US3498047A - Alarm terminating means - Google Patents

Description

March 3, 1970 c. A. M LEOD ETAL 3,498,047 ALARMTE RMINATING MEANS 1 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 26. 1967 March 3, 1970 c. A. MOLEOD ETA!- 3,493,047

. ALARM TERHINATING MEANS Filed April 26, 19s? 4 Sheets-Sheet :5

lime/72649 March 3, 1970 I c'.-MMQ E O ETAL 3,498,047

ALARM 'mmammms mans Filed April 26, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 United te Farm 3,498,047 V ALARM TERMINATING MEANS Charles A. McLeod, Oak Park, Leon M. Roszyk, Berwyn, and John Vancha, Lemont, Ill., assignors to Sunbeam (Iorporation, Chicago, III., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 26, 1967, Ser. No. 633,746 Int. Cl. G04b 13/00 US. Cl. 58-21.15 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An electric alarm clock is provided in which the alarm may be shut off by the user without touching the clock or any part thereof. The electric alarm clock is provided with a light and a photoelectric control means, whereby, when the alarm comes on, a light beam is directed over the bed of the user. Then the user, by merely moving an arm or the like, will cause at least some of the light from the beam to reflect back to the photoelectric control means in the clock with the result that the alarm is shut off.

The present invention relates to an electric alarm clock and more particularly to improved means for terminating the alarm without the necessity of even touching the clock or any part thereof.

Electric alarm clocks are employed extensively to produce an audible signal at a predetermined time, generally to awake the user. The most common means of terminating the alarm of an electric alarm clock, once it is actuated, is to move the manual alarm On and Off" button or means to the Off position. This requires the user to physically engage this button or means on the clock. Means are also available whereby the user may terminate the alarm merely by touching a portion of the clock without specifically finding and actuating the On- Off button. With either of these arrangements, however, it is necessary to have the clock close to the users bed (if it is desired to terminate alarm operation while the user remains in bed) so that the user may readily touch the clock for terminating the alarm or specifically actuate a manual alarm On and Off button to the Off position. It would be desirable to permit the alarm clock to be disposed remote from the bed of the user while still permitting the user to terminate the alarm in a simple manner without getting out of bed or going near the clock to touch a portion thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved alarm control mechanism for an electric alarm clock.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved alarm terminating control means whereby the alarm may be terminated without touching any part of the alarm clock even though the clock is remote from the user.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved alarm terminating means wherein the user may merely move some part of his body into a predetermined position quite remote from the alarm clock to terminate operation of the alarm.

Still a further object of the present invention resides in an improved electric alarm terminating means wherein a light is energized concurrently with the alarm and this light is directed toward the user whereby the user merely needs to intercept momentarily the beam from this light to terminate the alarm.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved alarm control mechanism which is low in cost, easy to operate, has relatively few parts, is readily adaptable to existing clocks and which is simple and foolproof in operation.

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Further objects and advantagesof' the present inverttion will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize the invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this application.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an electric clock embodying the alarm terminating mechanism of the present invention with the parts in the alarm On position set to start the alarm at approximately 12:00 oclock;

FIG. 2 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary rear plan view of the electric alarm clock of FIG. 1 more clearly to illustrate the parts of the clock and alarm mechanism and the alarm terminating mechanism with certain portions cut away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2 assumingthat FIG. 2 shows the complete structure and with certain portions broken away to aid in illustrating the invention;

FIG. 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 44 of FIG. 2 assuming that FIG. 2 shows the complete structure and again with certain portions shown in full to aid in illustrating the invention and also with other parts broken away to simplify the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a somewhat schematic side elevational view of the electric alarm clock of FIG. 1 to illustrate the operation of the remote alarm terminating feature thereof;

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the electric control system of the alarm clock of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a somewhat schematic view similar to FIG. 5 of a modification of the electric alarm clock terminating means of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram similar to FIG. 6 illustrating the electrical circuit of the modified arrangement of FIG. 7.

Briefly, the present invention is concerned with an electric alarm clock in which upon actuation of the audible alarm an electric light is energized to direct a beam of light over the bed of the user. A photoelectric cell is incorporated in the clock so that, if the user interposes his hand into the light beam directed over the users bed, light reflected from the hand of the user will reach the photoelectric cell and through a suitable control circuit actuate a relay or other means effectively to shut off or terminate the audible alarm. In one modification the conventional alarm arrangement already associated with the clock is used and the photoelectric control incapacitates this alarm. In another embodiment a separate buzzer or alarm is provided and the solenoid interrupts the electrical circuit of this buzzer and thus terminates the alarm.

Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIGS. 1 to 6 thereof, there is illustrated an electric clock generally indicated at 10. The particular construction of the clock or casing forms no part of the present invention but is included merely to illustrate the present invention. As illustrated the clock 10 is what is commonly termed a wall clock in that it is hung from the wall so the front thereof is pointed in the direction of the bed of the user. Obviously, a clock adapted to rest on a dresser or the like could equally well be employed, the specific disclosure being by way example only. The clock 10 comprises a hollow rectangular casing or housing 11 comprising a front wall 12 on which is mounted any suitable clock face generally designated as 13. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the clock face 13 comprises a circular saucer-shaped member 14 secured to the casing 11 with the concave side thereof defining part of the front of the clock face. Superimposed over member 14 and secured thereto is an annular disk 15 upon which the clock figures are positioned in the conventional manner. A suitable hour hand 16, a minute hand 17 and an alarm set indicating hand 18 are provided in the conventional manner. Although not shown in the drawings, Obviously a sweep second hand may also be employed suitably associated with the clock face 13.

In order that the operator can readily see whether the alarm is set, a suitable indicator such as a flag 19 is provided in addition to the alarm set hand .18. Thus, the user can readily observe whether the alarm is on and the time when it will be actuated.

In accordance with the present invention, a pair of openings 20 and 21, each surrounded by suitable, annular forwardly projecting shielding hoods 22 and 23, respectively, are provided in the front wall 12 of housing 11 (FIGS. 1 and 5 The opening 21 is preferably closed by a suitable convex lens 24 schematically illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Also, in accordance with the present invention, a suitable photoelectric cell 25 (FIGS. 2, 5 and 6) is disposed within the clock casing 11 immediately behind the lens 24. The opening 20 is preferably closed by a suitable window 26 which may also comprise a lens of some sort, and a suitable electric lamp 27 and a reflector 28 (FIGS. 5 and 6) are provided so that when the lamp 27 is energized the reflector 28 causes light rays to be directed forwardly, as indicated at 29 (FIG. 5 from the front .12 of the clock 10. The ele ments 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 may be mounted as a unit on a separate moveable panel suitably supported by the wall 12, whereby this unit may be swiveled and selectively positioned at slightly different angles so the light rays, such as 29, may be directed as desired.

Although any suitable clock motor and movement may be employed to drive hands 16 and .17, there has been illustrated in the drawings the electric clock motor and movement disclosed and claimed in Jepson et al. Patent No. 3,248,867, granted May 3, 1966, and assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not restricted for use with the specific clock motor and movement of the aforesaid Jepson et al. patent, the latter construction being disclosed merely by way of example. In view of the full disclosure of the clock motor and movement in the above mentioned Jepson et al. patent, only those parts which are clearly necessary to an understanding of the present invention will be mentioned or described herein. However, for the complete details of the clock motor and movement reference may be had to Patent No. 3,248,867 which is incorporated in this application by reference.

The electric clock motor and movement designated generally as 30 is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings and some parts thereof are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. It is also schematically indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings. As fully disclosed in Patent No. 3,248,867, it comprises a front support plate 31 (FIGS. 3 and 4) and a rear support plate 32 (FIGS. 2, 3 and 4). These front and rear support plates 31 and 32 form a frame when assembled in spaced relation by means of suitable frame support posts, as is described in the above mentioned Jepson et al. patent, and all the parts of the clock motor and movement are carried by these plates. It will be understood that the clock motor and movement 30 is suitably secured as by screws 34 within clock housing 11 to drive the clock hands 16 and 17. The front and rear support plates 31 and 32 are formed of a ferrous or magnetic material and serve as the field members for the motor portion of the integrated clock motor and movement 30 as well as serving as support members for the various shafts, levers, etc., included in the mechanism 30. The clock motor includes a motor field coil which is not visible in any of the struc' tural views of the drawings, but is schematically illustrated as 35 in the circuit diagram of FIG. 6 of the draw ings. When the field coil 35 is energized by conventional 60 cycles per second alternating current, a suitable rotor (not shown) is rotated at the rate of 200 revolutions per minute in one embodiment built in accordance with the present invention. By a suitable gear mechanism, including certain gears and pinions mounted on suitable shafts journaled in bearings supported by the plates 31 and 32, means are provided to drive a sweep second shaft 37 (FIGS. 2 and 4) which extends through the front plate 31, as shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. Although a sweep second hand has not been illustrated in FIG. 1 of the drawings, it could obviously be applied to the forward end of the shaft 37. Concentrically mounted relative to the sweep second shaft 37, as best shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings, are a series of concentrically arranged tubular shafts including the minute shaft 38, the hour shaft 39 and a tubular shaft portion 40a of a combined alarm gear, cam and shaft member 40 preferably integrally formed as a unit, as clearly shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. It will readily be understood that the minute hand 17 is associated with the outer end of the minute shaft 38, the hour hand 16 is associated with the outer end of the hour shaft 39 and the alarm set indicator hand 18 is associated with the outer end of the tubular shaft portion 40a of the combined alarm gear, cam and shaft member 40.

As illustrated, the combined alarm gear, cam and tubular shaft member 40 includes an alarm gear portion 40b (FIGS. 3 and 4) having a pair of diametrically opposed cam portions 40c projecting from the side thereof opposite the side from which the tubular shaft portion 40a projects. The face of the alarm gear 40a remote from the cams 40c engages with the inside face of the front support plate 31 and is held assembled thereto by a suitable spring disk 42 (FIG. 4). The disk 42 is preferably staked to the tubular portion 40a of the combined alarm gear, cam and shaft member 40 and thus holds the alarm gear in assembled relationship to the front plate 31. The outer periphery of the spring disk 42 is flanged rearwardly and engages the front side of support plate 31. The frictional engagement between the spring disk 42 and the front plate 31 permits rotation of the alarm gear 4% when desired, but retains it in the position selected even against the tendency of the hour shaft 39 disposed therein to cause rotation thereof.

As is best shown in the above mentioned Jepson et al. patent, a suitable hour gear 43 is provided which is staked or otherwise suitably secured to the tubular hour gear shaft 39 at the inside end thereof. This hour gear 43 is provided with suitable openings to receive the cams or projections 400 of the alarm gear 40b for a selected short period of time during the rotation of the hour gear 43 with respect to the alarm gear 4%. When the projections 400 are received in the openings in the hour gear 43, then the hour gear assumes the position shown in FIG, 4 of the drawings closely adjacent the alarm gear 40!). However, for the majority of the time, the hour gear rotates so the projections 400 are moved out of the openings in the hour gear and the hour gear is axially moved away from the alarm gear to the position shown in FIG. 10 of the drawings of Jepson et al. Patent No. 3,248,867. It should be noted that FIG. 4 of the instant application is quite similar to FIG. 11 of the aforesaid Jepson et al. patent.

As fully disclosed in the aforesaid Jepson et al. patent, the axial movement of the hour gear 40b is utilized to perform an alarm actuating function. To this end there is provided an alarm lever generally indicated at 45 (FIG. 4) which is of somewhat Z-shaped configuration including one arm 45a disposed generally parallel to the front plate 31 of the clock motor and movement 30. The lever 45 also includes an arm 45b, including an enlargement 45c, which is disposed within a slot 46 (FIG. 2) in the rear support plate 32. Support plate 32 is provided with an integral projection 32a at the inner edge of slot 46 defining a stop for the enlargement 45c. Additionally,

the alarm lever 45, in accordance with the present invention, includes a switch actuating projection 45d (FIGS. 2, 4 and 6) the function of which will be described in greater detail hereinafter. Also, as in the above mentioned Jepson et al. patent, the enlargement 45c functions as an alarm control member.

The arm 45a of the alarm lever 45 includes at one end a bifurcated portion for receiving between the bifurcations the tubular minute shaft 38 (FIG. 4). The bifurcations actually include the deformed portions 45c which engage and ride against the hour gear 43 effectively biasing the hour gear to the position shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. The portion 45a of the alarm lever 45 is pivoted intermediate its ends by means of a plastic bearing block 47, which is molded to the front plate 31. The center portion of the leg 45a of the alarm lever 45 ineludes a sheared out portion 45 which actually functions as a biasing spring for the alarm lever 45, but which for purposes of simplification is an integral part of the alarm lever. The end of the biasing spring portion 45 of the alarm lever engages the body portion 47a of the bearing block 47, urging the portion 45a of the alarm lever against the fulcrum portions 47b of the plastic bearing block 47. Because of the relative positions of the application of the biasing force with respect to the fulcrum portions 47b, the alarm lever 45 is caused to rotate counterclockwise around the fulcrum portions 47b as viewed in FIG. 4 of the drawings to cause a biasing force to be exerted on the hour gear 43 moving it toward alarm gear portion 40b. It will be apparent from an examination of FIG. 4 that the enlargement 45c of the alarm lever 45 will move from the position shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings to a position somewhat to the left, so as to perform an alarm shutoff or immobilization function as described hereinafter when cams 40c cause axial movement of hour gear 43 away from alarm gear 4011.

In order to permit setting of the hands 16 and 17 of the clock 10, as well as for setting of the alarm set indicator hand 18, there is provided an axially moveable shaft 48 (FIGS. 2 and 3) which carries on its outer end a plastic knob 49 (cut away in FIG. 2 of the drawings) suitable for manual actuation. The shaft 48 is supported for rotation and axial movement in elongated bearing 50 (FIG. 3) which is molded to the rear supporting plate 32. The bearing 50 includes a forwardly extending tubular guiding portion 50a of reduced diameter which serves to support on its inner diameter the shaft 48 and receives on its outer diameter a helical spring 51. Secured to the front end of shaft 48 is a set gear 52 which preferably includes a guiding boss (not shown) receivable in a suitable opening in the front support plate 31. The helical spring 51 biases the set gear 52 to the position shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings in meshing engagement with the alarm gear 4011. It will be understood that the set shaft 48 may be axially withdrawn to the limit of it movement permitted by the elongated plastic bearing 50 whereby the set gear 52 is in driving engagement with a suitable gear (not shown) secured to the minute shaft 38. Thus, in the retracted position, rotation of the shaft 48 causes rotation of the minute shaft 38 and setting of the clock hands 16 and 17.

Although in the Jepson et al. Patent No. 3,248,867 referred to above an alarm vibrator member is employed which is vibrated by virtue of the alternating magnetic field produced by the motor, the present invention is illustrated with a somewhat different alarm arrangement, such as disclosed in a copending application of James W. Richmond, Ser No. 565,041, filed July 5, 1966, and also assigned to the same assignee as the instant application. It should be understood, however, that, if desired, the vibrator alarm of the Jepson et a1. patent may be used with the present invention.

In the Richmond application, there is illustrated an imroved alarm control mechanism associated with the same slonk motor and movement of the above mentioned Iepson et al. patent. Moreover, in the Richmond application, the alarm control mechanism is one that can be successively turned on and off by a successive and simple light touching movement, very similar to tapping the spacer bar on a typewriter.

The alarm mechanism illustrated in the drawing is essentially identical with that disclosed in the above mentioned Richmond application. It comprises a bell 55 (FIG. 2 of the drawings) suitably mounted within clock casing 11 adjacent the clock motor and movement 30. This bell is positioned to be struck intermittently by a hammer mechanism, indicated generally by the reference numeral 56. The hammer mechanism 56 comprises a pivoted lever 57 having mounted at one end thereof a slug of metal or hammer head 58. The lever 57 is pivotally mounted about a pivot pin 59 suitably supported on the mechanism 30.

In order to cause the lever 57 to move up and down slightly to cause the hammer head 58 to strike the bell 55, there is provided a toothed wheel 60, which is secured to the sweep second hand shaft 37 so as to make one revolution per minute. This toothed wheel 60, which rotates constantly with the sweep second hand shaft 37, causes the head 58 to move up and down pivoting about pivot pin 59 by virtue of a tab portion or projection 57a integrally formed with the lever 57 capable of engaging successive teeth of the toothed wheel 60. The lever 57 includes, in addition to the tab 57a, downwardly directed alarm control tabs 57b (FIGS. 2 and 4) and 570 (FIG. 2) identical with corresponding parts in the Richmond copending application, the functions of which are more fully described hereinafter.

Considering now the alarm control mechanism for manually turning the alarm on and off, which is very similar to that disclosed in the above mentioned Richmond application, it comprises a slidable plate 62 (FIGS. 2 and 3) disposed in spaced parallel relationship with the rear support plate 32. This plate is provided with a pair of elongated openings 63 for receiving suitable fastening means 64 to secure the slidable plate to the rear plate 32 in a manner to permit limited relative movement between these plates. Suitable support members (not shown) maintain the plate 62 in spaced relationship from the rear plate 32 and the slots 63 permit the limited movement of plate 62 in an up and down direction (as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings) relative to the clock motor and movement 30. A suitable tension spring 66 having one end secured to the rear support plate 32 and the other end secured to the slidable plate 62 biases the slidable plate to its uppermost position, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. Plate 62 is provided with an elongated slot '67 to clear the sweep second shaft 37 to which the toothed Wheel is attached, the toothed wheel being disposed to the rear of the slidable plate 62.

For the purpose of successively positioning the plate 62 in the upper position, shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and in an intermediate position, sort of halfway between this upper position and the lowermost position permitted by virtue of the slots 63, there is provided a toothed wheel 70 rotatable about the axially movable alarm shaft 48. The toothed wheel 70 is in the plane of the slidable plate 62 and, to accommodate the same, this plate 62 is provided with a clearance opening 71 of a particular configuration to provide an elongated upwardly extending lug 62a at the bottom edge of the clearance opening 71 and a downward extending tooth 62b at the upper edge of the clearance opening and more or less diametrically opposed to the projection 62a. These projections are preferably integrally formed with the slidable plate 62. The plate 62 also includes an upwardly extending tab 62c (FIG. 2) adapted to cooperate with the downwardly depending tab 570 of the hammer supporting lever 57. The teeth of toothed wheel 70 are so shaped as to define alternate shallow notches or recesses 72 and deep recesses or notches 73. When the slideable plate 62 is moved downwardly, as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lower lug 62a is moved out of whatever notch it happened to be engaged with and the upper lug 62b is moved into engagement with one of the teeth. Due to the shape of the lug 62b and the teeth on the toothed wheel 70, such movement causes slight counterclockwise rotation of the toothed wheel 70, whereby successive actuations of the plate 62 will rotate the wheel in a counterclockwise direction to cause the lower lug 62a to successively move into either a deep notch or slot 73 or a shallow slot or notch 72. When the lug 62a is in a deep slot 73, the plate 62 moves to its uppermost position under the influence of biasing spring 66, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings. When the lug 62a is in a shallow recess, then the plate 62 is moved downwardly to an intermediate position. In this intermediate position, the tab 62c engages the tab 570 to move tab 57a out of engagement of toothed wheel 60, thereby rendering the alarm ineffective. This is the alarm Ofi position of slidable plate 62. -It will be apparent then that the slideable plate 62 by successive downward movements first moves the alarm mechanism to the On position and then to the Off position, it being shown in FIG. 2 in the On position with the lug 62a in a deep slot 73.

For the purpose of manually actuating the alarm to the On position, a suitable flexible chain 75 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided, connected to the lower end of slidable plate 62. A suitable conduit 76 mounted within the clock housing 11 guides the flexible conduit, so it doesnt interfere with any of the mechanism within the housing. The lower end of the flexible chain 75, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings, depends from the clock housing 11 so as to be readily accessible to the user. By pulling on the chain, the alarm is manually successively turned on and off. It should be obvious that other manual means for actuating slideable plate 62 may readily be employed.

In order that the user may know whether the alarm is in the On or Off position, a suitable indicator comprising the flag 19, described heretofore, is provided. The flag 19 is connected by suitable arm 78 to the slideable plate 62, as best shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings. This arm extends through openings 79 and 80 in front of the wall 12 and saucer shaped member 14, respectively. Thus, the flag 19 Will indicate when the alarm is in the On position and, of course, hand 18 will indicate the time when the alarm will go off. When the alarm is not in the On position, the flag will not be visible, it being shown in the On position in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It will be apparent from the above description that, when the parts are in the positions shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings where the cams 40c of the alarm gear are in the openings of the hour gear 43 and when the slidable plate 62 is in the position shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the lever 57 is free to pivot about its axis 59 and successively strike the bell 55 as the tab 57a moves into engagement with successive teeth of the the toothed wheel 60. If the user now pulls on chain 75, the plate 62 will move downwardly and then move back to an intermediate position which is the alarm Off position. In this position, the tab 620 engages tab 57c and pivots lever 57 slightly in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings, whereby tab 57a no longer engages the teeth of toothed wheel 60. Thus, the alarm mechanism is immobilized, even if the alarm lever 45 were in the position shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings. After an elapse of a predetermined time, the cams 40c on the alarm gear 40b will move out of the openings in the hour gear 43 due to rotation of the latter, and the alarm lever 45 will move the enlargement 45c in slot 46 slightly to the left, as viewed in FIG. 4 of the drawings, into engagement with the tab 57b on the alarm lever 57, thereby further immobilizing the alarm mechanism even if ta'b 62c did not engage tab 570.

In view of the detailed description included above, it

will be obvious that there is provided an alarm clock including a simple mechanism for turning the alarm On and Off manually by merely actuating the slideable plate 62. In order that the alarm may be shut Off by the user while remote from the clock 10 or any portion thereof, there are provided within the housing 11 (FIG. 2), and as schematically indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings, a pair of switches generally designated as 82 and 83, respectively. As best shown in the schematic drawing of FIG. 6 of the drawings, switch 82 is a normally open switch which is actuated to the closed position by the extension 45d on the alarm lever '45 when the hour gear 43 reaches a certain position relative to the alarm gear 40b to cause the alarm to be actuated if slideable plate 62 is in its upper or Alarm On position. In FIG. 6 the extension 45d is schematically indicated as interconnecting the switch 82 and the clock motor and movement mechanism 30. A suitable U-shaped spring member 84 is illustrated in FIG. 4 of the drawings for biasing the switch 82 and specifically the switch actuating knob 82a to the open position. Switch 82 is moved to the closed position against the bias of spring 84 by the extension 45d of the alarm lever 45.

Switch 83 is illustrated as a normally closed switch suitably mounted within the clock casing 11 as by fastening means 86. As best shown in FIG. 2, switch 83 comprises a stationary contact 83a and a movable contact 83b, the latter being mounted on a resilient switch arm 87. A switch actuating extension 88 secured to the end of the resilient switch arm 87 is disposed in the path of the slideable plate 62. When slideable plate 62 is in the uppermost position, shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the switch 83 is closed. However, when the slideable plate 62 is moved to its intermediate or lowermost position as limited by the slots 63, then the switch 83 is moved to the open position.

To permit the photoelectric cell 25 described above to terminate the operation of the alarm in response to some interference with rays of light produced by the lamp 27, there is provided an electrical control means, best shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings, and also to some extent shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 6 of the drawings, the clock casing or housing 11 is shown schematically with the lamp 27 and the photoelectric cell 25 disposed therein. The lens 24 is also schematically illustrated. The clock motor and movement 30 is schematically illustrated as physically separate from the housing 11 in order to simplify the drawings. As shown in FIG. 6, a conventional power cord 90 adapted to be plugged into the ordinary household circuit is connected to the clock motor coil 35, so that whenever the power cord 90 is plugged into a source of power, the electric motor of the clock motor and movement 30 is energized.

For the purpose of energizing the lamp 27 and also to render effective an electrical control circuit for the photo electric cell 25 only when the switches 82 and 83 are both closed, these two switches are connected in series. As illustrated, when both switches 82 and 83 are closed a transformer 91 and a power supply network, generally designated as 92, are energized. The power supply net- 'work comprises resistor 93, diode or rectifier 94 and capacitor 95. The transformer 91 is a step-down transformer for energizing the lamp 27 upon actuation of the alarm and the closing of switch 82. Also, when switch 82 is closed, by virtue of diode 94, a half wave rectified direct current charge appears across capacitor 95, the resistor 93 functioning as a current limiting resistor.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a solenoid 97 (FIGS. 2 and 6) which, when energized, is capable of moving the switch 83 to the open position. The solenoid 97 is shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings as comprising a plunger 98 having a plunger head 99 receivable in a slot 100 in slideable plate 62. A suitable biasing spring 101 biases the plunger head 99 to the uppermost position. Upon energization of the solenoid winding designated as 97a in FIG. 6 of the drawings, the

plunger 98 and plunger head 99 are moved downwardly as viewed in FIG. 2 of the drawings against the bias of spring 101 with the result that the slidable plate 62 is moved downwardly to its lower limit to engage projection 88 and momentarily open switch 83. The connection between solenoid 97 and switch 83 is schematically indicated in FIG. 6 of the drawings by the reference numeral 99'.

To energize the solenoid 97 in response to a sudden change of light effecting the photocell 25 and to prevent operation of solenoid 97 in response to gradual light changes, such as would occur when it becomes daylight or when the sun comes up and the light thereof enters the room, there is provided a photocell controlled network generally designated as 102, the time constant of which network determines the speed of light change necessary to eifect photocell 25 in a manner to energize solenoid 97. As illustrated, this network comprises resistors 103, 104, 105 and 106, capacitors 107 and 108, an N-channel field effect transistor (F.E.T.) 110 and a silicon controlled rectifier (S.C.R.) 111. The photocell control circuit 102 functions to cause the capacitor 95 to discharge through the winding 97a of the solenoid 97 when a sudden change of light occurs, such as when the hand of the user designated as 113 in FIG. 5 of the drawings intercepts the light rays 29 and causes them to reflect as light rays 114 toward the photocell 25.

In view of the detailed description included above, the operation of the photocell control circuit will be readily understood. In the normal condition of the control circuit shown in FIG. 6 of the drawings where the alarm is set to go off at approximately 12:00 oclock, due to the fact that switch 82 is open, only the winding 35 of the clock is energized from the power cord 90.

When the alarm is actuated, switch 82 is closed to complete a circuit through the diode or rectifier 94 to charge the capacitor 95 to a positive potential which is applied across the control network 102. The positive potential provided across the capacitor 95 biases the transistor 110 which is connected as a common source amplifier or switch into a saturation region so that the gate of the rectifier 111 is shunted to the cathode electrode.

Closure of the switch 82 also energizes the transformer 91 so that the lamp 27 is illuminated. The illumination of the lamp 27 does not affect the control circuit 102, even though it may serve to increase ambient lighting levels. When, however, the alarm is to be disabled and an object is moved to a position intercepting the light from the lamp 27 so that a portion thereof is briefly applied to and removed from the photocell 25 through the lens 24, the momentary greatly increased illumination of the cell 25 produces a momentary and substantial reduction in its resistance. This abrupt change in the resistance of the cell 25 produces a pulse that controls the network 102 to place the silicon controlled rectifier 111 in conduction, to operate the solenoid 97, and terminate operation of the alarm. Alternatively, if the level of illumination applied to the cell 25 varies gradually even though the change in illumination is such as to decrease the resistance of the cell 25, the network 102 does not place the rectifier 111 in conduction.

More specifically, the photoelectric cell 25 forms one arm of a voltage dividing network including the resistance element 106 and the capacitor 108. The latter is shunted across the element 106 and is normally charged to the potential drop across the element 106. When the resistance of the cell 25 is abruptly decreased and increased, a positive-going pulse is developed which is differentiated in the network including the capacitor 107 and the resistance element 105 to provide a signal for reducing the conductivity of the field effect transistor 110. If, on the other hand, a change in the level of illumination applied to the cell 25 is gradual, the time constant of the network including the resistance element 106 and the capacitor 108 is such that the capacitor 108 recharges to a new level determined by the changed resistance of the cell 25, and the amplitude ofthe pulse applied to the differentiating network is not adequate to substantially change the level of conduction through the transistor 110.

Assuming that an abrupt change in the level of illumination of the cell 25 has occurred, the differentiated signal applied to the gate of the transistor 110 produces a current flow in the drain-source circuit, and a positivegoing signal appears across the resistance 104 sufficient to supply a threshold gate current for the rectifier 111. This momentarily places the rectifier 111 in conduction so that the capacitor discharges through the winding 97a of the solenoid 97. The energization of the winding 97a of the solenoid 97 moves the slideable plate 62 to open the switch 83. Such movement of slideable plate 62 causes lug 62a to be engaged with a shallow notch or recess 72 to disable the alarms by virtue of tabs 57c and 62c. Also, switch 83 is held in the open position until plate 62 is reset to the alarm On position. When the switch 83 is opened, the illumination of the lamp 27 is terminated, and power is removed from the circuits 92 and 102, respectively. After a predetermined delay switch 82 is reopened by lever 45d.

Although the control circuit shown in FIG. 6 can be fabricated with components of many dilferent values and types, in accordance with the desired circuit application, one control circuit, which was successfully built and tested, used the following components:

Resistor 93 ohms 2,200 Capacitor 95 ,ufd Resistors:

103 ohms 150,000 104 do 22,000 105 do 10,000,000 106 do 100,000 Capacitors:

107 }I.fd 0.1 108 /.Lfd 4 Lens 26 Double convex Focal length mm 22 Diameter mm 23.5

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings, there is illustrated a modification of the present invention in which the corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals as in the first described embodiment. In FIG. 7 there is schematically illustrated an electric alarm clock 10 having a casing 11' with a front wall 12 which may be substantially identical with the clock 10 described above, except for the modification described hereinafter. The front wall 12 contains the same openings 20 and 21 for accommodating the double convex lens 24 and the window 26. A similar photocell 25 is associated with the opening 21 and the lens 24. An identical lamp 27 and reflector 28 is associated with the opening 20 and the window 26. In addition, the front wall 12 is provided with another opening 117 remote from the openings 20 and 21 within which is mounted a double convex lens 118. A suitable hood 119 surrounds the lens 118 and opening 117. In addition, a second photoelectric cell 120, which might be designated as an ambient light responsive photoelectric cell, is provided. The remote mounting of cell 120 from lamp 27 helps to insure that cell 118 is affected only by ambient light.

In order to further insure that the ambient light responsive photoelectric cell 120 will not be affected by the reflected rays 114 from the hand 113, as shown in FIG. 7 of the drawings, the window 26, the lamp 27 and the reflector 28 are preferably mounted in a tubular member 122 and similarly the lens 24 and photocell 25 are mounted in a tubular member 123, which project from the front 12' of the housing 11 to function as protecting hoods for light rays emanating from lamp 27 and from reflected light rays received by the photocell 25, respectively. Moreover, the longitudinal axes of the tubular members 122 and 123 are disposed at an angle of the order of to a perpendicular to the front of casing 12 in a direction away from photocell 120. Thus, with this angular relationship and with the relatively large spacing between opening 117 and openings and 21, light reflected from the hand of the user, for example, at distances of five feet or more from the clock will not influence the photocell 120.

In FIG. 8 of the drawings, the power cord 90, the clock motor and movement 30, the clock motor winding 35, the switch 82 actuated by the movement actuated element 45d, the photocell 25, the lamp 27, the solenoid 97 and its winding 97a, the switch 83 which is actuated through the element 99' by the solenoid 97, the silicon controlled rectifier 111, the resistor 93, the rectifier 94, the capacitor 95 and the transformer 91 energizing the lamp 27 are illustrated as essentially the same as in the previously described embodiment. Also, as in the previous embodiment, the rectifier 94, resistor 93 and the capacitor 95 provide a direct current power supply circuit, generally designated as 125, for the solenoid 97 controlled by the silicon controlled rectifier 111. The power network 125 also includes a Zener diode 126 which functions as a voltage regulator to attempt to maintain a predetermined charge on the capacitor 95 following closure of the switch 82.

Instead of utilizing the alarm mechanism of the clock motor and movement 30, in FIG. 8 of the drawings a separate audible signal means 128 is illustrated, which is energized from the power cord 90 when the serially ar ranged switches 82 and 83 are both closed. This is ac complished through a circuit comprising conductor 129, audible electric signal 128, conductor 130, switch 83, conductor 131 and switch 82. Opening of either of the switches 82 or 83 will deenergize audible alarm signal means 128.

As shown in FIG. 8 of the drawings, the transformer 91, in addition to energizing lamp 27, has its secondary winding connected in a full wave rectifier circuit, generally indicated at 132, comprising a pair of rectifiers 133 and 134 and a smoothing capacitor 135. The direct current output of this rectifier circuit 132 is applied to a Wheatstone bridge arrangement 137 wherein photocells and 120 each comprise one arm of the bridge and the other two bridge arms are each comprised of adjustable resistances 138 and 139, respectively. With this Wheatstone bridge arrangement 137, a self-compensating circuit is provided which compensates for relatively wide changes in room illumination.

For the purpose of actuating the solenoid 97 in response to sudden light changes due to interfering with the rays from lamp 27, the output of the Wheatstone bridge arrangement 137 is connected to a suitable SCR network, generally designated at 140 which comprises an NPN transistor 141, a PNP transistor 142 and resistors 143, 144, 145, 146 and 147, as well as the silicon controlled rectifier 111. Rapid light changes affecting the photocell 25, such as reflection from the hand 113, as indicated in FIG. 7 of the drawings, will cause opening of switch 83. Gradual changes of light, which simul taneously affect photocells 25 and 120, will not cause operation of switch 83.

The operation of the modification of FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings will readily be understood. When the switch 82 is closed, assuming switch 83 is closed, the audible signal produced by the signal producing means 128 is actuated and power is supplied to energize the lamp 27 as well as the power network 125, the Wheatstone bridge arrangement 137 and the SCR network 140. When light from the beam produced by the lamp 27 is reflected back to the photocell 25, it reduces the resistance of the latter and increases the positive voltage at the base of the transistor 141. This signal is amplified by the transistor 142 and, if of sufficient magnitude, will render the silicon controlled rectifier 111 conductive, thus permitting the charge on capacitor to discharge through the winding 97a of the solenoid 97 which in turn opens the switch 83 terminating the alarm. The slideable plate 62 then maintains the switch 83 open until the alarm is reset as described above. The silicon controlled rectifier 111 continues to conduct, thereby also maintaining the solenoid 97 energized until the clock motor and movement causes hour gear 43 through lever 45 and particularly extension 45d to open switch 83 thus deenergizing the entire circuit except for motor winding 35 until switch 83 is again moved to the closed position so as to be reset for the next operation, and switch 82 is closed.

It will be understood that the photocell 120, in addition to providing compensation for changes in ambient light level, allows the circuit to operate in a shadowing mode when the room is brightly illuminated. In other words, if the user shadows photocell with his hand, the signal at the base of transistor 141 becomes more positive and the circuit operates again as described above. This latter feature is not likely to be used to shut off the alarm.

While there have been illustrated and described several embodiments of the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes and modifications will occur.

What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. An electric alarm clock comprising, a clock motor and movement, alarm means for producing an audible signal, means associated with said clock motor and movement for rendering said alarm means efi'ective at a selected time, an electric lamp associated with said clock, means for energizing said lamp substantially simultaneously with the rendering effective of said alarm means, light responsive means associated with said clock, and alarm terminating means actuated by said light responsive means for terminating the audible signal produced by said alarm means in response to changes in the amount of light from said lamp reflected back to said light responsive means.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said light responsive means comprises a photocell controlled network the time constant of which determines the speed of light change necessary to terminate the audible signal produced by said alarm means.

3. The clock of claim 1 wherein said means for energizing said lamp includes an electrical circuit including a first switch and a second switch connected in series, said first switch being normally open and closed at said se lected time, said second switch being normally closed but opened by said alarm terminating means whereby said lamp is energized at said selected time.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said lamp is deenergized upon opening of said second switch.

5. The electric alarm clock of claim 1 wherein said alarm terminating means comprises a capacitor, a silicon controlled rectifier, a solenoid winding and a photocell, and wherein a rapid change in light reaching said photocell causes said silicon controlled rectifier to permit the charge on said capacitor to discharge through said solenoid winding.

6. Alarm terminating means for an electric alarm clock comprising, a casing, a clock motor and movement mounted in said casing, alarm means for producing an audible signal mounted in said casing, means in said casing interrelating said clock motor and movement with said alarm means to render said alarm means effective at a selected predetermined time, an electric lamp mounted on one wall of said casing so that light rays therefrom are directed from said wall away from said casing, means for energizing said lamp substantially simultaneously with the rendering effective of said alarm means, a photocell mounted in said wall adjacent said lamp, and circuit means connected to said photocell for terminating the audible signal produced by said alarm means in response to changes in the amount of light from said lamp reaching said photocell.

7. An electric alarm clock comprising, a casing, a clock motor and movement mounted in said casing, alarm means for producing an audible signal mounted in said casing, means in said casing interrelating said clock motor and movement with said alarm means to render said alarm means effective at a selected predetermined time, an electric lamp mounted adjacent the front wall of said casing so that light rays therefrom are directed from said front wall away from said casing and over the bed of the user of said alarm clock, means for energizing said lamp substantially simultaneously with the rendering effective of said alarm means, a photocell mounted adjacent said front wall closely adjacent said lamp, a lens for causing light rays directed toward said front wall to reach said photocell, and circuit means connected to said photocell for rendering said alarm means ineffective following actuation thereof in response to change in the interception of light rays from said lamp reflected in the direction of said photocell.

8. The alarm clock of claim 7 wherein said circuit means includes two photocells both of which are disposed adjacent said front wall but the second one is remote from said lamp and the first photocell.

9. An electric alarm clock comprising, a casing, a clock motor and movement mounted in said casing, alarm means for producing an audible signal mounted in said casing, means in said casing interrelating said clock motor and movement with said alarm means to render said alarm means effective at a selected predetermined time, an electric lamp mounted adjacent the front wall of said casing so that light rays therefrom are directed from said front wall away from said casing and over the bed of the user of said alarm clock, means for energizing said lamp substantially simultaneously with the rendering effective of said alarm means, a photocell mounted adjacent said front wall closely adjacent said lamp, a lens for causing light rays directed toward said front wall to reach said photocell, and circuit means connected to said photocell including at least one transistor and a silicon controlled rectifier for rendering said alarm means ineffective following actuation thereof in response to rapid interception of light rays from said lamp by a moving portion of the body of the user to change the amount of light reflected from rays in the direction of said photocell.

10. The alarm clock of claim 9 wherein said circuit means includes a second photocell, and said photocells each comprise one arm of a balanced bridge arrangement.

11. An electric alarm clock comprising, a casing, a clock motor and movement mounted in said casing, alarm means for producing an audible signal mounted in said casing, alarm actuating means in said casing interrelating said clock motor and movement with said alarm means to render said alarm means effective at a selected predetermined time, an electric lamp mounted adjacent the front wall of said casing, a reflector for directing light rays from said lamp in a direction away from said front wall of said casing and over the bed of the user of said alarm clock, a photocell mounted adjacent said front wall closely adjacent said lamp, said photocell being incapable of receiving said rays unless reflected in a direction substantially opposite said predetermined direction, a source of electric power, circuit means including two serially connected switches for energizing said lamp from said source, one of said switches being normally open and the other of said switches being normally closed, means for closing said normally open switch to energize said lamp from said source when said alarm actuating means actuates said alarm, a. control circuit including a rectifier and a capacitor connected to said source through said switches whereby said capacitor is charged from said source when both of said switches are closed, a solenoid including a winding, means for opening said normally closed switch in response to actuating of said solenoid, a silicon controlled rectifier interconnecting said winding and said capacitor, and means responsive to a predetermined change in light reaching said photocell for causing the charge on said capacitor to discharge through said winding and actuate said solenoid.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,512,775 6/1950 Parissi 5819 X 3,273,752 9/1966 Horeczky 250210 X 3,328,592 6/1967 Shaw 250221 FOREIGN PATENTS 383,287 11/1932 Great Britain.

STEPHEN I. TOMSKY, Primary Examiner JOHN F. GONZALES, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 250221

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