US1472780A

US1472780A - Electric timer

Info

Publication number: US1472780A
Application number: US590865A
Authority: US
Inventors: Herlin M Appelgate
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1922-09-27
Filing date: 1922-09-27
Publication date: 1923-11-06
Anticipated expiration: 1940-11-06

Description

Nov. 6 1923. 1,472,780

H. M. APPELGATE ELECTRIC TIMER Filed Sept. 27, i922' Patented Nov. 6, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HERLIN M. APPELGATE,l or BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, AssreNoR 0E oNEsHALE rro IRVING WARNER, or-NEW YORK, N. Y.

ELECTRIC TIMER.

Application tiled September 27, 1922. Serial No. 590,865.

To all 'whom it may concern: i*

Be it known that I, HERLIN M. APPEL- eA'rE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, borough. of Brooklyn, in thecounty of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Electric Timer, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

This invention relates to a class of devices adapted to be used in conjuction with the ignition system especially of internal combustion engines.

My invention has for its object primarily to provide a timer designed to be employed in the electric system when provided for igniting the gaseous fuel products of an internal combustion engine so that the intermittent sparking of the electric plugs of the engine will be eifectually accomplished by the device being operated b-y the crank shaft of the engine so that the delivery of the electric current to the plugs will be properly timed relative to determined positions of the piston of the engine during its reciprocation. The invention also contemplates an improved form of the device disclosed in my pending application for a patent, serially numbered `506,978

Filed October 11, 1921, by being composed of parts so formed` and arranged that the device may be made at aminimum cost as kwell as capable of being readily mounted on the engine shaft for operation in a manner whereby a uniform sparking of the plugA will be accomplished at determined intervals through the provision of threepoint wiping contacts between conductive surfaces for intermittently closing the circuit, instead of the usual provision for making only one-point contacts which frequently collect oil or grease that cause unsteady sparking of the plug with consequent uneven firing of the fuel products owing lto arcing of the current.

A. further object of the invention `is to provide an electric timer of a simple, eflicient and durable construction which may be made in any suitable size and shape.

VVith these and other objects in view, the invention will be hereinafter i more fully explained with reference tothe accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification in which similar characters of refer-` ence indicate corresponding parts in all the' views, and will then be pointed out in the claims at theend of the description.

In the drawing, Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical section, partly fragmentary and partly in detail, taken on the line 1-1 of Fig. 2. y

Fig. 2. is a detail sectional view, partly fragmentary, taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and

' Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the lineB-B of Fig. 1.`

The device or timer has a casing or cap 10 which may be ofv any suitable shape and size, though the form of the casing shown is somewhat cup-shaped to provide a curved or tapered plate or wall, as 11, with a straight annularange or wall as 12, on its edge extending from the concaved face of theplate. rlhis casing is of a size so that when arranged over the yend of the cam shaft, as 13, of an internal combustion.

engine with the shaft extending into the center of the concavity of the casing, as illustrated, the annular iiange 12 of the casing will be spaced some distance from the shaft. Protruding inwardly of the casing from the flange 12 is an annular rail or rib 14 ofibre or other appropriate insulating material. The insulating rail is preferably substantially rectangular, in crosssection, as well as being of awidth and of a diameter so that its inner periphery is also spaced from the conductive shaft 13. The rail 14: is also arranged on the flange 12 of the casing 10 so that its inner face and both side faces are exposed, and in equidistant spaced parts of the annular insulating rail are embedded correspondingly electric contacts or conductive blocks, as 15. While any1` desiredy Vnumber of these conductive blocks may be used, in the form of the device shown there are four of the blocks, and each block is substantially rectangular. The blocks are of sizes as well as being curved so that their inner faces and side edges are flush with the side faces and inner periphery of the rail. The conductive blocks 15 are adapted to be interposed in an yelectric circuit by appropriate binding posts, as 16, each of which leads from each of the blocks through the insulating rail 11i and through holes in casing so that they extend from the iiange 12 of the casing for being Vconnected to the conductive wires of a source of electrical energy, the wires also lll) dll

leading to the spark plugs oli one or more cylinders ot' an internal combustion engine, not shown. These parts of the device may be oit well known forms.

On part ot the fla-nge 12 of the casing 1G is a clamp, as 17, adapted to detachably tasten the casing with the rail 1l and conductive blocks 15 to a rod, as 13, which is adjustable for adjusting the casing, rail conductive blocks circumterentially of the cam shaft 13 when the ldevice is in use. The clamp 17 is preferably composed ot two spaced spring prongs 19 and 2O Yhaving one of their ends secured, at 21, to the casing so that their other ends protrude laterally from the casing. The second end parts of the prongs are oppositely curved, as at 22, :tor removably receiving one end of the rod 18 to support the casing ir a depending position for adjustment common to the employment of this type of device tor advancing and retarding the sparking of electric plugs, and the rod is releasably clamped in the prongs by a set screw 23 which is rotatable in registered threaded holes provided in the central parts of the prongs.

In order to cause the circuit in which the device is interposed to be intermittently closed for sparking the plugs at intervals a conductive rotary member or metal roller, as 2l, is provided. This conductive roller is peripherally grooved, as at 25, to provide on the edges of the roller two

annular flanges

26 and 27, and the groove is ci a width slightly less than the widths of the conductive blocks 15 as well as being slightly less than the width ot the insulating rail 14. The roller is divided lengthwise centrally of the bottom oit the groove into halves, as 28 and 29, and in the inner i'ace of the halt 29 is a soclret 30, while on a corresponding part ol the inner tace oli the halt 28 is a protruding pin or lug 31 which is normally seated removably in the socket ot the half 29 to cause the halves to revolve in unison when the roller is revolved. The roller is rotatably mounted on a conductive stud 31 having its ends held to the ends ot two parallel spaced liat

conductive bars

32 and 33 so that the roller is rotatable between these bars, and the roller is of a width so that the outer faces of its halves are spaced from the

bars

32 and 33 for allowing the halves to be spread apart on the stud Sullicient distance whereby the pin 31 may be removed from the socket and contacted with the inner face of the socketed halt 29 for holding the halves orP the roller in spaced relation, as will be hereinafter more fully explained. Between the second ends oft the

bars

32 and 33 is a tiXed rod 34, and between the central parts of the bars is held another conductive rod 35. On the end portions of both of the

rods

34 and 35 are held the ends of flat metal strip springs, as 36 and 37, having on their other ends partially circular enlarged tlat portions, as 33 and 39, and in the central parts o't these enlarged portions are registered holes through which pass the end portions ot the stud of the roller 2li. rl`he springs 3G and 37 are thereby disposed between the

bars

32 and 33 and the outer i'iaces ot the roller, and these" springs are tensioned to yieldingly torce the halves ot the rollers normally toiif'ard each other. @n the central part ot the rod is rotatably held the apertured ends of two spaced lugs 4t2 and ot a conductive bracket, as and the other ends oi' the lugs are bridged, as at lle. This bracket is, therefore, substantially U-shaped, and the bridging member l--l ot the bracket is held to the central part of the exterior ot a conductive sleeve e5 adapted to be suitably fastened, as at 4G, to the shatt- 13 or" the engine. The bracket 113 is disposed relative to the sleeve l5 on an incline toward the insulating rail 111, and the spaced

bars

32 and 33 are thereby disposed tangentially crosswise ol" the sleeve so that the conductive roller 211- will be properly positioned for traveling on the rail. The'A roller 24 is yieldingly held in revolvable engagementwith the rail by the 'tension ot one or two springs, as 117 and 4:3, having one ot their ends held to the rod 3e oit the

bars

32 and 33, while the other ends ot the spring are tas-tened, at and 50, to part of the sleeve 415 so that the action ot the springs normally serve to torce one ot the ends ot the

bars

32 and 33 toward the sleeve t5 with the other ends of the bars being yieldingly forced toward the rail 1411 which in turn will yieldingly hold the roller 24 in straddle arrangement on the rail so that the bottom ot' the -groove 25 with its side walls or flanges 26 and 2T will. malte a wiping contact with the inner 'Faces and side edges ol the coni'luctive bloclrs 15, in order that liability ot interruptions occurring in the circuit from oil or ,crease collecting on the blocks will be avoided as is incident to the use ot timers ot this class.

As the annular rail 1,4.- must be ot a given diameter so that the conductive contact blocks 15 will be spaced at determined intervals the space between the rail and shaft 13 is limited, and 'to permit the roller 24 to be readily arranged on the rail thc socket 30 and pin 31 are provided on the

halves

23 and 29 oit the roller. As hereinbe'lore eX- plaincd, this is accomplished by spacing the halves ol! the roller so that the pin 31 is rcmoved Ytrom the socket 30, and by partially rotating' one et the halves of the roller the end ot the pin will engage the inner tace of the sockcted hall. `The roller may then be easily disposed in straddling position on the inner tace ot the rail 14:, also as above eX- plained, so that with. the driving of the shaft 13 the sleeve 45, lbrackett, bars 32v and will be revolvably swung to'cause the conductive roller to close the electric circuit in the well known manner, through the conductive `blocks l'and through the binding posts i6 to thek plugs'of an internal combustion engine for intermittently sparking the plugs, and I have foundthatfthe provision of the straight bars'a'nd, instead of using curved `bars,"enabled the device to be manufactured at a very reasonable cost.

In the foregoing description, I have embodied the preferred form of my invention, but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the principle or sacrilicing any of the advantages of this invention, therefore, I reserve to myself the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulating annular rail having spaced embedded conductive blocks, each with three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, of a peripherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a. socket and the other having a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket.

2. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulating annular rail having four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each with three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, of a peripherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the other having a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, and spring controlled conductive means revolvably carrying the roller and adapted to be conductively fastened on the conductive shaft. j

3. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulating annular rail hav ing four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each with three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, of clamping prongs for detachably engaging a movable rod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported forrotatable adjustment surrounding a conductive shaft by adjusting the rod, a peripherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the other having a protruding pin for re movable insertion into the socket, and spring controlled conductive means revolvably carrying the roller and adapted to be conductively fastened on the conductive shaft.y

4. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulating annular rail having four yspacedl embedded conductive blocks, each with three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed. in an electric circuit, of a peripherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having` a socket and the other having aY protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, a conductive sleeve adapted to be fastened on the conductive shaft of a combustion engine, and two con* ductive straight bars yieldingly bracketed to the sleeve tangentially with relation thereto and the bars rotatablycarrying said roller. j A

5. In a timer as characterized, the combination with an insulating annular rail having four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each with three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, of clamping prongs for detachably engaging a movable rod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported for rotatable adjustment surrounding a conductive shaft by adjusting the rod, a peripherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one lia-ving a socket and the other having a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, a conductive sleeve adapted to be fastened on the conductivev shaft of a combustion engine, and two conductive straight bars yieldingly bracketed to the sleeve tangentially with relation thereto and the bars rotatably carrying said roller.

6. In a timer as characterized, in combination, a casing having on its interior an insulating annular rail with four spaced embedded conductive blocks each having three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, and a peripherally grooved conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the other having a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket.

7. In a timer as characterized, in combination, a casing having on its interior an insulating annular rail with four spaced embedded conductive blocks, each having three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, clamping prongs for detachably engaging a movable rod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported for rotatable adjustment surrounding a conductive sha-ft by adjusting` the rod, and a. peripherally grooved conductive .roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket .and the other having a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket.

8. In a timer as characterized, in combination, a casing having on its interior an insulating annular rail with four spaced embedded4 conductive blocks, each having three exposed faces and each block adapted to be interposed in an electric circuit, clamp,

ing prongs for detachably engaging a movable rod whereby the rail and blocks may be supported for rotatable adjustment surrounding a conductive shaft by adjusting the rod, a peripherally grooved Conductive roller divided lengthwise into halves, one having a socket and the other having a protruding pin for removable insertion into the socket, and spring Controlled conductive means revolvably carrying the roller and 10 adapted to be condnetively fastened on the conductive sha-ift.

lThis specification signed and witnessed this 26th day of September, A. D. 1922.

HERLIN M. APPELGATE. Witnesses:

S. ZUCKER, J. FREDERICK CRYER.