ARTIFICIAL SUNRISE

• US 3,798,889 A
• Filed: 02/09/1973
• Issued: 03/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Duane G. Chadwick
• Original Assignee: Duane G. Chadwick
• Inventors: Chadwick, Duane G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Franklin, Lawrence R.
• Application Number:
  US05/331,101
• Time in Patent Office: 410 Days
• Field of Search: 58/3,16,19-21,21.12,22,22.5,42.5-44,50
• US Class Current: 368/73
• CPC Class Codes: G04C 19/02 by electric lamps

Abstract

A clock alarm system wherein a lamp arrangement is utilized to announce the arrival of a preset time, the intensity of which light is controlled by appropriate electronic circuitry so as to increase in brilliance with the continued passage of time beyond that preset into the system, thereby simulating a natural sunrise.

Claims

1. A device for producing an electrical current output that varies with time a housing;

a time indicator mounted with said housing, so as to turn with the passage of time;

means for turning said time indicator with the passage of time;

programmer means arranged to be movably positioned with respect to said time indicator for initiating an energy transfer, said programmer means comprising a cylinder, a shaft journaled through said cylinder, which shaft is secured on one end to the time indicator and is turned to reflect the passage of time, means for releasably connecting said cylinder to said time indicator, a light source positioned within said cylinder, and a slot formed through the wall of said cylinder, said slot being of gradually increasing size in the direction of rotation of the cylinder;

variable resistance means energized by operation of said programmer means for producing a value of resistance that varies with movement of said time indicator, said variable resistance means being positioned opposite to the light source and such that the cylinder rotates between the light source and the variable resistance means;

an electrical circuit means that includes said variable resistAnce means for passing an electrical current therethrough that varies with the resistance value of said variable resistance means;

a source of electrical energy connected to said electrical circuit means; and

an electrical outlet connected to said electrical circuit means.

2. A device for producing an electrical current output that varies with time as recited in claim 1, wherein the variable resistance means comprises a light sensitive resistor arranged to be contacted by light passing through the slot during rotation of the cylinder.

3. A device for producing an electrical current output that varies with time as recited in claim 1, wherein the programmer means further includes a rack of teeth arranged on the time indicator;

a tooth means extending from the cylinder, for engaging said rack of teeth;

means for resiliently biasing said tooth means into engagement with said rack of teeth; and

means for disengaging said tooth means from said rack of teeth.

4. A device for producing an electrical current output that varies with time as recited in claim 3, wherein the means for disengaging the tooth from said rack comprises an arm carrying said tooth secured to the cylinder and extending to a point outside the housing.