Patent Publication Number: US-3878675-A

Title: Spaced chess clocks

Description:
United States Patent [191 Prociuk 51 Apr. 22, 1975 1 SPACED CHESS CLOCKS 176] lnventor: Anatol Prociuk, 4750 S. Tripp Ave.. Chicago. 111. 60632 [22] Filed: May 13, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 469,319  
 Primary Eruminer-George H. Miller. .1 r  
 [ 1 7 ABSTRACT An assembly of spaced chess clocks, each present on support means flanking a chess board area. said clocks being operated by multiposition switches present on each of the flanking support means. Each flanking support means additionally has a circuit activating onoff switch, a move light to indicate that the opponent must execute a move. and a circuit activating indicator light. Each of the flanking support means may further be provided with a high intensity lamp separately operated by switch means. The multiposition switches are connected by a circuit which is responsive to like oriented switch positions where one clock is disconnected. the other clock is started. and a move light is energized to indicate that the player must execute a move whose clock has been started. Each clock is pivotally mounted to the support means so the clocks can assume a number of different viewing and non-viewing positions.  
 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures Y mmmmwz 531878.675 SHEETZPfZ CLOCK 488K SPACED crnzss CLOCKS This invention relates to an assembly of spaced chess clocks combined with support means which flank a chess board area. The invention particularly relates to such an improved assembly wherein the chess clocks are connected by improved circuit means which provides for circuit activation and operation. together with illuminated indicators of clock operation.  
  It is recognized that tournament chess is played with clocks wherein the time spent by each player is accu-&#39; mulated on clocks for each player. The accumulated time is recorded conventionally by each player operating switch means as soon as the player has executed a move. Such operated switch means stops the clock of the player who executed the move and starts the opponents clock. Gear trains or electric circuits interconnect such clocks so they are responsive to the players operating the switch means.  
  Such clocks are provided in the art within a unitary casing equipped with two switches. and the necessary interconnection within the casing. Such a clocking device is placed to one side of the board which requires one player to operate the switch with the right hand while his opponent operates the switch with the left hand. Not only does this result in at least some awkward manual movements. but the faces of the clock are in planes generally parallel to the direction of vision of the players. This results in further inconvenience to the players with respect to ease of observing accumulated time.  
  lt is an object of the present invention to provide an improved assembly of spaced chess clocks. each positioned at one of opposite flanking locations relative to a chess board area. A further aspect of this object is the realized advantage that each player can operate the clock right handedly because of such spaced locations. This is a decided advantage because there is a decided majority of right-handed players in the population.  
  Another object of the invention is the provision of spaced chess clocks interconnected by improved electric circuit means so that both clocks respond to moving conveniently connected switch means by each player. This object is further attained to advantage by providing each of the clocks with pivotal mounting so that any clock can be rotated by any of the players for selected viewing or non-viewing.  
  Yet still another object of the present invention is the provision of spaced chess clocks electrically interconnected by improved circuit means which allow preliminary activation and verification of the operating circuit so that the players can readily be assured of desired clock operation.  
  Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of spaced chess clocks interconnected by improved circuit means which allow a player to disconnect and operate clocks by a movable switch. and simultaneously energize and disconnect move lights which indicate the one players clock is running while the other players clock is disconnected.  
  The foregoing objects are attained together with still other objects which will occur to other practitioners from time to time upon considering the disclosure of the following invention. which includes drawings wherein:  
  FIG. I is a top plan view of an assembly with the spaced chess clocks:  
  FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly shown in the view of FIG. 1:  
  2&#39; FIG. 3 is an enlarged portional view. partly in section. of the assembly shown in the view of FIG. 2;  
  FIG. 4 is a schematic top plan view. in a reduced scale of an assembly including separate support means; and  
  FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit interconnecting the spaced chess clocks and other components.  
  Use of the same numerals in the different views of the drawing will indicate a reference to the same elements. parts or structures. as the case may be.  
  In FIG. I is shown a clock and support assembly generally indicated at 6. This support means is shown as having a top support surface 8 with portions flanking a chess board area on which is located chess board 10. Each of the flanking support means is further seen as having a high intensity light assembly 12 which is operated by switch means. not shown.  
  On the top surface 8 of each flanking support means is further shown a clock 14. Below the top support surface 8 is seen a circuit housing 18 which holds the electric circuit means interconnecting the clocks and other components to be later described. A pair of U-shaped legs 20 are fixed to the bottom of the circuit housing. only one of said legs being shown. Friction pads 22 are shown in the bottom of the leg member.  
 The electric circuit means within housing 18 further interconnect an on-off circuit activating switch 24 present on each of the flanking support surface portions further have an on-off light indicator 26 which is energized or illuminated by the activating switch 24. In addition. each of said support portions include a multiposition switch 28 which operates the clocks by disconnecting and starting such clocks. Each flanking support portion is finally shown as including a clock indicator or move light 30. The energized move light 30 on a flanking support portion to the right of a player indicates that the clock is operating on the same flanking support portion. The move light 30 advises a player that his clock is operating. and will continue to operate until the player moves and activates the multiposition switch&#39;28 to his right.  
  Each clock is shown as being mounted to the top surface of the support means by a pivot which includes a bearing ring 32 fixed to the clock and a support bearing ring 34 mounted to the surface support 8. A tubular shaft 36 extends below the support and the part of such shaft. now shown. is fixed to clock bearing 32. The tubular shaft extends through passageway 38 in the support means and shaft has a nut 40 and washer 41 combination which compressively supports spring 42. The spring is biased against the underside of the support and the washer 41 to urge clock bearing ring 32 against support bearing ring 34. In the illustrated embodiment. the clock 14 can be rotated 360 to assume a variety of viewing and non-viewing positions relative to each of the opposing players.  
  The use of the foregoing assembly may be further understood by reference to the schematic of FIG. 5. A dotted divider line 44 separates the circuit into control areas A and B representing opposing players. Each of the areas have the same operating components such as a lamp .12. activating switch 24, activating light switch indicator 26, multiposition switch 28, and move light 30.  
  Each multiposition switch is of the double pole. double throw type. Area A shows poles 48. 49 contacting terminals to the right and such poles can also contact their terminals to the left. Such pole positions are shown oriented relative to a player having control area A to his right. The activating switch A24 is of the double pole. single throw type which connects pole 48 via contact 50 to conductor 52 which. in turn. connects clock B16 and move light B in the B control area. Switch A24 also closes contact 51. at the same time. to activate light indicator B26 so its illumination indicates connection of the foregoing part circuit.  
  The multiposition switch 28 in the B control area is also shown as being of the double pole. double throw type. Poles 54., 55. having bridging or crossing terminals. can be repositioned to contact terminals to the left and to the right. such positions also being oriented relative to the control area A to the right of a player. The on-off activating switch B24 also connects a part circuit by closing contact 56 to connect pole 54 to conductor 58 which. in turn. connects clock A16 and move light A30 in control area A. Switch B24 also closes contact 57. at the same time. to activate switch light indicator A26 to show the player that the circuit is partly connected.  
  Operation of the multiposition switches then allows completion of the circuit so that the completed circuit responds by disconnecting the player&#39;s clock and starting the opponent player&#39;s clock. as well as illuminating a move light 30 on the flanking support means of the opposing player. The illustrated circuit shows the switch B28 starting the clock in the A control area. disconnecting the clock in the B control area. and illuminating the move light in the A control area. The switches are shown in unlike oriented position. that is. switch A28 contacts terminals to the right and switch B28 contacts terminals to the left. relative to a player having the A control area to his right. When the switches are in like oriented position. either both right or both left. then the clock in the B control area is started. the clock in the A control area is disconnected. and the move light in the B control area is illuminated. This orientation is not always the same for a given player in view of the convention that white chess pieces move first. The orientation of the multiposition switches is important in the sense that when the switches are in like oriented position relative to a given player. one clock stops and the other clock starts. The move light associated with such other clock also starts. The unlike oriented position of the switches results in stopping said other clock and starting the one clock. The move light associated with such one clock also starts.  
  The electric circuit is powered by a voltage source shown here as an AC voltage cord having lines 59, 60. In the illustrated unlike oriented switch positions, the circuit is completed from line 59 to pole 54, to contact 56, conductor 58. in the move light 30 in parallel with clock 16 in the A control area. conductor 66, pole 49 of the switch 28 in the A control area, conductor 68 and 60 of the AC cord. The same operating circuit starts clock 16 in the B control area which is joined to the circuit by conductors 52 and 69. In this operating circuit. poles 55 of the multiposition switch in the B control area and pole 48 of the multiposition switch in the A control area are connected only to line 60 of the AC cord. therefore. the clock and the move light in the B control area are not energized.  
  After the player in the A control area makes his move. the poles 48. 49 of the switch are moved to contact the left terminals relative to the player having control area A to&#39; his right. This places the switch position of both players in the same oriented positions. Such movement of the switch disconnects the clock A16 and the move light A30. The circuit is then completed from line 60 in the AC voltage cord to pole by the bridging terminals. then conductor 69 to clock B16 in parallel with move light B30, and the conductor 52 to contact 50 in activating switch A24, then pole 48, across linking terminals to conductor 59a and to line 59 of the AC voltage cord. This circuit energizes move light B30 and starts clock B16. In these switch positions. poles 54, 49 are connected only to line so clock A16 and the move light A30 are not energized.  
  FIG. 4 shows physically separated flanking support means 72, 74 placed on a base such as table 76. A chess board 77 is positioned in the chess board area between the flanking support means. An AC cord 78 provides current to the electric circuit means which include interconnecting cords 79 joined to coupler terminal 80. Cords 79 and coupler 80 may be moved from the table surface. as by hanging over an edge. passing through openings in the table surface. or by other means.  
  The claims of the invention are now presented and the terms of such claims may be further understood by reference to the language of the preceding specification and the views of the drawings.  
 What is claimed is:  
  l.-An assembly of spaced chess clocks. including support means at least flanking a chess board area.  
 a player&#39;s clock pivotally mounted&#39;on support means to the right of the player in one flanking relationship to the chess board area.  
 an opposing players clock pivotally mounted on the support means to the right of the opposing player in the other flanking relationship relative to the chess board area.  
 a players double pole, double throw multiposition switch on the support means in the area of said players clock.  
 an opposing players double pole. double throw multiposition switch on the support means in the area of said opposing player&#39;s clock.  
 an electric circuit connecting said clocks in the multiposition switches.  
 circuit means responsive to multiple switch positions of the double pole. double throw switches so that like oriented positions for each of the switches starts a players clock and stops the opposing players clock. and unlike oriented positions for each of the switches stops said player&#39;s clock and starts said opposing players clock,  
 a single throw. double pole activating switch on each of the flanking support means. and  
 an activating electric circuit to connect a part of the electric circuit to the clock of the opposing player when a player operates said activating switch.  
 2. An assembly of spaced chess clocks which includes the features of claim 1, wherein said support means are 5 separated support portions. and an interconnectingincluding an adjoining housing to hold an interconnecting electrical circuit.  
  4. An assembly of spaced chess clocks which include the features of claim I wherein a lamp is mounted on each of said flanking support means. said lamp connected to said electric circuit. and said lamp being operated independently of said activating switch and said multiposition switch.  
  5. An assembly of spaced chess clocks which include the features of claim 1 wherein the circuit means includes a pair of lines in a voltage cord. said activating switches movable to connect a circuit from the multiposition switches to the clocks. indicator lights. and move lights on a flanking support means. and said multiposition switches movable to complete the circuit so that the clock and move light on the player&#39;s support means is disconnected. and the clock and move light on the opposing player&#39;s support means is started.  
  6. An assembly of spaced chess clocks which includes the features of claim 1. and which further includes a move indicator light on each flanking support means. and said electric circuit connecting said move indicator lights so that an illuminated move indicator light represents a running clock which is accumulating time required for a player to executer moves.  
  7.A spaced chess clock assembly which includes the features of claim 6 and which further includes an activating circuit indicator light on each of the flanking support means. said activating circuit indicator light being illuminated when the activating switch connects said activating circuit.