Welcome to Roger Russell's
Projection Clock Page
Copyright 1996-2004 by
Roger Russell
All rights reserved
No portion of this site may be reproduced in whole or in part
without written permission of the author.
Member
of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
A
history of these fascinating clocks that started in the early 1900's and
continues today. They are sometimes also referred to as ceiling clocks.
Comments,
additions or corrections are welcome.
For repairs, you might inquire at Virginia Clock Repair
The idea of projecting
time on a wall or ceiling has been around for many years and is still with us
today. The picture at the left shows an early combination
clock/projection-clock design that was patented in the
Leendert Prins, one of whose patents was the basis of the Jefferson Golden Hour clocks, also had a
patent on a projection clock. Patent No. 2,201,376 was filed
Since the advent of light emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays and quartz-halogen
lamps, a wide variety of displays and methods of projection have evolved. This
includes refined images, some so bright they can be easily seen in daylight.
Some displays can be activated with a handclap and other clocks are radio
synchronized with the atomic clock time signals from Fort Collins, Colorado.
These are sometimes referred to as radio clocks not to be confused with the
older terminology of “clock radio.” Some have analog clock faces and some are
digital.
Brown & Bigelow History
Many of the ceiling clocks that I have found were sold by Brown &
Bigelow (B&B), Stancraft or Hoyle Products. The clocks were sold from the
1960’s to the 1980’s through catalogs or stores such as K-Mart or Spencers.
Several of these clocks are called High Time. There is also a High Time digital
flip clock and even a High Time clock radio. Compared to other B&B
products, the clocks were special and the only electrical product that they
sold. They were largely made outside of the company.
Stancraft was a division of B&B and was established to bring their
products to the retail market. Hoyle was Stancraft’s major brand name. Hoyle
became such a strong brand name that after 1975 the company name was changed to
Hoyle Products. In the late 1960’s, B&B was acquired by Standard packaging,
which was in turn acquired by Saxon Industries in the early 1970’s. Despite all
of the name changes and acquisitions, Brown & Bigelow continues on.
Brown & Bigelow was founded in 1896 by Herbert H. Bigelow and Hirm
Brown. Bigelow was born in 1870 in Orange County, Vermont and later attended
Grinell College in Iowa. Brown died in 1905 but his name continued. The
business rapidly expanded and by 1904 employed 400 people. Soon after, Bigelow
purchased Quality Park and had a modern building erected. Today, B & B is
one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of promotional
products including calendars, playing cards, gift prints, business gifts and
advertising specialties. The products are sold directly to businesses for
promoting sales and name recognition.
The company has a 400,000 square foot facility and still employs 400
people. It has a 5-story central warehouse tower with a computer-controlled
inventory and handling system. There are eight regional sales offices with a
350-person nation wide sales force. Further interesting information can be
found on Herbert
H Bigelow.
Special thanks goes
to Pat Sweeny for the historical information about Brown & Bigelow,
Stancraft and Hoyle Products. He was employed by Brown & Bigelow as
Director of Marketing for Stancraft/Hoyle Products from 1969 to 1975 and was
instrumental in the design, development and marketing of the ceiling clocks.
Here’s a picture of Pat (left) when he appeared on the TV show “What’s My
Line” broadcast in the early 1970’s. He was there as sort of a human companion
for the “Remembrance” ceiling clock (far left). The panel tried to guess the
clock’s “Line.” He recalls that the panel succeeded in guessing that it shines
the time on the ceiling. This was one of a number of Stancraft/Hoyle PR efforts
about that time, but the only major one that involved the ceiling clock. A
detailed description of the Remembrance clock can be found further down on this
page.
High Time II.
This is a combination clock,
ceiling projection clock and alarm clock. A gold label pasted on the back says
B & B St. Paul, Minn. The warranty card says Brown & Bigelow, 1286
University Ave., St. Paul, Minn. 55104. The gold label of a second clock of the
same kind says Stancraft Products, division of Brown & Bigelow, Inc. An
identifying number is 1648186.
The sides of the Clock are solid wood 3/16" thick. A one-piece gold
anodized aluminum extrusion forms the top, back and bottom of the clock. The
curled hour and minute hands are copper colored. The second hand is flat and
copper colored. Three controls are on the back: the light switch, alarm on-off
and alarm/time set. A black foam rubber piece is on the base. The wood sides
are attached to plastic pieces with hot melt. The plastic has inserts that fit
into slots in the aluminum extrusion on either side. The inserts are glued in
place making the inside of the clock essentially inaccessible for repair.
The lamp can be
accessed at the back of the clock near the top by removing a screw holding an
aluminum panel. This is a common 120V clear bulb. The time/alarm set knob is
just below the lamp.
A vertical black
plastic disc rotates as the hour hand. The hour hand is fastened to this disc.
The disc has .050" high transparent numerals arranged in a radial pattern
around the edge. The small numbers can be seen faintly at the right side of the
picture. They are in increments of every 5 minutes for all 12 hours. The light
travels from the lamp horizontally through the numbered disc and then to a
mirror mounted at a 45-degree angle. The second hand is pointing to the red
mirror housing at the top of the clock. A lens at the top projects the image
and is sharply in focus at normal ceiling heights. For example: time like
12:05, 12:10 and 12:15 can be seen on the ceiling with 12:10 being the
brightest. At a height of 5 feet above the clock, the numbers are about
2-3/4" high. The ceiling image is at right angles to the front of the
clock.
This clock may have been made in the 1960's or 1970's. The replacement
lamp is a clear Sylvania C-7. Clock size is 6-1/4"H, 5-3/8"W and
3"D including knobs. The clock is UL approved and is rated for 110-120V
60Hz 12 watts. Weight is 1.5 lbs.
Literature
The High Time II Ceiling Clock is an exciting new dimension in styling,
convenience and performance--a clock that actually projects the correct time on
the darkened ceiling above it. A simple turn of the switch operates this unique
time projector, and crisp, easily read figures are cast clearly from a
nightstand of almost any level to a ceiling of average height.
The revolutionary time-projection feature and the pleasantly authoritative
alarm make the High Time II ceiling alarm clock the perfect bedside companion.
The High Time II blends beautifully with virtually any room's decor. Its clean,
symmetrical lines adapt well to a large variety of furniture motifs, and the
rich, walnut panels and gold trim are pleasantly compatible with almost all
color schemes.
The High Time II ceiling alarm clock is truly a fine and flexible accent piece
for any setting, and it will be an attractive asset to any room in which it is
displayed.
Instructions
The High Time 11 ceiling alarm clock is a unique unit designed for long
years of reliable service.
For maximum projection clarity, the High Time II must be positioned so that the
overhead image will be cast on a flat ceiling surface.
TO SET HANDS--Pull out and turn the serrated knob on the back of the clock.
TO SET ALARM--Push in and turn the serrated knob on the back of the clock until
the alarm indicator hand (smallest hand) reaches the desired waking time. Then
pull out the plunger located below and to the right of the serrated knob. To
silence, push in the plunger.
PROJECTION--The dial switch, located at the bottom of the back, controls the
ceiling projection feature. To operate, turn this control clockwise. In the
interest of longer bulb life, it is suggested that the light be turned off
during the daylight hours (when not in use).
CAUTION--Remove wall plug from electrical outlet before removing back panel
from the clock.
BULB REPLACEMENT--The High Time II ceiling alarm clock's projection lamp is
designed for long service, but should replacement be required, access to the
bulb is obtained by removing the screw, lifting and pulling out the bottom of
the louvered panel located on the back of the clock. Screw bulb out of its
socket and replace with a new bulb (Sylvania C7). Check the projected image in
a darkened room. In the event that the intensity of the projected image is not
clear, loosen the Phillips screw, which holds the socket clamp. Adjust the
socket slightly to the right or left until maximum intensity of the image is
obtained. Tighten the screw and replace the panel.
CLEANING--To clean the clock, including the lens, use a soft cloth only
moistened with warm water and a mild soap. Do not use a strong detergent or
cleaning waxes.
NOTE: There may be a slight discrepancy between the time on the clock face and
the projected image due to mechanical limitations.
Warranty
The High rime II ceiling alarm clock is guaranteed for one full year from
date of receipt against defects in materials and workmanship. If the clock
should require servicing within the warranty period, it will be repaired or
replaced at the option of Brown & Bigelow, provided the clock is mailed
prepaid to the address provided below with $1 to cover handling and return
postage, and provided the Warranty Registration card provided below has been
mailed to Brown & Bigelow within 30 days after you initially received the
clock. A clock that has been tampered with or misused is not within the limits
of free adjustment.
BROWN
& BIGELOW
% PRODUCT SERVICE
1286 UNIVERSITY AVE.
ST. PAUL, MINN. 55104
An almost identical
clock to the B&B High Time II has been found. However, the face is white.
The hour and minute hands are flat in shape and colored black. The second hand
is copper colored. The alarm time set indicator is red. The numerals 3, 6, 9
and 12 are on the clear plastic front. Black dots indicate the other hours. A
thin + line is in the center. The sides are not wood but plastic covered with a
textured brown paint. There is no base pedestal. Three controls are on the
back: the light switch, alarm on-off and alarm/time set.
This clock also has a gold colored stick-on label on the back. It's
called a High Time "Ceiling Clock". Stancraft, Div. of Standard
Packaging Corp, St. Paul, MN 55104, USA Patent Pending. 110-120V -- 60 Hz, 12
watts. Replacement bulbs Sylvania or G.E. clear 7 watt lamp (7C7 or 6S6). UL
listed clock 787H
Still another
variation has what appears to be a silver colored or clear anodized aluminum
extrusion for the top, back and bottom. The minute and hour hands are white and
the second hand is red. Instead of numerals, two thick lines indicate the hours
of 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock. Radial lines indicate all the hours.
The clock has a stick-on label on the back. It says Brown & Bigelow
Division of Standard packaging Corp., St. Paul, MN 55104. 110-120V 60 Hz, 12
watts. Replacement bulb Sylvania C-7. UL listed.
There is no mention of a name for this clock.
Remembrance
Remembrance was or
maybe still is a brand name of B&B. Although this clock has this name,
other of their products may also have the same name. The address on this clock
is Brown & Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn. The clock has the name molded into the
plastic on the back. It is made of light beige colored plastic except for the
angular base that's made of a heavy metal. A wood grain finish is around the
front face. The hour and minute hand are black and the second hand is red. The
alarm set hand is black. The domed dial cover is plastic with a shiny gold
colored ring around the edge.
A large clear plastic
drum 4" in diameter rotates as the hour hand. The hour hand is painted on
the drum near the 6 in the picture. The numbers for projection are located on
what appears to be a filmstrip that is attached around the perimeter at the
bottom of the picture. The transparent numbers are in increments of every 5
minutes for all 12 hours. The numbers alternate between about 0.032" high
and 0.016" high. The even numbers like 12:00 and 12:10 are the larger
ones. The light from the small bulb shines through a set of numbers and then
through the lens at the top of the clock. At a height of 5 feet above the
clock, the large numbers are about 2-3/4" high. The light also illuminates
the front dial of the clock for night viewing
A small transformer
located in the metal base of the clock powers the light. The lamp is rated at
60V and 50 mA. The line voltage of 120V is reduced through the transformer to
60V for the light bulb. The lamp is a 60PSB. A replacement can be ordered from Mouser Electronics. Search for
60PSB. There is no minimum order that I know of.
Two controls are on the back of the clock: the alarm on-off and
alarm/time set. The light switch is at the bottom in the front. A note in the
molded plastic on the inside of the lamp housing says "For replacement
bulb send $1.00 to Brown & Bigelow, St. Paul, Minn. 55104. Specify bulb No.
60 PSB". The motor assembly is made by General Time Corp. 120 V.A.C 60Hz.
2.5 watts and is UL approved. Clock size is 7-1/4"H, 5-5/16"W and
4-1/2"D. Weight is 1.8 lbs.
High Time "Ceiling Clock"
Model 7679. A gold
colored label pasted on the back says Stancraft, Div of Standard Packaging
Corp. St Paul Minn 55104 USA. A one-piece gold anodized aluminum extrusion forms
the top, back and bottom of the clock. The angled sides are brown plastic with
a woodgrain finish. The hour and minute hands are white. The second hand is
green and the alarm hand is red. Three controls are on the back: the light
switch, alarm on-off and alarm/time set.
A vertical black
plastic disc rotates as the hour hand. The white hour hand is fastened to this
disc. The disc has .050" high transparent numerals arranged in a radial
pattern around the edge. The light mounted in the back shines through the
transparent numerals on the disc. The black plastic piece at the top of the
clock, just above the hour hand, holds a 45-degree mirror that reflects the
image up and through the lens in the top. The numbers on the ceiling are
several inches high.
Replacement lamps are Sylvania or G. E. clear 7 watt 7C7 or 6S6. Clock
size is 6-1/8"H, 6-1/8"W and 3"D including knobs. The clock is
UL approved and is rated for 110-120V 60Hz 12 watts. Weight is 1 lb. 5 oz. This
clock was sold about 1970
High Time Sentry "Ceiling Clock"
Model 7690. It was
available from two different suppliers: Hoyle Products and Stancraft Products
and perhaps others. The clock is made of brown plastic. The face numbers, hour
and minute hands are light beige colored. The second hand is copper colored.
Three controls are on the back: the light switch, alarm on-off and alarm/time
set. Light shines through a plastic disc and through a lens at the top. Size is
5-9/16" H, 4-3/8" W and 2-3/4" D including knobs. The clock is
UL approved. Both clocks are rated for 110-120V 60Hz 12 watts. Weight is 0.82
lbs. At the right is a picture of the box that the clock came in.
A gold colored label
pasted on the back of one clock says Hoyle Products, a division of Saxon
Industries, Inc., 345 Plato Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55107. Replacement lamp is a
clear Sylvania 4 watt 4C7. The clock was sold in 1984.
A similar gold colored label pasted on the back of another clock says
Stancraft, a division of Standard Packaging Corp, St Paul, MN, 55104.
Replacement lamps are Sylvania or G. E. clear 7 watt 7C7 or 6S6. This clock was
sold by K-Mart for $19.97. The K-Mart sticker has 10/78, which might be the
date of October 1978.
High Time "Ceiling Clock"
The clock is made of
brown plastic with a wood grain finish on the sides and bottom front. A gold
colored label pasted on the back says Hoyle Products, a division of Saxon
Industries, Inc., 345 Plato Blvd. E., St. Paul, MN 55107. The face numbers,
hour and minute hands are light beige colored. The second hand is copper
colored. The hands are angled out from the center. The front face is angled
back and is 1/2" shallower at the top. Three controls are on the back: the
light switch, alarm on-off and alarm/time set.
Light shines through a plastic disc and to a 45 degree mirror located
half way down the left side. It then goes through a lens at the top on the left
side. At a height of 5 feet above the clock, the numbers are about 2-1/2"
high. The ceiling image is parallel to the front of the clock. Replacement lamp
is a clear Sylvania 4 watt 4C7. Size is 5" H, 5" W and 3-3/8" D
including knobs. The clock is UL approved and is rated for 110-120V 60Hz 12
watts. Weight is 1 lb.
Unknown Ceiling Clock
This clock is the same
size and shape as the High Time Hoyle Products clock described above. The case
is beige colored. The hour and minute hands are black and the second hand is
copper colored. The face numbers are brown. The hands are angled out from the
center. There is a gold colored scroll pattern in the corners of the face. The
face is angled back and is 1/2" shallower at the top. Three controls are
on the back: the light switch, alarm on-off and alarm/time set.
Light shines through a plastic disc and to a 45 degree mirror located
half way down the left side. It then goes through a lens at the top on the left
side. At a height of 5 feet above the clock, the numbers are about 2-1/2"
high. The ceiling image is parallel to the front of the clock. No label was
found with this clock to indicate power requirements, replacement lamp or
distributor. Size is 5" H, 5" W and 3-3/8" D including knobs.
Weight is 1 lb.
Digital High Time
Sold by Stancraft. White
plastic case with flip digital numerals. Size is 8-1/2" wide, 4-1/2"
deep and 3" high. Light projects the time through a lens at the top.
Digital High Time Clock Radio
Here's a projection
clock that's also an AM/FM radio. It's called Digital High Time model 7651. It
was introduced after the earlier clocks and at a time when clock radios were
becoming popular. It was made for Stancraft Products under contract by Sound
Design.. The dial and radio are made in Hong Kong. The clock is made in USA.
This is the only unit sold by Brown & Bigelow/Stancraft that was made
outside the USA. The clock case is all black plastic with a wood grain laminate
on the sides and top. The black AC line cord is 5 feet long.
The clock is 9-1/2" high, 6-1/8" wide and 5" deep
including the knobs. The power/wake knob has positions of off, on, auto and
alarm. The band knob selects AM or FM. There is also a volume and tuning knob.
A slide type dial is used for station tuning. The minute and hour hands are
white and the second hand is orange. Numerals are at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock.
Radial lines indicate the other hours. A thin + line is in the center of the
clock face. Although this clock/radio has a name of Digital High Time, there is
no digital readout except for the numerals projected on the ceiling. Weight is
1430 grams or about 3.2 lbs.
A lamp on-off switch is located on the top near the projection lens. An
earphone jack is located at the right side near the bottom. A time set knob is
in the back. Instructions on the back read: "Important--Unplug unit before
removing this panel for lamp replacement. Replacement lamps Sylvania or G. E.
clear 7 watt lamp (7C7 or 6S6)." No external antenna is required. Tuning
range: AM 540 – 1600 KHz, FM 88 - 108 MHz. AC 110-120 Volts, 60 Hz 15 Watts
Howard Miller Ceiling Clock
Model 621-231. This is
a black plastic alarm clock with an LED display. It projects time on the
ceiling when used with an AC adapter. The projection lens on the right side can
rotate up to 90 degrees forward or back. Top switches are snooze/light, alarm
off/on and project off/on. The snooze/light switch illuminates the LCD display
using battery power. A front switch is to stop the alarm for 24 hours. The AC
adapter socket is in the back.
Buttons on the bottom
are for minutes, hours, alarm set, time set and seconds. The bottom plate can
be removed to insert the two AA batteries and change the lamp. The clock emits
a very short "pip" sound every hour.
Size is 2-1/2" high, 5-5/8" wide and 2-7/8" deep.
Lettering on the bottom says Hoyle patents pending Des. 995990. Made in China.
It sold for $96.95. This clock was discontinued in about 1995. A new model
645-354 is now available and sells for $89.95.
"Light-Owl" Digital
Alarm Clock projects time on ceiling of darkened room when activated by sound
such as handclap. Has multi-lingual instruction manual.
Functions include: Hour, Minute and Second Readout, Month and Date,
Hourly Chime Capability and Top-Mounted Controls. Measures approximately
3"H X 3-3/4"W X 1"D.
Oregon Scientific Projection Clock
This recent clock
projects time on the wall or the ceiling with red digits as large as 5"
high and 13" wide when used with the 3 volt AC adapter. The projector can
be rotated front or back, and the image can be focused. The ceiling image can
be turned on and off with a switch in the back. The backlit LCD can be turned
on by the control bar at the top. A crescendo alarm starts quietly and
increases in volume. Size 4"H, 5-9/16"W and 1-5/8"D. Operates on
2 AA batteries and AC adapter.
This clock is available with or without radio control. The radio control
version resets 6 times a day with the U. S. atomic clock in Colorado and is
accurate within 0.5 seconds. It has a time zone selector. Weight 8.5 ounces
without batteries. Sold by Oregon Scientific. The radio control version sells
for $79.95 and the non-radio control version sells for $39.95
Radio Shack Projection Clock
This clock is almost
identical to the Oregon Scientific shown above but without the radio control
feature. It has a backlit LCD display that shows time and day of week. A
2-minute crescendo alarm gradually gets louder. Adjustable projection angle
with focus control. Front push buttons are for +, zone, alarm stop/alarm set,
alarm on/off and mode/set. Rear slide switch for projection on/off. Requires
two AA batteries for portable use and an included AC adapter for projection.
Size is 4"H, 5-9/16"W and 1-5/8"D. Weight is 8.5 ounces without
batteries. Sold by Radio Shack starting in 1999 for $39.99
Excalibur Projection Clock
Projects an analog
face on the ceiling or wall that can be seen at night or in dimly lit area.
Quartz clock operates on one AA battery. It has an hour, minute and second hand.
Has a time adjust control in the battery compartment and includes a spare bulb.
When used with an included AC adapter, it will project the face on a wall or
ceiling. Has a light on/off switch on the side and stand arm that folds out in
the back.
The front cover can be pulled down to view the time directly in daylight.
The silver and black plastic case is oval shaped and is 8" high and
2-3/4" wide. Sold in 1997 for $49.95
Timebeam
If you’re looking for high power analog clocks, here’s a company that
makes them. “The Timebeam Classic uses a
special finely focused halogen lamp to generate the working the image using a
series of rotating masks so throwing the image on a wall, ceiling or product as
required.” Custom images can be made to include a company name, etc. They are
used in penthouses, attic apartments, restaurants, bars, offices and
exhibitions. A switch selects two levels of brightness or the projection can be
turned off.
jWIN
Here’s a projection
digital alarm clock radio. It’s available as of June 2002 from Lifestyle Fascination, Inc. The
literature says:
“Watching the passage of time is restful, almost hypnotic when it’s
projected on your wall or ceiling. You’re eyelids are getting heavy, you feel
sleepy…Those big bright numbers are also easy to see (without fumbling for your
eyeglasses). We like the way this particular projection clock can be adjusted
in a 180 degree arc, from the right or front wall up to the ceiling and down
onto the left or back wall. And the price is right for all the features you
get! You can set the projection to turn on and off at a preset time, or you can
leave those big glowing numbers on all night as a comforting night light. Use
the sleep timer to fall asleep to music. Wake up to AM or FM radio or buzzer,
and catch some extra “Zzzzzzs” with the snooze alarm. Clock measures about 5”
wide, 7” high and 4” deep. #MJW010
$24.95”
Other Clock I Have Created
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A history of the Jefferson Electric Company including many mystery clocks and other products. Lots of pictures and text. |
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A history of the Mastercrafters Clock and Radio Company. Includes pictures and descriptions of some of their clocks including a mystery clock. |
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A major |
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Mystery clock page includes Etalage, Etalage Reclame, Sonic Industries Inc., Monitor Equipment Corp. MagiClock, Boots Boy and Rex Cole. |
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Includes very early and late clocks from companies other than those
already listed. |
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Other pages I have created and
personal information. |
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Sorry, I don't know the present
value of these clocks. |
More text and pictures about
Mastercrafters will be added as my research continues. Any comments,
corrections, or additions are welcome. |
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contents are copyright 1998-2004 |