Abstract: Disclosed is an escapement mechanism with a locking anchor for a timepiece including a sprung-balance regulating organ, including an escapement wheel provided with a series of peripheral teeth, and a locking anchor including first and second locking pallets arranged respectively at one end of first and second arms to allow alternately engaging a tooth of the escapement wheel at each rotation step of the escapement wheel and of the anchor about their respective axis of rotation. This mechanism includes an impulse pallet adapted to be fixed to one the regulating organ to transmit an impulse by sliding a tooth of the escapement wheel on an impulse plane of the impulse pallet once at least every two oscillations of the regulating organ while the locking anchor includes a connecting member for permanent kinematic engagement in rotation to the regulating organ. Also disclosed is a timepiece incorporating such an escapement mechanism.

Abstract: A dead-beat escapement break away assembly which consists of, a pallet engagement collet with at least one magnet attached thereto and a pallet alignment feature attached thereto; a pendulum crutch attachment mechanically coupled to the pallet engagement collet; a pallet which is adapted to be magnetically coupled to the pallet engagement collet so as to mechanically engage the pendulum crutch attachment to the pallet, thereby enabling the pallet to break away from the pallet engagement collet when sufficient force is applied to the pallet to overcome the magnetic force of the magnet.

Abstract: An LED candle light includes an outer housing, a battery pack provided at an inner bottom portion of the outer housing and controlled by a power control board, a coil provided above the battery pack, a mounting frame fixed in the outer housing, an LED light fixed on the mounting frame, the LED light being electrically connected with the battery pack, a flame cover covering an outer periphery of the LED light, a pendulum connected with a lower portion of the flame cover through a rotating shaft, and a magnet provided at a bottom portion of the pendulum, the magnet being located directly above the coil. The present disclosure can simulate a candle and is energy-saving, environmentally friendly, greatly amusing, highly ornamental, safe and harmless.

Abstract: A timekeeping pivot linking a first part with a second part, pivotably about a pivot axis, the pivot comprising a blade having an edge, rigidly connected to one of the first or second parts and the median plane of which passing via the edge defines a blade plane, and a bearing area rigidly connected to the other of the first and second parts and against which the edge of the blade bears, the contact points of the blade and of the bearing area being substantially situated on the pivot axis, the first and second parts being rigidly connected in translation in the direction orthogonal to the pivot axis contained in the blade plane.

Abstract: A pendulum-regulated clock. The clock has a movement at the bottom of a multi-rod pendulum. In an embodiment, a first pendulum rod and a second pendulum rod are provided. The clock provides swinging motion by imparting an oscillating torque to one or more of the pendulum rods. In an embodiment, a dual escapement mechanism may be provided. A dual escapement mechanism may synchronize the dual escapements via differential adjustment, to uniformly power pendulum rods during both directions of swing.

Abstract: An enhanced escapement mechanism provides improved isolation of energy and torque for an oscillation system, e.g. a pendulum. In an exemplary embodiment, during a first phase, a pendulum releases an impulse arm that is decoupled from a main wheel, which falls and impulses the pendulum, such as at or near the middle of the pendulum swing. In a second phase, the impulse arm continues to fall, becoming totally detached from the pendulum, wherein the falling impulse arm releases the main wheel, which restores the impulse arm to its initial position. The main wheel continues to rotate until it is no longer in contact with the impulse arm, and is captured, such that the process may be repeated. While the enhanced escapement mechanism typically provides an impulse to an oscillation system during each period, alternate embodiments provide an impulse for each of a plurality of periods, e.g. once every ten periods.

Abstract: An enhanced escapement mechanism provides improved isolation of energy and torque for an oscillation system, e.g. a pendulum. In an exemplary embodiment, during a first phase, a pendulum releases an impulse arm that is decoupled from a main wheel, which falls and impulses the pendulum, such as at or near the middle of the pendulum swing. In a second phase, the impulse arm continues to fall, becoming totally detached from the pendulum, wherein the falling impulse arm releases the main wheel, which restores the impulse arm to its initial position. The main wheel continues to rotate until it is no longer in contact with the impulse arm, and is captured, such that the process may be repeated. While the enhanced escapement mechanism typically provides an impulse to an oscillation system during each period, alternate embodiments provide an impulse for each of a plurality of periods, e.g. once every ten periods.

Abstract: A pendulum box for a clock pendulum box includes a tumbler seat, a pendulum mover pivotally mounted on the tumbler seat, and a pendulum rod mounted on the pendulum mover and having a portion secured in the pendulum mover to move therewith. Thus, the pendulum rod is combined with the pendulum mover closely, so that the pendulum rod is moved with the pendulum mover synchronously. In addition, the pendulum rod is combined with the pendulum mover rigidly and stably, thereby preventing the pendulum rod from producing vibration or sway during movement.

Abstract: A crystal display device is disclosed wherein a vertically arranged photovoltaic cell, main device housing—encasing an electric motor and transmission—, and a refractory crystal suspended below is rotated so as to provide multi-colored displays upon room walls and other surfaces when exposed to sunlight. A preferred embodiment of the device utilizes a suction cup to retain the device housing in the afore-mentioned vertical alignment against the inside of a selected window.

Abstract: This device projects slow moving light beams on the shadowed regions of a windowed room when the sun shines through the window. It includes a crystal-set (9) directly suspended from the bottom of a vertical rotor (14) of a motor (2) by a thread-like member (12). A small box (1), with attachment means to the window, supports the following interconnected electrical components: the motor (2) discussed above, a solar panel array (5), a capacitor (4), and a circuit (3). The capacitor is repeatedly charged slowly when the solar panel is exposed to sunlight, and discharged quickly by the circuit through the motor windings to occasionally pulse rotate the motor rotor about one turn. This occasional quick rotation activates and sustains the smooth and slow meandering rotation of the crystal-set about a vertical axis because of the loose thread-like member coupling between the motor rotor and crystal-set.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for calculating the period of a mechanical clock while minimizing the effects of extraneous noise. The method of the invention senses three sounds from the clock and calculates the period of the clock based on those three sounds. The method defines a blanking period between the first and the second sounds and the second and the third sounds. During this blanking period, the method ignores all sound to prevent such sound from being mistaken for sounds from the clock. The method also defines an expected time interval between sounds from the clock. The system senses the beats of a mechanical clock while minimizing noise. The system includes a pick-up device, an amplifier coupled to the pick-up device, and a microcontroller configured to control the gain of the amplifier so that the expected time delay interval becomes approximately equal to the actual time interval, thereby minimizing noise.

Abstract: A pendulum stem (16) not more than 4 inches in length has one end portion swingably connected to a pivot arrangement (18) and a concentrated mass (22) slidably located on the other end portion. Permanent magnets (56,58) secured to the mass (22) move past a pair of wire coils (60,62) during swinging movement of the stem and mass to induce a signal in the one coil (60). The signal actuates a circuit (66) to form a pulse that is applied to the other coil (62) at an appropriate later time to create a magnetic pulse driving the mass (22) and stem (16) along its swing path. The described pendulum drive applied to a miniature clock provides a slow-swinging pendulum having a period closely approximating that of a grandfather clock many feet in height.

Abstract: A rotary decoration driving device comprises a case, a first rotary shaft having a first end portion rotatably supported by the case and a second end portion supporting a first decoration for rotation therewith. A second rotary shaft is mounted on the first rotary shaft for rotation therewith and has an end portion supporting a second decoration for rotation therewith. A first gear is mounted on the first rotating shaft for rotation therewith, and a second gear is mounted on the second rotating shaft for rotation therewith. At least one intermediate gear is driven to undergo intermittent rotation. A transmitting device transmits the intermittent rotation of the intermediate gear to the first and second gears. A smoothing device smoothens the intermittent rotation of the intermediate gear to thereby transmit a smooth and continuous rotary motion to the first and second gears.

Abstract: A metronome mechanism comprises a bearing frame with a web and two limbs protruding from the web, a winding stem carrying a spring housing, a ratchet wheel stem carrying a ratchet wheel and bearing bushes arranged on the limbs of the bearing frame for receiving the ends of winding and ratchet wheel stems. The bearing bushes are formed on two separate side parts which are adapted to be pushed onto the limbs of the U-shaped bearing frame and firmly locked on the limbs.

Abstract: A structure of clock comprises a main body having a clock mechanism on upper portion, a battery and circuit chamber on medial portion, a pendulum chamber on lower portion and an oscilatory control device on the top thereof. The pendulum has a tubular member at the top having a pair of corresponding right triangular recesses formed at two ends respectively, which are made in registry with the right triangular support members on the oscilatory control device. Because the right triangular support members are sizely smaller than that of the right triangular recesses, it is characterized in that when the triangular recesses suspend from the triangular support members, the oscilatory span of the pendulum is restricted by the oscilatory device.

Abstract: A structure of an ultrathin clock comprises generally a roughly rectangular housing having partitioned into a first chamber on upper portion for disposing a clockwork mechanism and a dial, a second chamber on median portion for disposing a set of electric circuit and batteries, and a third chamber on the lower portion for pivoting a pendulum therein and a cover which is snap fitted to the third chamber for securing the pendulum. The pendulum has a magnet on the upper end directly under an electric coil inside the second chamber so as to actuate the pendulum to swing laterally upon the variations of the electromagnetic field between the coil and the magnet. This invention has been characterized in the thickness of the housing which is greatly thiner than that of the prior art.

Abstract: A drive unit for a rotary decoration has a transmission gear train configured to include a damper such as a coil spring and is capable of imparting a visually elegant swing motion to the rotary decoration. A reciprocating stepping motor is capable of rotating or turning in both the forward and reverse directions to drive a rotary decoration in such a manner that the rotary decoration exhibits a reciprocative swing motion over a specified angular displacement. A memory circuit stores data for determining the drive timing of the stepping motor. A control circuit controls the stepping motor in accordance with the data stored in the memory circuit. The data represents the interval between drive pulses supplied to the stepping motor so as to cause the rotational speed of the rotary decoration to vary according to a sine curve.

Abstract: A compensator for a mechanical pendulum clock has on the rear side of a pendulum bob a center of gravity adjusting device, which is actuated by an electric motor. An electronic controller, which is designed as a comparator and which works as a function of the difference between the signals of a pendulum frequency generator and a clock generator designed as quartz reference oscillator, serves to drive the electric motor.

Abstract: In a governor of the type which is used for regulating the angular velocity of a toothed gear wheel which is biased to rotate, the improvement which comprises an inertial mass affixed to one end of a spring, the other end of the spring being affixed to a ratchet bar of the governor whereby said end of the spring affixed to the inertial mass moves from an unloaded position just before a change in direction of oscillation, to a loaded position, and then back to an unloaded position just after the direction of oscillation has changed.

Abstract: A combined clock and decorative liquid display wherein an oscillating pendulum of an electronic clock causes a float suspended in a body of liquid to move back and forth due to magnetic induction generated between a magnetic material carried by the pendulum and a magnetically attractive material carried by the float.

Abstract: An isochronous pendulum for clocks. The oscillation of the pendulum causes a small compensating mass attached to the pendulum's primary mass to move in such a manner that the center of mass of the pendulum moves in the path of a cycloid.

Abstract: A light source is associated with the oscillating pendulum of a case clock to be energized during operation of the pendulum to achieve a striking ornamental effect as the light source moves with the oscillating pendulum.

Abstract: A visual device for simulating the motion of a clock pendulum consisting of a series of light emitting diodes having the property of emitting two distinct colors and electronic logic arranged to activate sequentially the series in one color in one direction and in the other color in the opposite direction.

Abstract: A braking device is provided to reduce the speed at which a shiftable spring motor runs down. The braking device includes a pallet which is mounted so that it can oscillate, the pallet having a pair or arms which cooperate with the teeth of an escape wheel 13 which rotates as the spring runs down. The pallet is connected to a pendulum weight. The depth of engagement of the arms of the pallet in the teeth of the escape wheel as well as the amplitude of oscillation of the pallet and/or the pendulum weight connected therewith allow the braking action to be changed and hence the speed at which the motor runs down in one of a plurality of selectable shift positions.

Abstract: A pendulum rod is mounted so as to be able to swing within a desired or a normal swing angle. The means mounting the pendulum rod include means for restricting movement of the pendulum rod along the swinging axis relative to the support body when the pendulum rod is within this desired swinging angle to prevent the detachment thereof and for enabling free movement of the pendulum rod along the swinging axis when the pendulum exceeds the desired swinging angle to permit detachment thereof. The mounting means also include means for restricting upward movement of the pendulum along longitudinal axis and relative to the support body to prevent detachment thereof.

Abstract: A clock is provided with at least partially upwardly disposed time indicia and a pendulum is arranged to oscillate above the correct indicia to indicate current time. The clock may take any one of a number of embodiments, the common factor being the oscillation of a pendulum above or adjacent to the current time, which may be mounted upon various clock faces, endless strips, rotating rings, and other arrangements over which a pendulum is arranged to oscillate to at least partially indicate the correct time. Auxiliary means such as lights or the like may be used to aid in the indication of the correct time.

Abstract: A twisting pendulum operating apparatus which includes a suspension wire for suspending a pendulum from a support, a rotary shaft which is engageable by gears of a clock for rotating the shaft about its longitudinal axis, a rotor fixed to the shaft, an idle wheel having protrusions along its outer circumference idly fitted to the shaft, permanent magnets on at least one of the idle wheel and the rotor, for magnetically urging the idle wheel to the rotor so that the idle wheel is rotated with the rotor and a connecting piece fixed to the suspension wire intermediate the opposite ends of the wire so as to releasably engage the protrusions, one-by-one, as the idle wheel rotates with rotation of the rotor, thereby to twist the suspension wire.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-induced rocking clock includes an adjustable combination rod fixed with a permanent magnet, two abrasion-resistant sockets formed on the combination rod and two supporting needles fixed with a rocking clock body having an induction coil corresponding to the permanent magnet and pivotedly mounted on the two sockets whereby the permanent magnet can be adjusted by adjusting the vertical or horizontal plate of the combination rod to be applicable for different sizes of clocks and the clock body or pendulum can smoothly swing on two fulcra formed on the two sockets.

Abstract: An electromagnetically-induced rocking clock includes a pendulum-adjustment means having an adjustable weight pivotedly formed on a casing movably fixed on a pendulum so that the weight can be moved either rightward or leftward and the casing can be vertically moved up and down to adjust the gravity center of the pendulum to obtain the selective swinging angle, speed or amplitude of the pendulum.

Abstract: A whole body swingable clock wherein a clock body itself swings. This whole body swingable clock includes: a clock body swingably supported on a pendulum fulcrum and solidly secured thereto with a clock mechanism case housing therein a movement case; and a stationary receiving plate provided thereon with a magnet or a driving coil to be electromagnetically connected to a driving coil or a magnet provided on the movement case for generating a swinging driving force in the clock body. In this whole body swingable clock, the stationary receiving plate with the magnet or the driving coil is housed in a space formed in the movement case, whereby the clock body can swing with the stationary receiving plate with the magnet or the driving coil being hardly exposed to outside from the clock body.

Abstract: A pendulum arrangement for a clock movement in which such arrangement has a pendulum arm being mounted to swing freely at a pendulum arm supporting means which is installed on a clock movement housing, and said pendulum arm supporting means consists of a pendulum arm supporter which is pivotally held with free rotation on the clock movement housing so that the pendulum arm supporter can rotate and adjust its supporting position in accordance with the swinging state of the pendulum arm in the inclination of the clock movement.

Abstract: In a pendulum arrangement of a pendulum clock having a pendulum arm hanging a pendulum disc on one end and being pivotally and swingingly supported at a supporting portion of a base plate, an electromagnet fixed to the base plate and a permanent magnet arranged facingly to the electromagnet and swinging together with the pendulum arm for the purpose of swinging a pendulum by means of electromagnet force of the electromagnet and the permanent magnet, a pendulum arrangement further comprising a slip arm one end of which the permanent magnet is fixed and on the other end of which is loosely engaged with the pendulum arm at a little larger slipping torque than a driving torque which said permanent magnet receives from the electromagnet, and a pair of limit pins fixed on the both side of the swinging region of the slip arm on the base plate, wherein either one of the limit pins touches the slip arm to slip the slip arm away from the pendulum arm and the permanent magnet always swings so that it can center the elec

Abstract: A simulated pendulum clock has a pendulum which rocks to and fro for decorative purposes only thereby simulating a pendulum clock of the type having a rocking pendulum for timekeeping purposes. A transmission wheel is rotationally driven by the timepiece movement of the clock and a friction clutch mechanism transmits the rotational movement of the transmission wheel to a rotating member whenever the load on the rotating member is less than a predetermined value and otherwise enables slipping of the transmission wheel relative to the rotating member. A toothed escape wheel is coaxially mounted with the rotating member and is connected thereto through a coil spring which applies a rotating torque to the escape wheel. The teeth of the escape wheel coact with a pair of pallet pins of a pallet which is mounted to undergo rocking movement in response to alternative engagement and disengagement of the pallet pins with the escape wheel teeth.

Abstract: A metronome is disclosed including a casing accommodating a driving device for a pendulum, the casing having an elongate trough-like body covered by a cover plate. The driving device is mounted on the inside of the cover plate. An imprinted scale plate associated with the pendulum is mounted on the outside of the cover plate. The pendulum is fixed on a shaft mounted in a bridge on the cover plate and driven by the driving device. Two screws fix both the bridge and a frame of the driving device to the cover plate. Holders integrally formed on the inside of the cover plate, at a location spaced above the fixing screws, engage with and retain the frame of the driving device. The scale plate can thus present a wide uninterrupted surface on which tempi and beat rates can be imprinted and related to each other.

Abstract: An autonomously operating pendulum mechanism, adapted to be attached as a unit to a clockwork, comprises a supporting plate adapted to be attached to a clockwork casing in overlying spaced relationship to the front face of the casing. The supporting plate is fastened to the casing by a fastening device which is concentric with the spindles for the clock hands and through which said spindles may project to the exterior of the plate. A pivot bearing is provided on the supporting plate vertically above the spindles adjacent the upper edge of the casing, and the lower edge of the supporting plate carries a circuit board having an electrically energizable coil thereon located immediately below the clockwork casing comprising a portion of an electrical drive mechanism.

Abstract: A timepiece with an electrodynamically controlled clockwork has a torsion ndulum intermittently coupled through a gear train with the clockwork for the maintenance of its oscillations. The gear train includes a first pinion mounted on a weighted rocker tending to hold it in mesh with a driving gear actuated by the clockwork; the torsion spring of the pendulum carries near its suspension point a horizontal spur receivable in a slot of a stationary mounting member so as to come periodically to rest on a slot edge, this spur being engageable in its arrested position by a hump on a cam disk entrained by a second pinion which meshes with the first pinion and decouples the latter from the associated gear against the countervailing force of the rocker weight as long as the spur is immobilized. When the spur-biasing force of the torsion spring changes direction, the gear train is re-established and the spur receives an impetus from the engaging hump as it moves away from the arresting slot edge.