Abstract:
A simplified gear drive mechanism for an indicating device such as a clock. The output shaft of the indicator's drive motor carries an eccentric which orbits a multiple gear tooth orbiting gear. One gear on the orbiting gear engages a stationary ring gear having a different number of teeth while another gear on the orbiting gear engages an output ring gear having a different number of teeth. This output ring gear may, for example, be employed to drive the minute hand of a clock. To provide multiple indicators such as required in a clock, a second orbital gear train is provided having an eccentric on the output gear of the first gear train for the purpose of orbiting an orbiting gear in the second gear train. An output ring gear in the second orbiting gear train is employed to drive the hour hand of the clock. In another embodiment of the present invention, a similar orbiting gearing arrangement is employed for driving a digital indicator, such as a digital clock.
Abstract:
A toothed-wheel mechanism for clocks or like small-size precision devices (e.g., stepping mechanisms) comprises a first (driven) toothed wheel having a tooth periphery extending all around the same at least in one plane of the toothed wheel, thereby forming a gear thereof. In another plane thereof, the periphery is formed with gaps flanked by respective teeth, preferably with two or more foreshortened teeth being disposed between successive gaps. A second (driving) toothed wheel is provided with a cylinder segment receivable in the gaps and extending over only part of the periphery thereof of the second wheel while a tooth segment extends over another portion of the periphery of this second wheel for mating engagement with the intergap teeth of the first wheel and of the same intertooth spacing or pitch. The teeth flanking the gap receiving the cylinder segment lie tangent thereto so that the first wheel is immobilized while the cylinder segment of the second wheel is received in a gap of the teeth of the first.
Abstract:
For an electrically wound clock, a worm and worm gear drive, wherein the worm is a space-wound helical wire spring, frictionally fitted on a motor shaft, extending beyond the end of the shaft, and unsupported at its outboard end. Engagement with the worm gear takes place at a point beyond the end of the shaft.
Abstract:
A break prevention device for a calendar watch wherein the calendar advancing wheel includes an elongated adjusting tooth formed with a partial slope at its end and resiliently displaceable out of the plane of the calendar wheel.