Patent ID: 6300548
Filing Date: 2001-10-09
Classification: G04B,G10F

Abstract:
A musical timer comprising:a timing unit comprising:a ticking mechanism having a stable ticking period;a first driving spring; anda first accelerating gear train interconnecting the ticking mechanism and the first driving spring so as to increase a winding speed of the first driving spring wherein the first accelerating gear train transfers potential energy stored in the first driving spring to the ticking mechanism so as to provide mechanical power to the ticking mechanism;a music box unit comprising:a sound plate having a plurality of vibrating teeth having first ends;a roller having a plurality of ejector pins disposed about the outer circumference of the roller wherein the roller defines a rotary axis and wherein the sound plate is positioned tangentially adjacent the roller such the first ends of the vibrating teeth engage with the ejector pins;a second driving spring;a second accelerating gear train comprising a worm wheel as final output wherein the second accelerating gear train interconnects the roller and the second driving spring wherein the second accelerating gear train is adapted to increase a winding speed of the second driving spring and wherein the second accelerating gear train transfers potential energy stored in the second driving spring to the roller so as to induce rotational motion of the roller about the rotary axis;a damping member engaged with the second accelerating gear train wherein the damping member selectively inhibits motion of the second accelerating gear train;a first driving gear connected to the first driving spring;a music control wheel defining a gap positioned on the periphery of the music control wheel wherein the music control wheel is connected to the first driving gear; a tension spring; anda brake rod pivotable about a middle part and defining an upper and lower arm wherein the lower arm of the brake rod is connected to the tension spring such that the tension spring biases the upper arm of the brake rod to bear on the periphery of the music control wheel and such that the lower arm of the brake rod is biased to engage the damping member so as to inhibit motion of the second accelerating gear when the upper arm of the brake rod is not adjacent the gap in the music control wheel and further such that the lower arm of the brake rod is biased to disengage from the damping member when the upper arm of the brake rod is adjacent the gap of the music control wheel so as to allow motion of the second accelerating gear; anda mounting frame supporting the timing unit and the music box unit.