US2568122A - Interval timer - Google Patents

Description

P 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ET AL 2,568,122

INTERVAL TIMER Filed March 29 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ilr k? E: i

I i I INVEN TORS.

BY ATTORNEY.

p 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ETAL 2,568,122

INTERVAL TIMER 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29 1950 ATTORNEY:

Sept. 18, 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ET AL 2,568,122

INTERVAL TIMER Filed March 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 W v I INVENTORS.

BY r

ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1951 w. P. GALLAGHER ET AL 2,

INTERVAL TIMER Filed March 29, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS:

ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 18, 1951 INTERVAL TIMER William P. Gallagher and Paul G. Bielik, Chicago,- Ill., assignors to International Register Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application March 29, 1950, Serial No. 152,545 20 Claims. (01. nan-23) This invention relates generally to timing mechanisms, more particularly to the kind used for actuating an alarm and/or a switch after a predetermined interval of time.

There are many occasions where it is desirous to have a signal or a switch or some other device actuated after the lapse of a predetermined interval of time. For many of these occasions the interval may be very smallperhaps a matter of a few minutes, possibly even less than a minute. On other occasions the time interval may be several hours.

For example, in the modern home kitchen the housewife may wish to have set oil a sound or visual signal after the lapse of two or four minutes needed for the boiling of eggs. At other times she may desire such a signal to operate after the lapse of a quarter or half hour. At still other times she may wish to have such a signal after the lapse of two, three, or four hours, or possibly after an hour and a certain number of minutes.

In other situations it may be desired to operate a switch controlling a coffee percolator, a radio, or a fan.

Timing mechanisms of this kind heretofore provided to operate after a lapse of more than an hour have not been useable for accurately operating a signal or switch for a small span of time, such as two or three minutes. Such timing mechanism heretofore provided for operating signals or switches after a lapse of a small interval of time have not been suitable for use for operating such devices after a lapse-of more than an hour. Accordingly, where situations demanded the op erations of mechanisms for both small and long intervals of time two devices have had to be used, or one has had to be content with inexactness in the operation of one.

The main objects of this invention, therefore, ar to provide:

An improved form of timing mechanism which permits the settin thereof for actuation after the lapse of either a very small or a rather extended period of time;

A mechanism of this kind in which the setting means may be operated in either a clockwise or a counter-clockwise direction with almost equally accurate results;

A device of this kind which may be assembled with a conventional clock mechanism operating the usual hour and minute hands or which may be used entirely independent of the conventional clock mechanism; and

An improved form of device of this kind wherein the several parts are few in number, exceed- 2 ingly'simple to manufacture and assemble and the operation of which is very obvious and the re sults are highly certain.

In the accompanying drawings- I a Fig. 1 is a front elevation of an interval timer constructed in accordance with this invention as used in connection with a conventional clock mechanism and dial; I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the mechanism embodying this invention, the view being taken on the plane of the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a partly sectional, partly elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 3 as viewed from the plane of the line 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional detail of the time wheel and its clutch-connected operating gear constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 6 is an exploded view of the timing mechanlsm constructed in accordance with this inven-' tion as associated with a conventional clock mechanism and dial such as shown in Fig. l

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail of the time wheel setting and signal releasing means; i e

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of an interval timer constructed in accordance with this invention when used independently of the conventional clock mechanism and dial;

Fig. 9 is an elevational view of the mechanism used for the device shown in Fig. 8 and taken on the same plane as the view shown in Fig. 3; and

Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional detail "of the timing wheel and its clutch-connected operating gear constructed in accordance with this invention for use without the conventional clock mechanism; and

Fig. 11 is an exploded view of the construction i' shown in Figs. 8-12.

A timing mechanism constructed in accordancewith this invention comprises a mounting A, in the form of a housing, whereon is arranged dials B and C, a motor D, and in which is enclosed the setting and release mechanism E, and with which a substantially rectangular shaped peripheral 1 flange l2 and to which is secured a cover plate l3 whereon are mounted the dials B and C and between which is arranged the usual cover glass MI The base 15 of the offset part of the mounting A, which forms the chamber II, is aperturedat certain points in alinement with apertures in the cover plate I3 to provide bearings for certain of the operating parts of this improved timing mechanism; also, this base mounts pins I and I! which serve as bearings for certain other parts of the mechanism. Lugs I8, 99, and 2i struck up from the base I5 provide support for certain part of the setting and release mechanisrn fi as will appear presently. a

The housing flange I2 is likewise apertured at certain points to receive screws, whereby the plate I3 is secured in place, and to receive lugs on the dial C for securin it in place.

The motor D as herein shown is a synchronous electric motor, enclosed in a suitable housing. It is removably attached to thebase I5 so as to position a driven pinion 22 the chamber 1 Ifor meshing with the timing wheel 23 of the setting and release mechanism E and the hour and minute hand gearing Fiiwhen that is associated withthis improved setting and release mecha- The dial B, as herein shown, is adisk preferably enameled, secured to the cover plate I3 generally by an adhesive. Foreither of the embodiments herein shown the dial is scored-or otherwise marked to indicate. sixty minutes. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 6,'the= dial B also bears numerals representative'of fivemi-nute divisions beginning andending with 60 at the normal twevle-hour. position and extend-- ing counter-clockwise. For the modification showninFigs; 8 and 11, numerals representative of the five-minute divisions are omitted. At the 'normal six-hour position, this dial for either embodiment shown, in Figs. 1 and '6 the dial" C bears the conventional numeral representative of the hours. For the modification shownwin Figs. 8 and 9 the dial bears, in counter-clockwise direction, the numerals indicative often-minute divisions. The numeral is omitted becausev of the knob 26. The provision of the alternative outer .d'ial C, indicating the division of an hour into minutes, makes-it possible touse this interval timer on equipment with which there is already-associated a conventional time piece. 'This avoids the confusion that would ensue, with two time pieces on one piece of equipment, if this interval timer were useable only when associated with conventional time piece. I

The time setting'and release mechanism E comprises the timing' wheel 23, in the form of a gear, a time wheel setting and signal control shaft 21, a tripper 28, and an hour-adjusting means 29. v i The timing gear 23 mounts on the reverse side thereof a smaller gear 3:! (Fig. 5) adjustably held in placeby a diaphragm disk 3| which serves; a a clutch to permit the rotation'of the gear 23 independently of the gear 30. The: gear 30 is formed and positioned to mesh with the motor'driven pinion 22 so that the timing wheel 23 makes a complete revolution in one hour. On theface of the gear23, opposite the gear 39, is mounted a pawl 60 pivoted at BI and normally urged by a spring 62 to swing a transverse shoulder 53 into the path of an hour-adjusting means 29. A stop shoulder 62 on a lug 65 punched forwardly from the body of the gear 23 is adapted to be engaged by the shoulder 63 of pawl 60 to limit the outward swin of the pawl on its pivot 6|.

- When this' irriproved fintr'val ltirner -is to be hub of the time gear 23 is made hollow so as to receive the minute and hour shafts (see Fig. 5). However, when the timer is used with the alternative dial C of Fig. 8, the hub of the timing gear 23 is" made solid, and longer on the underside to compensate for the space occupied by the gearing F tobe described presently.

The time setting and signal control shaft 21 is axially shiftable and rotatably mounted on the housing base I5 and the cover plate I3. A pinion 32 is positioned so as-to mesh with'the timin whee1'23. and rotate the same when-the shaftv2'l is'in its elevated or extended position. At its inner end the shaft 21 is recessed at '33 toform a pair'of cam-surfaces 34 and 351adjacent the respective hub parts SE and .31 and which coact to control the operation or the signal S. 1

The shaft Z'I'is shouldered at38,"39, and M1. Theshoulderfii coacts with the tripper 28 where by the shaft 2'1! is held'in itselevated or extended position with the pinion 32 in mesh with the timing gear 23. The sh-oulderiifl is engaged by the end of a spring 4i, which'bears against the housing basel-5,.a'nd normally urges the shaft 21' towardvits inward or retracted position. The intermediate shoulder 48 is tapered (see Fig. 7) and coacts with the periphery of the hole in the housing base ifijthrough which the shaftll extends to arrest the shaft, when released by the tripper 28 after-being elevated'to set the timing-.wheelj23, and hold saidshaftshort of its fully retractedposition. The hole in the base I5 through which the shaft 2'! extends is slightly larger thanthe-shaft so that it can lee-urged by a leg 42 of a spring 43 held-on the housing lug *2! to cause such contact-of the shoulder with the housing base I5. A' knob-'44 is suitably secured to the end of the shaft 2'!- topermit the axial and'rotatable adjustment thereof.

The tripperZB, as most clearly shown in'Figs. 6 andll, is somewhat min thenature of a bell crank lever" having arms 45,45, and. 41, extending angularly'of each other from .a connecting base part. The arms Hand 4'! are spaced apart and are apertu'red to permit the tripper to be swingably supported on the housing pin I'I. The tripper. 23 is normally urged in a counter-clockwise direction by the spring 43 to positionthe shoulder-" isen the arm 45 to engage the shoulder 38 "on the shaft 21, when it'is elevated and thus hold it in that retracted position. Incidentally, the leg 42 of the spring 43 is normally urged against the'periphery of the shaft l'l to engage'the shoulder 49 as hereinbefore explained. The leg49 of the spring' iB is caught under a lug 50 on the tripper arm 41.

Thearm 26 is-arcuateshaped and extends over toward the hour adjusting means 29, being provided atits end with a lug 83 to be actuated thereby, as will more fully be pointed out hereinafter.

. The hour'adjusting means'29 comprises a pair of-sector-sha ed ratchetsEI and 52 mounted on a shaft 53 journaled on the housingbase l5 and the cover plate I 3. The end of the shaft 53 extends out through the dial C and mounts a knob 54 with a. pointer 55. The knob 54 permits the shaft 53 to be oscillated to position the ratchets' 5| and 52" to effect the desired postponement of the release of the shaft 21. The pointer 55 alines itself radially with the hour numerals on the dial B to indicate the period of the postponed release of the shaft 21 after its elevation. 7 The ratchet 5| is formed with four teeth 56 which, when theratchet 5| is rotated clockwise, are positioned in the path of the'shoulder 63 on the pawl 66. The subsequent engagement of the pawl shoulder 63 with the teeth 56 results in a counter-clockwise movement of the ratchet 5| which eventually effects a shifting of the tripper to release the shaft 21. It will be noted that there are as many teeth 56 on the ratchet 5| as there are hour markings atthe bottom of the dial-B.

The ratchet 52 is formed with depressions 51 to correspond with the teeth 56. The depressions co'act with 'a V-shaped offset 58 in the spring 59 supported on the lugs l8 l9 and 20 to hold the ratchet 5| in any of its threeadjusted positions away from its zero or normally retracted position. This ratchet member 52 is provided at one end with a laterally projecting lug 82 adapted to impart tripping motion to the adjacent lug 83 on the tripper 28, as will be later described.

The gearing F is of conventional form for operating the minute and hour hands of a clock. It comprises a gear 66 with a pinion 61, a gear 68 with a pinion 69, and gear 16. The gear 66 is journaled on the housing base I at the center of the chamber II and meshes with the, motor driven pinion'ZZ. It mounts a. shaft H to which is fixed a minute hand '12. The gear 68 is an idler journaled on the pin l6 and meshes with the pinion 61. The gear '10 is journaled on-the shaft H and meshes-with the pinion 69. The gear 16 mounts a shaft 13 on which is fixed an hour hand 14.

A shaft 15 is ,iournaled on the housingA with a pinion l6 meshing with thegear 68. The shaft 15 mounts a knob '1'! whereby the gearing F may be manually actuated to set the hands 12 and 14 to indicate the proper time.

A' pointer 18 is adapted to be secured to the hub of the timing gear 23 to traverse the dial B for indicating the interval of time'for which the setting and release mechanism E is adjusted.

The signal S, as herein shown, comprises an armature 19 mounted on a spring arm 80 secured to the base of the housing for the motor D. A tongue 8| on the arm 80 is positioned to be engaged by the hub parts 36 and 31 or be free in the recess 33. The armature 19 extends into the field winding of the motor D wherebywhen the field is energized-the armature tends to reciprocate so as to cause a vibration of the arm 80, thus constituting an audible signal if the tongue 8| is' in the recess intermediate the hub parts 36 and 37. When the shaft 21 is in either of its extreme positions the tongue 8| is engaged by one or the other of the hub parts 36 or 31- so that the armature 19 is immobilized and the signal S will remain silent.

Where desired, the end of the shaft 21 could be arranged to effect in some other manner the sounding of a signal or the operating of a switch to control a circuit.

terval of time it is desired'to have lapse. before thesign'al is to be sounded. The elevation of the shaft 21 shifts the hub part 31 into contact with the tongue 8| on the arm 80 and thereby immobilizes the signal S. 1

The knob 44 is marked with an arrow indicating that the rotation of the shaft 21 should be clockwise. Although this is the preferred direction of rotation, the shaft can be rotated in the opposite direction with substantially the same eflicient results as can be obtained by turning the shaft 21 in a clockwise direction. The only difference .in the time interval of the release of the shaft 21, between turning one way or the other is the lag in the meshing of the gear 30 with the pinion 22. One of the advantages in being able to turn the knob 44 in a counter-clockwise direction is that the pointer 18 may be set'withless turning of the knob 44 if the time intervalbefore the actuation'of the signal is greater than one-half hour.

If the desired interval of time is less than an hour, only the knob 44 is actuated to elevate the shaft 2'! and adjust the pointer 18 to the point on the dial B,'representative of the time to elapse before the signal S is to sound. I

If the interval of time which it is desired to have elapse after the' setting and before the sounding of the signal is more than an hour, the knob 54 is also turned clockwise so as to shift the hour setting means 29 for one, .two, or three hours. This moves the teeth 56 into the path of the shoulder 63 on the time wheel pawl 60.

It should be understoodv that there is no imperative sequence of the actuation of the knobs 44 and 54. It also should be understood thatthe ratchet 5| is normally in position to locate the first tooth (from the right) 56.| in position to be engaged and be retracted by the travel of the pawl struction) and a given number of minutes up to and including 60.

This adjustment of the pointer 18 by the knob 44 rotates the time gear 23 so that the shoulder 63 on the pawl 60 is circumferentially removed from the aforesaid point of. its retracting engagement with. the ratchet tooth 56.l a distance corresponding .with the interval of timethat is to elapse before the signal is to .be freed. When, during the rotation of the time gear 23 by the motor D (always clockwise), the pawl shoulder 63 approaches a point diametrically opposite the starting point numeral 60 on the dial B, it will contact the ratchet tooth 56.! and so shift the ratchet 5| that at the instant the cam shoulder 63 is diametrically opposite said startin point the ratchet 5| will have been shifted sufficiently to'cause the shoulder 82 on the ratchet 52 to engage the shoulder 83 on the arm 46 of the trip egstesgree :per" 28 and sv'v ing the" tripper 2-8- against the action of the sprin leg-dash as to retract the shoulder E8 on-the" arm out or the path ofthe shoulder 3,8 on the shaft 2 1. will permit the spring *fl' toshif-t the shaft 21 toward its retracted posiis urgedby the spring legv 42,. The shaftl'lbeing thus arrested locates the recess 33 sothat the tongue il-l of the'arm-flfi isrree oi the sh-afthubs 36' and 31, whereupon the field of the motor D will reciprocate the armature 19 thus vibrating the arm-8U suflicient to make an audible signal. i

The signal S is silenced by"a-depressionof the shaft 21 so that the" leg 42 ofthe spring 43 is cam'med' outof contact with the shoulder 58 which permits the spring" 41': to fully retract the shaft 21. Hot the-arm 8t is engaged by the hub 36 and the signal is thereby immobilized.

When this timer is set for more than anho'u'r the contactofthe pawl shoulder 63 with-the tooth 56';l-isdelayed until said pawl shoulder has con- 2 tacted oneor more ofthe other teeth and shifted the 'ratchets 5-! and 52 one or more points depending upon how far theratchets' 51 and 52 were shifted clockwise, 1

Other variations and modifications in the details of structure and arrangement of the parts may be resorted to within the spirit and coverage of theappended claims.

We claim:

'1. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting,-. a motor 'dr'ivenelement, a time wheel, means connecting said time wheel to said driven elementtocause a compute revolution from a start- 'ing point in a'prede'termined period of time, said ineans'including a clutch permitting said wheel to' be rotated independently of said driven elemerit, means for setting said wheel in any desired "position away fromsai'd' startingpoint to permit a subsequent rotationof said wheel bysaid driven element through a predetermined portionor a 1 complete revolution, o'r throughmore than one revolution, ratchet means adapted to be preset" for Selectively obtaining a timing interval of less than an: hour or more than an hour, awl means carried-by said time "Wheel and arranged to at:- r 'tuate' said ratcht'mean-s'once for a timing in terval ot'less than an hour and arranged to actuatl' said ratchet means more than once for a timing interval of more than an hour, and-a deviceactiva'ted by said ratchet means.

'2; A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven element, a time wheel, means connecting said time wheel to said driven element to cause a complete revolution from-a'starting retracting means for delaying the action of said retractin means until after one Or more full revolutions of said wheel, and a device activated by said setting means.

When thus fully retracted the tongue 3. A timing mechanismcomprisingya mounting, a motor drivenelem'ent, a time wheel, means connectingsa-id wheel to said. .driven element to cause a complete revolutionfrom astarting point in a predetermined period of time, said'meajns including a clutch: permitting said wheel. tobe rotated independently of said driven element, a normally-retracted wheel-setting. member shittable into position to engage said wheel to-permilt turning.- of said time Wheelaway fromgsaidstarting point to secure a subsequent rotation Unsaid wheel: bysai'd element-through a predetermined portion-of a complete revolution,.-meansfor releasably holding saidmemberin-v engagement with said wheel, a paw-ion said wheel positioned to engage and release said member-holdin means whensaid wheel is returned. to said starting point, and. adevice actuated by the release ofv said member 4'. A timing mechanism comprising, a mount.- ing, amotor driven element, a time wheel, means connecting said wheel to said driven element to cause acomplete revolution from astarting point in apredetermined period of time, said means including a clutch-permitting said wheel to-be rotated independently of said. driven elements, normally-retracted wheel-setting. member-shiftable into position to engage said wheelvto permit turningofsaid time wheel away from said starting point to secure: a subsequentrotationofsaid wheel by saidelement through a.- predetermined portion of a complete revolution,.means for releasabl holding said member inengagementwith said wheel, a pawlton. said wheel, a shouldered member oscillatingly positioned on said mounting adjacent said wheel SO-flSqtOlOCittB one shoulder in the pathofsaid pawl and asecond shoulder in position to contact said member-holding means whereby the engagement: of said one shoulder by saidpawl" causes said second. shoulder to release said member-holding means, and adevicecmated by therelease of saidmem-ber.

5. A timing mechanism comprising,a mounting, a motor drivenpinion, ati-megear connected withsaid: driven element-so as to complete .-a revolution from a starting point in a-predetermined period. of time, said connectionincluding a clutch permitting said: gear to be rotated independently of said driven pinion, an a-Xiallyshiftable shaft rotatably journaled on said m0unting', a pinion on said shaft for meshing with said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from said startingpoint to secure asubsequent rotation of said. ti-megear by said driven element through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution, means normally urgingsaid shaft axially to disengage said pinion from said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating said shaft, a shoulder on saidshait, a tripper normally urged into position to engage said shoulder for holding said pinion in mesh with saidtime gear, a pawl on said time gear, a shouldered memberoscillatingly journaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate one shoulder in the path of-said pawl andasecond shoulder in position to contact said tripper whereby the 'engagement of said one shoulder by said pawl causes said secondshoulder to retractsaid tripper from said shaftshoulder, and a device actuated by the release of said shaft.

6. A timing mechanism comprising, amounting, a motor driven pinion, a time gear connected with said pinion to-rnakeione complete rotation from a starting point in an hour, said connection including a clutch permittingsaid time gear to be rotated independentl of said pinion, an axially shiftable shaft journaled on said mounting, a pinion'on said shaft adapted to engage said time gear to permit the turning of said time gearaway from said starting point to secure a subsequent rotation of said time, gear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution, means normally urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normally urged in position to engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh withsaid time gear, a pawl on said time gear, a .pair of axially-spaced sector-shaped ratchets oscillatingly journaled on said mounting and positionedso that the teeth on one of said sectors are in the path of said pawl, means on said mounting yield ingly engaging said other ratchet to position the teeth of said first ratchet in the path of said pawl, ashoulder on said other ratchet positioned to engagecsaid tripper when said time gear pawl contacts thelast of said teeth onsaid first-mentioned ratchet whereby said tripper is actuated to release said axially shiftable shaft to disengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, and a device actuated by the release of said shaft. J V I 1'7; A timing mechanism comprising, a mounti;ng,'a motor driven pinion, a time gear connected with said pinion to=make onecomplete rotation froma starting point inan hour, saidconnection includinga clutch: permitting said tiine-gear to berotated independently of said pinion', an xially shiftable shaft journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft adapted to engage saidtime gear to permit the turning of said time gear away'from said-starting point to secure a subsequent rotation of said time gear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution,1means normally urging said shaft axiall to disengage said shaft pinion from saidtime gear, a pawl on said time gear, a tripper in the form of a bell crank lever hinged on said mounting, shoulders on said axially shiftable shaft and said tripper adapted to'co- -act to hold said shaft in its extended position to locate said shaft pinion in mesh with said time gear, a spring normally :urging said tripper to position the shoulderthereon in the path of said shaft shoulder, a member oscillatingly journaledon said mounting adjaeent said time gear and having spaced shoulder parts located on opposite sides of said time gear, the shoulder on one of said parts being located in the pathof said time gear pawl to be engaged therebywhen said time gear reaches itsstarting point, the shoulder on said other part being positioned to contact said trip perfor actuating the same-to release said axially shifable shaft, and a device actuated by. the' release of said shaft. 8. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven element, a time wheel, means connecting said wheel to said driven element to cause a complete revolution from a starting point in a predetermined periodof time, sai d means including a clutch permitting said wheelto be rotated independently of said driven element, a normally-retracted wheelsetting member shiftable into position to engage said wheel topermit turning of said time wheelaway from said"start ing point to secure a subsequent rotation of said wheel by said element through apredetermined portion of a complete revolution,'meahs for releasably holding said member in engagement'with said wheel, a pawl'on said wheel positioned to engage and release said member-holding means when saidwheel is returned to said starting point, a signal, a signal control member, and a cam on said wheel-setting member adapted to contact Said control member and immobilize said signal when said wheel-setting member is in engagement with said Wheel but release saidsignal control member to permit the operation of said signal when said wheel-setting member is released.

9. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, a time gear connected with said driven pinion so as to complete a revolution from'a startingpoint in a predetermined period of time, said connection including a clutch permitting said time gear to be rotated independently of said driven pinion, an axially shiftable shaft rotatably journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft for meshing with said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from said starting point to secure a subsequent rotation of said time gear by said driven pinion through a predeterminedlportion of a complete revolution, means normall urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating said shaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normally urged into position to engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh with said time gear, a pawl on said time gear,- a shouldered member oscillatingly journaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate one shoulder in the path of said pawl and a secondshoulder in positio v to contact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by said pawl causes said second shoulder to retract said tripper from said shaft shoulder, a pair of axially spaced hubs on said shaft, a signaLanda signal control member positionedon said mount ing to be engaged by said hubs when said shaft is in either limit of its axial movement and immobilize said signal but be disengaged by said hubs to permit the operationof said signal when said shaft is in a position intermediate the limits of its axial movement. 7 p H 10. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, a time gear connected with said driven pinion so as to complete a revolution from a startin point in a predetermined period of tim e, said connection including a clutch permitting said time gear to be rotated independently of said driven pinion, an axially shif table shaft rotatably journaled on said mount,- ing, a pinion on said shaft for meshing with said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from said startingpoint to secure a subsequent rotation of said gear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of-a complete revolution, means normally urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft :pinion from said time gear, a knob for axially shiftin and rotating said shaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normally urged into position to engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pin-ion in mesh with said gear, a pawl on said time gear, a shouldered member oscillatingly -journaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate one shoulder in the path ofsaid .pawl and a second shoulder in position to contact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by saidpawl causes said second shoulder toretract said tripper from said shaft shoulder the innerend of said shaft being recessedto provide a pair of opposed axially spaced hubs, a. signal, and a signal control member positioned on said mounting to be engaged by either of said hubs to immobilize said signal control member when said shaft is in either steam of each of said pairs of clutch-connected gears, a

shouldered member oscillatingly journaled on said mounting so as to locate one shoulder in the path of one of said pawls and a second shoulder in position to contact "said means whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by a pawl causes said second shoulder to release said shaft, a device actuated by the release of said shaft, said pairs of said clutch-connected gears bein interchangeably positionable in said housing for driving by said driven pinion, a pointer attachable to either of the larger of said pairs of clutchconnected gears whereby said pointer coacts with said second pair of dials for indicating time intervals, and supplemental gearing formed to rotate minute and hour shafts adapted to be interposed between said driven pinion and the other of said pair of clutch-connected gears, and pointers operated by said supplemental gearing to coact with said first-mentioned pointer and said first-mentioned pair of dials for indicating time intervals.

15. A timing mechanism comprising a housing, a motor driven pinion, gearing mountable on said housing for actuation by said pinion to move hour and minute hands, two pairs of concentrically arrangeable dials mountable on said housing, one dial of each pair being scored for minutes whereas' the other dial of one pair bears numerals representing the hours l-l2 arranged clockwise and the other dial of the other pair bears numerals representing periods of minutes in counterclockwise order, two pairs of clutch-connected gears of different diameters mountable in said housing for meshing one gear of each pair with said driven pinion to effect the rotation of said pairs of gears from a starting point in one hour,

a normall retracted axially-shiftable and rotatable shaft, a pinion on said shaft positioned for engagement with the larger of either pair of said friction-connected gears to permit turning of the larger gear away from said startin point to secure a subsequent rotation of said larger gear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution, means for releasably holding said shaft with said .pinion in its gear engaging position, a pawl on the larger of each of said pairs of clutch-connected gears, a shouldered member oscillatingly journaled on said mounting so as to locate one shoulder in the path of one of said pawls and a second shoulder in position to contact said means whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by a pawl causes said second shoulder to release said shaft, a device actuated by the release of said shaft, said pairs of said clutch-connected gears .being interchangeably positionable in said housing for driving engagement with said driven pinion, a point-- er attachable to either of the larger of said pairs of clutch-connected gears whereby said pointer driven by one coacts with said second pair of dials for indicating time intervals, and supplemental gearing formed to rotate minute and hour shafts adapted to be interposed between said driven pinion and the other of said pair of clutch-connected gears, pointers operated by said supplemental gearing to coact with said firstmentioned pointer and said first-mentioned pair of dials for indicating time intervals, and manually adjustable means interposable between either pair of said clutch-connected gears and said shaft-holding means for delaying the action of said shaft retraction means until after one or 14 more full revolutions of the respective-pairsp'f connected gears.

16. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, a time gear connect edwith said driven pinion so as to complete a' revolution from a starting point in a predetermined period of time, said connection including a clutch permitting said time gear to be rotated in-' dependently of said driven pinion, an axially shiftable shaft rotatably journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft for meshing with said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from said starting point to cause a subsequent rotation of said time gear b said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution, means normally urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating said shaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normally urged into position to engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh with said time gear, a pawl on said time gear, a shouldered member oscillatingly journaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate one shoulder in the path of said pawl and a second shoulder in position to contact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by said pawl causes said second shoulder to retract said tripper from said shaft shoulder, an annular dial on said mounting arranged with markings in counter-clockwise relation representative of fractions of an hour, and a pointer connected with said time gear to coact with said dial to indicate the portion of a revolution for which said time gear is set to revolve by the actuation of said shaft.

17. A timing mechanism comprising, a mounting, a motor driven pinion, a time gear connected with said driven pinion so as to complete a revolution from a starting point in a predetermined period of time, said connection including a clutch permitting said gear to be rotated independently of said driven pinion, an axially shiftable shaft rotatably journaled on said mounting, a pinion on said shaft for meshing with said time gear to permit turning of said time gear away from said starting point to cause a subsequent rotation of said time gear by said driven pinion through a predetermined portion of a complete revolution, means normally urging said shaft axially to disengage said shaft pinion from said time gear, a knob for axially shifting and rotating said shaft, a shoulder on said shaft, a tripper normall urged into position to engage said shoulder for holding said shaft pinion in mesh with said gear, a pawl on said time gear, a shouldered member oscillatingly journaled on said mounting adjacent said time gear so as to locate one shoulder in the path of said pawl and a second shoulder in position to contact said tripper whereby the engagement of said one shoulder by said pawl causes said second shoulder to retract said tripper from said shaft shoulder, interconnected gearing having shafts concentrically arranged with said time gear and connected to be so driven by said driven inion that one of said shafts completes a revolution in one hour and the other completes a revolution in twelve hours, pointers fixed to rotate with said pairs of concentric shafts and said time gear, and a pair of dials concentrically arranged on said mounting to be traversed by said pointers, the inner of said dials being scored in counter-clockwise direction to represent fractions of an hour and the outer dial having the conventional hour figures of a clock.

a-i i e-i iwrvfliee d ippin v,nieap$11 fina r pi s ti n and-a D My o s li q ble tep in v lsiiipne in, adfl lcve me eeiiw we tr p n mean ada ted 9 11? ei r p ae e i iqae rainin as ea d be in ee fi lsllece ve S n i b fiee 1 9 r ne" mean mel's en er impar in mot i s i isi p n aw minute fi n meae iee r i v t e i isha p s eiedane lar relation 'between said stepping pawl and said t med i eansenfi h r refitt n -mea s; iii-fe iaiive t a e said t p mean t e eeied stepping position from which said tripfiing rneanseis adapted to belstepped by said payylin zresterine di t on ba k int .eai .ir' pp e i eeit enwr 19. In tirningapparatns, the combination of a cleri .a ae e to heac ua eduupo the ve vi Wm Die e e e tim i ter v raieh fi vr li o eei irol m t e atuafie i s d ce a atche mean having a pin re aw mean q a t n aidr iWh mea me sa nn n o io me, drive eanami u f et" tine lmeans o e t b i i g a de ir dim d relation between said pawl and said time driyen me n and hou se n me ns fo s ti nin siyql .step'ne in a wate d ree e saidratchet means whereby one or moreratchet teeth must be engaged by said pawl beforeisaid ratchet meanslreaches said tripping position.

20. In an intervaltirner adapted to be set selectivelyeither fortime intervals of less than an hour 01" :for time intervals of more than an hour,

ti e conibination of t i ne controlled driving eans, a time wheeladapted to be driven b sa d tim controlled driving ineai'i's at a rate to make Suki stantially revollition in an hour, atrip'pln g pawl carried byj said time w h'eelnormally stand ing at a predetermined'starting point in tnepath OflQtfltj-OII of saidtiinewheel, gettm m eans for setting said time wheel in" a' backward direction a predetermined distance from sjaid'starting so thatfor tizning intervals of less than an hour it will require the [desired ,tir'ne'interval for the, trippingjpawl to Joe" tinie-drive'n in a forward i rection back to said startin jioint, ratchet me ns d p ed he'e d by a 11311111811 I the latter getsjp ck to said starting point, .s "d ratchet means comprising a nlurality' q'f t'eetlfi including a last tripping tooth, means fe rese -r ting said ratchet means Whereby-s-aidftribp fg pawl w n a $ai ri i e'tq .ih m i first return to said starting point for tirning n ervals of less than one hour, or will engagejone or more preceding teeth beioreengaging am a tripping tooth for timing intervals of more than one hour, and apparatus adapted to be actuated whe fiel tr pp n p w en a ai s i pm t q h 2 v n WILLIAM GALLAGHER PAUL B-IELI K.

a e NQ s er The following references are of record in the

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