US1391340A - Timepiece-movement - Google Patents

Description

e/ a f /i j.,

Z VU/ g A A TTRNEYS T. F. l@ OBRIEN.

TIMEPIECE MOVEMENT.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, 1920.

Patented Sept. 20

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

T. F. l. OBRIEN.

TlMEPl-ECE MOVEMENT. APPucATmN FILED AuaLzo. 1920.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

2 SHEETS*SHEET 2.

A TTORNE YS UNITED STATES THOMAS F. I. OBRIEN, 0F BROKLYN, NEW YORK.

TIMEPIECE-MOVEMENT Application filed August 20, 1920.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THoMAs F. I. OBRmN,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Timepiece-Movements; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exacty description of the invention, such aswill enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. n

This invention relates to time `piece movements, and more particularly to the part which is generally known as the esrapement. Heretofore the escapement in watches particularly has been by means of a balance wheel having a long spiral spring and a walking-beam control by means of which the speed of the watch movement is restricted.

The objects of the present invention are to overcome the oscillatory movement of the escapement mechanism; to reduce the length of spring necessary for control of the escapement; to provide a structure which is not affected by changes in temperature, and thus permits `the time piece to run accurately under varying conditions; to avoid unnecessarily changing the driving mechanism of the present day time piece; to secure simplicity of construction, installation and operation, and to obtain other advantages andresults that may be brought out in the' following description. Y i

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views;

Figure l is a rear view of anopen time piece showing my invention applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a-vertical sectional view through my improved escapement means;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a similar view showing the parts in different position;

Figs. 5 & 6 are views corresponding to Figs. 2 and 4f, showing amodified construc- Figs. 7 & A8 are views corresponding to Figs. 3 and 4 of-a still further modified construction.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

Serial No. 404,754.

which is mounted the usual motive means such as the spring 2 for actuating the movement through a suitable train of gearing 3. Associated with this train of gearing 3 is my improved escapement means which operates to retard the movement of the gearing to the proper speed so thehands indicatingd 'i the time of dayl will make their cycle in the usual period of time. This escapement movement in itspreferred construction will be next described.

A rotary member 5, such as a disk or wheel is mounted upon a shaft 6 driven by means of a pinion 7 from the train of gearing 3. In the preferred construction now being described, this disk 5 is positioned upon the outside of the usual movement frame l so the shaft- 6 does not have to eX- tend beyond the disk. At the' periphery of the disk are a plurality of protuberances 8 which preferably project laterally from the plane of the disk. As shown, these protuberances are short pins which are held fast, as by riveting in the disk. Furthermore, the pins preferably arel inserted in ears 9 vlvhlich project radially from the edge of the cis Mounted radially of the disk opposite the end of the shaft 6 is a bracket 10 having a lug 11 projecting therefrom directly opposite the end of the shaft 6. It is to be understood, however, that I do not restrict myself to the specific bracket and lug, as other means for effecting the purpose may be employed within the spirit of the present invention. The bracket and lug are for the purpose of supporting a spring 12 diametrically of the disk 5 closely adjacent thereto so as to be in the path of movement of the protuberances 8. As shown, the spring is preferably a leaf spring which normally extends straight across, that is, without any curvature but which may be deflected at its opposite ends by engagement with the protuberances 8 as the disk 5 rotates. the protuberances 8 will deflect the spring ends, the continued rotation of the disk will bring the protuberances to a position where the spring will become disengaged and the ends will then snap back into their normal or straight positions. The parts, however, are so proportioned that the next pin immediately engages the spring and again delects it.

Arranged opposite the periphery of the disk 5 are a pair of pawls 13 having detents 14 which are adapted to engage the said protuberances 8. These pawls and detents are so arranged as to stop rotation of the disk 5 when they come into engagement with the protuberances, and it is this engagement which interferes with the rotation of the disk thus regulating the measurement of time intervals. The pawls 13 also have cam portions 15 arranged and adapted to be engaged by the ends of spring 12 as they snap back into normal position, this engagement operating to lift the pawl. It may be here noted that the ends of spring 12 are prefer ably curled back upon themselves so as to form a rounding surface which will not wear unduly -in its engagement with the cam 15 or protuberances 8.

In operation, the rotating member or disk .5 is continuously actuated in the direction indicated by the arrow, and as it rotates the diametrically opposite pins or protuberances 8, 8 engage near the ends ot spring 12 and deflect the same. Continued rotation of member 5 operates to move the said pins past the ends of the spring, as is shown as just having happened in Fig. 3. As soon as the spring ends become thus released, the next pins to the rea-r are engaged by the pawls 13, thus stopping rotation of said member 5. However, as soon as spring ends are released, the spring will tend to straighten, and in doing so its ends ily back and engage under the cam portions 15, raising the pawls and thus releasing the pin so as to permit the rotating member to advance another step. Obviously as soon as said member is released, it will continue to rotate and the pin which was held by the pawl immediately engages the spring to deflect it again, thus repeating the above described operation. It may be here noted that a suitable spring 16 is provided 'for each pawl 'for actuating the pawl toward the rotating member.

rIhe foregoing desc iption more particularly applies to a movement in which the rotating member is outside the usual movement iframe. However, it is to be understood that the whole operating structure may be arranged to be entirely within the frame. This may be accomplished in various ways, one of which is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. In said figures, the reference numeral 17 indicatesthe watch frame, and numeral 18 indicates the rotatable member mounted within the same on shaft 19. In this case shaft 19 is shown extending through the rotating member so as to have a bearing in both plates oi the frame. It is therefore not practicable in this inst-ance to provide a lug opposite the end of said shaft to receive the releasing spring as in the embodiment previously described. Instead, I provide two lugs, one on either side of the shaft closely adjacent thereto. As shown, these lugs, numbered 20, 20, are integ 'al with the trame plate on the inside of the same and project inwardly substantially to the rotating member. Each of these lugs carries a spring 21, 21 which projects outward and is adapted to be deflected by pins 22, on said rotating member similar to the construction and operation described in connection with the preferred construction. Said springs 21, 21 likewise operate pawls 23, as in the previously described construction.

In Figs. 7 and 8, I have shown a still further modiied construction wherein a lever is introduced between the spring` and the actuating pins. In said iigures, a rotating member 2li is shown having a plurality of protuberances or pins 25 at its periphery. Fast with respect to the frame is a lug 26 which supports a spring 27. This spring extends inwardly adjacent the center of the rotating member and its free end bears against an arm of a bell-crank lever 28 pivoted to the frame adjacent the center of the rota-ting member. The long arm of the lever 28 projects outwardly and is adapted to be engaged by the pins 25. Due to the eccentricity of the pivotal mounting of the lever with respect to the rotating member, the end of the lever will slip from its engagement with the pin as the rotating member is turned around, and the pressure exerted by the spring 27 will snap the lever back again to repeat the operation. As said lever snaps back, its end comes into engagement with a pawl 29 to litt the same. Said pawl, as in the previously described constructions, will interrupt the movement of the rotating member, but is adapted to be automatically released as just described.

The pawl in any one of the structures adopted may be of any desired construction, and for illustrative purposes I have shown the pawl in Figs. 1 to 6 as of a rigid type, pivoted near one end and pressed into position by a spring. In Figs. 7 and 8. on the other hand, the pawls 29 are shown as themselves the springs. Lugs 30, 80 are provided in the frame for receiving and holdingone end of the spring-pawls. and the other end of said pawls are provided with pin engaging shoulders and therebeyond a cam portion 32 by means of which the pawl may be delected.

Obviously other detail changes and modifications may be made in manufacture and use of my improved time-piece movement, and I do not wish to be understood as conining myself to the exact structure shown except as required by the following claims when construed in the light oi the prior art.

I claim 1. In a time piece movement, the combination with motive means, of a rotary member constantly actuated inone direction, said member having protuberances thereon, stop 10 stop means from the next protuberanee.

2. In a time piece movement, the combination with motive means, of a rotary member actuated in one direction protuberances on said member, means adapted to engage said protuberances for interrupting the rotation of said member, a cam lever for disengaging said interrupting means, and a spring for operating said lever.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

THOMAS F. I. OBRIEN.

Images