US3795866A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Combined clock and audio broadcast receiver with automatic chimes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-05-05
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Granted: 1974-03-05
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Expires: 1991-05-05
Abstract
Abstract A clock utilized in conjunction with a broadcast receiver is coordinated with a control so that a pre-recorded audible time chime signal is automatically played directly through the loudspeaker of the receiver. The clock and control cause the chime signal to be played through the speaker, whether the receiver switch is in on or off position. When the receiver is on and broadcast material is being directed through the speaker, the control substitutes the chime signal for the broadcast material. The control system is connected between the clock and the audio stage of the receiver and is adapted to by-pass the receiver''s on-off switch to provide power to the receiver in the event the switch is in off position. The control is actuated by a switch which is responsive to the position of a clock shaft and, in the embodiment shown, includes a pair of tape reels which are driven in forward and reverse direction in response to control signals on the tape. The tape is four track and includes a pair of control signal channels and a pair of audio chime channels, one of each channel being provided for each direction of tape movement. The tape direction is reversed at either end in response to control signals, to thereby provide a continuously operating automatic system. The chime changes with the change in time to provide the correct time of day.
Inventors
- 👤 A Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:28
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04G; G04G13/00; G04G13/02; G04G13/028; G04C; G04C23/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for signalling the passing of time comprising, in combination: a. a broadcast receiver having a signal input means connected to a signal processing circuit for driving a speaker, b. a clock operatively associated with said receiver, c. means including a record means having a plurality of chime signals carried therein and being responsive to said clock for playing one of said prerecorded audible time chime signals through said signal processing circuit and broadcast receiver speaker automatically at desired time intervals, each of said chime signals being related to different times and changing commensurate with the change in time to provide an audio indication of the correct time of day, and d. switch means for actuating of said receiver and including selection means to operate the receiver to process the broadcast signals and having automatic clock responsive means to activate said signal processing circuit independently of said selection means and to simultaneously operate said record means for a preselected time and thereby provide for playing of said pre-recorded chime signals through said speaker.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A device for signalling the passing of time comprising, in combination: a. a broadcast receiver having a signal input means connected to a signal processing circuit for driving a speaker, b. a clock operatively associated with said receiver, c. means including a record means having a plurality of chime signals carried therein and being responsive to said clock for playing one of said prerecorded audible time chime signals through said signal processing circuit and broadcast receiver speaker automatically at desired time intervals, each of said chime signals being related to different times and changing commensurate with the change in time to provide an audio indication of the correct time of day, and d. switch means for actuating of said receiver and including selection means to operate the receiver to process the broadcast signals and having automatic clock responsive means to activate said signal processing circuit independently of said selection means and to simultaneously operate said record means for a preselected time and thereby provide for playing of said pre-recorded chime signals through said speaker.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device of claim 1: a. which includes an on-off switch for said receiver, b. and wherein said signal playing means includes means to automatically by-pass said switch so that said chime signal is played through said broadcast receiver speaker whether said switch is in on or off position.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
and initiate operation of said motor to feed a single time chime section of said tape across said head so that the chime signal is fed to the head output and to said receiver and speaker, g. and means to stop said motor and reconnect said receiver input to a broadcast signal when said single time chime section has passed said head.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
and initiate operation of said motor to feed a single time chime section of said tape across said head so that the chime signal is fed to the head output and to said receiver and speaker, g. and means to stop said motor and reconnect said receiver input to a broadcast signal when said single time chime section has passed said head.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
3 words
a magnetic tape,
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
3 words
a magnetic tape,
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
8 words
a tape head over which said tape extends,
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
8 words
a tape head over which said tape extends,
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 1: a. wherein said receiver includes means to receive transmitted broadcasts and play them through said receiver speaker, b. and wherein said signal playing means includes means operable to automatically substitute said chime signal for said transmitted broadcast at said reCeiver speaker.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
and a motor for driving, said tape supply means to feed said tape across said head, d. said tape having time chimes pre-recorded along the length thereof in a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections corresponding to progressively increasing times, said sections providing an input to said head, e. said head having an audio output operably connected to said receiver, f. means responsive to the angular position of said clock shaft to:
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
71 words
and a motor for driving, said tape supply means to feed said tape across said head, d. said tape having time chimes pre-recorded along the length thereof in a plurality of longitudinally spaced sections corresponding to progressively increasing times, said sections providing an input to said head, e. said head having an audio output operably connected to said receiver, f. means responsive to the angular position of said clock shaft to:
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
77 words
The device of claim 1: a. wherein said receiver includes means to receive transmitted broadcasts and play them through said speaker, b. which includes an on-off switch for actuating said last-named means, c. wherein said signal playing means is operable through said speaker whether said switch is in on or off position, d. and wherein said signal playing means is operable to substitute said chime signal for said transmitted broadcast when said switch is in on position.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
37 words
A device for signalling the passing of time comprising, in combination: a. a broadcast receiver having a broadcast signal receiving input and a speaker, b. a clock having a continuously rotatable shaft, c. a tape mechanism including:
Claim 15
Independent Claim
37 words
A device for signalling the passing of time comprising, in combination: a. a broadcast receiver having a broadcast signal receiving input and a speaker, b. a clock having a continuously rotatable shaft, c. a tape mechanism including:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
In the device of claim 5: a. an on-off switch for said broadcast receiver, b. and means responsive to the angular position of said clock shaft to by-pass said switch so that said chime signal will be played through said speaker whether said switch is in on or off position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
In the device of claim 5: a. a plurality of longitudinally spaced prerecorded control signal portions on said tape, with said portions being generally co-extensive with said time chime sections, b. said portions comprising a second input to said head, c. said shaft position responsive means including an initiating control, d. a holding control, e. a second head output, f. and means responsive to said second head output, as a control signal portion passes said head, to actuate said holding control to substitute the latter control for said initiating control as said shaft continues to rotate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 7 in which said holding control activating means serves as the motor stopping and receiver input reconnecting means by de-activating said holding control when a said control signal portion passes beyond said head.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
99 words
The device of claim 7: a. wherein said tape and head are of the 4-track type and which includes a secondary plurality of longitudinally spaced time chime sections on a third track as well as a second plurality of longitudinally spaced pre-recorded control signal portions on a fourth track, b. one of each said sections and portions being recorded for reverse play, c. wherein said motor is reversible, d. and means for reversing said motor when said tape has reached a predetermined point for subsequent playing of said second chime sections and control by said second control signal portions.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-03-04 | 1977-09-03 | 1978-03-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-03-04 | 1981-09-03 | 1982-03-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-03-04 | 1985-09-03 | 1986-03-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |