Patent GB-787002-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to time-keeping devices
IPC: G04B18/02
Filed: 1956-04-19
Abstract: 787,002. Clocks and watches. GENERAL ELECTRIC CO. April 19, 1956 [April 19, 1955], No. 11982/56. Class 139 In a timepiece the time setting means is coupled to means for adjusting the regulator. The regulator 24, Figs. 1 and 2, has gear teeth which mesh with a pinion 23 mounted on a spindle 16 which also carries a disc 22. Loosely mounted on the spindle 16 is an adjusting lever 15 the end 19 of which lies below a disc 20 carried by the hand setting spindle 10. The lever 15 is urged to its central position, Fig. 2, by a hair-pin spring 18. When the spindle 10 is moved against the pressure of the spring 11 to bring the pinion 12 into mesh with the gear 14 the surface 21 of the disc 20 engages the inclined end 19 of the lever 15 and a projection 27 on the lever 15 engages the disc 22. Rotation of the spindle 10 is transmitted via the disc 20, the lever 15, the disc 22 and pinion 23 to the regulator 24. The extent of movement of the regulator is limited by the arc of movement through which the lever 15 engages the disc 20. The frictional engagement between the disc 22 and the projection 27 and between the disc 20 and the end 19 of the lever 15 may be increased by providing one or both of the engaging surfaces with a coating of plastic or rubber. To the same effect, the surface 21 of the disc 20, the end 19 of the lever 15 or the rim of the disc 22 may be serrated. In a modification, Figs. 5, 6 (not shown), the extent of travel of the lever 15 is determined by a pin which extends from an adjacent frame plate and co-operates with two holes in the lever 15. In another modification, Figs. 11, 12 (not shown), the adjusting lever is pivotal about the regulator spindle and engages the regulator directly. In a second example. Figs. 7 and 8. the regulator 41 is provided with teeth 52 which mesh with a pinion 51 on the shaft 44 to which is fixed a gear 50. An adjusting lever 43 is loosely pivoted on the shaft 44 and is urged to a central position by a hair-pin spring 46 the ends of which embrace a collar 47 on the setting shaft 35. The lever 43 has a projection 54 adjacent a crown gear 53 on the shaft 35 and a projection 49 adjacent the crown gear 50. When the spindle 35 is moved against the pressure of the spring 11 to bring the pinion 39 into mesh with the setting gear 14 the crown gear 53 is brought into engagement with the projection 54 and the projection 49 is brought into engagement with the crown gear 50. The end of the spring 46 now engages a groove 55 in the collar 47. Rotation of the stem 35 is transmitted via the gear 53, the lever 43, the gear 50 and the pinion 51 to the regulator 41. The extent of movement of the regulator 41 is again limited by the arc through which the projection 54 engages the gear 53. The engage- 'ment of the spring 46 in the groove 55 ensures that upon return of the stem 35 to its initial position the projection 49 leaves the gear 50 before the projection 54 leaves the gear 53. A spring 56 locks the pinion 51 and the gear 50 against movement. The spindle 35 is locatable in any one of three holes 57, 58, 59, Fig. 8, in frame plate 37 and is engaged by a supporting bracket 38, Fig. 7, pivotal about the spindle 44 and locatable in the appropriate angular position by a pin 61.