GB2030328A

GB2030328A - Clock Radio

Info

Publication number: GB2030328A
Application number: GB7930027A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: GIGRASS IMPORT EXPORT
Current assignee: GIGRASS IMPORT EXPORT
Priority date: 1978-08-30
Filing date: 1979-08-30
Publication date: 1980-04-02
Also published as: DE2837725A1

Abstract

A clock radio comprises an electronic clock portion (1), a radio portion (2) which can be electronically coupled thereto so as to be controlled thereby and a load circuit (22) which is connected to the clock portion (1) to be controlled thereby in dependence on time, can be operated independently of the clock portion (1), and is controllable by an alarm portion (12) which is fixedly adjustable in the clock portion (1). As shown the load circuit comprises an incandescent lamp (23) which is controlled by the alarm portion (12) using a relay (24). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Clock Radio The invention relates to a clock radio comprising an electronic clock portion and a radio portion which can be electrically coupled thereto.

Clock radios of this kind have been highly successful in practice and are used in many households. In particular, it has been found that switching of the radio portion in dependence on time, independently of manual action by the person operating the clock radio, is highly valued by consumers. A point concerned with further rationalisation of housework is substantially mechanising the performance of such housework and thus subjecting it to a control process.

According to the invention, there is provided a clock radio comprising an electronic clock portion, a radio portion which can be electronically coupled thereto and a load circuit which is controllable in dependence on time, is electrically connected to the clock portion, can be operated independently of the radio portion and is controllable by an alarm portion which is fixedly adjustable in the clock portion.

The circuit is precisely controlled electronically by the clock portion. In comparison with conventional clocks, the clock portion can operate with a very high degree of accuracy, without maintenance, so that there is no need to reckon with variations in time. There need be no disturbance due to noise, so that the clock radio can also be used in bedrooms. It can also operate substantially without human intervention so that it can be very reliable once it has been set to a given time. The direct electronic control action can eliminate expensive and troublesome transmission units so that the entire assembly can remain small and compact. The circuitry can be safe to handle, even for non-expert users, and can be put into a condition in which it is ready for use, by a small number of plug contacts.Combining it with the radio portion permits simultaneous operation thereof, without the necessity for expensive change-over operations. In view of the electronically controlled circuit, there is no need to forego the radio which is to be turned on at the usual hour.

Preferably a relay which is actuated by the pulse from the clock portion is provided for controlling the circuit. This relay can also be used to switch high current strengths so that the timedependent control by means of the clock portion is independent of the load which is provided in the circuit. In addition to lighting members, for example heating means, cooking and other kitchen equipment can be connected into the circuit. At any event, the pulse produced by the clock portion can be sufficient to switch the relay.

The invention is diagrammatically illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 shows a circuit diagram of a clock radio according to the invention; and Figure 2 shows a front view of a clock radio according to the invention with a lighting member incorporated therein.

Referring to the drawings, a clock radio essentially comprises a clock portion 1 and a radio portion 2. The two portions are electrically connected by way of control lines 3 and 4 in such a way that the radio portion 2 can be switched on and off by the clock portion 1.

The radio portion 2 includes a receiving portion 5 which can be manually controlled by way of a control portion 6, by means of a rotary knob 7. It has an output 8 to which a loudspeaker 9 is connected.

The clock portion 1 includes a timer 10 and time display means 1 The time given by the timer 10 is displayed digitally in the time display means 11. In addition, control pulses can be delivered by an alarm portion 12 by way of the control lines 3 and 4, in dependence on the respective time display 11 of the clock portion 1.

These control pulses are passed directly to the radio portion 2, without being amplified or altered in respect of their control function. Two switches 13 and 14 are provided in the control line 3. The switch 14 which is closest to the radio portion 2 is coupled to a switch 1 5 which, in its opened condition, disconnects the radio portion 2 from the clock portion 1 so that the radio portion 2 can then only be operated manually. The coupling between the two switches 14 and 1 5 causes the switch 14 to be closed when an electrical connection is made at the switch 1 5 between the clock portion 1 and the radio portion 2 for the purposes of automatic operation of the radio portion 2.The switch 14 is opened when the electrical connection between the clock portion 1 and the radio portion 2 is opened by means of the switch 15, for the purpose of manual operation of the radio portion 2.

By actuating the switch 13, it is possible to choose whether the radio portion 2 is switched on only as an alarm or as a radio-programme receiver, at the alarm time determined by the alarm portion 12. In its one switching position, the clock portion 1 switches on the receiving portion 5 at the time specified by the alarm portion 12, so that the programme which is received by the receiving portion 5 is broadcast by way of the loudspeaker 9. In the other switching position, in addition to the receiving portion 5, an alarm pulse is also applied to the loudspeaker 9 so that the loudspeaker 9 emits an alarm sound.

A switch 16 is provided on the clock radio for switching the alarm function. The alarm function is switched on and switched off by means of the switch 16.

The alarm time is preselected by means of an operating means 17. The alarm time can be inputted into the alarm portion 12 by actuation of the operating means 1 7. At the same time, the alarm time is digitally displayed at the time display means 11. The clock portion 1 is also provided with a further operating means 18. The further operating means 18 is used for actuating a time interval input. This time interval input is operated for the purpose of triggering a switching pulse at the end of the time interval so that the time from input of the time interval until triggering of the switching pulse occurs can be precisely determined.

Finally, also provided on the clock portion 1 are two further operating means 19 and 20 whereby the clock portion 1 can be suitably set to the respective local time. The switch 1 9 provides for rapid setting, while the switch 20 provides for slow setting so that the clock can be precisely set to the respective local time. Finally, there is also provided a dimmer switch 21 by means of which the lighting of the time display means 11 can be set at a bright or a darker level.

At the same time, a circuit 22 in which there may be a load for example in the form of an incandescent lamp 23 is also controlled by means of the clock portion 1. The circuit 22 is switched by a relay 24 which is disposed in a control circuit 25 which is controlled directly by the clock portion 1. This arrangement provides that the circuit 22 can also be controlled simultaneously with the control of the radio portion 2. Thus it is possible for example for the circuit 22 to be switched on or be switched off simultaneously with the radio portion 2.

An alarm switch 26 may additionally be incorporated into the circuit 22. When the alarm switch 26 is closed, the alarm circuit of the loudspeaker 9 is also actuated, simultaneously with the circuit 22.

The control circuit 25 is coupled directly to the electronic part of the alarm portion 12. In this way the control pulses which are produced by the alarm portion 12 can be used directly for controlling the circuit 22. By virtue of this direct intervention into the alarm portion 12, it is possible for switching of the control circuit 25 to be effected substantially without inertia and with the accuracy of the electronic clock portion 1.

The circuit 22 also includes an on-off switch 27 by means of which the circuit 22 can be directly closed. The on-off switch 27 bridges the relay 24 in this respect so that the incandescent lamp 23 can be switched independently of the relay 24.

The incandescent lamp 23 can be combined with the clock radio in a structural unit, and can be for example incorporated therewith into an article of furniture. It is also possible however for the circuit 22 with the load supplied thereby to be disposed in a separate housing 28 (Figure 2) which is fitted separately or in conjunction with the clock radio, depending on the particular installation conditions which prevail. A form of the housing 28 which with the clock radio fits into a module has been found particularly advantageous. In this case, the housing 28 is similar to the shape of a housing 29 in which for example an additional loudspeaker for a stereo apparatus can be mounted. This can provide an elegant combined housing.

Instead of an incandescent lamp 22, any other conceivable load can be connected into the circuit 22. In this respect, consideration might be given in particular to supplying heating means or cooking devices by means of the circuit 22. When the circuit 22 is switched on, for example the heating is set in operation and cooking in a saucepan is begun.

It has been found highly advantageous for the clock radio to be constructed on a modular system. In this case, the clock portion 1 forms a module to which any desired number of other modules can be connected by simple circuits. The modular system is distinguished in particular by virtue of the fact that it considerably facilitates installation of the clock radio. The dimensions of the individual modules are suited to each other so that, when they are fitted into articles of furniture, the openings which are cut out to fit the modular system into position can be of the same dimensions. In addition, manufacture of the clock radio within the framework of a modular system can give a very pleasant image as in particular the front surfaces of the individual modules are the same, at least in one dimension.For installation of the modules, it has been found particularly advantageous for the height of the front surfaces and thus also of the individual modules to be the same.

Depending on the particular amount of apparatus which is required separately by each load, the modules required for the loads can be of greater or smaller size. This compromise or balance is achieved by the second dimension of the front surfaces being of a size which corresponds to the amount of space required. In this connection, it has again been found advantageous for the second dimension of the front surface, in regard to the clock portion 1 module, to represent a single or manifold multiple of the corresponding dimension of the other modules.

Modules can be provided in particular for an incandescent lamp 23, a cassette recorder, an additional loudspeaker or any other loads which are to be controlled by the clock radio. In this case, the aim to be achieved is that the modules which are used for the lords have substantially the same ratio in respect of their lengths and heights. A particularly advantageous arrangement is achieved by the module for the clock portion 1 having a ratio of length to height of 280:70. In addition however, the clock portion 1 and all other modules may be surrounded by a frame-like support means 30 which in particular considerably facilitates the installation of the individual modules. This frame-like support substantially surrounds the housing of the individual modules and projects therebeyond with a flange-like extension portion. It has been found that a particularly suitable ratio between the length and the height in respect of the frame-like support means 30 is 320:90.

Claims

1. A clock radio comprising an electronic clock portion, a radio portion which can be electronically coupled thereto and a load circuit which is controllable in dependence on time, is electrically connected to the clock portion, can be operated independently of the radio portion and is controllable by an alarm portion which is fixedly adjustable in the clock portion.

2. A clock radio according to claim 1, in which a relay which is actuated by a pulse from the clock portion is provided for controlling the load circuit.

3.A clock radio according to claim 2, in which the relay is integrated in the clock portion.

4. A clock radio according to claim 2 or claim 3, in which the relay is provided in a housing which is associated with the load circuit.

5. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the load circuit includes an incandescent lamp.

6. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the load circuit includes electrical heating means.

7. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including electrical alarm means on the alarm portion and disposed in parallel with the load circuit.

8. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the radio portion is also controllable by the alarm portion.

9. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 8, in which the load circuit includes an on-off switch which is independent of the clock portion.

10. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 9, including time interval input means with a termination shut-off action for the load circuit and provided on the clock portion.

11. A clock radio according to claim 10, in which the radio portion is controlled by the termination shut-off action.

12. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 11, in which the radio portion is coupled to a recorder.

1 3. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 12, in which the radio portion is provided with a stereo output.

1 4. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 13, including time tappings of different lengths for switching different load circuits.

1 5. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in which the clock portion is combined with the load circuits controlled thereby in a modular system whose individual modules can be joined together by simple connections.

1 6. A clock radio according to claim 15, in which the dimensions of the individual modules of the modular system are suited to each other.

1 7. A clock radio according to claim 1 5 or claim 16, in which the individual modules have front surfaces which are the same at least in one dimension.

18. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 17, in which each of the front surfaces of the modules which are provided for the loads is at least a multiple of the clock portion module in a second dimension.

19. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 18, in which an incandescent lamp is formed as one of the modules.

20. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 19, in which a cassette recorder is formed as one of the modules.

21. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 20, in which a loudspeaker is formed as one of the modules.

22. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 21, in which the individual modules have the same ratio in respect of their lengths and heights.

23. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 22, in which the clock portion has a ratio of its length to its height of 280:70.

24. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 23, in which the clock portion is surrounded by a frame-like support means which is to be fitted into the modular system.

25. A clock radio according to any one of claims 1 5 to 24, in which the frame-like support means has a ratio of its length to its height of 320:90.

26. A clock radio substantially as hereinbefore described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.