US3603077A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Clockwork mechanism, especially alarm clock mechanism
Assignee: Messrs Gebr Junghans GmbH
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Filing: 1969-11-17
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Granted: 1971-09-07
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Expires: 1989-11-17
Abstract
Abstract A clockwork mechanism is provided having an axially shiftable and rotatable adjustment shaft. The shaft is provided at one end with two resilient axially extending projections which have wedge-shaped elements formed on the terminal ends thereof. A knob is provided and is formed with an axial bore having an internal shoulder disposed therein. When the shaft is inserted within the axial bore of the knob, the projections are wedged together until the wedge-shaped elements expand and engage within the wider portion of the bore defined by the internal shoulder thereof. To release the knob from the shaft, a pincer tool is inserted into the bore and the ends of the projections are forced together to disengage them from the internal shoulder. The other axial end of the shaft may be formed with an axial bore which slides and rotatingly about a pivot pin extending normally from a baseplate of the mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Wolfgang Ganter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:06
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04B; G04B3/00; G04B3/04; G04B3/043; G04B23/00; G04B23/02; G04B23/021; G04B3/041
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
In a clockwork mechanism having hands adjustable by a shaft assembly, said shaft assembly comprising: a shaft; a knob; said knob being releasably coupled to a first portion of said shaft, said knob being formed with an axial bore, and said knob having abutment means extending generally transversely of said axial bore; mutually abuttable first and second surface means carried by said shaft and said knob respectively and operable, in response to mutual abutment therebetween, to prevent rotational movement of said knob relative to said shaft in each of opposite directions of knob rotation; said shaft being formed with radially expanding means; said radially expanding means being provided with locking means, said locking means being lockingly engageable with said transversely extending abutment means to prevent axial movement of said knob relative to said shaft and permit axial movement of said knob to induce axial movement of said shaft, and said locking means being operably accessible at an outer end of said axial bore of said knob when said knob is mounted on said shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
174 words
In a clockwork mechanism having hands adjustable by a shaft assembly, said shaft assembly comprising: a shaft; a knob; said knob being releasably coupled to a first portion of said shaft, said knob being formed with an axial bore, and said knob having abutment means extending generally transversely of said axial bore; mutually abuttable first and second surface means carried by said shaft and said knob respectively and operable, in response to mutual abutment therebetween, to prevent rotational movement of said knob relative to said shaft in each of opposite directions of knob rotation; said shaft being formed with radially expanding means; said radially expanding means being provided with locking means, said locking means being lockingly engageable with said transversely extending abutment means to prevent axial movement of said knob relative to said shaft and permit axial movement of said knob to induce axial movement of said shaft, and said locking means being operably accessible at an outer end of said axial bore of said knob when said knob is mounted on said shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A clockwork mechanism according to claim 1 wherein: said first portion of said shaft is provided with a longitudinal slot to form two expandable resilient projections, which projections define said locking means; the terminal ends of said projections are formed with radially extendinG portions whereby said projections are generally hooklike in configuration; and said axial bore in said knob is formed with an internal shoulder, defining said abutment means, for lockingly retaining the radially extending portions of the terminal ends of said projections when said knob is mounted on said shaft.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
103 words
A clockwork mechanism according to claim 2: wherein each said radially extending portion of each said projection is formed with a partial frustoconical surface tapered toward the terminal end of each said projection whereby said resilient projections are forced together by a wedging action on said surfaces by the internal surface of said knob defining said axial bore as said shaft is forced into said axial bore of said knob; and wherein a tool may be inserted within said axial bore to engage said frustoconical surfaces of said projections to force said projections together to disengage said projections from within said axial bore.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
In a clockwork mechanism according to claim 1 wherein: said shaft assembly is axially shiftable; a second portion of said shaft is formed with a pinion drive portion; said pinion drive portion being alternately engageable with an alarm-adjusting gearwheel and a time-indicating hand adjustment as said shaft is axially shifted; said clockwork mechanism has a baseplate; said baseplate is provided with a pivot-bearing pin extending normally therefrom; and said second portion of said shaft is formed with an axially extending bore which is slidingly and rotatingly mounted on said pivot bearing pin.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A clockwork mechanism according to claim 1 wherein: said clockwork is provided with a rear wall having an aperture for the insertion of said shaft; said knob being formed with a collar portion which abuts the surface of said rear wall defining said aperture whereby dust is prevented from entering said clockwork mechanism through said aperture.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a clockwork mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said shaft, said knob, said baseplate and said rear wall comprise a plastic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-09-06 | 1975-03-08 | 1975-09-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-06 | 1979-03-08 | 1979-09-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-06 | 1983-03-08 | 1983-09-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |