US1830553A - Elapsed time indicator - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 3, 1931.

F. B. LOVE ET AL ELAPSED TIME INDI CATOR Filed April 2, 1925 INVENTORD Jraflc/s [3, Jew: and By Bo 4 72277 w v Q9 A TTORNE S Patented Nov. 3, 1931 UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANCIS B. LOVE AND IBOYID H. SMITH, OF SHELBY, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE AUTO- 'CALL COMPANY, OF SHELBY, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ELAPSED TIME INDICATOR Application filed April 2,

This invention relates to an elapsed time indicator. More particularly it comprises mechanism, adapted to be associated with a signaling circuit over which signals are arranged to be transmitted at predetermined 1ntervals, which will sound an alarm or give other suitable indication of the non-transmission of a signal within. the time allotted over the supervised circuit. Heretofore in circuits including watchmans call-boxes and similar apparatus, it has been the practice to provide recording apparatus at a central station to show when signals were transmitted. Such records are usually made between the end of business hours of one day and the commencement of the following business day, and the record made in the interval is inspected on the following day, as a rule. In some instances central s ation supervision is made by a person detailed for such work. However, in most instances in small communities or in industrial plants it is found impossible to provide for constant personal supervision at the recording station and yet the dangers of unsupervised systems are realized. Thus a watchman may become ill or be physically disabled while making his rounds or may be cut off from his call-box by fire or some unforseen catastrophe and yet knowledge of the non-transmission of the signal may not reach the reserve station until after a time when relief could have been sent with a fair chance of protecting life and property.

The present invention has for its principal object the provision of automatic means which will supervise a signal transmitting circuit and will give proper indications of the non-transmission of a single routine signal upon the line under supervision during a predetermined time interval. Another object of the invention is to provide for a readily adjustable means for varying the time interval during which non-transmission of a signal on the supervised line will result in a special signal or alarm. A further object of the invention is to provide for a series of signals or alarms to be transmitted in the event of the non-transmission of a routine signal over thesupervised line, one such alarm 1925. Serial No. 20,128.

being designed to reach a limited reserve station. such as the main building of an industrial plant, and the succeeding alarm, de signed to follow the first alarm after a short time interval, such as two minutes, being of a more general character and being intended to notify the police or fire departments or sound a siren or other general alarm devices. To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists o1 the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention. such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention mav be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an apparatus embodying the principles of our invention, with the cover portion thereof removed; Fig. 2 is a vertical section view taken along the line 2-2 shown in Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows, the cover being shown in place; and Fig. 3 is a sectional detailed view taken along the line 3+3 shown in Fig. 1,-looking n the d rection of the arrows.

As is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. the apparatus comprises a casing having a supporting section -'1. and a cover section 2. The supporting section comprises a base portion 3. and a back wall or panel section 4. A rib 5 is provided in spaced relation to the edge of the panel section. with its lower portion 6 extending outwardly upon the base section to p ovide a seat against wh ch the top 7 and side walls 8 of the cover section may re t when the cover section is engaged in enclosing pos tion over the apparatus. A pair of studs 11 are screw-threadedlv ensa qed in bosses 12 formed on the inner wall of the supporting panel and the cover is provided with suitable apertures to receive the free end of said studs. The outer ends of said studs are screw-threaded and are adapted to be engaged bv wing nuts 13 which press against the outer face of the cover and hold the same firmly against the supporting panel. Adjacent the central lower portion of the panel upon the inner side, a boss 14 of substantial area is formed. A screwthreaded aperture 15 is provided centrally of said boss within which a stud 16 is engaged. Said stud is provided with a shoulder above its screw-threaded portion adapted to bear against the forward faceof said boss and adjacent thereto is provided with a radial pin 17 over which the inner apertured lower end of a ratchet wheel return spring 18 is adapted to be engaged.

Upon the outer end of the stud 16 a ratchet wheel 21 is adapted to be rotatably engaged. A retaining screw 22 is screw-threadedly engaged within a screw-threadedaxial opening formed in said stud and the head of said retaining screw is adapted to bear against the outer face of an enlarged hub portion 23 formed on said ratchet wheel. Upon the inner face of saidratchet wheel a stud 24 is provided over which the outer end of the ratchet wheel return spring is adapted to be engaged. The ratchet teeth 25 on the outer periphery of the ratchet wheel are preferablv formed of small size in the form illustrated, one hundred teeth being provided. Adjacent the outer edge of the ratchet .wheel a series of tapped holes 26 is provided, said holes passing transversely through said ratchet wheel and being equally spaced from each other. In the form illustrated, twenty ofsuchholesare provided. and an adjustable operating screw 27. provided with a sleeve of hakelite or other insulating material. is adapted to be engaged in one of said holes. The enlarged boss 14 formed on the inner face of the panel isprovided with a lateral extens on 29. having a screw-threaded aperture adapted to receivea stop screw 31 pro jecting toward the inner face of the ratchet wheel. as'is more clearly shown in Fig. 3 of thedrawings. Aistop screw 32 is adapted to be secured in one of the tapped apertures of the ratchet wheel so as to project fromthe rearward face thereof and abut against the screw 31 when said wheel is in its initial position.'being held thereagainst bvmcans of the action of the ratchet wheel return spring. At the-right-hand side of the ratchet wheel, as seen in Fig. 1, a step-up magnet 33 is provided. Above said ratchet wheel a releasing magnet 34 is provided. Said magnets are each provided .with laminated cores 35, 36, which are secured bv means of fasten ng screws 37, to lugs 38 formed at suitable pointsupon the innerface of the supporting panel. The magnet windings 41, 42. are

mounted upon the central arms of said mag net cores. Adjacent the forward end of the step-up magnet an armature arm 43 is provided, said arm being pivoted upon a bearing screw 44 securedto the supportin panel ad jacent the lower end of said step-up magnet, and extends vertically adjacent sa d magnet poles to a .point slightly beyond the upper side of said step-up magnet. The upper end of said armature arm is bifurcated so as to provide a pivotal support for the step-up latch 45 which is secured thereto by means of a pivot pin 46. The step-up latch is provided on its under side at an intermediate point with a ratchet wheel engaging tooth 47, and extends at right angles to the armature arm 43 and across the poles of the releasing magnet 34. "The rearward end of said latch is adapted to bear against the end of an adjusting screw 48 carried in a lug 49 projecting from the inner face of the supporting panel, and a stop pin 50, secured to said panel, is adapted to be engaged by the adjacent outer face of said armature arm 43. A set screw 51 serves to maintain said adjusting screw 48 in any desired position of adjustment. Thus, by proper setting of the adjusting screw the degree of motion of the step-up latch may be accurately controlled and the proper co-action of the tooth of said latch with the ratchet teeth may be provided for. The free end of the step-up latch projects beyond the side of the releasing magnet and is adapted to overl e a holding pawl 52 mounted upon a bearing pin 53 set into the inner face of the supporting panel. A coil. spring 54 is engaged over the outer end of said bearing pin and its ends are engaged respectively with said bearing pin and said holding pawl so as to press the free end of the holding pawl downwardly against the ratchet teeth. Upon the upper side of said holding pawl. spaced from the ratchet engaging end thereof, a headed in 55 is provided, the shank of said pin being positioned within the narrow portion 56 of a key-hole slot formed through the outer portion of the step-up latch. The engagement of said pin with said key-hole slot is brought about by passing the head of said pin 55 through the enlarged portion of said key-hole slot and moving the same toward the pivoted end of said'latch. Thus, the step-up latch and pawl will be joined by a lost motion connection, and upon the energization of the releasing magnet 34 and the attraction of the step-up latch toward said magnet, said latch tooth will be withdrawn from the ratchet teeth, and after the body of said latch strikes the under side of the head of said pin, the holding pawl will also be lifted free of the ratchet teeth. Thus, the ratchet wheel will be free to return to its initial position through the action of the ratchet wheel return spring.

Adjacent the lower portion of the support ing panel, extending from beneath the ratchet wheel toward the lefthand side of the casing, a terminal block 61, preferably of bakelite or some similar material, is provided, being secured to the rearward wall of the panel by means of screws 62 or similar fastening elements. A series-of binding posts 63 is supported upon said terminal block. Im-

mediately beneath said binding posts openings are provided through the base plate for the circuit connections, and bakelite bushings 64 are inserted in said openings. The stepup magnet is connected with the two righthand binding posts by means of electrical conductors 65, 66, and the releasing magnet is connected by means of the conductor 67 with the binding-post of the conductor 66, and by means of the conductor 68 to a separate bind ing'post. The last two binding posts shown to the left are connected by means of conductors 69, 70, with contact arms 71, 7 2, supported within a sectional insulating block 7 3 secured by means of suitable fastening elements to a supporting block 7 4: formed integrally with the supporting panel. An intermediate contact arm 75 is provided, which is connected, through an intermediate binding post as shown, with the power source and forms a part of an alarm circuit through either of the outer contact arms. \Vhen said intermediate arm is in contact with the lower contact arm, the circuit will be established through a preliminary alarm circuit such as would ordinarily be found in the main build ing of an industrial plant, and when said contact arm is moved against the upper contact, a circuit wil be closed through a general alarm apparatus, such as would be installed in police or fire headquarters or in the city hall of a small community. In many instances it will be unnecessary to have a preliminary and a general alarm, as a single warning signal, at a point where constant personal supervision is maintained, will answer every requirement of security.

The forward end of the lower contact arm 71 is turned downwardly so as to provide a hook-shaped member 76 within which the insulating sleeve carried on the timing screw is adapted to engage. Immediately adjacent to said end of said contact arm contact point 77 is provided, said point being in alignment with a similar contact point 78 formed on the under side of the intermediate switch arm 75. A similar contact point 79 is formed on the upper side of said intermediate switch arm and is adapted to be moved into contact with a contact point 80 carried on the outer end of the upper contact arm 72, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings.

Transversely of the supporting block 7 4, a screw-threaded opening is provided within which an adjusting screw 81 is adapted to be engaged. The end 82 of said adjusting screw adjacent the ratchet wheel, is provided with a hole within which one end of the latch retracting spring 83 is engaged. The opposite end of said latch retracting spring is adapted to be engaged over a pin 84L projecting inwardly from the step-up latch at a central point thereof. Thus, any desired degree of tension upon the step-up latch may be provided for by turning the adjusting screw the necessary amount. A pair of lock nuts 85, 86, serve to maintain the adjustment of said adjusting screw.

The operation of the apparatus has been indicated in part in connection with the description of the construction of the various units. It might be pointed out, however, that the step-up magnet 33 is preferably connected by means of the two right-hand bind ing posts with conductors leading to a master clock (not shown), and as said magnet is energized at one minute intervals, the armature through the stepup latch will rotate the ratchet wheel one tooth for each minute impulse. The holding pawl is spring pressed against the ratchet wheel and prevents the latter returning to normal position as the step-up magnet is (lo-energized, and the stepup latch is moved to its normal position by means of the latch retracting spring. Upon the succeeding energization of the step-up magnet the ratchet wheel will be again ad vanced a tooth. Thus, the ratchet wheel will be turned against the tension of the ratche wheel return spring and the adjustable operating screw 2? ill be moved in a direction toward the several spring contact arms. If at any time during the step-up movement of the ratchet wheel the releasing magnet is energized, the step-up latch and the holding pawl will be withdrawn fro-1n the ratchet teeth and the ratchet wheel will be restored to its initial position by means of the ratchet wheel return spring. The energization of the releasing magnet is brought about through circuit connection with the intermediate binding posts, which preferably extend to a relaying device (not shown) connected with the supervised circuit. If no such signal is transmitted over the super vised circuit, the insulating sleeve on the adjustable operating screw 27 will be brought into contact with the lower switch arm and will move the same upwardly into contact with the adjacent contact arm, closing a circuit through said arm to a preliminary sigaling device. If such preliminary signal results in an investigation of the transmitting box from which the routine signal should have been sent and the closing of the circuit through said box, the ratchet wheel will be restored to its initial position. If, however, no su-en release of the ratchet wheel is brought about through the sending of the releasing signal over the circuit under supervision, the ratchet wheel will continue to advance at one minute intervals until the intermediate contact arm closes the circuit through the upper contact arm with the general alarm device heretofore referred to. When such general alarm is transmitted, those in charge of the signaling system, or the police or fire departments in the community, will have been notified and the reason for the non-transmission of the supervised circuit may be fully investigated.

The time interval during which asignal must be transmitted over the supervised circuit depends upon the position of the adjustable operating screw 27 about the circumference of the ratchet wheel. The time interval between the preliminary and general alarms where three contact arms are used, depends upon the space provided between the intermediate contact arm and the upper contact arm. It has been found that an interval of two minutes after the closing of the first pair of contacts is usually satisfactory prior to the sending in of a general alarm, but obviously the time interval may be varied as desired by spacing the intermediate and upper contact arms to the desired extent.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, irovided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

lVe therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our our invention 1. An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a pair of spaced contact arms forming terminals of a circuit, a ratchet wheel, an adjustable operating screw carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to be set in predetermined spaced relation to said contact arms and to be advanced toward a position to move said i. on'tact arms into circuit closing position, a spring for said ratchet wheel adapted to move said operating screw away from said contact arms, a pawl and latch engaging said ratchet wheel and adapted to move the same progressively toward the point of engagement of the operating screw with said contact arm, an electro-magnet, an armature for said magnet connected with said latch for moving the same endwise and progressively rotating said ratchet wheel, a releasing electro-magnet adapted to at directly upon said latch, during the progressive advancement of said screw, to move the same transversely out of engagement with said ratchet, and a lost motion connection for said pawl and latch for moving said pawl free of said ratchet when said latch is moved transversely to release said ratchet wheel and permit the screw to return to its initial position without having operated said contact arms.

2-. An apparatus of the character desribed, having in combination a pair of spaced contact arms forming terminals of a circuit, a ratchet wheel, an adjustable operating screw carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to be set in predetermined spaced relation to said contact arms and to be advanced toward a position to move said contact arms into circuit closing position, a spring for said ratchet wheel adapted to move said operating screw away from said contact arms, a pawl and latch engaging said ratchet wheel and adapted to move the same progressively toward the point of engagement of the operating screw with said contact arm, an electro-magnet, an armaure for said magnet connected with said latch for moving the same endwise and progressively rotating said ratchet wheel, a pin "for limiting the motion of said armature toward said rat het wheel, an adjustable screw for limiting the motion of said armature toward said eleetro-magnet in rotating said ratchet wheel, a releasing electro-magnot adapted to act directly upon said latch, during the progressive advancement of said screw, to move the same transversely out of engagement with said ratchet, and a lost motion connection for said pawl and latch for mov ng said pawl free of said ratchet when said latch is moved transversely to release said rachet wheel and permit the same to return to its initial position without having operated said contat arms.

' 3 An apparatus of the character described, having in combination a pair of spaced contact arms having contact points positioned adjacent their free ends, an intermediate contact arm disposed between said conta t arms and having contact points on either side adapted to co-act with the contact points on sai first-named arms to close independent c rcuits. a ratchet wheel, an adjustable operating screw carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to be set in predetermined spaced re aion to said (ontact arms and to be ad vanced toward a position to move said contact arms into circuit closing position, a spring for said ratchet wheel adapted to move said operating screw away from said contact arms, a pawl and latch engaging said ratchet wheel and adapted to move the same progressively toward the point of engagement of the operating screw with said contact arm, an electro-magnet, an armature for said magnet connected with said latch for moving the same endwise and progressively rotating said ratchet wheel, a releasing electro-magnet adapted to act directly upon said latch, during the progressive advancement of said screw. to move the same transversely out of engagement with said ratchet. and a lost motion connection for said pawl and latch for moving said pawl free of said ratchet when said latch is moved transversely to release said ratchet wheel and permit the same to return to its initial position without having operated said contact arms.

4. An apparatus of the haracter described, having in combination three spaced contact arms forming terminals of two external circuits, a ratchet wheel, an, adjustable operating screw carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to be set in predetermined spaced relation to said contact arms and to be advanced toward a position to move said contact arms into circuit closing position, a spring for said ratchet wheel adapted to move said Operating screw away from said contact arms, a pawl and latch engaging said ratchet wheel and adapted to move the same progressively toward the point of engagement of the operating screw with the lowermost contact arm to move the same into contact with the intermediate arm to close the preliminary external circuit and thereafter to meve said intermediate contact arm into circuit closing position with the upper contact arm to close the second external circuit, an electro-magnet, an armature for said magnet conneted with said latch for moving the same endwise and progressively rotating said ratchet wheel, a releasing electro-magnet adapted to act directly upon said latch, during the progressive advancement of said screw, to move the same transversely out of engagement with said ratchet, and a lost motion connection for said pawl and latch for moving said pawl free of said ratchet when said latch is moved transversely to release said ratchet wheel and permit the same to return to its initial position without having operated said contact arms.

5. An apparatus of the haracter described, having in combination three spaced contact arms forming terminals of two external circuits, a ratchet wheel, an adjustable operating screw carried by said ratchet wheel and adapted to be set in predetermined spaced relation to said contact arms and to be advanced toward a position to move said contact arms into circuit closing position, a spring for said ratchet wheel adapted to move said operating screw away from said contact arms, a pawl and latch engaging said ratchet wheel and adapted to move the same progressively toward the point of engagement of the operating screw with the lowermost contact arm to move the same into contact with the intermediate arm to close the preliminary external circuit and thereafter to move said intermediate contact arm into circuit closing position with the upper contact arm to close the second external circuit, an electro-magnet, an armature for said magnet connected with said latch for moving the same endwise and progressively rotating said ratchet wheel, a pin for limiting the motion of 4 said armature toward said ratchet wheel, an

adjustable screw for limiting the motion of said armature toward said electro-magnet in rotating said ratchet wheel. a releasing electro-magnet adapted to act directly upon said latch, during the progressive advancement of said screw, to move the same transversely out of engagement with said ratchet, and a lost mot-ion connection for said pawl and latch for moving said pawl free of said ratlhet when said latch is moved transversely to release said ratchet wheel and permit the same to return to its initial position without having operated said contact arms.

6. In a device of theclassdescribed, a disc, a pin adjustably mounted for predetermined positioning on said disc and projecting therefrom, a pair of switch arms mounted adjacent said disc and in the path of said pin, means for progressively advancing said disc to carry said pin toward contact with said arms, resilient means resisting such advancement of said disc, and means freely operable at any stage of said progressive advancement of said disc for rendering said advancing means inoperative.

7. In a device of the class described, a disc formed with a plurality of spaced apertures adjacent its periphery, teeth on the periphery of said disc, a pin adapted to be selectively mounted in any one or said apertures, a pair of switch arms mounted in the path of said pin, a latch cooperable with said teeth, means for moving said latch longitudinally for progressively advancing said disc to carry said pin toward contact with said switch arms, resilient means for resisting said advance ment of said disc, a pawl cooperative with said teeth to hold said disc against movement in response to said resilient means, and means freely operable at any stage of said progressive advancement of said disc for rendering said latch and pawl ineffective on said disc.

8. In a device of the class described, a disc formed with a plurality of spaced apertures adjacent its periphery, teeth on the periphery of said disc, a pin adapted to be selectively mounted in any one of said apertures, a pair of switch arms mounted in the path of said pin, a latch cooperable with said teeth, means for moving said latch longitudinally for progressively advancing said disc to carry said pin toward contact with said switch arms, resilient means for resisting said advancement of said disc, a pawl cooperative with said teeth to hold said disc against movement in response to said resilient means, and means freely operable upon said latch at any stage of said progressive advancement of said disc for rendering said latch and pawl ineffective on said disc.

Signed by us, this 7th day of March. 1925.

FRANCIS B. LOVE. BOYD H. SMITH.

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