US3672149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clock mechanism actuated by successively supplied ball weights
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-11-23
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Granted: 1972-06-27
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Expires: 1990-11-23
Abstract
Abstract A clock mechanism actuated by a large number of separate ball weights which are fed individually from a supply chamber into a cup on a counterweighted pivoted motion arm or balance lever. The weight of each successive ball overcomes the counterweight of the lever and swings it about its pivot until the ball cup moves to a position where the ball drops from the cup and permits the lever to swing back to its counterbalanced position. The lever is connected to suitable mechanism so that this movement of the lever produces a predetermined advance of indicators of the clock to indicate correct time. The balls discharged successively from the ball cup are collected and supplied to the ball supply chamber for re-use in actuating the indicator mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A Howard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 03:34
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B17/00; G04B19/00; G04B19/20; G04B19/202; G04D; G04D1/00; G04D1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A clock mechanism comprising indicating mechanism, means for actuating said indicating mechanism, said means comprising a motion arm, means for operatively connecting said motion arm to said indicating mechanism, said motion arm being pivoted intermediate its ends for vertical oscillating movement and being counterweighted at one end to normally raise its opposite end, a weight-receiving cup at said opposite end, means for feeding individual weights successively into said cup to overcome the counterweight of the arm and move the cup end downwardly, and weight-receiving means located to receive a weight discharged from said cup when the cup end of the arm reaches a predetermined downward position and then begins its return upward movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A clock mechanism comprising indicating mechanism, means for actuating said indicating mechanism, said means comprising a motion arm, means for operatively connecting said motion arm to said indicating mechanism, said motion arm being pivoted intermediate its ends for vertical oscillating movement and being counterweighted at one end to normally raise its opposite end, a weight-receiving cup at said opposite end, means for feeding individual weights successively into said cup to overcome the counterweight of the arm and move the cup end downwardly, and weight-receiving means located to receive a weight discharged from said cup when the cup end of the arm reaches a predetermined downward position and then begins its return upward movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 1 including yieldable means connected to said motion arm to resist and control the speed of downward movement of the cup end of said arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 2 in which said yieldable means comprises a fluid-type dashpot connected to the cup end of said motion arm and having an adjustable flow-valve to set the speed of downward movement of said cup end of the arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 2 in which said weight-feeding means comprises a supply chamber for the individual weights and an ejector unit for controlling the successive ejection of the weights therefrom into said cup, and control means controlled by downward return movement of said counterweighted motion end of said arm to its initial position resulting from discharge of a weight from said cup, to actuate said ejector unit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 4 in which the weights are in the form of balls, said supply chamber being in the form of a tube for holding a supply of balls and feeding them by gravity to a discharge outlet where said ejector unit is located, said means for receiving the weights comprising a tube for receiving and feeding the ball weight discharged from said cup to an outlet end, a release gate at said end having means contacted by the counterweighted end of said motion arm to open it and release a ball weight, and said control means comprising trigger means actuated by said released ball weight to actuate said ejector unit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 5 in which said trigger means comprises a weight-receiving pocket carried by a kicker arm which is operatively connected to said ejector unit and is moved by the weight as it moves into said pocket.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 6 in which the pocket is inclined so that the weight will roll therethrough, and a weight-collecting chamber normally in cooperation with said pocket for receiving and accumulating the successive weights.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 7 in which said ball weight supply chamber tube has an inlet and said weight-collecting chamber is in the form of a tube having an opening, a movable gate for controlling said opening, and means for normally holding said gate open when said weight-collecting tube is in cooperation with said pocket, said tube being inclined toward a closed end, said weight-collecting tube being movable to an inverted position to its opening in cooperation with said inlet of said weight-supply tube and to reverse the inclination of said collecting tube so that the balls will roll toward said gate, and means adjacent said supply tube for opening said gate to permit the balls to roll into said inlet of the supply tube.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
94 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 1 in which the means for connecting said motion arm to said indicating mechanism comprises a ratchet gear keyed on a shaft which provides the pivot for said motion arm which is keyed thereon, and a pair of ratchet devices connected to said shaft for respectively engaging said ratchet gear to drive it in a clockwise direction only upon rotation of said shaft in opposite directions by swingIng of said arm in opposite directions about said shaft, said indicator mechanism being connected to and actuated by said ratchet gear.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
Clock mechanism according to claim 1 in which said weight-receiving cup is pivoted to the end of said motion arm for receiving one of the weights supplied from said chamber, said weight-receiving means comprising a pocket, and means for engaging said cup as the cup end of the arm moves near the extent of its downward movement to move the cup to discharge the weight into said pocket.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1461739A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-06-27 | 1975-12-27 | 1976-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-06-27 | 1979-12-27 | 1980-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-06-27 | 1983-12-27 | 1984-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |