US3514938A - Psychedelic clock - Google Patents

Description

5mm 2, ESZG G. W. MELLER PSYCHEDELIC CLOCK Filed April 1, 1969 3 Sheets-$heet l //v VE/V T e QZ'GQ TE M flWLLE E G. W. MILLER PSYCHEDELIC CLOCK G. VJ. MlLLER PSYCHEDELIC CLOCK 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 1, 1969 //V l/E/V 70E 6 /50/255 AM, M/ALLFQ QLO K MEC\-\.

2,514,933 rsvcnnnntrc ctocir th "Dartmouth, Mass. Q2747 Filed Apr. 1, 1969, tier. No. 812,613 i'nt. Ci. sees 19/30, 45/00 US. Cl. 58-2 3 Claims ABSTRACT UP THE DESCLOSURE This invention relates generally to clocks for indicating time. More specifically it relates to a clock face.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide a clocp; having a novel face that will appeal particularly to persons interested in abstract motifs or designs of psychedelic nature.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a psychedelic clock vherein the clock face comprises what appears at a casual observation to be an abstract design but which to the trained eye immediately represents a clock face that indicates the time of day, in the manner of a conventional clock face.

Another object is to provide a psychedelic clock wherein the apparently abstract face design readily reveals the hour, the minute and the second of the present time.

Another object is toprovide a psychedelic clock wherein the face is comprised of a plurality of geometrically configurated spangles mounted in a readily not apparent pattern upon a front panel of a clock, the spangles comprising small metallic plates that are burnished or chased so to in part break up light rays into their spectrum colors and reflect the same thus producing a shining effect of psyche delic interest, and wherein the luster and spectoral colors will change to a viewer as he moves his direction in front of the clock. 4

Yet another object is to provide a psychedelic cloclc which in one form of the invention includes a novel mechanism for moving the spangles so that they change their angular position respective to a light source, and ti us produce a varying luster and specular glow to an observer in a stationary position before the clock.

Other objects are to provide a psychedelic clock, which is simple in design, inexpensive to manufacture, ru ged in construction, easy to use and efficient in operation.

These and other objects will be readily evident upon a study of the following specification and the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a clock incorporating a clock face of psychedelic characteristics.

Fl-G. 2 is a rear perspective view of the clock.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of one design of spangles employed upon the clock face.

FlG. 5 is a similar view of another design of spangles employed upon the clock face.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of one of the clock hands in relation to a clock mechanism on which it is carried.

FlG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a psychedelic clock showing a modified construction wherein the spanglcs will automatically oscillate.

FIG. 8 isa front View thereof as viewed on line 83 of FIG. 7.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, the reference numeral 16 represents a psychedelic clock according to the present invention wherein there is a clock case 11 for containing 21 clock mechanism 12, the clock mechanism indicating its movement positions upon a clocl; face 13 upon the front side of the case.

In the present invention, the clock face comprises a rectangular panel 14 a front side of which forms the clock face. A plurality of spangle are secured upon the front side of the panel 1 5 so as to produce a modernistic design which upon a casual observation appears to be an abstract motif. The spangles are of g ometric configuration and are formed of small metallic plates having a front side that is chased or burnished so that as it shines a reflected light, the light ray may be in part broken down into its spectrum components thus roducing an irridescent colored glow. In FIG. 4 one pattern of chasing is shown to produce the spangle design 15. In FIG. 5 another pattern of chasing is shown to produce the spangle design '16. These designs predominate in the spangles used on the clocl; face. As shown the geometric configurations of the spangles comprise squares of different sizes as shown at 17 and i8, rectangles 1), various size circles 20 and 21, and hearts 22.

Upon a study of the clock face it will gradually reveal to an observer that there are three clock dials 23, 24 and 25' wherein spangles are arranged in a generally diamond pattern around a time hand centrally positioned. Thus at the left, a dial 23 is shown with a heart configurated hand 26, the dial indicating the time in seconds. At the clock face center, there is a dial with heart configurated hand 27 for indicating time in minutes, while at the right, a dial with heart configurated hand 23 indicates hours. Each dial is divided into twelve positions so as to correspond to the twelve numerals on a conventional clock face, each of the positions being occupied by one of the spangles. The heart configurated time hands will readily indicate the time by recognizing that the pointed lower apex of a heart is used as an indicating pointer. The remainder of the clock face outside of the three dials is decorated with like spangles used in the dials, and arranged in random abstract pattern so to defuse the dial patterns to the momentary observer.

The glow of reflected light rays from the abstract spangle pattern will produce a psychedelic effect when observed by a person in contemplative thought.

As shown in FIG. 2, the clock includes resetting hands 29 and 30 at the rear 31 of the case for properly setting the hour and minute hands respectively. The case may be hung by a cord 32 from a wall, where the clock may be seriously contemplated.

Each time hand 2t), 27 and 23 has an adapter 33 at its rear for mounting on a rotatable time output shaft 34 of the clock mechanism 12. The mechanism may be either hand wound or electrically driven as indicated by extension cord 35 with plug 36 at its end.

In use, to insure maximum splendor of the irridescent spectral colors, the clock should be placed to reflect different light sources.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a modified clock construction is shown whereby the spangles 48 of each of the clock dials 23, 24 and 25 may be made to oscillate so as to change their angular position respective to a light source and thus reflect a continuously varying light pattern to a stationary observer. In this form of the invention, the psychedelic clock 37 includes a clock mechanism 12 having time output shaft 34 upon which there is rigidly mounted an eccentric cam 38 secured by set screw 39 to the shaft. A spider 40 has a central opening 41 receiving the cam. The spider has twelve radial arms 42. each arm at its terminal end having a socket 4-3 to form a universal joint for a ball 44 on one end of lever 45-; extending torwardly out of an opening 4-6 in the clock face 47, the opposite and outward forward end of the lever having a spangle 43 secured rigidly thereto. The lever 45 at its intermediate portion includes an enlarged integral sphere 49 freely rotatable within a spherical socket 539 secured on the rear of the clock face.

In operative use, as the time output shaft rotates, the eccentric cam will cause the spider to travel eccentrically about the shaft thus causing the levers to rotate about the sockets 59, thus causing the spangles to continually change positions respective to any constant light source, and thus change the pattern of reflected light rays.

It will be further understood that clocl; mechanism may be battery operated if so desired instead of house current.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it is understood that such changes will be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

I claim as follows:

1. A clock comprising a case; a clock face on one side of said case; a first, second and third dial and indicator arrangement for indicating the seconds, minutes and hours, respectively; light reflecting means on each of said dials positioned at the twelve divisions of a conventional clock dial; a separate clock mechanism having a time output shaft for each of said dials, said shaft having one of said indicators secured to one end thereof; an eccentric cam means afiixed to said shaft; spider means eccentrically carried by said cam means, said spider means including a central opening for receiving said cam means and a plurality of radial arms disposed about said opening; and means for pivotally connecting said light reflecting means with said spider means whereby upon rotation of said output shaft said spider means will travel eccentrically thereby causing said light reflecting means to continually change positions and therebythe pattern of reflected light.

2. The clocl; of claim 1 wherein said pivotal connccting means includes a socket at the end of each radial arm; a lever attached at one end to each of said light reflecting means and projecting through an opening in said clock face, said lever including a first integral sphere at the other end thereof; said lever pivotable within said soclget of said radial arms and a second integral sphere substantially intermediate said first sphere and said light reflecting means; and support means fixedly mounted behind each of said dials, said support means having an opening forre'ceiving said output shaft of said clock mechanism, said support means further including a plurality of socket means positioned for engagement with said second integral sphere of said lever.

3. The clock of claim 2 wherein said light reflecting means comprises metallic spangles furnished to break up reflected light into spectrum color components and wherein each of said indicators is of a cardioid configuration.

References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS RICHARD B. WILKINSON, Primary Examiner S. A. WAL, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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