Information
-
Patent Grant
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6584042
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Patent Number
6,584,042
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Date Filed
Tuesday, April 16, 200222 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, June 24, 200321 years ago
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 368 88
- 368 276
- 368 277
- 368 278
- 368 309
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International Classifications
-
Abstract
A clock structure mountable to a corner of an edifice utilizing a case. The case includes a pair of walls which closely match the orientation of the corner walls of the edifice. In addition, two wall portions extend outwardly from the corner matching walls of the clock structure to provide recesses on either side of the facade of the clock structure. A door is hingedly attached to the case and at least partially enters the recess formed by the walls of the clock structure. Likewise, a latching mechanism is located in the opposite recess and is readily accessible.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel and useful clock structure mountable to a corner area of an edifice.
Clocks often are set on vertical surfaces to permit occupants of a room to ascertain the time from various positions in the room. In most cases, the clock is mounted to a single wall which is generally vertical in orientation.
A problem exists where a clock must be mounted to the corner of a room involving a pair of walls angularly disposed to one another. In the past, auxiliary structure have been employed to mount a clock to a corner position in a room. For example, brackets, shelves, cables, and the like have been employed in this regard. However, such mounting fixtures are normally unwieldy and do not permit the clock to be snugly positioned in a corner of a room.
A clock structure which is mountable to first and second corner walls of an edifice would be a notable advance in the field of household goods and the decorative arts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a novel and useful clock structure mountable to a corner of an edifice is herein provided.
The clock structure of the present invention utilizes a case. The case possesses a first wall and a second wall which is angularly affixed to the first wall. The first and second walls, forming a corner, closely match the orientation of the first and second corner walls of an edifice such as a home or office. The clock includes a top and bottom which is normally horizontal and parallel to the floor of the edifice.
A third wall is connected to the first wall and extends outwardly therefrom to form a first recess adjacent the first wall of the edifice. Likewise, a fourth wall connected to the case second wall extends outwardly from the second wall and the corner wall of the edifice to form a second recess. In cross-section, the case may take the form of a regular or irregular pentagon.
A door is also included in the present structure and may be hingedly attached to the third case wall. Upon rotation, the door extends into the first recess and may swing freely to allow one to affect repairs to the clock structure within the case. In this regard, the door and case form a chamber within the case and which may be employed to contain a time keeping mechanism or to store items. It should be noted that the time keeping mechanism may also be affixed to a surface of the swinging door within the chamber. The time keeping mechanism is linked to the hands of the clock by extending a portion through the door to the outside of the chamber. The hands are clearly visible to the occupants of a room.
The structure of the present invention may further include a latch mechanism which is affixed to the fourth case wall and lies within the second recess. A strike may be connected to the swinging door and rotate into the second recess for engagement with the latch.
In addition, means is also provided for fixing the case to either the first or second corner walls of the edifice. Provision is made for fasteners which extend through the first or second case walls of the structure in order to engage structural members found along the first and second corner walls of the edifice. Namely, studs in the vicinity of the corner formed by the first and second corner walls of the edifice may be used in this regard. openings are provided in the case to allow such fasteners to be aligned as needed to engage support members near the corner walls of the edifice.
It may be apparent that a novel and useful clock structure has been hereinabove described.
It is therefore and object of the present invention to provide a clock structure mountable to corner walls of an edifice which fits snuggly in the corner of the edifice and is easily affixed to structural members forming the first and second corner walls of the edifice.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a clock structure mountable the corner walls of an edifice which includes a door that is freely rotatable relative to the case of the clock structure without interference.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a clock structure mountable to the corner walls of an edifice which is compact in configuration and fully operational when placed in position in the corner of the edifice.
The invention possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular characteristics and features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1
is a top plan view of the clock structure of the present invention depicting a corner wall of an edifice partially in section.
FIG. 2
is a front elevational view of the clock structure of the present invention with the corner wall structure shown partially.
FIG. 3
is a partial rear elevational view of the clock structure of the present invention.
FIG. 4
is a sectional view taken along the line of the two upper openings depicted in FIG.
4
and depicting typical support structures for the corner walls in section.
For a better understanding of the invention reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
Various aspects of the present invention will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior delineated drawings.
The invention as a whole is shown in the drawings by reference character
10
. Clock structure
10
includes as one of its elements a case
12
, best shown in
FIGS. 1 and 3
. Case
12
includes a first wall
14
and a second wall
16
. First wall
14
is angularly connected to second wall
16
at corner
18
by gluing, fasteners, integral formation, and the like. In any case, the angle between wall
14
and
16
closely matches the angle between corner walls
20
and
22
of an edifice. Walls
20
and
22
are formed by a series of studs and a wall covering such as gypsum board. Walls
20
and
22
form a corner
24
,
FIG. 2
, which closely aligns with corner
18
of case
12
.
Case
12
is also formed with short walls
26
and
28
that depend from case walls
14
and
16
, respectively, in an angular direction. For example, wall
20
possesses a surface
30
which forms a recess
32
therewith. Likewise, a recess
34
is formed between wall
28
and surface
36
of wall
22
. Purposes of recesses
32
and
34
will be fully described hereinafter. Case
12
further possesses top
25
and bottom
22
, FIG.
1
.
Structure
10
also is formed with a door
38
that is fixed to wall
36
by piano hinge
40
. Door
38
also includes a spring latch
42
which interacts with strike
44
fixed to wall
28
. Strike
34
and latch
42
lie within recess
34
. The rear surface
46
of door
38
also supports a clock mechanism
48
of conventional configuration. Clock mechanism
48
operates hands
50
on face
52
of clock structure
10
. Face
52
lies on one side
54
of door
38
opposite side or surface
46
, thereof. Thus, recesses
32
and
34
serve to permit door
38
to open, directional arrow
55
, and to latch by the interaction of latch
42
and strike
44
without interference. Such interference in a conventional clock would normally arise from prior configurations of case
12
or wall
20
or
22
.
Means
56
is also included for fixing case
12
to walls
20
and
22
of the edifice. With reference to
FIGS. 3 and 4
, it may be observed that apertures or openings
58
through wall
14
and/or apertures
60
through wall
16
of case
12
permits the use of fasteners such as screws
62
and
64
,
FIG. 4
to secure case
12
to walls
20
and
22
. Namely, screws
62
and
64
fasten directly into studs
66
and
68
which may be formed of wood or other solid material. Of course, screws
62
and
64
must pass through gypsum board layers
70
and
72
of walls
20
and
22
, respectively. Thus, clock structure, including case
12
and door
38
is securely fastened to walls
20
and
22
at corner
24
thereof.
In operation, the user places case
12
against surfaces
30
and
36
of walls
20
and
22
and aligns outside corner
18
of case
12
with inside corner
24
formed by walls
20
and
22
. Fasteners, such as screws
62
and
64
, are placed through plurality of openings
58
and/or
60
to secure case
12
to walls
20
and
22
. Door
38
of clock structure
10
is freely rotatable according to directional arrow
55
. A portion of door
38
is capable of moving completely within recess
32
formed by walls
26
of case
12
and wall
20
of the edifice to permit such rotation. Likewise, latch
42
and strike
44
are engageable or disengageable within recess
34
without interference. The user would simply place his or her hand on door
38
in recess
34
and pull or push door
38
according to directional arrow
70
such movement would open or close door
38
to gain access to chamber
46
within case
12
. Chamber
46
may be used for storage and houses time keeping mechanism
48
which is readily accessible for maintenance and repair.
While in the foregoing, embodiments of the present invention have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the invention, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such detail without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.
Claims
- 1. A clock structure mountable to the connected first and second corner walls of an edifice, comprising:a. a case, said case including a fist wall and a second wall, said first and second wall angularly affixed to each other to form a corner and closely match the orientation of the first and second corner walls of the edifice, said case further including a third wall connected to said first wall, said third case wall connected to said case first wall and extending outwardly from the first corner wall to form a first recess and said case further including a fourth wall, said fourth case wall connected to said case second wall and extending outwardly from the second corner wall to form a second recess; b. a door, said door hingedly attached for rotation relative to said third case wall, a portion of said door extending into said first recess upon rotation of said door relative to said third case wall, said door and case forming a chamber; and c. a time keeping mechanism at least partially located in said chamber.
- 2. The structure of claim 1 which additionally comprises a clock face affixed to said door.
- 3. The structure of claim 2 in which said time keeping mechanism is fixed to said door within said chamber.
- 4. The structure of claim 3 which additionally comprises a latch mechanism, at least a portion of said latch mechanism affixed to said fourth case wall within said second recess, and a strike matable with said latch, said strike affixed to said door.
- 5. The structure of claim 1 which additionally comprises means for fixing said case selectively to the first and second corner walls of the edifice.
- 6. The structure of claim 5 which additionally comprises a clock face affixed to said door.
- 7. The structure of claim 6 in which said time keeping mechanism is fixed to said door within said chamber.
- 8. The structure of claim 7 which additionally comprises a latch mechanism, at least a portion of said latch mechanism affixed to said fourth case wall within said second recess, and a strike matable with said latch, said strike affixed to said door.
US Referenced Citations (3)