US2832408A - Timing mechanism - Google Patents

Description

April 29, 1958 R. M. MANNING 2,8 0

ammc MECHANISM Filed Dec. 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Ralph M. Manning g;- 2 by His Ari'orney April 1953 R. M. MANNING 2,832,408

TIMING MECHANISM Filed Dec. 27, 1954 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lnvemor:

Raiph M. Manning -W@ ,W J

United States Patent THVIING MECHANISM Ralph M. Manning, West Medford, Mass., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application December 27, 1954, Serial No. 477,903

Claims. (Cl. 161-1) This invention relates generally to a timing mechanism and, more particularly, to improvements in the type of timing mechanism having a rotating timing dial on which are mounted control elements intended to control the actuation of suitable control arms forming a part of an electrical switch mechanism or other similar electromechanical device.

Heretofore, it has been common to provide such mechanisms in which the control elements are permanently mounted on the dial. Such form of construction normally required the manufacturer to select some predetermined number of elements and standardize on the manufacture thereof, thereby resulting in a device capable of complete but selective control through a twelve or twentyfour hour period, depending upon the dial used, but satisfying a need for far less capabilities. For example, with a twenty-four hour dial, it has been customary to provide the units with ninety-six control elements permanently located on the dial, whereas in many instances only a halfdozen or so would be required to handle the timing cycle under consideration.

Furthermore, such control elements should be readily adjustable to at least two control positions to give the associated mechanism desired versatility, which, in the case of an electrical switch mechanism, would comprise at least an on and off position for each control element used. Facility of use and simplicity of design are paramount considerations for this feature of the device so that economy of manufacture can be properly combined with excellent performance when the device is in use.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a timing mechanism of the type described in which the number of control elements need not be fixed during manufacture thereof but can be selected at random by the user of the device.

It is another object of the invention to provide a timing mechanism of the type described in which the units are marketed with the readily insertable control elements furnished as an accessory thereof in preselected quantities in accordance with specific customer requirements, without sacrificing economies of manufacture so necessary to retain desirable cost levels.

.It is yet another object of the invention to provide a novel form of control element for the type of mechanism described in which inserting, removal, and adjustment are extremely simple operations and yet not without the characteristics of positive positioning and locking when in use.

liriefly, the invention comprises a rotating timing dial provided with a plurality of evenly spaced apertures ar ranged annularly therein and intended to cooperate with a novel control element. This element includes a pair of fingers that may be moved toward each other against a resilient restraining .force to permit insertion within the dial apertures after which the fingers are released to move tightly against opposite edges of the aperture to remain securely and positively in place. The elements are pivotally mounted on the dial such that portions thereof may vtending to spread said fingers against the abutting contiguous aperture edges.

2,832,408 Patented Aprl 29, 1958 be selectively positioned at either a first or a second control position, there being a combined detent-cam portion which facilitates positioning and locking of the elements.

The invention will be best understood upon reference to the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the drawings annexed hereto, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of a timing mechanism, with the timing dial partially cut away, and showing a plurality of control elements mounted on the upper section of the dial;

Figure 2 is a top view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, with two additional control elements added to the dial on opposite edges thereof;

Figure 3 is a side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 1, but with only two control elements shown in the alternative control positions;

Figure 4 is a partial side view of the mechanism shown in Figure 3, showing the top control element in its alternative control position; and

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of a control element in one control position and parts of associated structure, together with a dotted view superimposed thereon to show the alternative control position of the element.

Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a timing mechanism comprising a main support plate 6 on which is journalled for rotation the timing dial 7, which in the embodiment illustrated .is a twenty-four hour dial. The dial has rigidly afiixed thereto the hub 8 which in turn surrounds and rotates on the post 9 which in turn may be rigidly attached to the plate 6. The forward end of post 9 has a small threaded aperture therein to cooperate with a screw 11 provided to permit setting of the arrow 12 in any predetermined position. Although shown at a slight angle to the vertical axis, the normal position of the arrow is upright, and, in combination with the scale on the dial, it indicates the time.

The hub 8 has attached thereto the gear 13 which meshes with a suitable gear-train 14 interposed between gear 13 and pinion 15. The pinion 15 is connected to the shaft of a suitable timing motor 16, which may be either spring-wound or electric, and from this it is seen how the dial 7 is driven through its timing cycle. Shafts supporting the various gear assemblies making up the gear train 14 have one end journalled in the main plate 6 and their other end journalled in an auxiliary support plate 17 mounted on plate 6 and spaced therefrom by suitable spacer members 18 and cooperating screws 19. An insulating block 20 may be attached, as shown, to the lower end of plate 6 by means of screws or the like, having suitable terminals 20' therein for connection of the timing mechanism to any desired external circuit.

The dial 7 has a plurality of evenly spaced apertures 21 arranged annularly therein to selectively and individually receive therein the control elements 22. Looking now at Figure 5, it is seen that the element 22 comprises a substantially key-shaped member having the outer manipulable portion 23 and the inner resilient portion comprising the outwardly extending juxtaposed fingers 24, 25.

The fingers 24, 25 are formed such that there is some resiliency, whereby any squeezing or moving of the fingers together is against the resilient restraining force built into the fingers. The restraining force is insufficient to hamper quick and easy insertion of the elements into the dial apertures, but it is sufiicient to hold the elements securely out. The resiliency in the element 22, in combination with the dimensioning of apertures 21, provides'a biasing force away from each other 9; J .A second dial 26 is provided, behind the dial 6, having a series of open-ended slots 27 corresponding to the annularly arranged apertures 21 so that the extremities of fingers 24, 25 rest thereon when the control elements are inserted into apertures 21. The dial 26 is provided to reinforce the mounting arrangement of the elements and prevent any tendency of them to wobble.

The finger 24 is provided with a substantially V-shaped groove 28 cooperating with its contiguous aperture edge, and finger 25 has a pair of transversely extending portions in the form of inner and outer control ears 2), 31

lying on opposite sides of dial 7 and spaced apart by the arcuate cam section 32.

It is important to note the arrangement of the ears, 1. e., the outer ear is perpendicular to the aXis of the fingers, whereas the inner ear is at an acute angle with respect to this axis.

In the full-line or first control position shown in Figure 5, the control ear 31 is adjacent the dial 7, whereas in the dotted line position corresponding to the second control position, the member 29 is adjacent plate 17. In moving the control element away from the full-line position, motion of the element toward the dial center permits the cam section 32 to automatically squeeze the fingers together and permit finger 29 to pivot about its contiguous aperture edge and thereby allow the element 22 to move to its alternate position.

The finger 24 is provided with the sloping or tapered edge 24 to further facilitate insertion and removal of the element. The remove the element, it is only necessary to move it to the dotted position shown in Figure 5, press the fingerstogether, and then pull out by pivoting the element about its cam surface 32. The sloping edge 24 will clear the upper edge of its associated aperture and permit the element to be quickly removed. When inserting the element within the apertures, the reverse of the aforesaid procedure takes place, in that ear 29 would be inserted, after which the cam surfacewould press the fingers together, and the element would be moved upwardly and inwardly until the groove 23 snaps over the aperture edge and the cam section 32 snaps behind the dial.

The control elements are intended to selectively actuate first and second control arms in the form of on arm 33 and ed arm 34, both of which are pivotally mounted on the pivot shaft 35 carried on the reverse side of plate 6. An aperture 36 is provided in the plate to permit the element engaging portions of the arms to come through, and it is seen that both of these portions are substantially wedge-shaped members. The control arms are con tiguous to the apertured portion of dial 7, they being arranged on opposite sides of the plate, as shown. Moreover, the control arms may have actuating portions extending downward from pivot shaft 35 to suitable control mechanism in the form of electrical contact members or the like. However, these parts have not been shown as they form no part of the subject invention and have, therefore, been omitted in the interests of brevity. Sufiice to say that the control arms 33, 34 are movable and thereby perform a control action. It is their forward end that is important to an understanding of the invention, and it has been shown for this reason.

Referring now to Figure 3, it is seen that the element 22 is in its relatively level or horizontal position, with control ear 31 contiguous to the face of dial 7. The wedge portion of arm 33 hangs down in its path and when the dial moves the element relative to the arm 33, the parts cooperate to move the arm about the pivot 35. In this position, the control ear 29 extends outwardly at an angle behind the overhanging wedge portion of arm 34 and is thus completely out of contact therewith. The wedge portion fits neatly into the space between the ear 29 and cam section 32 such that no control action is obtained.

In Figure 3, element 22 is shown in its second control position, having been manually pivoted in the dial 7, and

the reverse of the aforesaid action takes place. Thus, the control car 29 engages the wedge portion of arm 34 to move it about pivot 35, whereas the wedge portion of arm 33 fits neatly into the space between car 31 and cam section 32.

Thus, control element 22 has a first control position, in which one of its control arm engaging portions co operates with one of the control arms to perform a first control action, and has a second control position, in which its other control arm engaging portion cooperates with the other control arm to perform a second control action.

From the above, it will be seen that a substantially improved timing mechanism has been achieved. The dial 7 may be provided with ninety-six apertures to permit control actions every fifteen minutes throughout a twentyfour hour period. However, it need not be manufactured with ninety-six permanently assembled control elements but, on the contrary, can be made with as few as two elements furnished as accessories and intended to perform one on action and one o action per day, in the case of a switch device or other similar unit. Greater numbers of elements up to ninety-six may be furnished with the mechanism to provide the range of control desired, there being a great flexibility in this respect.

Moreover, the configuration of the fingers with the groove in one and the control ears spaced by the cam section in the other provides an element that is extremely easy to manipulate for control setting purposes without detracting from its positive locking features.

Therefore, while a particular embodiment of the subject invention has been shown and described herein, it is in the nature of description rather than limitation, and it will occur to those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and combinations may be made within the province of the appended claims, and without departing either in spirit or scope from this invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a timing mechanism, in combination: a rotating timing dial having a plurality of spaced apertures arranged annularly therein, a plurality of insertable removably mounted control elements to be carried by said dial in said apertures and being selectively mo able to first and second control positions, and first and second movably mounted control members contiguous to said dial on opposite sides thereof and adapted to move on contact with said control elements, said first control mem' ber moving when said elements are in said first control position and said second control member moving when said elements are in said second control position, each.

of said elements having first and second outwardly extending juxtaposed fingers movable together against a resilient restraining force to permit insertion thereof into said apertures, said fingers being biased outwardly against opposite edges of said apertures when in place, said elements being pivotally mounted whereby one of said fingers may be selectively moved to said first and second control positions, said one finger having control arm engaging portions arranged on opposite sides of said dial.

2. In a timing mechanism, in combination: a rotating timing dial having a plurality of evenly spaced apertures arranged annularly therein, a plurality of removably mounted control members adapted to be inserted into said apertures and beingselectively movable to first and second control positions, and first and second movably mounted control arms having portions contiguous to said dial on opposite sides thereof in the path of said control elements and movable thereby upon engagement therewith, said first control arm moving when said control elements are in said first position and said second control arm moving when said control elements are in said second position, each of said control elements having a pair of outwardly extending juxtaposed fingers movable together against a resilient restaining force to permit insertion of said fingers into said apertures, said fingers being biased outwardly against opposite edges of said apertures when in place, one of said fingers having a groove cooperating with its abutting aperture edge to form a pivotal mounting for the control element, the other finger having spaced transversely extending control arm engaging portions arranged on opposite sides of said dial and separated by a cam surface, said cam surface operating to move the fingers together to permit motion from one control position to the other.

3. In a timing mechanism, in combination: a rotating timing dial having a plurality of evenly spaced apertures arranged annularly therein, a plurality of removably mounted control members adapted to be inserted into said apertures and being selectively movable to first and second control positions, and first and second movably mounted control arms having portions contiguous to said dial on opposite sides thereof in the path of said control elements and movable thereby upon engagement herewith, said first control arm moving when said control elements are in said first position and said second control arm moving when said control elements are in said second position, each of said control elements having a pair of outwardly extending juxtaposed fingers movable together against a resilient restraining force to permit insertion of said fingers into said apertures, said fingers being biased outwardly against opposite edges of said apertures when in place, one of said fingers having a groove cooperating with its abutting aperture edge to form a pivotal mounting for the control element, the other finger having spaced transversely extending control arm engaging ears arranged on opposite sides of said dial and separated by an outwardly convex cam surface, said cam surface operating to move the fingers together to permit motion from one control position to the other.

4. In a timing mechanism, in combination: a. rotating timing dial having a plurality of evenly spaced apertures arranged annularly therein, a plurality of removably mounted control members adapted to be inserted into said apertures and being selectively movable to first and second control positions, and first and second movably mounted control arms having portions contiguous to said dial on opposite sides thereof in the path of said control elements and movable thereby upon engagement therewith, said first control arm moving when said control elements are in said first position and said second control arm moving when said control elements are in said second position, each of said control elements having a pair of outwardly extending juxtaposed inner and outer fingers movable together against a resilient restraining force to permit insertion of said fingers into said apertures, said fingers being biased outwardly against opposite edges of said apertures when in place, said inner finger being tapered and having a groove cooperating with its abutting aperture edge to form a pivotal mounting for the control element, said other finger having spaced transversely extending control arm engaging ears arranged on opposite sides of said dial and separated by an outwardly convex cam surface, said cam surface operating to move the fingers together to permit motion from one control position to the other.

5. in a timing mechanism, in combination: a rotating timing dial having a plurality of evenly spaced apertures arranged annularly therein, a plurality of removably mounted control members adapted to be inserted into said apertures and being selectively movable to first and second control positions, and first and second movably mounted control arms having portions contiguous to said dial on opposite sides thereof in the path of said control elements and movable thereby upon engagement therewith, said first control arm moving when said control elements are in said first position and said second control arm moving when said control elements are in said second position, each of said control elements having a pair of outwardly extending juxtaposed inner and outer fingers movable together against a resilient restraining force to permit insertion of said fingers into said apertures, said fingers being biased outwardly against opposite edges of said apertures when in place, said inner finger being tapered and having a groove cooperating with its abutting aperture edge to form a pivotal mounting for the control element, said other finger having spaced transversely extending control arm engaging inner and outer ears arranged on opposite sides of said dial and separated by an outwardly convex cam surface, said outer ear being substantially perpendicular to the axis of said fingers and said inner ear being at an acute angle with respect to said axis, said cam surface operating to move the fingers together to permit motion from one control position to the other.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 983,705 Hansen Feb. 7, 1911 2,096,620 Robertson Oct. 19, 1937 2,533,877 Chikan Dec. 12, 1950 2,596,330 Everard May 13, 1952 2,695,342 v Junghans et al. Nov. 23, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 105,720 Sweden Oct. 20, 1942

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