Patent GB-696931-A (GB)
Title: Clockwork device for controlling an electric circuit at predetermined hours
IPC: G04C23/16
Filed: 1951-09-18
Abstract: 696,931. Time-alarm signals. FRANTELLIZZI, B. Sept. 18,.1951 [Sept. 20, 1950], No. 21890/51. Class 118 (ii) [Also in Groups XXIX and XXXVII] A clockwork device for controlling an electric circuit at predetermined hours comprises clockwork having a dashwheel as used in conventional alarmclocks, wherein the wheel moves axially under stress of a spring when a step coincides with a preset pin, said spring being operatively associated with mechanism to close the circuit of a relay for an instant, or, should the electricity supply have failed at the predetermined time, to close the circuit for an instant when the supply is restored. The relay is of the type that alternately opens or closes contacts upon successive energizations, and a second dashwheel may be provided to energize the relay at a different predetermined time in order to reopen the contacts previously closed. In the embodiment described, two dashwheels, with independent setting means, are provided, having respective operating springs 11 and 20, the upper ends of which are rounded and coated with insulating material and are normally in the positions shown in full lines in Fig. 3. At the hour at which the first dashwheel has been set to operate the spring 11 suddenly moves to position 11a and in doing so impels member 24 to rotate about pivot 25 to the position shown in dotted lines and thereby engage a notched lever 27. This swings lever 27, pivoted at 28, and causes contact 29 to connect momentarily with contact 30 and thereby complete the circuit of a relay 31 (see also Fig. 6), which closes contacts 45 switch on an alarm bell 48, a lamp 47, and any other desired apparatus at terminals 46. At the same time the contact of member 24 with lever 27 completes a circuit through electromagnet 32, which attracts an armature 33 secured to the other end of lever 27 and thereby frees member 24 to return to a non-operative position under stress of a spiral spring 26. Should the electricity supply have failed at the moment of operation of the spring 11, the member 24 latches in the dotted position by virtue of a notch in lever 27 until the supply is restored, when electromagnet 32 is energized and attracts its armature 33 to pivot lever 27, instantaneously close contacts 29, 30 (thereby momentarily energizing relay 31), and free member 24. The second dashwheel operating spring 20 performs symmetrical functions with respect to contacts, 29a, 30a, and may thereby switch off the alarms and other apparatus. Contacts 40 and 43 (Fig. 6) are closed by cams, Figs. 4 and 5 (not shown), on a relatively fast revolving shaft of the clockwork mechanism and cause intermittent operation of the bell 48 and lamp 47, respectively, whilst contacts 45 are closed. A switch 49 is provided to disconnect the bell if desired and a pushbutton 44 may be used to operate the alarms manually. A lamp 50 which shunts bell 48 and intermittent contacts 40 lights when switch 49 and contacts 45 are closed and may illuminate the clock dial. The clockwork mechanism may also drive a date indicator (see Group XIX).