Clock mechanism

In an electrical clock mechanism, the improvement comprising:

• an armature of low remanent, high permeable material adapted to be normally at rest at a first position, and adapted to be electromagnetically attracted to a second position;
• means effective when said armature is at said second position, in the absence of electromagnetic attraction, for causing said armature to return to said first position;
• solenoid means having a coil adapted to be coupled to receive an electrical signal;
• a core within said coil;
• first pole piece means having a portion thereof connected to one end of said core, and having a second portion thereof formed in a circular disc, and circular disc portion covering at least a portion of one end of said coil;
• and
• second pole piece means connected to the opposite end of said core, formed in an axial direction along the exterior of said solenoid, and extending past said first pole piece circular disc portion;
• said first pole piece means and said second pole piece means being so formed so that when said coil is energized, a magnetic field is produced therebetween, and wherein said both pole piece means are so oriented so that said second position is located within said magnetic field, and wherein
• when said coil is energized, said armature is magnetically attracted to said second position, and stops at said second position in response to said magnetic field without said armature physically contacting either said solenoid means, said core, either of said pole piece means, or any portions thereof.

In an electrical clock mechanism, the improvement comprising:

• a second hand;
• a toothed second wheel
• a second shaft connecting the axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel comprising
• a. said second wheel,
• b. a reciprocating lever,
• c. a pawl for communicating motion to said second wheel, and
• d. a pawl for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• an armature of low remanent, high permeable material coupled to said reciprocating lever and adapted to be normally at rest at a first position and to be electromagnetically attracted to a second position;
• means effective when said armature is at said second position, in the absence of electromagnetic attraction, for causing said armature to return to said first position;
• solenoid means having a coil adapted to be coupled to receive an electrical signal;
• a core within said coil;
• first pole piece means having a portion thereof connected to one end of said core, and
• a second portion thereof formed in a circular disc, said circular disc portion covering at least a portion of one end of said core;
• second core piece means connected to the opposite end of said core, formed in an axial direction along the exterior of said solenoid means, and extending past said first pole piece circular disc portion;
• said first pole piece means and said second pole piece means being so formed so that, when said coil is energized, a magentic field is produced therebetween, and wherein said both pole piece means are so oriented so that said second position is located within said magnetic field, and wherein
• when said coil is energized, said armature is magnetically attracted to said second position, and stops at said second position in response to said magnetic field without said armature physically contacting either said solenoid means, said core, either of said pole piece means, or portions thereof.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphery with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting the axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and a pawl for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein said pawl means comprises
• a music wire having one end thereof affixed to said reciprocating lever, and having an end portion near the opposite end thereof adapted to engage the teeth of said wheel;
• and
• support means affixed to said lever for supporting a substantial portion of said music wire when said music wire drives said wheel in a tooth face engaging manner, and for not supporting said substantial portion of said music wire when said music wire retracts a tooth distance and said music wire end portion traverses said inclined ramp portion.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphery with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting the axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and a pawl for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein said pawl means comprises
• a flexible music wire having one end thereof affixed to said reciprocating lever, and having an end portion near the opposite end thereof adapted to engage the teeth of said wheel;
• and
• means for reducing the flexibility of said wire when said music wire drives said wheel in a tooth face engaging manner, and for permitting full flexibility of said wire when said wire retracts a tooth distance and said music wire end portion traverses said inclined ramp portion.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphery with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting the axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and a pawl for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein said pawl means comprises
• a music wire having one end thereof affixed to said reciprocating lever, and having an end portion near the opposite end thereof adapted to engage the teeth of said wheel;
• and
• means for reducing the effective length of said wire when said music wire drives said wheel in a tooth face engaging manner, and for increasing the effective length of said wire when said music wire retracts a tooth distance and said music wire end portion traverses said inclined ramp portion.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphery with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting the axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and a pawl for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein said means for reciprocating said lever comprises
• a dog affixed to said housing;
• flat spring means having one end thereof affixed to said lever and having the opposite end free of attachment, said opposite end of said spring means being adapted to be biased against said dog and slide with respect thereto, said opposite end of said spring means being unbiased and disengaged from said dog when said lever is at said one position;
• an armature carried by said lever;
• and
• a solenoid affixed to said housing, and adapted, when energized, to attract said armature so that said lever is reciprocated to said another position, whereby said spring means opposite end engages said dog and is biased thereby.

In an electrical clock having a housing;

• a face plate within said housing, said face plate having an analog dial face normally viewable at one surface thereof and having an opening therein from said one surface to an opposite surface thereof;
• hour, minute, and second hands which rotate about a common concentric axis;
• and pulsing means for converting direct current to a series of electrical pulses having a repetition rate t;
• the improvement comprising:
• a back plate within said housing oriented parallel to said face plate in proximity to said opposite surface thereof, the space between said plates forming a gear area,
• an hour gear having a central axis;
• a tubular hour shaft connecting the central axis of said hour gear to said hour hand through said opening in said face plate;
• a minute gear, and a minute gear pinion axially affixed to said minute gear, said minute gear and said minute gear pinion having a common concentric axis;
• a tubular minute shaft rotatable within said hour shaft and connecting the common concentric axis of said minute gear and pinion, concentrically with respect to said hour shaft, to said minute hand through said opening in said face plate;
• a toothed second wheel and a second wheel pinion, said second wheel and said second wheel pinion having a common concentric axis;
• a second shaft rotatable within said minute shaft and connecting the common concentric axis of said second wheel and said second wheel pinion, concentrically with respect to said hour shaft and said minute shaft, to said second hand through said opening in said face plate;
• wherein said central axis of said hour gear, said common concentric axis of said minute gear and pinion, and said common concentric axis of said second wheel and pinion are a single common axis;
• a motion gear in meshing engagement with said minute gear pinion, and a motion gear pinion axially affixed to said motion gear with said motion gear pinion in meshing engagement with said hour gear, said motion gear and said motion gear pinion having a common concentric axis;
• a motion gear shaft connecting said motion gear and pinion to said housing to be rotatable therewithin so that said motion gear shaft is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to and located outbound from said single axis;
• an intermediate gear in meshing engagement with said second wheel pinion, and an intermediate gear pinion axially affixed to said intermediate gear with said intermediate gear pinion in meshing engagement with said minute gear, and intermediate gear and said intermediate gear pinion having a common concentric axis;
• an intermediate gear shaft connecting said intermediate gear and pinion to said housing to be rotatable therewithin so that said intermediate gear shaft is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to and located outbound from said single axis;
• a ratchet wheel comprising
• a. said second wheel,
• b. a reciprocating lever, said lever having an armature coupled thereto,
• c. pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and
• d. pawl means for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and a solenoid coupled to said pusling means for receiving electrical pulses therefrom, and, when energized by one of said pulses, for attracting said armature,
• whereby all gears in said clock, except for said intermediate gear and said motion gear and their associated pinions, are aligned along said single common axis, and wherein
• said hour gear is located in said gear area,
• said motion gear and said motion gear pinion are located in said gear area,
• said motion gear shaft is coupled to said back plate so as to be axially supported thereby while permitting rotation of said motion gear shaft about its axis,
• said minute gear and said minute gear pinion are located in said gear area,
• said intermediate gear and intermediate gear pinion are located in said gear area,
• said intermediate gear shaft is coupled to said back plate so as to be axially supported thereby while permitting rotation of said intermediate shaft about its axis, and
• said ratchet wheel and said solenoid are located in an area outside of said gear area, separated therefrom by said back plate.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a main housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel rotatable about a first axis having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphery with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting said axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, first pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and second pawl means for preventing back motion of said wheel, and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein said first pawl means comprises
• an inwardly radially directed, toward said first axis, spring receiving housing formed with respect to said reciprocating lever;
• a spring having a first end housed within said spring receiving housing, and having a second end;
• a pawl member having a tooth portion, a spring engaging portion coupled to said second end, and a pivot axis parallel to said first axis;
• and
• means coupled to said reciprocating lever and said pawl member pivot axis so that said pawl member is pivotable thereabout, and said tooth portion is engageable with a tooth on said second wheel, wherein
• said spring is so biased to urge said pawl member tooth portion toward said first axis to engage a tooth on said second wheel.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a main housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel rotatable about a first axis having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphery with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting said axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, first pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and second pawl means for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein said second pawl means comprises
• a support member coupled to said main housing;
• an inwardly radially directed, toward said first axis, spring receiving housing formed with respect to said support member;
• a spring having a first end housed within said spring receiving housing, and having a second end;
• a pawl member having a tooth portion, a spring engaging portion coupled to said second end, and a pivot axis parallel to said first axis;
• and
• means coupled to said support member and said pawl member pivot axis so that said pawl member is pivotable thereabout, and said tooth portion is engageable with a tooth on said second wheel, wherein
• said spring is so biased to urge said pawl member tooth portion toward said first axis to engage a tooth on said second wheel.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a main housing;

• a second hand;
• a second wheel rotatable about a first axis having a plurality of teeth oriented about its periphry with each tooth having a face portion oriented in a generally radial direction with respect to said wheel, and having an inclined ramp portion connecting the face portion of one tooth to the face portion of an adjacent tooth;
• a second shaft connecting said axis of said wheel to said second hand;
• a ratchet wheel having said second wheel, a reciprocating lever adapted to reciprocate from one position to another, first pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and second pawl means for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, the improvement wherein aid first pawl means comprises
• a first inwardly radially directed, toward said first axis, spring receiving housing formed with respect to said reciprocating lever;
• a first spring having a first end housed within said first spring receiving housing, and having a second end;
• a first pawl member having a tooth portion, a spring engaging portion coupled to said second end, and a pivot axis parallel to said first axis;
• and
• means coupled to said reciprocating lever and said first pawl member pivot axis so that said first pawl member is pivotable thereabout, and said first tooth portion is engageable with a tooth on said second wheel, wherein
• said first spring is so biased to urge said first pawl member tooth portion toward said first axis to engage a tooth on said second wheel;
• and
• wherein said second pawl means comprises
• a support member coupled to said main housing;
• a second inwardly radially directed, toward said first axis, spring receiving housing formed with respect to said support member;
• a second spring having a first end housed within said second spring receiving housing, and having a second end;
• a second pawl member having a tooth portion, a spring engaging portion coupled to said second end of said second spring, and a pivot axis parallel to said first axis;
• and
• means coupled to said support member and said second pawl member pivot axis so that said second pawl member is pivotable thereabout, and said second tooth portion is engageable with a tooth on said second wheel, wherein
• said second spring is so biased to urge said second pawl member tooth portion toward said first axis to engage a tooth on said second wheel;
• wherein
• said first pawl is adapted to engage a tooth on said second wheel for communicating motion to said wheel, and said second pawl is adapted to engage a tooth on said second wheel for preventing back motion of said wheel.

In an automobile clock mechanism including a housing, the improvement comprising

• a vertically disposed planar support member within said housing, said member having a shaft receiving hole therethrough, said member dividing said housing into two regions:
• a gear region, and a ratchet wheel region;
• a horizontally disposed second shaft rotatable within said shaft receiving hole for communicating intermittent rotary motion from said ratchet wheel region to said gear region, for directly driving a second hand and for indirectly driving a minute hand and an hour hand;
• a ratchet wheel within said ratchet wheel region including
• a. a toothed second wheel oriented distal to and parallel with said member and having its central axis affixed to said second shaft, one side of said wheel proximal to said member having a truncated portion extending therefrom,
• b. a reciprocating lever of self lubricating plastic pivotable with respect to said shaft disposed between said member and said wheel, said lever having a flat surface proximal to said second wheel and having a pair of rounded protuberances integrally formed therein proximal to said member,
• c. pawl means coupled to said lever for communicating motion to said wheel, and
• d. pawl means coupled to said member for preventing backward motion of said wheel;
• and means for reciprocating said lever, wherein
• 1. as said lever reciprocates, said rounded protuberances act as bearing surfaces against said member, and
• 2. as said clock mechanism vibrates, said truncated portion of said wheel limits axial motion of said lever.

In an electrical automobile clock having a housing;

• a face plate within said housing, said face plate having an analog dial face normally viewable at one suface thereof and having an opening therein from said one surface to an opposite surface thereof;
• hour, minute, and second hands which rotate about a common concentric axis;
• and pulsing means for converting direct current to a series of electrical pulses having a repetition rate t;
• the improvement comprising
• an hour gear having a central axis;
• an hour shaft connecting the central axis of said hour gear, via said opening in said face plate, to said hour hand;
• a minute gear, and a minute gear pinion axially affixed to said minute gear, said minute gear and said minute gear pinion having a common concentric axis;
• a minute shaft connecting the common concentric axis of said minute gear and pinion, concentrically with respect to said hour shaft, through said opening in said face plate, to said minute hand;
• a toothed second wheel and a second wheel pinion, said second wheel and said second wheel pinion having a common concentric axis;
• a second shaft connecting the common concentric axis of said second wheel and said second wheel pinion, concentrically with respect to said hour shaft and said minute shaft, through said opening in said face plate, to said second hand,
• wherein said central axis of said hour gear, said common concentric axis of said minute gear and pinion, said common concentric axis of said minute gear and pinion, and said common concentric axis of said second wheel and pinion are a single common axis;
• a motion gear in meshing engagement with said minute gear pinion, and a motion gear pinion axially affixed to said motion gear with said motion gear pinion in meshing engagement with said hour gear, said motion gear and said motion gear pinion having a common concentric axis;
• a motion gear shaft connecting said motion gear and pinion to said housing to be rotatable therewithin so that said motion gear shaft is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to and located outbound from said single axis;
• an intermediate gear in meshing engagement with said second wheel pinion, and an intermediate gear pinion axially affixed to said intermediate gear with said intermediate gear pinion in meshing engagement with said minute gear, said intermediate gear and said intermediate gear pinion having a common concentric axis;
• an intermedate gear shaft connecting said intermediate gear and pinion to said housing to be rotatable therewithin so that said intermediate gear shaft is rotatable about an axis which is parallel to and located outbound from said single axis;
• a ratchet wheel comprising
• a. said second wheel,
• b. a reciprocating lever pivotable about said common axis, said lever having an armature coupled thereto at said common axis,
• c. pawl means for communicating motion to said second wheel, and
• d. pawl means for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• and a rotary solenoid coupled to said pulsing means for receiving electrical pulses therefrom, and, when energized by one of said pulses, for rotatably attracting said armature,
• whereby all gears in said clock, except for said intermediate gear and said motion gear and their associated pinions, are aligned along said single common axis.

In an electrical clock mechanism including a housing;

• hour, minute and second wheels within said housing;
• means responsive to said minute wheel for intermittently advancing said hour wheel once each hour;
• and means responsive to said second wheel for intermittently advancing said minute wheel once each minute;
• each of said wheels being rotatable about a common axis;
• a ratchet wheel including a toothed wheel rotatable about said common axis and affixed to said second wheel, a reciprocating lever having an armature coupled thereto and being pivotable about said common axis, and pawl means for communicating forward motion to and for preventing backward motion of said ratchet wheel;
• the improvement comprising:
• solenoid means for receiving electrical pulses and for attracting said armature when energized, and including a coil, a core within said coil;
• first pole means having a first portion connected to one end of said core and a second portion formed in a substantially circular disc covering at least a portion of one end of said coil;
• and a second pole means connected to the opposite end of said core and extending axially along the exterior of said solenoid means past said disc portion of said first pole means;
• said first and second pole means being oriented to create a magnetic field therebetween, upon energizing of said coil, sufficient to attract said armature to a second position and then stop the movement of said armature before it contacts said solenoisd means or any portions thereof.

In a digital electrical clock mechanism including:

• a. a housing;
• b. an hour drum within said housing;
• c. a minute drum within said housing;
• d. means responsive to said minute drum for intermittently driving said housing drum once each hour;
• e. a second drum within said housing;
• said drums each being rotatable about a common axis;
• f. means responsive to said second drum for intermittently driving said minute drum once each minute;
• g. a ratchet wheel including
• 1. a toothed wheel, rotatable about said common axis, directly affixed to said second drum,
• 2. a reciprocating lever, pivotable about said common axis, said lever having an armature coupled thereto,
• 3. a pawl for communicating motion to said wheel, and
• 4. a pawl for preventing back motion of said wheel;
• the improvement comprising:
• solenoid means for receiving electrical pulses and for attracting said armature when energized, and including a coil, a core within said coil;
• first pole means having a first portion connected to one end of said core and a second portion formed in a substantially circular disc covering at least a portion of one end of said coil;
• and a second pole means connected to the opposite end of said core and extending axially along the exterior of said solenoid means past said disc portion of said first pole means;
• said first and second pole means being oriented to create a magnetic field therebetween, upon energizing of said coil, sufficient to attract said armature to a second position and then stop the movement of said armature before it contacts said solenoid means or any portions thereof.