US1445841A - Controlling device - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 20, 1923.

LA. MAFEL.

CONTROLLING DEVICE.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 24 FILED MAY 5.1919.

.Invafinr.

- Lpwis' .51 Ma 51 DIILE: E

Patented Feb. 20, 1923. I I I I y UNITED-STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS A. MAPEL, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO 'AU'IO IMLA'IJICv APPLIANCE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI., I

CONTROLLING DEVICE. v Application filed May 5, 1919. Serial No. 294,957.

To allwltom itmag concern; which the timing mechanism controls the Be it known that I, LEWIS A. MAPE a controlling device. fcitizen of the United States. residin at the Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the ar-. 55 ,ycity-of St. Louis'and State of i issouri, rangement of the wiring and the switch have invented a new and useful Controlling device. 7 Device, of which the following is a speci- Figs. 7. 8 and 9 are detail views illusfication. trating a tvpe of switch mechanism which This invention relates to Controlling deis adapted especially for use in circuits of 60 vices'for the automatic, control of machines high current. 10 which are independently equipped with elec- The housing in which the. mechanism is trical apparatus. mounted is composed of a front portion 1. An object of my invention is to provide havinga dial 2 in connectiontherewith;'an a controlling device for the purpose menintermediate portion 3'supporting the tuntioned, which is of novel and efficient coning device 4; and a rear or base portion 5 struction and is positive and accurate in supporting some of the essential parts'of operation. the controlling device which are caused to Another object is'to provide a' controlling function by operation of the timing device 1 device of theicharacter and for the purpose 4. The main spring arbor or shaft 6' of the 70 I I stated, equipped with novel means for varytiming device extends through the dial ing the interval that the controlled maplate 2 and is equipped with an indicator I chine or device remains operative or inor pointer '7 which cooperates with the dial operative. to indicate the-periods orintervals of time Another object is to provide a controlling that may pass from any of the set or ad- 75 device capable of controlling the operative 'justed positions of the timing device beor inoperative condition of a plurality of fore. the controlling mechanism or device devices with which the machine is equipped. will be affected .thereby. The main spring An additional object is to provide a con- 6 in connection with the shaft 6 is artrolling device equipped with a time indiranged to be energized as an incident to 80 cator and means under control of the time the setting. of the timing mechanism for indicator for causing the controlling deoperation for any selected intervalof time, vices to functionafter any desired intervals and to operate the timing mechanism until or periods of time. the same is stopped at the end of thetime Another object is to provide a controlinterval for which it is set. A knob 8 is ling device equipped with'a time indicator loosely mounted on the outer end of the and means under control of the time indiarbor 6 and is movable into and out of cator for causing the controlling device to clutching engagement with the hub of the function at any desired time, and manual pointer 7, so that, said knob is capable of means for causing the controlling device to manipulation to engage with and turn the 'function in the absence of the time indiarbor 6 in one direction to adjust the point- 4o cator. er '7 at any desired place around the dial, Other objects of the invention will apsaid knob being free to turn in the opposite pear from the following description in direction. independentlyof said arbor and which reference is made to the drawing pointer. illustrating a preferred embodiment of the The device is. equipped with means for 45 invention, and in which indicating the process or operations repre- Fig; l is a front elevation of a controlling sented by various periods. In the embodidevice embodying my present invention. ment shown the indicating means comprises Fig.2 is ,a side elevation. indicators 9 and 10 in the form of discs Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view. supported by projecting portions of the 50 Fig. 4 is a view of thedevice. with the housing. Each of the dlscs is provided front face or dial plate removed. with several distinctive means of indica- Fig 5 is a view showing the means by tion; for instance, the disc 9 is provided with a number of letters A, B C and D, and the disc is'provided with a number p of numerals as 1, 2, 3 and 4. Upon a porill chine in connection or association with" which the invention is being used.-

Assuming that the device is being used in connection with a laundry washing machine, theindicator 9 will be set in position to placetheletter A thereon opposite the window in the housing when the step in the,

washing operation' designated as process 1 A is being performed by the machine.

a The indicator ill willbe set in such a position that the numeral l is exposed to view when the first step in the washing process is being performed. Should the first step Oftllt) process A. require any definite period of time the operator will set the pointer Z of the time indicator at the pointon the dial designating the number of minutes required for such operation and when the pointer turns in an anticlockwise direction to zero on the dial, the controlling device will be operated and the operator in charge of the machine will be notified that the first step in the process A has been completed. ill the process A includes or requires another step the operator sets the indicator 10 in such position that the numoral 2 thereon will be exposed to View through the opening or window and also sets the pointerof the time indicator at the proper place on the dial representing the period or interval reired by the second step of the proce'ss. this arrangement the operator in charge of the device may at all times be kept'intormed concerning what work or process is being performed by the machine in connection or association with which the device is used. The present invention is designed espe. cially for use in connection or association with machines which are independently equipped with electric apparatus. The invention comprises novel mechanism for controlling the operation of the electric apparatus of the machine in connection with which theinvention is used;

The base 5 of the housingxis provided with a portion Hadapted to be'connected with a lamp signal 11 which will operate as a signal, as hereinafter explained.

The housing is formed with a number of conduit outlets for connection with wire conduits leading to different mechanisms. For instance, the conduit outlet 12 atfords outlet for the wiring leading to the. motor which operates the washing machine; the outlet 13 afiords outlet for the wiring for spectively,

controlling the electric drain valve oi the washing machine; and the outlet 14: affords outlet for the wiring for controlling a signal or other desired cooperative mechanism. At this point it may be appropriate to mention that the "wiringpassing through the 'outletld may be in circuit with an appropriate s gnal mechanism such, for instance.

as that disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 244,753, eventuating in Patent No. 1,388,278., dated August 23, 1921.

The switch mechanism and the binding posts and connections are supported wholly by the base section 5 of the housing in which a support 15 of insulating material is mounted. The binding posts, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are connected with corresponding contacts 1b. 17?, 18, 19 20 and 21, re-

which are in position to make contact with a switch member 22 as required in the operation of the various apparatus or'machines controlled through the switch.

The switch member 22 is on a rotary support 23 having a crank 24 in connection therewith whereby the switch may be controlled by the timing mechanism, or manually operated in the absence of the timing mechanism.

The instrument is equipped with a control lever 25 attached to a rod or shaft 26 revolubly supported near the bottom of the device and which constitutes means for nianuall controlling the difl'erent apparatus with which the washer (or other machine) is equipped in order to handle the operation thereof automatically. The inner end of the rod or shaft 26 is journaled in a support 27 which also constitutes an abutment and attachment for the inner end of a spring 28, of the expansion type. The outer end of the s ring. is connected to a cam member 29 .w ich is attached to the shaft 26.

The power oi" the spring 28 is exerted to turn the rod or shaft 26 in a counter-clockwise direction and also to actuate said rod or shaft axially in an outward direction. A lei/c1180 ispivoted upon a support 31 and is actuatedin one direction by a spring 32 connecting said lever with a rigid part in the housing. The lever 30 extends into the path of movement of an arm 33 attached to the arbor 6 of the timing mechanism, so that at the proper time the lever 30 will be moved a slight distance by said arm 33 in order to disengage the opposite end of the lever from a shoulder on the cam 29.

Extent of turning movement of the con-.

trol' lever 25 in one direction is limited by a shoulder 34 on the cam member 29 contacting with the detent end of the lever 30. and extent of turning movement of said lever in the opposite direction is limited by an abutment 35 on the housing. The normal idle position of the control lever is that power of the spring 28.

.which. a shoulder shown in Fig. 1 in which the lever 30 engages the cam shoulder 34 to which .position the control lever is actuatedby the When said lever 25 is manually turned to position against the abutme'nt35 the .detent end of thelever. Fig. 5) on the,

time duration when thelever 30 is auto matically released from the shoulder 36 by the arm33, thus permitting the spring 28 to turn the rod or shaft 26 to position in gage'd'by the detent end of the lever 30. By this operation of the rod 26 the switch member 22 is moved to contact with the contact members 17", 19 and 20, thus instantaneously breaking and re-establishing the circuit to the motor. and closing the circuit to'the drain valve of the washingmachine. The pressureof the arm 33 against the lever 30 is continued by theoperation of'the timing mechanism after said lever 30 has been releasedfromthe first shoulder 36 and whilethe second shoulder 37 is engaged by the end of the lever 30,- The switch remains in its second adjustment until thefinal expiration of"the-time duration after which the lever 30 is'released 1 from the shoulder 37 by the continuing pressure of the arm 33 actuated by the timing mechanism. Thereupon the spring'28 turns the rod 26 to position to actuate the switch 22 into contact with the contact members 18, 20, and 21, circuit to the signal mechanism in order to call the attention-of the operator to the fact that one operation, or step of an operation has been completed. Turning of the rod or shaft 26' is stopped by contact ofthe .shoulder38 on the, cam with the detent end of the lever 30.' The operation of the timing mechanism is stopped by. the arm 33 in contact with the lever 30 which is held from further movement by the stop 39.

By. pressure on the hub of the control lever the rod 26 may be pressed inwardly in opposition to the power ofthe spring 28, and the shoulder 38 thereby disengaged from the detent end of the lever 30. thus permitting said spring 28 to turn the rod 26 an additional distance until the cam shoulder 34 is moved into contact with the detent end of the lever 30. In this position the switch 22 occupies the position shown in Fig. 6 in which it is out of contact with all of the contact members.

It is necessary to adjust the timing device beforefthe latch for the control lever 25 will be able to hold the lever in its adarm 33 holds the lever 37 on the cam 29 is en-' thus closing the justed position. This is true. because when the tim1ng device is in its idle or.stopped position the arm' 33 holds the lever 30 in position to prevent engagement of the de- In the I tent end thereof with the shoulder 36 on the cam 29, as shownin Fig. 5. idle or stopped position of the device the shown in Fig. 5 so that the shoulder 36 will not engage the'detentend of said lever 30, but in saidiposition of the lever 30 the not contact with'said lever shoulder 36 ca The switch shown inFigs. 7, 8 and 9 may be satisfactorily used in connection with circuits .of either high or low current, whereas the switch shown in Fig. 6is more particularly adapted'for usein circuitsof low current. I Figs. 7, 8 and 9 a 'member 40 is pivoted upon a binding post'4l. The switch member 42 is also pivoted 30 in the position In the switch shown in said 1 I upon the binding post 41 and is'movable into and out of con- I tact with the contact members 43' and 44.

in order toopen and-close the circuits by which the different devices of the machine} are'controlled. The switch member 42 being pivoted upon the binding :post 41 is permanently in circuit with one of the wires, and It is onlynecessary to'move the switch member 42 into contact with the contact members 43 and 44, .respectivelyiinordert-o close the circuits. V

A spring 45 connects an'extensiou 46 on the s *it'ch member 42 withthe member 40 and is operative to throw the switch member 42 out of contact-with the contact members '43 and 44, respectively, as an incident to turning of the member 40 from one position to another. Movement of the switch member 42 in one direction is limited by an arm 47 thereon contacting with the member 40. The member 40. has a pin 48 adapted to extend into a slot in the crank arm 0n the lower end of the rod or shaft 26. so

that said member40. may be swung from i one said rod 26.

In the normal or idle position of the rod 26 the 'switch'member 42 is held out of contact with both contact members '43 and 44.

position to another by operation of AS an incident to turning of, the control leabutment 35, the switch member 42 is thrown around by thespring 45 to the position shown in Fig.- member is in contact with the contact member 44 and bears against an abutment 49.

The control lever remains inthat. adjust-' 7, in which said switch verf to the right to its position against the tion in which the shoulder 38 is engaged by the detent end of the lever 30 as an incident to which operation the switch member 42 is thrown out of contactwith the contact member 4A- and into contact with the contact member 4:3, thus instantaneously breaking the circuit to the motor and establishing another circuit which leads to the signal mech anism, in order to call the attention of the operator to the fact when one operation,or step of an operation has been completed The switch remains in its second adjustment and maintains contact with the contact member 43 until the rod 26 is pressed inwardly to disengage the detent from the cam 29, thus permitting the spring 28 to turn the rod 26 an additional distance suflicient to cause the member 40. tomove the switch member &2 out of contact with the contact member 43, and to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8.

The form and arrangement of the diiierent parts and elements comprising the invention may be varied without departing from the principle or scope of the invention. 1 do not confine myself to unessential features, but whatl claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A controlling device of the character described, comprising timing mechanism settable in different positions to represent diil'erent periods or intervals of time, an electric switch operable to open and to close a plurality of electric circuits, a latch for latching the switch in position to close one of the circuits, an element operated by the timing mechanism for releasing said latch and preventing the latch from latching the switch until setting of the timing mechanism, and an actuator for moving the switch to position to open the first-named circuit and to position to close another circuit.

2. A controlling device of the character described, comprising timing mechanism settable in different positions to represent different periods or intervals of time, a plurality of electric contact members in 'corresponding circuits, an electric switch movable into and out of contact with various ones of the contact members to open and to close a plurality of electric circuits successively, a

latch for latching the switch in position to close predetermined ones of the circuits, an element operated by the timing mechanism for releasing said latch successively and pore venting the latch. from latching the switch until setting of the timing mechanism, and an actuator for moving the switch when said latch is released.

3. A controlling device of the character described, comprising timing mechanism settable to operate for different periods or intervals of time, an electric switch operable to open and to close a plurality of electric circuits, an actuator for moving the switch eat er from one position to another to open and to close the electric circuits successively, a latch for latching the switch in its'diii'erent positions and preventing the latch from latching the switch until setting of the timing mechanism, and an element operated by the timing mechanism for releasing said latch. f t

4. A controlling device of the character described, comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for axial and turning movements, means for operating the switch by the turning movements of said rod, alatch de-- vice for holding the rod in the different positions to which it is turned, a settable device preventing operation of said latch until said device has been set and an actuator for turnin said rod in one; direction and moving sald rod axiall c 5. A controlling device of the character described, comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for axial and turning movements. a latch device for holding the rod in the different positions to which it is turned when said rod is on one of its axial positions. a settable device preventing operation of said latch until said device has been set and means for moving the rod axially to position in which it will be held by said latch device and for turning said rod in one direction when said latch device is released.

6. A cont-rolling device or the character described, comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for axial and turning movements, a latch device for holding the rod in the different positions to which it is turned when when said rod is in one of its axial adjustments, a settable device preventing operation of said latch u'ntil said device has been set, means for operating the switch by the turning movements of said rod, and an actuator for moving said rod axially to position in which said rod will be held bysaid latch device and for turning said rod in one direction when said latch device is released.

7. A controlling device of the character described. comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for axial and turning movements, a latch device for holding the rod in the different positions to which it is turned when said rod is in one of its axial adjustments, a settable device preventing operation of said latch until said device has been set, means for operating the switch by the turning movements of said rod, an actuator for mo"- ing said rod axially to position in which said rod will be held by said latch devipe and for turning said rod in one direction when said latch device is released, and timing mechanism operable to release said latch device after any selected periods or intervals of time.

8. A controlling device of the character described, comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for axial and turning movesaid member in both directions, a pivoted element, means for moving the pivot'ed element to different adjusted positions relative to the switch member, and a spring for operating said switch member from one to another ofsaid contact members to close difl'erent circuits, each. of which includes the wire which is inpermanent circuit with said switch member. 7

10. In a-controlling device of the'character described, an 'electric'switch' comprising contact members, a pivoted. switch member in permanent circuit with the electric cir-- cuit wire and being movable into and out of contactwith the contact members, a pivoted,

element, means for moving said pivoted element to difi'erentadjustments relative to the.

switch member, a spring for operating said switch member from one to another of said contact. members to close difi'e'ren't circuits each of which includes the wire which'is in permanent circuit with said switch member,

and means whereby said pivoted element in one position thereof will hold said switch member out of contact with said contact members. I

11. A controlling device of the character described, comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for axial and turning movements and being adjustable in one position to hold theswitch open,

in the different positions to which ,it is turned, timing mechanism, settableto release said latchv device after' any predetermined period or interval of t me and preventing operation of said latch device until the timing mechanism has been set, and an actuator for turning said rod in one direction and moving said rod to position to hold said switch 'open.-

12. A controlling device of the character described, comprising an electric switch, a rod supported for'axialand turning movements and arranged to turn in one direction and move axially in one direction to open the switch, a latch device for holding the rod in the different rotative positionsin which it is placed, and a spring for imparting axial and turning movements to said rod.

13. A controlling device of the character describe electric switch mechanism nism, a

means'for operating the switch by the turningmovements ofsaid rod, a latch devide for holding the rod described, comprising a housing composed of a base 'portion'v anda front portion removably connected with the base portion; timing mechanism wholly supported; within the housing by. one portion of the housing; a support removably mounted in the other portion of the housing; electric switch. mechanism' mounted on said' support and means supported by the front portion of the housing for controlling said switch mechanism by the timing mechanism.

14. A controlling device of the character described, comprising a housing composed of a base portion and a front portion removably connected withthe base portion; timing mechanism wholly sup orted within the housing by one portion 0 the housing; a support removably mounted in the other portion of the housing; electric switch mechanisnr mounted on said support; means supported by-that portion of the housing supportingthe timlng mechanism for controlling said switch mechanism by the timing mechanism; and means whereby the switch'mechanism'may be operated manually inxthe absence of the timing mechanism.

15. A controlling device of the character of abase portion and a front portion removably connected with the base portion; supported in the base portion of the housing; timing mechanism supported by the front portion of the housing; and 'a device whereby the switch mechanism will be controlled automatically by the timing mechanism and afi'ordin -means for manual operation of the switch mechanism in the absence of the timing mechanism.

16; A controlling-device of the character described, comprising settable switch mecha-.

for controlling the timing device switch mechanism, and means whereby the timing device will prevent the setting of the switch mechanism before thetiming device is set for operation.

comprising a housing 7 composed 17. A controlling device-of the character described, comprising an electric switch movable to manual device for moving the switch to closed position, a, timing device sett-able in different, positions to represent difl'erent periods or intervals of time, and means whereby the timing device will cause the switch to bemoved to open position after open and to -closed position, a

the expiration of a predetermined period of time, and will prevent setting of the switch in closed position before the timing mechanism is set for operation.

18. In a -controlling device of the character described, electric switch mechanism, means whereby said switch may be manually closed, a latch device for holding the switch closed, timing mechanism whose adjustment is necessary before said switch may for setting the switch in-closed position,

I closed position,

be latched in closed position, and means operable by the timing mechanism for releasing'the latch.

19. In a controlling devioeof the character described, an electric "switch device,

manual means for moving the switch to a latch for holding the switch closed, and a timing device whose adjustment is necessary before the switch may be latched in closed-position, operable to release said latch after a predetermined in terval of time. 1

20.In a controlling device of the character described, the combination with an,

acter described, the combination with an for moving the a latch device a timing devi e whose adjustment is necessary before the-latch will hold said switch in closed position.

22. In a device of the character described,

electric, switch, manual means switch to closed. position, and

the combination I of a timing mechanism;

manual means for setting said timing mechanism for operation for a selected period of time; means for timing mechanism-at the end of. a selected period of time; EtSWltOh mechanism; manual means for setting said switch .mechanism; means for holding the switch mocha stopping operation of the nism in the position in which it is set; and means controlled by said timing mechanism for operating said switch mechanism at the endof the selected period of time.

23. In a device ofthe character described, the combination of a switch mechanism; manual means for placing the switch mecha nism in an adjusted position; an actuator for moving the switch mechanism from the adjusted position; a device for holding the switch mechanism in the adjusted position until released foroperation by the actuator; timing mechanism including an actuator therefor which is energized as an incident to the setting of the timing mechanism for operation; manual means for setting the timing mechanism for operation and. energizing said actuator; and means operated by the timingmechanism for releasing the switch holding device.

24. In a device of the character described, the combination of a switch-mechanism; a device for holding the switch mechanism in ian adjusted position; means for operating the switch mechanism when said holding device is released; timing mechanism settable' for operation for a selected interval of time; means for operating the timing mechanism from any of its set positions and arranged to be energlzed as an incident to the setting of the timing mechanism for operation;

means for stopping operation of the timing mechanism at the end of the selected interval of time; and means operated by the timing mechanism for releasing the holding device of the switch mechanism ,at the end of said time interval.

LEWIS A. MAPEL.

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