US3580217A

US3580217A - Mechanically actuated warning device

Info

Publication number: US3580217A
Application number: US779955A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jean Charles Joseph Blosse; Michel Jean Joseph Blosse
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1967-12-07
Filing date: 1968-11-29
Publication date: 1971-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 1988-05-25
Also published as: FR1553961A; GB1182410A; DE1812579B2; ES361562A1; DE1812579A1

Abstract

Mechanically actuated warning device of the doorbell type. A hammer is caused to strike sound plates by means of a push piece having a cam portion which acts on an actuating element which is drivingly connected to the hammer through elastically yieldable means forming an overcenter mechanism with the actuating element. Return means urge the actuating element to a position of rest in which the hammer is in the vicinity of one of the sound plates.

Description

United States Patent [72] Inventors Jean Charles Joseph Blosse; 2,757,633 8/1956 Roseman 1 16/169X Michel Jean Joseph Blosse, 48 Boulevard de 2,782,753 2/1957 Grohsgal 1 16/169 General de Gaulle 95, Sannois, France 2,856,890 10/1958 Rinker 116/141 [21] Appl. No. 779,955 3,012,538 12/1961 Roseman.... 116/169 ffl d g g-52, 33? 3,038,440 6/1962 McEvoy 116/141 atente y 32 Priority Dec. 7, 1967 F OREIGN 1 ENTS France GreatBr ta n [31] 131,294 912,363 12/1962 Great Britain 116/169 Primary Examiner-Louis J. Capozi Att0meyMax Wall [54] MECHANICALLY ACTUATED WARNING DEVICE I g 12 Claims, 9 Drawing Figs.

84/404, 340/392 ABSTRACT: Mechanically actuated warning device of the [51] 1/10 doorbell type. A hammer is caused tostrike sound plates by [50] Field of Search 1 16/141, means f a h iece having a cam portion which acts on an 340/392, 393 actuating element which is drivingly connected to the hammer through elastically yieldable means forming an overcenter [56] References CM mechanism with the actuating element. Return means urge the UNITED STATES PATENTS actuating element to a position of rest in which the hammer is 2,472,382 6/1949 Miller 1 16/169 in the vicinity of one of the sound plates.

- 24 J m a 1+ "2-. .1

Patented May 25, 1971 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented May 25, 1971 3,580,217

3 Sheets-Sheet 5 MECHANICALLY ACTUA'I'ED WARNING DEVICE The present invention relates to mechanically actuated warning devices and more particularly to doorbells of the type having a push piece actuating a hammer which alternately strikes two sound plates.

Warning devices of the aforementioned type are known in which the push piece acts on the intermediate mechanism connected to an arm carrying the hammer. The arrangement and the operation of these mechanisms are usually complicated and the warning devices resulting therefrom are expensive. 1

The object of the invention is to provide a mechanically actuated warning device of the type having a push piece and a hammer carried by an arm pivotably mounted between two sound plates in a housing, wherein said push piece .is integral with a cam which is located within said housing and cooperates with an' actuating element drivingly connected to said hammer, and actuating element constituting with elastically yieldable means an overcenter mechanism and being urged by return means to a position of rest in which said hammer is in the vicinity of one of said plates.

Further features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the ensuing description with reference to the accompanying drawings. i

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partial vertical sectional view of a warning device according to the invention mounted on'a door;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the sound-producing mechanism; g

FIG. 3 is a detail sectional view of the sound plate taken along line 3-3 of FIG. pendicular to the curvature of this plate;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the mechanism;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are front and side elevational views respectively of the housing;

FIG. 7 is a partial view similar to FIG. 1 of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of this second embodiment; and v FIG. 9 is a partial view similar to FIG. 8 of a third embodiment of the invention.

he embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-6, a warning device of the doorbell type according to the invention comprises mainly a housing A'secured to the inner face of the door P and containing tw o sound plates B, C having different thicknesses, lengths and therefore emitting different sounds, a hammer D, a hammer-actuating mechanism E controlled by a cam F and a push piece G partly disposed in an aperture in the door and connected to a coaxial tube H to which the cam F is secured.

The housing A comprises a base 1 secured to the wall of the door, for example by means of screws, and a resonant cover 1. The metal sound plates B, C are preferably curved and each is supported by two posts 3, which are integral with the base 1 or mounting of the 2, approximately per- I fixed to the latter, through pins 4 and rings 5 of a flexible foam material, for example Nylon foam, which acoustically insulates the plates from the housing and facilitates their positioning/The center part of each ring 5 is clamped if desired by a wire around the corresponding reduced part of the pin 4. 42 The hammer D is carried by an 38 6 pivotably mounted on a pin 7 secured to the base 1. The hammer-actuating mechanism E comprises a lever 8 which is mounted to rotate about a pin 9 on the base 1 and is connected to the hammer through a tension coil spring 10. The lever 8 is biased to a position of rest in which the hammer D is in the vicinity of the plate B having the low pitch note by a spring 11 wound around the pin 9 and anchored in the base 1. In this position, the lever 8 bears against a cylindrical. portion l3 of the cam F, the action of the spring 11 tending to limit cam play.

When the cam is displaced by the push piece inwardly of the housing, a conical portion 13 of this cam acts on the lever 8 and rotates it towards the plate C. Two adjustable stops 14, consisting of two vertical strips secured to the base 1, limit the travel of the spring and therefore preclude contact of the hammer D with the plates once this hammer has struck them, so as to avoid interferring with their vibration and facilitate the percussion of the hammer.

A coil spring 11'' bearing against and surrounding the cam F is anchored, at one end, to the upper coil of the spring 11 and, at the other end, to the lower end of the spring 11. This spring 11 contributes to the balancing of the forces which tends to radially wedge the push piece in the course of its movement so as to maintain it in the longitudinal direction.

The arrangement is such that (as the diagram shown in FIG.

4 indicates) the path of the free end of the lever 8 passes beyond or at least over the pin 7 so that the percussion on the sound plates is sufficiently strong. It is also necessary that the spring 10 be put under sufficient tension when the lever 8 is shifted so that the release thereof is effective. For this purpose, it will be observed that, in the diagram shown in FIG. 4, the distance M N must be sufficiently great relative to the distance MN, and likewise the distance M,N must be sufficiently great relative to the distance M N The straight lines M N and M,N must be sufficiently remote from the pin 7 that the hammer is put suitably out of balance, that is, put suddenly out of balance. 7

The push piece G consists of a tube engaged in a mount 15 which is adapted in the aperture of the door and comprises a flange l6 bearing against the door. The tube G also comprises a flange 17 for abutment against the flange 16 of the mount and the portion of the tube G located beyond this flange 17 inside the mount 15 is engaged and secured, for example by an adhesive, in the coaxial tube H. A return compression spring 18 is located coaxially between the flange 17 of the push piece and an abutment Washer 19 applied against a stop ring 20 disposed in an inner recess in the mount 15. The assembly comprising the abutment washer 19 and the ring 20 may be replaced by a screw-threaded ring. The spring 18 biases the push piece G outwardly so that the flange 17 bears against the flange 16 of the mount. The number of coils of the spring can be so calculated that the latter can also act as an abutment for limiting the travel of the push piece G when the latter is depressed by the finger. The cam F is connected to the tube H by two setscrews 21 which are disposed at to each other and allow an axial adjustment of the position in accordance with the thickness of the wall of the door. A shock-absorbing washer 22, as of felt, may be disposed between the cam F and the base 1 of the housing. The end of the tube H located in the housing is close to a coaxial sleeve 23 integral with the cover 2 of the housing. This sleeve defines an opening 24 intended for viewing the outer space through an optical spyglass or judas hole whose lenses are mounted in the tube constituting the push piece G. Shown in dot-dash line in FIG. 1 is the position of the end of the tube H engaged in the sleeve 23 when the push piece is actuated and the shown in FIG. 2 is the corresponding position of the mechanism E and hammer D.

A closing slide or panel 25 is provided for the opening 24 (FIG. 5). Sound holes 26 suitably arranged in the lateral walls of the cover of the housing (FIG. 6) improve the resonance of this housing.

When the push piece G is depressed, the tube H moves and drives the cam F. The lever 8, which initially bears against the cylindrical portion 12 of the cam (FIG. 2), is rotated by the conical portion 13 in opposition to the action of the spring 11. The spring 10 connecting the lever 8 to the hammer D is progressively extended and, when the lever 8 passes beyond thepin 7, the maximum tension of the spring 10 causes the hammer D to rotate very suddenly and strike the plate C. The stop 14 for the spring 10 prevents the hammer from remaining in contact with the plate C. The new position is shown in dotdash line in FIG. 2.

As the lever 8 has been actuated stressing of the spring 11, as soon as the push piece G is released, the lever 8 is returned by the spring 11, the latter being assisted by the spring 18 of the push piece. As the lever 8 passes over the pin 7 the spring 10, which was progressively tensioned, suddenly shifts the hammer towards the plate B.

in opposition to the position of the cam F, and

i In this case also, the stop 14 for the springl prevents any undesired contact of the hammer D with the plate B.

The mechanism E for actuating the hammer D constitutes an overcenter mechanism. As has been stressed with reference to the diagram shown in FIG. 4, it is at the moment when the lever 8 passes over the pin 7 that the spring is extended to the maximum extent and suddenly drives the hammer D towards either of the sound plates.

The warning device of the doorbell type shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 differs from the foregoing device only in the arrangement of its overcenter mechanism for actuating the hammer.

Mounted in the housing A secured to the inner face of a door P, are two sound plates B, C and the hammer D. The overcenter mechanism E is controlled by the cam F connected to the push piece having an incorporated optical .spyglass or judas hole (not shown) through the coaxial tube H.

The hammer D is carried by an arm 6 which is mounted to rotate about a pin 7 secured to the base 1 of the housing. The hammer-actuating mechanism E comprises a lever 8 which is'mounted to rotate about a pin 9 on the base 1 and is operatively connected to the hammer D so as to drive it positively when the push piece is actuated. For'this purpose, the lever terminates in a fork position 30 between the branches of which is engaged a lug 31' carried by an arm 32 integral with the hammer D. A tension coil spring 10 anchored, on one hand, to the hammer and, on the other hand, to a stud 33 fixed to the base 1 ensures the passage through the overcenter position of the mechanism when the push piece is actuated.

b Two stops l4? limit the travel of the spring 10 so as to prevent a prolonged contact of the hammer'with the sound plates after percussion.

The arrangement is such that the lever 8 and the arm 6 carrying the hammer D rotate in the same direction when the mechanism is actuated. In order to accommodate the rotational movements about different axes of the fork portion 30 and of the hammer D, the fork portion has suitable dimensions but maintains the lug 31 between its branches. The position corresponding to the percussion of the hammer against the plate C is shown in dot-dash line in FIG. 8.

t In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the hammer D is carried by a pivotable arm 6 provided with a lug 41 located in an oblong aperture 40 in the lever 8 i The overcenter mechanism E comprises a tension coil spring 10 which is anchored to the hammer and to the base of the housing. In this embodiment, the lever 8 and the arm 6 with the hammer D pivot in opposite directions.

The aperture 40 has such dimensions as to allow these pivotal movements about different axes.

By way of modification, the connection between the lever and the hammer could be by means of a lug carried by the lever and engaged in an aperture fonned in the hammer or in the arm carrying the hammer.

Apart from the simplicity of the mechanism, the warning device according to the invention has the advantage of allowing the incorporation of an optical spyglass or judas hole in the push piece which is specially adapted to serve as a mount for the objective lens or for the, assembly of the lenses of the optical spyglass. The warning and observing functions require only a single aperture in the door.

even in respect of very small variations in thickness.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been described, many modifications and changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having now described our invention what we claim as new and desire to secure by LettersPatent is:

l. A mechanically actuated warning device of the doorbell type, comprising a housing, two sound plates mounted in said housing, an annpivotably mounted in the latter and carrying a hammer for allowing angular movement of i said hammer between said two sound plates, a push piece slidably mounted in said housing, a cam rigid with said push piece, an actuating element 'operatively connected to said hammer and urged elastically against said cam so as to be directly moved by the latter when said push piece is pushed in, elastically yieldable means connected to said hammer and constituting with said actuating element an overcenter mechanism, and return means cooperative with said actuating element for urging said actuating element to a position of rest in which said hammer is in the vicinity of one of said plates.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a tube integral with said push piece and on which said cam is mounted; said cam being adjustable in position alongsaid tube without requiring the cutting of said tube whenmounting the device.

3. A device as claimed in claim I, wherein said cam comprises a cylindrical portion with which said actuatingelement is in contact in said position of rest and a substantially frustoconical portion with which said actuating element is in contact when actuating said 'push pieces. I i

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating element is a pivotable lever connected to said hammer through said elastically yieldable means.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating element is a pivotable lever connected to said hammer in such manner as to drive the latter positively when said push piece is actuated, said elastically yieldable means being connected to said hammer and to said housing.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising complementary connecting elements between said lever and structure consisting of said hammer and said arm, said complementary connecting. elements being cooperative with play therebetween so as to allow movement of said hammer after passage through said center. I

' 7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lever is provided with a fork portion in which is'engaged a lug integral with said structure consisting of said hammer and said arm.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lever is provided with an oblong aperture in which is engaged a lug integral with-said structure consisting of said hammer and said arm. 9. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising two adjustable stops for limiting the travel of said elastically yieldable means so as to prevent said hammer from remaining in contact with one of said sound plates after percussion thereof.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said sound plates has a curved shape.

. mechanism must be cut to suit the thicknesses of the walls,

11. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising means for mounting each of said sound plates on said housing and including a pin integral with said housing and having a portion of reduced section, and a ring of flexible material interposed between said plate and said portion of reduced section, whereby said plates are sound insulated from said housing.

12. A mechanically actuated warning device of the doorbell type, comprising a housing, two sound plates, a push piece, an 60 f ann pivotable between said two sound plates, a hammer carried by said arm, a cam integral with said push piece and located in said housing, an actuating element drivingly connected to said hammer and cooperative with said cam, elastically yieldable means combined with said actuating element and constituting with said actuating element an overcenter mechanism, and return means cooperative with said actuating element for urging said actuating element to a position of rest in which said hammer is in the vicinity of one of said plates, said push piece comprising a mounting tube having a throughway bore and an optical spyglass structure including lenses mounted in said bore of said tube, said housing having a throughway opening coaxial with said opticalvspyglass struct turewhereby it is possible to observe'the space on the side of said housing remotefrom said opening by peering through said opening and said spyglass.

Claims

1. A mechanically actuated warning device of the doorbell type, comprising a housing, two sound plates mounted in said housing, an arm pivotably mounted in the latter and carrying a hammer for allowing angular movement of said hammer between said two sound plates, a push piece slidably mounted in said housing, a cam rigid with said push piece, an actuating element operatively connected to said hammer and urged elastically against said cam so as to be directly moved by the latter when said push piece is pushed in, elastically yieldable means connected to said hammer and constituting with said actuating element an overcenter mechanism, and return means cooperative with said actuating element for urging said actuating element to a position of rest in which said hammer is in the vicinity of one of said plates.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising a tube integral with said push piece and on which said cam is mounted, said cam being adjustable in position along said tube without requiring the cutting of said tube when mounting the device.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cam comprises a cylindrical portion with which said actuating element is in contact in said position of rest and a substantially frustoconical portion with which said actuating element is in contact when actuating said push pieces.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, further comprising complementary connecting elements between said lever and structure consiSting of said hammer and said arm, said complementary connecting elements being cooperative with play therebetween so as to allow movement of said hammer after passage through said center.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lever is provided with a fork portion in which is engaged a lug integral with said structure consisting of said hammer and said arm.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said lever is provided with an oblong aperture in which is engaged a lug integral with said structure consisting of said hammer and said arm.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, comprising two adjustable stops for limiting the travel of said elastically yieldable means so as to prevent said hammer from remaining in contact with one of said sound plates after percussion thereof.

12. A mechanically actuated warning device of the doorbell type, comprising a housing, two sound plates, a push piece, an arm pivotable between said two sound plates, a hammer carried by said arm, a cam integral with said push piece and located in said housing, an actuating element drivingly connected to said hammer and cooperative with said cam, elastically yieldable means combined with said actuating element and constituting with said actuating element an overcenter mechanism, and return means cooperative with said actuating element for urging said actuating element to a position of rest in which said hammer is in the vicinity of one of said plates, said push piece comprising a mounting tube having a throughway bore and an optical spyglass structure including lenses mounted in said bore of said tube, said housing having a throughway opening coaxial with said optical spyglass structure whereby it is possible to observe the space on the side of said housing remote from said opening by peering through said opening and said spyglass.