting member wi 1 pass through the V-shaped element from its wide to its narrow end and in so doing will set the clock hand. As shown the pin 32 is arranged to yield in one direction against the tension of the sprin 33 so that in the u ward movementof t e setting member t e pin will not interfere with or be, interfered with by the V-shaped element, As the setting member moves downward, however, the pins 34 and 35 engage so that'the in acts as a unit with the remainder of t e setting member.

The setting member is moved a ainst its bias to its upper position in which it has the potential energy to set the hands by means of an element 36 in'the shape of a pawl piv oted to a gear 37 geared to the main winding gear 13. During the windi o ration this gear 37 will be rotated an t e pawl which will be resting against the pin 38 will be moved to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. At thi's'point, the

setting member being down, the pawl will engage a finger 39 connected with the setting member and raise'it from the position shown in the dotted lines to the shown in full lines in Fig. 2. en the member has beenraised the pawl will drop over by gravity to an inoperative position so that it will not interfere with the dropping of the setting member. The gear 37 may be revolved further after setting the arm, but without the awl getting in the way of the setting mem r, since each time it reaches the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2 it will drop over to an inoperative'position as will be clearly understood from the drawin order to hold the setti arm in its raised position, I rovlde the e ectroma 41. The circuit 0 this magnet is contro led 4 by contacts 42 which are normally spring ressed together but are pressed apart by a ug 43 on the setting arm when the latter" drops. The magnet 41 is provided with an armature 44pivoted to the magnet frame at 45. A link 46 connects this armature with the setting arm. This link is pivoted to the armature at 47 and to the setting arm at 48. By a suitable adjustment of the pivoted points 45,47 and 48, the initial tendency of sition net may be reduced to a very low value.

In other words, these pivot points may be so nearly aligned that the component force tending to move the armature away from its magnet may be made very small. As the armature moves away from the magnet however, this increases very rapidly. With this arrangement a very smallmagnet may be employed to hold the setting arm although the latter may have a very considerable spring tension upon it. The circuit of this ma net is also controlled by the contacts 26 an 27 so that the magnet cannot be energized until the hands reach a predetermined position, but even after the contacts 26 and 27 are closed, the magnet will not be ener ized until the setting arm is moved up war to allow the contacts 42 to close. When the setting arm is released itdeenergizesthe magnet as it drops.

In Fi .'4 I. have shown the arrangement of the c ock mechanism in the case. From ment being such that by simply pulling out the clock mechanism all the circuit connections are automatically broken and when a clock mechanism is put in the circuit connections are restored. With this arrangement if anythin should happen to the clockmechanism it will be unnecessary for the attendant to attempt to make any repairs. He simply 0 us the case, pulls out the mechanism an puts in another one with almost as much ease as he would remove a. lamp.

. The mode of operation of my clock setting arrangement will now be apparent. The clocks may of course be set at any time. but as shown .in the drawing, they. will be set at six oclock. The winding operation operation will take but a few seconds sothat the hand setting device will be in the position shown in Fig. 2 three orfour minutes before six. This will allow for the clock bein three or four minutes slow, although a c ock; that is wound and set every day would not run off as much as that. At the appointed time the circuit will be mani ulated at the power house to drop the v0 tags or interrupt the circuit and the setting member 30 will drop and set the hands. If through accident or mistake the circuit" should not be manipulated, the magnet will 95 53 on the clock mechanism, the arrangebe deenergized after a short time by' reason of the projection 28 on the cam 25 opening the contacts 26 and 27. At this time, however, the V-shaped member 31 has'passed beyond the range of the settin member so that the hands will not be a fected. With'this arrangement any number of clocks will be automatically 'wound and set from a central point by simply connecting theclocks to the lighting circuit in the same way that a lamp is connwted, provided of course that the volta e is lowered or the circuit interrupted at t e proper time. I have found that with the arrangement shown, the lowering of the-voltage from 115 to 85 or 90 volts will accomplish the setting and if the lights should be on at the time of the setting they would scarcely flicker.

While I have described my invention as embodied in concrete form and as operating in a specific manner in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, it should be understood that I do not limit my invention thereto, since various modifications thereof will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention, the scope of which is set forth inthe annexed claims.

What 'I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

- ber-upon' its release as it returns to itsnormal sition.-

2. e combination with a clock mechanism of means for setting the same comprising a member associated with the hands of the clock, a settin member normally in a predetermined position and biased thereto,

' and electro-magnetic means for moving the -same against the bias to a'positi'on in which Fit will not interfere with the clock hands I when the latter reach a predetermined position whereby the setting member upon its release engages the member associated with the hands and sets the clock hands.

3. The combination with a clock mechanism of means for setting the same comprising a V-sha member associated with the hands of the clock, a setting member nor-- the bias, whereby the settin member u 11.

its release enga es the V-s aped mem r and sets the hen 4. The combination with a clock mechaprising a Vsha against its bias at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock, an elecing a setting member biased to a predeternism, of means for setting the same-.com-

(1 member associated with the hands of t e clock, a setting member biased to a predetermined position and means for moving the setting 'memberf" against the bias at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock whereby a portion of the setting member upon the release of the latter passes through the V- shaped member and sets the hands. a

5. The combination with a clock mechanism-of means for setting the same comprising a setting member biased to a predetermined position and electromagnetically controlled means for moving said member against its bias, comprising a pivoted element which en ages. the setting member when the latter is in its redetermined position and moves it a inst its bias, said element afterward movmgto an inoperative position in which it will not be engaged by the member as the latter moves in response to its bias. I

6. The combination with a clock mechanism of means for setting the same comprising a setting member biased to a predetermmed position, and means for moving said member against its bias comprising a rotating member, an element pivoted thereto which' engages" the setting member when the latter is in its predetermined position and moves it against its bias, said element afterward turnmgon its pivot to an inoperative position in which it will not be engaged by the member as the latter moves in response to the bias.

7. The combination with a clock mechanism of means for settin the'same comprising a setting member biased to a predetermined position, and means for moving said member against its bias comprisin a rotating member, an element p1vote thereto,

and normally in such position as not to be engagedby' the member when the latter moves in response to 'its bias, said element during its rotation engaging the member in its normal position to move it against its bias and then assuming its normal position. 8. The combination with a clock mechanism, of means for setting the same comprising a setting member biased to a predetermined position, means whereby the member sets the hands in moving to said position, means for moving the member tromagnet for holding the setting member against the bias until it is released to set. the hands and means for deene'rgizing sald magnet to release the member without setting the hands in case it has not been previ ously released to set the hands.

9. The combination with a clock mechanism, of means for setting the same comprismined position, means whereby the member sets the hands in moving to said position, means for moving the member against its bias at a predetermined time as indicated by the hands of the clock, an electromagnet having its circuit controlled by the said member for holding the member against the bias until it is released to set the hands and means for deenergizing said magnet to release the member without setting the hands in case it has not been previously released to set the hands.

10. The (OlllblllflilOIl with the hands of a clock, of means for setting the same comprising an element associated with the minute hand, a member biased to a predetermined normal position having a portion cooperating with said element to set the hand, means for moving the member against the bias when the minute hand reaches a predetermined position and means for holding it in said position whereby when the. member is released the co-operating parts engage in a continuous movement to set the hand.

11. The combination with the hands of a clock, of means for setting the same comprising a minute hand arbor and a member biased to a predetermined normal position, a V shaped member associated with one of said parts and a (o-operating element associated with the other, means for moving the member against its bias when the minare hand reaches a predetermined position, and means for holding it in said position wherebywhen the member is released the element passes through the V shaped member with a continuous movement and sets the hand.

12. The combination with the hands of a clock, of means for setting the same com prising a movable member biased to a predetermined normal position, means for moving the member against the bias to a second position when the minute hand reaches a predetermined position, electromagnetically controlled means for holding the member in its second position and means whereby when the member is releaseda portion thereof which is stationary with reference to the member operates the hand to set the same.

13. The combination with the hands of a clock, of means for setting the same comprising a movable member biased to a predetermined normal position, electromagnetically controlled means for moving the member against the bias to a second position, means for holding the member in its second position and means whereby .when the member is released a portion thereof which is stationary with reference to the member operates the hand to set the same.

14. The combination with the hands of a clock, of means for setting the same comprising a movable member biased to a predetermined position and having a portion which yields with reference to the remainder of the member when engaged during movement of the member against its bias, means for movingvthe member against its bias to a second position, means for holding the member in its second position and means whereby when the member is released the said portion thereof which is then stationary with reference to the member operates the hand to set the same.

15. The combination with a clock, of means for setting the same comprising a setting member spring pressed to a predetermined position having an armature connected there-with, means whereby the member sets the hands in moving to said position, means for moving the member to a second position against the spring tension. an electromagnet cooperating with the armature to hold the member in the second position, and means whereby the force of the spring tending to move the armature away .from the electromagnet is decreased as the armature approaches thejelectromagnet. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of March 1916.

FRANK J. SEABOLT.

Images