US2712763A - Dial plate for time switches - Google Patents

Description

July 12, 1955 F. o. HORSTMANN 2,712,763

DIAL PLATE FOR TIME SWITCHES Filed Sept. 12, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet l Frederickalbrsi' a rev m aw M ATTORNEY INVENTOR' y 2, 1955 F. o. HORSTMANN DIAL PLATE FOR TIME SWITCHES 2 SheetsSheet 2 Filed Sept. 12, 1952 b INVENTOR,

nedericlt Horstnzaruo.

ATTORNEY nited States Patent'D electric switches, gas valves and like switching devices. 10

The invention comprises an improved dial plate having cam elements which can be readily attached to or deactuated at desired suitable time-regulated mechanism.

According to the invention, a dial switch is constructed with an annular i positions adjustable round the periphery of the dial plate, and has a clamping number of cam elements or segments can be clamped separately or in groups in adjusted position.

tageously, the clamping device is constructed in t of a ring or disc dial plate, and which together form a substantially complete ring by which a cam element or elements can be clamped in any desired position or positions round the dial plate.

The invention and its subsidiary features will be fully understood from the following more detailed description of a preferred construction of dial plate embodying the invention, which is illustrated by the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a front view of the dial being omitted for convenience of space);

Figure 2 is a section on line IIII of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the front dial;

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the body disc taken on the line iVIV of Figure 5 Figure 5 is a face View of the body disc, looking from the right of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a face view of a clamping device looking from the right of Figure 7;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the clamping device taken on the line VIIVII of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a typical set of cam elements or segments;

Figure 9 is a 8; and

Figure 10 is a element of the set seen in Figure 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the dial plate com-' prises a substantially flat body disc 1 (Figures 2, 4 and 5) adapted to be fixed by a clamping nut or other suitable plate (one half side view looking from the left of Figure device by which any perspective view of the left'hand cam each of WhlCh extends part way together form a complete ring covering the whole of a tion 13 which conveniently is a separate ring secured to the body disc as hereafter described. Each clamping jaw plate is controlled by a nut or as shown, advanly inset from and clear of the seating 13 so that the cam elements can be set anywhere round the dial relative to the time graduations.

The jaw plates are conveniently of dish section, asv

16 between the body disc and the jaw as a support spacer for the jaw.

The cam elements each may consist of a short length of metal or other material of substantially L-shaped as illustrated or T-shaped section, the tail portions 6 forming the stem of the L or T being adapted to enter the engage the edge of the dial plate.

The cam elements, the heads 11 of which are adapted of elements. The set illustrated in Figure 8 enable comgiving periods of tappet operation The chamfor setting against the dial graduations. I

Advantageously, a felt, rubber or other compressible packing ring constitutes the seating 13 and is inserted clamping jaw.

The invention enables the dial plate to be set by inserting cam elements in appropriate positions thereon to move a switch or switches to on or off positions at any desired times during the period of one rotation of the dial plate. The cams can be adjusted to operate thesWi tch fag or switches either at the same times or at different times on difierent days of the week. To facilitate correct adjustment of the cam elements, the dial plate is preferably provided with clearly marked time divisions which extend to the circular edge of the time plate asin Figure 1. Correct setting of the cam elements can then be obtained by inserting the cam elements directly opposite the time divisions corresponding to the time intervals during which they are to operate.

Any cam elementv held by one jaw plate can be adjusted independently of other cam elements held by any of the other jaw plates, and can be set at any number of positionsaround the dial. Hence any program of switching not known at the time of manufacture of; the mecha: nism, may be obtained and altered as and when desired, By virtue of the double clamping points on. each jaw plate, eifective securement of the cam elements during operation and when setting adjacent cam elements is nds ble- A swivel handle 14 is preterably attached at the dial face. fi he diatnla I laim;

A dial p at for a. ime Switch ompr sin a. b y is having n a m g adua cn d v din h p ip e y, m e e ts c ha n a op atin p r i n. engaging the edge of the disc and angul'arly adjustable against said graduations, said cam elements being pro. vided with stems projecting radially inwards over the opposite face of the disc, in combination with means on said opposite face for selectively securing withindependent angular adjustment respective cant elements in an infinite number of positions relative to said graduations,

said means comprising a continuous seating extending around the disc periphery under the respective cams'tems, a plurality of independently movable clamping jaws of arcuate shape arranged in close juxtaposition so as; to cover the whole of said seating, pressure applying members angularly spaced and inset radially from said seating, and connections between said jaws andsaid pressure applying members for moving the jaws so that they clamp the cam stems tightly against the seating.

2 A dial plate for a time switch comprising abody disc haying onone face time graduation's dividing the peripher'y, cam elements each having an operating portion engaging the edge of the disc and angularly adjustable against said graduations, said cam elements being provided with stems. projecting radially inwards over the opp t a e. sa d opposit indepedentangular adjustment said cam elements in aninfinite number oi positions relativeto said graduations, said means comprising a continuous seating extending; aroundthe disc periphery under the respective cam stems anannu a k p at a i g p y p r p eral. n

c divided. by. gu a y p c radial slits ext nding t fromthe outer edge inwards, iutQ a plurality of independ; ently mo bl mp j v ri g said seating, and

p es u e. pplyin mp i e rad ly rom a dt satingr o e u ing and with cam stems interposed therebetween.

v 3. A dial plate for a time switch comprising abody disc having on one face time graduations dividing the per phery amv leme s a g an pe ating portion 6 s ng h e of h c nd gu arl vadiustable a nt. sa d. graduat o id. am. l ments b ingpro.- idedw th. ms projecting ad a y. i a ds: are the opposite face ofthe disc, in combination with meansonv said'opposite face, of the disc for selectively securing with independent angular adjustment said cam elements. in an infinite number of positions relative to said graduaof the disc, in combination with means on faceoi thedisc for selectively securing with clamping. the l g inst h sea ng:

tions, said means comprising a continuous seating exn in r und. th amst msa nn ar a pla h g p n y p riphr ral. port on divided. yv ang l rly spaced d al; i Qltt ndina mm. e. u er. dge. inwa ds,

to a plurality s p p e y und r he re pe t ve betweenthefiange and the seating,

of independently movable clamping jaws covering said seating, said peripheral portion having a plurality of angularly spaced holes disposed one adjacent to and on each side of each slit, a plurality of pins inset radially from the seating and projecting from the body disc in corresponding angular positions to those of the holes with the holes engaged thereover, spacing means holding the jaws spaced from the body die, and a clamping nut on each of said pins to press the jaws into clamping engagement with the seating.

4. A dial plate for a dis hav ng 0 e f time switch comprising a body time graduations dividing the ne ip. meant lements having n op t ng P n en gaging the edge of the disc and angularly adjustable against said graduations, said cam elements being provided with stems projecting radially inwards over the opposite face of the disc, in combination with means.

on said opposite face of the, disc. for selectively securing with independent angular adjustment said cam elements-v inan infinitennmber of positions relative to said. graduatiqns, said, means comprising a seating ring secured;

round. he. disc p r ph y n e he respective m stems; an annular back plate having a springy peripheral portion of dish shape cross section covering the seating, and dividedby a plurality of angularly spaced radial slits. extendingfrom the outer edge inwards, into a plurality off-independently movable jaw plates of which theedge engages the disc face and the outer arcuate edge lies over the seating to engage the cam stems, said, peripheral portions having a plurality of angularly spaced holes disposed one adjacent to and on each side of; each slit, a, plurality of pins inset radially from the seating and projecting from the body disc. in corresponding positions to those of the holes with the holes; engaged thereover, and a clamping nut on each of said pins.

5. A dial plate according to claim 4, wherein on each pin is provided a washer which lies between therelatedjaw plate and the body disc and is of a thicknessto hold the outer arcuate edge of the jaw-plate spaced from the seating to gripa cam stern placed therebetween when the clamping nut is screwed down.

6. A dial plate for a time switch comprising a body disc having on one face time graduations dividing the periphery, cam elements each having an operating portion engaging the edge of the disc and angularly adjust-i able against said graduations, said cam elements: being provided with stems projecting radially inwards overthe oPPQS-itc: face of'the disc, in combination with means on said opposite inner ar uate the body disc in positions radially inwards of the seating, a;- cam engaging flange on the outer peripheral edge ofsaid jawplate, spacing means holding said jaw plate sPficedf-rom said disc-so that a cam stem can be engaged I and a clamping-nut oneachof said'pins.

References fired in the tile of this patent UNITED STATESPATENTS 1,940,598 Larkin Dec. 19, 1933 2,096,182 Kerr et al. Oct. 19, 1937 2,100,518 Rinkow Nov. 30, 1937- 215 53012 Lake et al. Sept. 2, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 555,648 Great Britain. s n. 1, 1943

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