Patent GB-191302376-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to Alarm Clocks.
Inventor: FORTE FRANK GATES
IPC: G04B23/06
Filed: 1913-01-29
Granted: 1914-01-29
Abstract: 2376. Forte, F. G. Jan. 29. Alarm mechanism.-In an alarm clock of the kind that may be set to operate at any number of predetermined times during a twelve or twentyfour hour period, means are provided whereby a short ring, a continuous ring, or a repeat ring may be given, as required. For setting the alarm, a number of pins 7, Fig. 3, are arranged around the clock face, being mounted in suitably-spaced holes 6, Fig. 17, in the flanges of a ring 1. By means of a device 18, supported in a recess in the clockglass, and having an index-finger in proximity to the dial, any particular pin or pins may be pulled out to an inoperative position, or pushed in so as to extend into the path of one of a set of levers carried by a radial arm 32, rotating with the hourhand. A cam 80, Fig. 17, is provided on the rear plate, and by its position determines the kind of ring which the alarm is to give. The cam is adapted to engage with a lever 72 or a sliding plate 88, these parts indirectly controlling locking arms 60, 89 on the hammer-spindle 61, Fig. 18. With the cam in the position shown in Fig. 17, a short ring is given at the predetermined times, the action being as follows. When a lever 35 on the arm 32 encounters a projecting pin 7, a spring- controlled rod 55 is moved outwardly by the combination of levers shown in Fig. 3 until a projection 57 thereon frees the locking-arm 60. The alarmtrain then runs until the spring-pressed lever 72 is allowed, by a square or like collar 74 on the alarm winding-spindle with which the lower end of the lever engages, to move so that its upper end forces out a spring catch 68 into the path of the arm 60. The end of the catch rests on a recessed disk 58 on the rod 55, and is normally clear of the arm 60. During the above-described operation, the arm 89 is free, since the plate 88, having a stop pin 87 thereon, is held down by the cam 80, as shown. For obtaining a continuous ring, the cam is placed with its arm 79 in a vertical position. In this case, the lever 72 is thrown out of action, while the plate 88 moves upwardly under the action of a spring 100, Fig. 18, until the upper arm of a bellcrank lever 94, connected to the pin 87, rests against the disk 58. As soon as the rod 55 is withdrawn by the action of a pin 7 upon the levers 35 &c., the upper arm of the bell-crank lever 94 passes between the disk 58 and the rear plate, and prevents the return of the rod 55 with the stoppiece 57, so that the alarm rings until the spring is run down. The motion of the plate 88 is so limited by the cam 80 when in this position that the arm 89 is still free of the pin 87. When, however, the arm 79 of the cam is moved further to the right, to obtain a repeat ring, the arm 89 cooperates with the pin 87 in the following manner. On the withdrawal of the rod 55 at a predetermined time, the return of the rod is prevented by the bell-crank lever 94 as previously explained, but release of the alarm-train does not occur at once, since the cam 80 allows the plate 88 to move further than before so that the pin 87 blocks the arm 89. At the same time, a piu 92 on the sliding plate engages with a wheel 93 of the going-train. The teeth of this wheel draw down and release the plate 83 intermittently, permitting the pin 87 to free the arm 89 and re-engage it repeatedly at short intervals. The pin 87 has sufficient play in the hole in the lever 94 through which it passes to allow the lever to remain in position behind the disk 58.