US1582268A - Switch-control means - Google Patents

Description

1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 59% y 05752 Zing 50W TTORNEFL P. HUSTED El AL SWITCH CONTROL MEANS Filed May 24,

April 27 ,1926

April 27,1926, 158mm P. HU STED ET AL SWITCH CONTROL MEANS Filed May 24', 1923 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR P (/67 Q Q 0% N B) FOJTHYKJOw A TTORNEYS Patented Apr. 27. 1926.

rerun PAUL; HUS'IED, orcro HUSTED, AND ros'rnnx. SOLLIIDAY, or GRAND RAPIDS,

MICHIGAN.

SWITCH-CONTROL MEALTS.

Application filed May 24, 1924. Serial No. 715,751.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PAUL HUs'rnI), OTTO llcsnzo, and FOSTER K. Sonmmr, citizens of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, county of Kent, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Switch-Control Means, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switch control means.

Many cities have ordinances or regulations requiring that the parlting lights of motor vehicles shall be turned on at a specified hour. This causes great inconvenience to drivers as to leave the lights on when not necessary exhausts the battery and particularly in city driving it is a dillicult' matter to keep the battery properly charged. Our improved switch control means is especially designed by us for controlling the lights of a motor vehicle, although it iswell adapted for use in a great variety of relations, as lighting the lights-in a store, residence or the like. i

The, main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a switch control means by means of which the switch may be closed at any predetermined time.

Second, to provide an improved switch control means of the class described which may be quickly adjusted to operate the switch at the desired time.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is very simple and eco nomical in structure and at the same time compact and durable.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

ii e accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A. structure which is a preterred embodiment of our invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawin forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a front View of a structure embodying the features of our invention,

Fig. H is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding 7 to line 2-2 of Figs. I and III, the parts being shown in switch closing position.

Fig. ,[H is a fragmentary view partially in section on a line corresponding to line Fig. V is a sectional view on a line corresponding to line 5 -5 of Fig. TV.

Fig. VT is a detail perspective view partially in longitudinal section, showing structural details.

In the drawing similar reference'characters refer to similarvparts throughout the several views, andthe sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawings, we Provide a housing which is adapted to be set into the instrument of a motor ;vehicle. This h0using, in the embodiment illustrated, comprises a face plate 1 and a cup-like casing member 2 secured to the face plate by means of the threaded posts 3. e

i represents a battery, 5 a generator and 6 the lamps to be controlled.

The battery circuit 7 is connected to the binding post 8 projecting from the housin The lamp circuit 9 is connected to the post 10, also projecting from the housing. The circuit 9 is provided with the usual switch 11.

.Within, but insulated from, the housing is a tired contact plate 12, the same being secured in position and connected to the circuit by means of the binding post 8. A coactingspring switch member 13 is insulated "from the housing and secured in 35 on the timing mechanism frame plate 32,

edge of the slot being toothed to provide a segmental rack 17. The posts 3 also carry an, annular ratchet member 18, the posts 3 having spacing sleeves l9 and thereon to space and position these parts 15 and, 13..

- -A barrel21 is rotatably supported bythe face' plate '1 and the plate or disc 15. This barrel projects through the face plate and carries on its projecting end the index or dial plate 22 which has time indic'ia 23 thereon adapted to coact with the indicia I so ' character 24, on the face pl atesee. Fig. I Mounted within the barrel for longitudr. nal movement therein is a spindle 25 having a finger, piece 26 on its outer'end and a non-circular shank portion 27 engaging correspondingly shaped open1ng28'1n the barrel, so that the barrel may be rotated from the finger piece and the spindle retracted to allow the spring switch 23 to dismechanism The frame of this mechanism comprises the spaced plates 31 and 32 connectedby suitable pillars and carryingthe 'esca'pement mechanism designated generally by the numeral 38 andtrain of gears designated generally by the numeral 33. This frame also carries the pinion 34meshing with the rack 17, so that movement of the frame and consequently of the barrel is controlled by the escapement mechanism acting through this-pinion 34 coacting with the rack 17. The pinion 34 is carried by the stub shaft the pinion-being supported against longitudinal movement by the split rings 36 which engage the grooves 37 provided therefor in the periphery of the pinion, the-rings 'coacting' with the plate 15, as shown in Figs.

II and IV'." The pinion 34 is connected to the escapement 38 through the train of gears 33 and the pinions 39 and 40, the pinion 39 being mounted on the shaft 41 of the train of gears 33 while the pinion 40 is mounted on the stub shaft 35 for limited longitudinal movement thereon and is provided with a toothed clutch member 42 coacting with the toothed clutch member 43 of the pinion 34.

A spring 44 acts to hold thepinion 4O yieldingly against the shoulder 45 of the stub shaft. The stub shaft is'slidable longitudinally through "and is splined .to the pinion 34-. 'Thespring 44 will yield in the masses event the ends of the clutch teeth engage .when the parts are being adjusted; 4

The spindle 25 has a head portion 46 which. is provided with a' transverse slot 47 and with a longitudinal slot 48 -see Fig- VT. The end of the spindle has an insulating block 49, thereon adapted to engage the switch 13 when the spindle is projected to close the switch-as shown in Fig. 11.

The timing means described is connected to the spindle by means of the plate 50 which is mounted on the plate 32 to project through a slot 51 in'the barrel into engagement with the flattened portion of the "spindle formed. by the slot 47, the slot thereby connecting the,parts so that they rotate together. This particular connection is' designed for mechanical convenience and to permit axial movement otthese parts.

A stop plate 52is li'nountedyon the frame plate 15 and hasa's top lug- 53 adapted to enter the longitudinal slot 48 of the spindle when brought into alignment. The-spring 54'arra'nged upon the barrel urges the timing Ineclianism' fi'a1ne rear wardly.

With sired to set'the mechanism, the finger piece 26 is pulled outwardly, withdrawing' the spindle from engagement with the stop plate 52 and engaging it with the plate 50, con" tinued movement shifting the entire escapement. mechanism to disengage the clutch pinions. The spindle is then rotated which rotates the barrel, thereby winding the spring and also brings the groove 48 "out of register with'the stop 53, thereby holding the spindle in retracted position and'out of engagement with the switch, as shown in Fig. TV, allowing the switch to open. The rotation of the timing frame carriesthe pinion 34 backward. When the finger piece is released the spring 54.returns the timing frame and the spring 44 engages the clutch pinions 34'and 40, thereby connecting the the parts thus arranged audit: is dcrelative f pinion 34 with the escap'er'nent mechanism.

The rotatable parts are driven by the spring, the movement thereof being controlled by the escapement mechanism until the zero or initial position is reached when the groove 48 is brought into register with the stop lug 53 of the stop plate and the spindle is projected by the spring 29 engaging the switch member 13 and closing the switch.

ln the event that it is desired to reset the mechanism beforeit is returned to Zero it is only necessary to turn it to the desired point' by means of the finger piece.

To prevent injury to the parts in the even a. that the finger piece isv abruptly released wvith the parts in retracted position, we provide a governor pawl 55 which is pivoted at 56-and held yieldingly out of engagement with the ratchet 18 by means of the spring.

5?. However, under the centrifugal action.

of the rapidly-rotating parts, this governor pawl is thrown into engagement with the,

ratchet segment. i l

With the parts arranged as illustrated and described, the device is used as follows;

'- Assuming that it is desiredto close the'cirhowever, of general application and has as we believe the desclosure made will enable those skilled in the art to which our invention relates to embody or adapt the same as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, whatwe elaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a casing provided with a face plate, a cross plate disposed transversely within said casing and having a segmental slot toothed at one end to provide a' rock, 'a barrelrotatably mounted on said plates, a driving spring connected to said barrel, a longitudinally slotted manually adjustable spindle rotatable with and mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel, said 'barrel and spindle having registering transverse slots, a spring for actuating said spindle arranged within said barrel, a. stop plate mounted on said cross plate and having a stop lug adapted to enter said longitudinal groove in said spindle when alignedtherewith, a normally open switch adapted to be engaged by said spindle when the spindle is actuated by said spring, a timing means comprisinga frame mounted on said barrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug engaging said slots 1 in said barrel and spindle, said lug and sjot in said spindle providing a lost motion connection for said spindle and frame, an rscapement mechanism carried by .said frame, a driving pinion coacting with said rack andsupported against axial movement thereby, a shaft onsaid frameslidable in said driving pinion, a driven pinion on said shaft, said pinions being provided with to acting clutch members adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement of said frame, a spring for yieldingly supporting said driven pinion, a train of gears carried by said frame connecting said driven pinion with said esc'apement mechanism, and a spring mounted on said b'ariel acting to return said frame to clutch engaging posi-. tion. 5

2. In a structure of the classdescribed, the combinationof a control switch, a casing provided with 'a faceplate, a cross plate disposed transversely within said casing and having a segmental slot toothed at one edge to provide a rack, a barrel rotatably mounted on said plates, a driving spring connected to said barrel, a longitudinally s slotted manually adjustable spindl'erotatable with and mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel, said barrel and spindle having registering transverseslots, a spring -for actuating said spindle to switch closing position, a stop plate mounted on said cross plate an'd having a stop lug adapted 'to enter said longitudinal groove in said spindle when aligned therewith, a timing means comprising a frame mounted on said barrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug engaging said slots in said barrel and spindle, said lug and slot in said spindle providing a lost motion connection for said spindle and frame, an escapement mechanism carried by'said frame, a driving pinion coacting with said rack, an operating connection for said driving pinion and escapement mechanism comprising a clutch adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement of said frame, and a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging position.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a segmental raelt, a

rotatably mounted barrel, a driving spring connected to said barrel, a longitudinally slotted manually adjustable switch control member rotatable with and mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel, said barrel and control member having registering'transverse slots, an actuating spring for said switch control member arranged within said barrel, a stop adapted to enter said longitudinal groove in said control member til when aligned therewith. a timing means comprising a frame mounted on said barrel for axial movement thereon and having a drivin lug engaging said slots in said barrel ant co ntrol member, said lug and slot in said control member provid ng a lost motion connection for said control member and frame, an escapement mechanism can ried bysaid frame, a drivingv pinion coacting with said rack and supported against.

axial movement thereby, a shaft on said adapted to be engaged and disengaged by l the axial movement of said frame, a spring foryieldingly supporting said driven pin- -ion, a tram of gears Carried by said frame connecting said driven pinlon with'said esto said barrel, a longitudinally slotted nianually adjustable switch control member rotatable with and mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel, said barrel and member having registering transverse slots,

a spring for actuating said control member,

a stop adapted to enter said longitudinal groove in said control member when aligned therewith, a timing means comprising a frame mounted on said barrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug on gaging said slots in SZtlClbtlllt-Zl and control member, said lug and slot in said control memberproviding a lost motion connection for said control member and frame, an (iscapement mechanism carried by sa1d frame,

an operating connection for said driving pinion and escapement mechanism compris ing a clutch adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement of said frame, a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging position, a ratchet segment .mounted within said frame, and a governor pawl mounted on'said'frame to coact with said ratchet segment.

5. In a structureof theclass described, the combination of a segmental rack, a rotatably mounted barreha driving spring-connected g tosaid barrel, a longitudinally slotted manually adjustable switch control member rotatahle'with-an'd mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel, said barrel and member having registering transverse slots,

' aspring for actuating said control member,

a stop adapted to enter said longitudinal groove" in said control member when aligned therewith, a timing means comprising a frame mounted on said barrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug engaging said slots in saidbarrel and control member, said lug and slot in said control member providing a lost motion connection for said control member and frame, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, an operating connection for said driving pinion and escapem'ent mechanism comprising a clutch adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the. axial movement of said frame, and a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging position. I

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a switch control member mounted for rotative and longitudinal move ment and adapted to be manually adjusted. a driving spring, a s gning for actuating said control me'fnber longitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted position when rotated from its initial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement, said control member and frame being connected to rotate together" and having a lost motion connection whereby independent axial movement is permitted, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, a driving pinion coacting withsaid rack andsupported against axial movement thereby, ashaft on said frame slidable-in said driving pinion, a driven 'pinionon said shaft, said pinions beingprovided with coacting clutch members adaptedto be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement of said frame, a spring for yield ingly supporting Sald dllVIl pinion, a train of gears carried by said frame connecting said driven pinion with said escapement mechanism, a springacting to return said frame to clutch engaging position, a ratchet segmentmounted within said frame, and a governor pawl mounted on said frame to coact with said ratchet segment. v

7. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of a switch control member conrol member longitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted position when rotated from its initial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial -movement, said control member and frame being connected to rotate together and having a lost motion connection whereby independent axial movement is permitted, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, a driving pinion coacting' with said rack and supported against axial movement thereby, a shaft on said frame slidablein said driving pinion, a driven pinion on 'said shaft, said pinions being provided with coacting clutch members adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement of said frame, a spring for yieldingly supporting said driven pinion, a train of gears carried by said frame connecting said driven pinion with said escapement mechanism,

and a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging PCSltlOlL 8. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a switch control member -means for holding said member inretracted int position when rotated from its initial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement, said control member and frame being connected. to, rotate together and .having a lost iseases motion connection whereby independent axial movement is permitted, a rack, a pinion mounted on said frameto coact with said rack, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, driving connections for said escapement'to said rack adapted to be en gaged and disengaged by the axial move ment of said frame, a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging position, a ratchet segment mounted within said frame, and a governor pawl mounted on said frame to coact with said ratchet seg ment. a

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a switch control member mounted for rotative and longitudinal movement and adapted to be manually adjusted, a driving spring, a spring for ac tuating said control member longitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted posit-ion when rotated from its initial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement, said control member and frame being connected to'rotate together and having a lost 3 motion connection whereby independent axial movement is permitted, a rack, a pin ion mounted on said frame to coact with said rack, an escapement mechanism car- 'ried'by said frame, driving connections for said escapement to said rack adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement of said frame, and a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging position j 10. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a switch control member mounted for rotative and longitudinal 1nove= ment and adapted to be manually adjusted, an indexmember operatively associated therewith, a driving spring, a spring for actuating said control member longitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted position when rotated from its initial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement, said control member and frame being connected to rotate together and having a lost motion connection whereby indemovement and adapted to be manually ad-.

justed, a drivingspring, a spring for ae 5 tuating said control member longitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted pendent axial. movement is permitted, a

position when rotated from its initial position, timing means for said control member comprising a rotatably mounted frame, a rack, a pinion mounted on said frame to coact with said rack, an escapement rne'chaposition when rotated from its initial p0sition,-timing. means for said control member comprising a rotatably mounted frame, a rack, a pinion mounted on said frame to coact with-said rack, an escape-went mechanism carried by said frame, and driving connections for said pinion to said escapement.

(.13. In. a structure of the class described,

the combination of a switch control mem-' ber mounted for rotative and longitudinal movement and adapted to be manually adjusted, an index member operatively associated therewith, a driving spring, a spring for actuating said control member longitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted position when rotated from its initial position, timing means for said control member comprising a rotatably mounted frame, a. rack, a pinion mounted on said" frame to coact with said rack, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, and driving connections for said pinion to said escapement.

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination ofa manually adjustable switch control member mounted for rotative and axial movement, a sprin for actuating said member axially to switcli closing position, meansfor holding said member in retracted position when it is rotated from its initial position, means for rotating said member comprising a driving spring, a tim-. ing means comprising a segmental rack, a

rotatable support, api-nion carried by said support oo'acting with said rack, and an escapement mechanism operatively assoc1- ated with said pinion.

15. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a switch control member, means for timing the actuation thereof comprising a rotatable support, a segmental rack, a pinion carried by said support 00- acting with said rack, an escapement mechanism operatively associated with said pin-,

ion, and means for manually adjusting said timing means having timing indicia opr-' atively assoclated therewith. v

- 6 I maezees 16. In a structure of the class described, with said reek- 3nd \zufescapement operthe combination of a control member, :1 a tively assoeiat'eduwith said pinion. v spring for actuating-said member axially to In witneesffn here'of we have hereunto set switch closing positien, means for'holding our hands. i v 5 said member in retracted position, means for PA UL HUSTED.

. releasing said member at a predetermined OTTO 'HUSTED.

time comprising a rack, a plnien coacting -FOSTER SQLLIDAY.

Images