US2460634A - Alarm clock - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 1, 1949. R. F. HECKMER, SR 2,460,634

ALARM CLOCK Filed Jan. 7, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l flmaoz ih.

Feb. 1., 1949.

Filed Jan. 7, 1946 R. F. HECKMER, SR

ALARM CLOCK 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Inventor fiqyffiofidFffeclfme); $23

WW Z9 Patented Feb. 1, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ALARM CLOCK Raymond F. Heckmer, Sr., Youngstown, Ohio Application January 7, 1946, Serial No. 639,495

1 Claim.

This invention relates to alarm clocks and has for its object to provide a novel alarm signal for clocks of this type together with a new mechanism for operating the same.

Persons with reduced hearing faculties cannot use, as a rule, the conventional type of alarm clock producing an acoustic alarm signal. This signal moreover has the drawback that it constitutes a serious disturbance for everybody who happens to be at rest within a certain distance from the clock, as the acoustic signal intensity has to be above a minimum intensity to be effective.

The alarm clock according to the invention uses light signals and is predicated on the physiological light reflex of the human body, a sufficient volume of light above a certain intensity, interrupting the sleep of a person instantly in all cases of normal or sound reflexes.

The invention has therefore for its main object to provide a clock producing a light signal of the required volume and intensity. It has for a further object to operate said signal with means which may be used in connection with the usual spring operated alarm clock. Still further ob jects will be apparent from the following detailed specification.

The invention is described with reference to a single embodiment, which has to show a specific construction and arrangement in order to be operative. However, it will be manifest to the expert skilled in this art that this specific construction and arrangement is not the sole embodiment of the invention and that other embodiments are included and are equally, well adapted to carry into effect the inventive idea. Some of these constructions and arrangements are even foreshadowed in the specification which describes the invention in such term-s as to suggest further modifications. Such modifications and constructive changes, as far as included in the annexed claim, are therefore to be regarded as part of the invention and not as a departure therefrom.

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is an elevational front view of the alarm clock, when positioned and secured on the signal box forming a pedestal for it.

Figure 2 is an elevational side View, partly in section, of the clock and the signal box.

Figure 3 is an elevational rear view, partly in section, of the alarm clock, and

Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the connections.

When constructing a clock with a light signal based on the physiological effect of light on a sleeping person, the volume and intensity of the light plays a major part. This volume and intensity has to be selected by experience with due consideration to the group of persons showing the slowest reaction. The lamp used for producing the light signal may as experience shows, not be operated by weak currents at low voltages such as furnished by dry cells. More over it is hardly possible in commercial constructions to concentrate the light into a beam, which would have to be directed toward the sleeping person. The source of light has preferably to be a conventional incandescent-lamp of sufficient power to produce the desired effect and it was found that a lamp of about 150 w. proves to be necessary. An incandescent lamp of this type requires operation from the -120 v. power line, and the alarm clock construction has therefore tobe such that voltages and current intensities associated with such a power line can be handled.

The entire alarm mechanism according to the invention consists of the light signal box I housing the signal lamp 2 which forms the base or support for the clock designated in general by 3. The signal box i, is only provided with the lamp socket 4, with a toggle switch 5, permitting to cut out the lamp and with the necessary wires or other connections 6. The front side of the box I may be covered by a wall 1 with a circular hole 8 through which the lamp bulb 2 projects to the desired extent.

The casing I2 may be permanently secured to the casing l by suitable means such as angle arm fasteners 37 or the like. In order to be able to carry the unit, a carrying handle 45 may, moreover, be secured to the casing l.

The alarm clock proper I0 is shown as being of the type having a cylindrical clock work casing H with a dial H! in front, which may be fastened within an outer casing l2, provided with a front cover I3 through which the clock dial I l projects.

The casing 12 is provided at its upper end with a plug socket or connector 55 into which the plugs of a sma1l lamp [6 are inserted. This lamp is preferably provided with a reflector il' directing its rays downwardly and it carries its own cut-01f switch I8.

This lamp is not connected with the alarm circuit. It may serve as a dial illuminator or even as a night light. It is controlled separately by hand.

The outer casing l2, moreover, contains the alarm circuit switch 20, operated by the alarm clock, which comprises two alarm signal contacts 2|, 22 and a switch arm 23, fulcrumed below the contacts, which carries an insulated contact bridging piece 24. The fulcrum of the switch arm is formed by a pivot pin 26 carried by lugs 25.

At its upper end the switch arm 23 is provided with a slot 27. Through the said slot 27 a pin 28 projects which is carried by a push rod 29. Said rod passes through the outer casing l2 on one side and is provided with a push button 30, which may be actuated by the user of the alarm clock, in order to bring the rod into or out of operative position. The push rod 29, moreover, passes through the cylindrical casing l I of the clock on the inner side and is provided at its inner end with an inclined guiding or head plate 3| fastened to the push rod in any approved manner.

This head plate 3| is arranged within the range of action of a rotating alarm dog.or tongue 32 which is mounted on a shaft 33 rotated by the alarm spring 34.

Where the alarm spring is mounted within a drum which is rotated by it, the dog or tongue may be carried by said drum.

The dog 32 during its rotation presses against the head plate 3| of the push rod 29 and pushes it back, thus operating the switch arm 23 by means of the pin 28 engaging slot 2'! of said arm. In addition to this switch mechanism the casing carries a toggle switch 35 controlling the circuit of the alarm signal contacts 2!, 22 and a plug socket 36, arranged in the alarm circuit 40. This plug socket may serve for the connection of an additional lamp arranged at a distance or for connection with any time controlled apparatus which it is desired to operate by means of the alarm clock. This may be an electric range, a washing machine 'or any other apparatus.

In addition the casing I2 may house a bell transformer 38 and an alarm bell 39 which may act as an auxiliary or subsidiary alarm supplementing the main alarm. This auxiliary alarm is especially useful in the event that a number of persons have to be. alarmed.

The connections will be manifest from Figure 4. The conventional cord provided with a plug connection 4| completes the outfit.

As shown in Figure 1 the signal box may be connected with the alarm clock casing [2 by means of a cord with plug connection 42.

The operation of the alarm clock will be clear and need not be explained in detail.

It will be readily understood that the equipment may be changed in many ways and that the alarm clock arrangement when detached from the signal lamp box may be used to operate any other time controlled apparatus without the lamp. However, these are auxiliary uses, which may be substituted for or combined with the main function which consists of operating a lamp for alarm purposes.

I claim:

An alarm clock arrangement provided with a visual signal consisting in an electric bulb producing light of a predetermined volume and intensity and supplied by connections with the mains of a network of customary network voltage, comprising an alarm clock provided with a winding shaft, an outer casing surrounding and enclosing said alarm clock, a switch mechanism between said casing and said alarm clock, including a push rod carrying a push plate and a push button, the latter projecting outside of the casing and adapted for hand operation, and the former projecting into the vicinity of the winding shaft, an insulated lever pivoted to said casing and connected with said push rod, a contact bridge piece carried by the same, contacts facing said bridge piece and adapted to be operatively connected thereby, said contacts being carried by said outer casing and connected with the electric bulb and its supply wires respectively, and a member fixed on the winding shaft for pressing back said push plate and operating said push rod upon rotation of the said shaft.

RAYMOND F. HECKMER, SR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,350,693 Barletta Aug. 24, 1920 1,895,703 Cranwill Jan. 31, 1933 2,045,798 Purvis June 30, 1936 2,105,050 Mome Jan. 11, 1938 2,276,339 Price Mar. 17, 1942 2,396,947 Gutteridge Mar. 19, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 61,125 Sweden July 6, 1926 211,751 Great Britain Feb. 28, 1924

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