US1493771A - Electric-switch response timer - Google Patents

Description

May 13 1924,

R. D. SMITH I ELECTRIC SWITCH RESPONSE TIMER 1917 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 -Original Filed Dec. 15

May 13 1924.

R. D. SMITH ELECTRIC SWITCH RESPONSE TIMER 1917 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 15

May 13 1924.

R. D. SMITH ELECTRIC SWITCH RESPONSE TIMER Original Filed Dec. 15

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 or closed by hand manipulation in the ordi- Patented May 13, 1924.

UNITED STATES RAYMOND 1). SMITH, or EAST MILTON, m ssncnusnr'rs, Ass'mmn, BY mnsnn SIGNMENTS, 'ronownnn TIME APPLIANCE CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

PATENT: orrice,

co}, ornoxnuav, MASSACHUSETTS, a

ELECTRIC-SWITCH nnsronsn rmnn;

Application filed December 15, 1917, Serial No. 207,303. Renewed lia'rch 22, 1923.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAYMOND D. SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Milton, in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Electric-Switch Response Timer, of which the following specification, in connection with the accompanying drawings, constitutes a full and clear description.

This invention relates in general to timing mechanism for governing automatic actuation of electric switches or the like;

and particularly concerns timer mechanism .constructedy-and operating on the above principles,- I prefer to. term my improved time switch a response timer? which indi-- of 'the type arranged i'iormally to .be inactive and topermit the switch to be opened nary way except when it is desired toavail .hand manipulation of the switch control of the timer function, which, inthe present instance, is to interpose a dela'y interval of.

Y predeterminable duration between the usual means and the operative, circuit-controlling throw of the'switch responsive to such ma- -nipulation,

' In. Such timer-mechanism it is'pre ferable that the clock spring be wound by the action of setting the time instead of requir- .ing the use of a separate windingfkey or;

the like as is thecommon practice in most time switches. in common use, Also in timer mechanisms of this type it contributes greatly to.- the simplicityand convenience (it operation that the timer be capable at all times of being set'for switch controlling action irrespective of whether the switch is" in circuit-making or circuit breaking position. This is one of the advantages atv tained in-m improved response timer.

Apo'mmon' source of unreliable. and un'-.

satisfactoryoperation 'so-c'alled time-f switches of the. type which incorporate a time-keeping mechanism, designed to run =for aiweek or longer at one winding of the clock spring is that near the end of this period as the clock springbecomes'tru'n down and its power depleted, theclock inclines to slow. up and lose time or even" top entirely unless kept in periect condition by frequent cleaning and oi'ling,-which' is impracticable inv every day service. This trouble is augmented by the common. ractice in .timeswitch constructionofading to the duties of the'clockspring some melchanical function such as to'trip e scapementmechanism for actuatin the switch orin some cases the main spring of the clock is.

even called upon to produce the power which does work exp'iivailent to handmani'pulation of the switch. It is. obvious ich accumulative-- innature and after several days of operation may result-in the circuitbeing turned 01?? and-fon at very difierent times than "intended.

In contrast. to so-call'ed'fitime' switches fcates, as above described, that the clockmechanism is designed to run only during.

that period between hand tensioning of the switch and ,the responsive time-controlled Switch action, whereby anyerror, in accurateitime keeping can.not accumulate to a troublesome de' ee' and whereby the declock mechanism is greatly increased, owing pend-ability of '.;t e service given. by the partly torthe fact that the main spring ofi the clock never ,runsdoWn beyond aie-I signed point, and exerts at all times during its operation, sufiicientdriving power to .o'vercome'the'bad efi'ects ofv congealed oil,-

dirt ..accumulation, or other handicap's to clock operation and accurate timing.

arrangethe-timing' mechanism in my improved response timer' to be operativelytie-energized and-idle until manually 'ener-' of controlling automatic action of the switch, and by designing the switch to be tensioned by hand each time it is to be. used 'a s-a time switch I am required .to' provide the switch with no motive power to effect '00 gi zed-and set in operation-for the purpose its automatic action other than a springcon I- nection between its operating handle or but ton-and the contacts, similanto that com monly employed for causing the snap action in various forms of snap switch n'iechanisms.-

From. the above it will have become apparent-that all power-means employed (conveniently in theform' ofsprings) are ,de-

signed to be energized for operation only at the express time of availing of same for dieresponse of the laying. circuit-breakin switch to'..the manna actuation of the obviously no use for a se arate operatinghandle for the timing mec anism as above described, and I, therefore, may advantageously provide, in place of such separate operating handle, an adjustable, time-indi eating pointer-hand, that through associated mechanism is adapted to vary, and

'to predetermine the operative extent of en ergization, and also the time setting of the timer as caused by the constant and full, switeh-tensioning movement of the said operating handle.

This latter form of my invention contemplates, briefly, the provision of some conventional form of electric switch (as, for instance, a knife switch) that may be controlled by hand actuation in the manner of an ordinary, non-automatic switch, to govern a lighting or other load circuit, but possessing the additional feature in operation, that upon adjustment of an associated pointer-hand to establishment in other than its zero position, a time interval of the extent indicated by said pointer-ha'nd, will be made automatically to intervene, at each operation, between the usual actuation of the switch control handle for opening the switch, and the actual tension caused opening of the switch responsive to such actuation.

Preferred embodiments of my invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawin s wherein:

ig. 1 is a front elevation of my simpli-' fied timer mechanism as applied for illustrative purposes, only, to a conventional type of two-blade, knife switch,the switch panel being shown as broken away to expose certain of the timer parts.

Fig. 2 is a view looking at thev right of Figure 1, with the casing partially broken away to show the timer retarding train, certain parts being sectioned more clearly to show their construction.

Fig. 3 is a partial plan view showing certain of the detent parts for controlling movement of the switch blades.

Fig. 4 shows in front elevation a modified form of my improved timer mechanism as applied to a similar type of two-blade knife switch, the switch structure being omitted in this figure better to show the parts back of the panel.

Fig. 5 shows in right elevation, and partially in central section, the complete switch and timer mechanism in its said modified form.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through a part of the timer operating mechanism taken on the vertical plane 66 in Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 7 is a plan view taken in section on the horizontal planes 77 in Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 6 but showing the parts positioned to accord with Fig. 5, together with more of the associated mechanism.

Fig. 9 is largely diagrammatic and shows a still different operative position of the parts in Fig. 6.

- Fig. 10, also diagrammatic, indicates these same parts in their normal or ordinary position.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view on the plane 1.1-11 in Fig. 5.

Each part bears the same reference numeral when appearing in different figures of the drawings and will be designated thereby in the following description.

In Figs. 1 and 2, binding posts for the circuit lead wires 2appear at 3. The conductive blades 4 of usual construction are friction-pivoted respectively in lower terminal hinge clips 5 mounted on a vertical support panel 6, of slate 01' other suitable insulating material, so as to swing into and out of swltch-closing engagement with upper terminal clips 7. A brace bar 8 of insulating material bridges these blades at their tops, but in place of the usual control handle for operating the blades, this brace bar carries a bracket mounting 9 for a detent catch finger 11 pivoted at 12 and urged by a spring 13 to a position as shown in Fig. 2, wherein a lower portion 14.- of said finger abuts against the brace bar 8, and an upper portion 15 extends upwardly to a position for interceptive engagement with a detent 16 carried between, and at the extremities of, the double armed detent lever 18, which is pivoted at 19 to a bracket 20 mounted on the top edge of the support panel 6.

The usual switch control handle 22 is fixedly carried by a separately pivoted, actuating structure comprising a two-legged upright swinging arm 23 that in turn is carried rigidly by, and as part of, the horizontal straddle-bar 24:, each end of the latter being pivoted at 25 to bracket terminals 26 extending forwardly from either side of the panel base.

The entire actuating structure above described will hereinafter be referred jection 29 of the blade structure, this spring normally acting to hold the actuator and the blade structure together as shown in Fig. 2, where buffer lugs 30 formed as extensions of the bracket 9 are shown as seated in spring buffer clips 31 carried by the actuator for shock-absorptive purposes hereinafter to be explained.

It should be noted that the angle made by the forward engaging edge 32 of catch finger 11 relative to the path of travel of detent 16 as carried by detent lever 18 is such as to exert pressure on this detent in a direction that will tend to displace said detent upwardly and out of the path of said finger to permit switch-opening movement of the blade structure whenever the detent lever 18 is free to yield. On the other hand, this angle is not such as to set up reactive pressure on the pivoted catch finger 11 in a direction to cause the latter to yield downwardly to permit such switch-opening movement of the blade structure; although it will be evident from inspection of the mechanical relation of parts, as shown in Fig. 2, that movement of the blade structure to close the switch will always be permitted freely by such downward yielding of the catch finger whenever the detent arm 18 is locked against upward yielding movement.

It is thus apparent that the blade structure is normally free to be moved to and from its switch-closing position, and that to lock the same therein, it is necessary merely to prevent upward yielding movement of the detent lever 18. To block, and at a predetermined time thereafter to release, this detent arm (respectively to prevent and to permit such yielding movement thereof) is the otfice of the simple timer mechanism hereinafter to be described.

When the detent arm 18 is blocked against yielding, swinging displacement of the actuator to its broken line position shown in Fig. 2 will obviously separate the actuator from the blade structure and tension the connecting spring 30. To establish the parts thus tensioned, a locking strut arm 34 is frictionpivoted at 35 to the actuator structure, said arm at its free end riding through an opening 36 in the panel 6 and being guided therein by a check pin 37 that horizontally spans said opening and passes through a longitudinal slot 38 in said strut arm. A notch 39 at thefar end of this slot is adapted to engage with the check pin to hold the actuator in its broken-line position in Fig. 2. The strut arm 34 may, however. at any time be disengaged from the check pin 37 by pressing downwardly with the thumb'on aphingertrip rod 40 that passes centrally through the handle and at its lower end is bent to extend through, and to be guided in, an elongated slot 42 in the side of the actuator structure, thereby to engage with a tripping extension face of the support panel 6 is a bell crank lever comprising a short arm 17 that extends horizontally to the left from said pivot, as shown in broken lines, Fig. 1, and terminates in a shelf-lug 18 directly beneath and engaging the lower end of a universal presser coupling 50, that at its upper end similarly engages with a rearward extension 51 of the detent lever 18 to receive presser impulses therefrom. The other, and longer, or feeler arm 52 of this bell crank lever is angular and extends obliquely downwardly terminating in a rearwardly turned end 53. Mounted for rotation adjacent to this lower end of feeler arm 52, is a timer cam 55 normally so positioned rotatively that a notch 56 in the periphery thereof registers with said end 53 of the arm 52 to permit the movement thereof radially inwardly of the cam, as would obviously be caused by the upward yielding of detent arm 18 heretofore mentioned. A light spring 57 however acts yieldingly to hold the said end of feeler arm 52 out of said notch and to retain lever 18 against stops 17 and the detent 16 in its lower position for engagement with catch finger 11. The tendency of finger 11 to displace detent 16 from its path, however, is of such relative magmtude as to overcome the action of spring 57. Obviously, therefore, when the notch 56 in cam 55 registers with the end of feeler arm 52 yielding of the detent lever to release the blade structure for switch opening will be permitted by entrance of arm 52 into this notch. But if this notch 56, as shown in full lines in Fig. 1, is displaced from such registering position. yielding of the detent lever 18 will be positively blocked by engagement of feeler arm 52 with the periphery of the cam.

(Jam 55 is fixedly mounted on the main and winding spindle 58 of a simple, selfcontained escapement retarded time movement shown most fully in Fig. 2. Mounted for independent rotation on the same spindle is a large retarding gear 59 that is in mesh with a train of smaller retarding gears not designated by number because well known in structure and function to those skilled in the art. 'Power for driving this retarding train and for simultaneously rotating cam-55 in one direction is had'by storing tension in the band spring 60. This spring at one end is connected to the winding spindle 58 and at the other end 62 to a frame stud 63. The spindle 58 has bearings in front and rear frame plates 64, 64 of the timing movement and passes through the bushing 65 in the support panel 6 extending forwardly through the latter and fixedly carrying in front thereof a combined winding and time-indicating pointer-hand 66 provided with operating handles 67.

The total rotative movement of the main spindle 58 and of the cam 55, fixed thereon, is limited approximately to one complete turn by a stop pin 69 that projects forwardly into the path of pointer-hand66 from the face of a graduated dial 70 mounted on the front of the support panel 6. The band spring 60 always tends to rotate the cam 55 and pointer-hand 66 clockwise to their stop limited position indicated by broken lines in Fig. 1. In this position of parts, the peripheral notch 56 in the cam 55 is positioned as also indicated in broken lines to register with the end of feeler arm 52.

To set the normally idle and de-energized timer movement for -operation, the pointerhand 66 is turned counter-clockwise in Fig. 1 by means of its handles 67 tosome desired time setting, such as shown by full lines in Fig. 1, and is then released. This actuation will wind the spring 60 but will not actuate be wound to an extent proportional to the I,

rotating displacement of pointer-hand 66 from its zero position, and will be unwound as it returns said hand to such position. Slow return of the pointer-hand and cam results from the retarding action of the gear train as transmitted to the spindle 58 through the friction hold thereon of ratchet wheel 71, such action consuming an interval of time proportional to the degree of displacement of pointer-hand 66 from its zero posit-ion. Or, if desired, the winding spin dle 58, together with cam a nd time point er 56 fast thereto, may be returned directly to zero position independently of the retarding train by turning the pointer 56 and winding spindle 58 in clockwise direction with sufiicient strength to overcome the friction hold between ratchet wheel 71 and spindle 58, thus forcing a slippage between these two members which the spring 60, alone, is not powerful enough to effect.

From the foregoing, it will be clear that when the timer parts are normally deenergized and positioned as shown in broken lines, Fig. 1, the blade structure of the switch will swing in unison with the actuator directly to open: orclose the switch in the usual manner.- When, however, it be desired to interpose a period of delay between actuation of the control handle 22, and actual responsive o ening of the switch to break a circuit, say, or extinguishing the lights, the pointer-hand 66 is first turned to the left to any selected setting, then released, after which the actuator is swung to its locked position shown in broken lines in Fig. 2 against the tension in spring 27 corresponding movement of the blade structure being prevented by the cam-locked de tent 16. Spring 27 upon timed return of pointer-hand 66 to its zero position and of notch 56 in cam 55 to its position for registering with the end feeler arm 52, will then cause a quick, follow-up movement of the blade structure to open the switch. As the impact between the blade structure and the actuator is considerable, the buffer lugs 30 and clips 31, or other suitable devices may be employed to absorb the shock.

It will be observed that this time setting may be effected regardless of whether the switch is in circuit-making or circuit-breaking position and that the switch may be closed independently of time control even after the timer has been set for action, thus restricting the respective controls of the timer and switch to no definite sequence or combined manner of operation which greatly simplifies and renders more convenient their use.

The above described structure, however, accomplishes only a part of the objects of my present invention as set forth at the beginning of this specification. It may be desired, for convenience, to concentrate all actuating control of the switch, including the timed automatic government thereof, in the single switch operating handle 22. Oh viously to do this, connectlons must be provided, whereby at some time in its movements, said handle will not only tension the blade structure to efiect automatic switch opening, but will also energize and release for operative return ofcam 55, the normally idle timer movement hereinbefore described as designed for independent actuation by' a separate control handle. Such provision appears in the modified form of my improved response-timer appearing in Flgures 4 to 11 of the drawings.

Referring, now, to these figures, I may provide as means for winding and releas' ing the timer movement through a constant, blade tensioning, stroke of the actuator, a system of gearing, that may receive operating impulse from a gear segment, such as shown at 7 4. This gear segment is carried at the rear end of a spoke arm 75 that is. formed to extend through a lateral opening 76 in the wall of the timer compartment, and is carried as a fixed part of the actuator straddle bar 24, thereby to swing in fixed In a rear corner of the timer compartment, I may conveniently mount, by means of screw studs, 77, 77, an an le-plate rack 7 8 having teeth on each 0 its longitudinal edges and being constrained for vertical movement by a long slot 79 in one of its sides that engages with said screw studs.

This rack at one of its toothed ed es is positively enmeshed with segment 74 a ways to slide up and down correspondingly to W swinging movement of the actuator, and at its other toothed edge engages an idler gear 80 rotating on a fixed stud 82 that is mounted in the rear wall of the timer box 45. This idler gear is in turn enmeshed with a pinion 83 rotatably mounted on a similar fixed stud 84. The latter stud, however, is co-axial with the winding spindle 58 of the timer movement although structurally separate therefrom.

As shown in Fig. 11, the pinion 83 is fixed to a common hub 87 with a winding disc 85 although between said pinion anddisc, a timer gear 86 of greater diameter is also mounted freely to turn on, and relative to, said hub for purposes later to be explained. The ratio of gearing is such that a full swinging stroke of actuator in its direction to open the switch rotatesthe winding disc 85 substantially one complete turn in a counter-clockwise direction, Figs. 4, 6, 8, 9 and 10.

Also mounted on stud 84, and adjacent to hub 87, is an escapement disc having a bearing hub 89 and that carries two forwardly projecting prongs 91, engaging at diametrically opposite points,.with corresponding openings in a winding plate that is fixedly carried on the main winding spindle 58, Figs. 5 and 7. The escapement disc 90 is also freely rotatable on stud 84 and has connection with the winding disc 85 only through releasable engagement in one direction between a cam lug 93 carried on the winding disc 85 and a tripable latch 94 carried on the opposing face of the escapement disc 90. This latch is normally positioned by a light spring 96 against a stop pin 97 carried on the escapement disc as shown in Figs. 6 and 9 but may yield to the opposite limit of its swing as determined .by another pin 98 also carried on the escapement disc 90 as shown in Figs. 8 and 10. When in its normal position, the rearwardly turned end 99 of latch 94 is adapted to be engaged by an edge 100 of the cam lug 93, these parts, however, being capable of interference at no other points.

The timer movement is structurally and operatively the same as described in reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with the exception that the time-setting pointer-hand 66 is no longer carried by winding spindle 58.

The timer setting gear 86, heretofore mentioned carries on its forward face a trip pin 102 extending into the path of a projecting portion 103 of the latch 94, which extends forwardly beyond the periphery of escapement disc 90. Two idler pinions 104 afford gearing connection of said timer setting gear 86 with a similar gear 105 fixedly carried on an arbor 106 that has a bearing 65 in the support panel 6, and carries directly in front of the latter the pointer-hand 66 with the usual handles 67, 67, and a cooperating time indication dial 70 similar in every respect with these parts as they appear in the form of my invention shown in Figures 1 to 3. This pointer-hand now, however, has no direct connection with the timer cam 55 or the spindle 58 but is held established and stationary in such position as it may be desired to adjust the same, by the detent plunger ball 107, adapted to seat in openin s 108 circularly arranged in the gear 105. bviously, the rotative position of the pointer-hand bears a constant relation to the rotative position of tri pin 102, and by means of the handles 6 67, such rotative position may be varied at will.

This modified form of my improved timer operates as follows.

The timer control parts are shown in their normal positions in Fig. 10. Here the pointer-hand 66 is supposed to be positioned .atzero, and the actuator is in its broken line position indicated in Fig. 5. It will be seen that the trip pin 102 is holding outwardly the end 99 of latch 94 that normally is positioned to be engaged by the lug 93, and that the notch 56 in cam 55' registers with the end 53 of feeler arm 52, so that upon the switch-opening stroke of the actuator (and consequent rotation of the winding disc 85 in a counter-clockwise direction, Fig. 10) no engagement will occur between said lug 93 and latch 94. The timer cam 55 and timer movement will remain, therefore, undisturbed permittng the detent roller 16 to yield upwardly and per- -mit passage of catch finger 11, and movement of the blade structure to open the switch, in the usual manner.

Assuming now, that before such switch opening stroke of the actuator, the pointerhand 66 is displaced from its zero position, and the trip pm 102 thereby revolved counter-clockwise to some position such as shown in Fig. 9, then latch 94 will be urged by spring 96 into the path of lug 93, so

that when the latter is moved with the winding disc 85 by said stroke of the actuator, the escapement disc 90 will be picked up and rotated in a direction to wind the band spring 60 of the timing movement. Such winding rotation of the escapement disc is, of course, accompanied b corresponding rotation of the main spindle 58 and timer cam 55, and continues during the said stroke of the actuator until prosponding jecting portion 103 of latch 94; is encountered' by the trip pin 102. At this pomt the said latch will be disengaged from said lug and released'for automatic timed return under the stored-up power in band spring 60, in the usual manner,the lug 93 continuing through its full revolution correto a full stroke of the actuator after belng thus relieved of the escapement plate at the. point predetermined, by the setting of the trip pin 102.

In the operation above described,'there are several features of operation that should be noted. One is that although lug 93 will always pick up and carry the escapement disc 90 counter-clockwise to a point predetermined by the setting ofv trip pin 102, yet operative interference of said lug, with latch 9 1, when passing in the opposite dlrection, is always prevented by the cam formation given to the lug 93 which causes natural yielding of latch 94, as shown in Fig. 6. Another point to be noted is that in order for the blade structure to be held in switchclosing position and tensioned for timed release, the timer cam must be moved to displace the notch 56 therein from registering position with the end of feeler arm 52, before the blade structure encounters the detent roller 16. To provide for this, suitable operative lost motion, or back-lash, is arranged between the blade structure and the detent. roller when the blade structure is fully seated in the terminal clips. But in addition to this back-lash, introduced for the purpose just described, a purely idle lost motion of greater extentis desirable to insure that even though the blade structure is not pushed entirely back to its switch closed seat, the cam lug 93 will always return rotatively to an extent sufficient to pass into engaging relation'with the latch 94,- ready, as shownin Fig. 10, on subsequent switch-opening stroke of the actuator, to wind up and set in operation the timing movement, in the manner before explained. To make allowance for this additional and purely idle back-lash, peripheral elongation of the notch 56 in cam 55 is provided. It will be appreciated that the need of such idle lost motion is largely due to the fact that a small angular movement of the actuator results in a much greater angular movement of the timer cam. A positive stop for the spring-driven timer movement is provided by a pin 110 that'engages a spur 112 on the winding plate 95, Figs. 4 and 5, it being clear from the arrangement as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, that at any time desired, direct return of these parts to their stopped, or normal, position to eifect release of the blade structure or for other purpose, may be caused by turning the pointer-hand 66 in a clockwise direction back to 'zero, which action will cause the trip pin 102 to impel the escapement dis c through engagement with latch 94, u nt1l these parts are returned to their positions as in Fig. 10, regardless of what position the cam lug 93, may at the timeoccupy.

Briefly reviewed, the operation of the further developed form of my invention above described is the same as that of the simpler form shown in Figs. 1 and 3, with the exception that the time indicating pointer-hand is no longer carried by the movement spindle as an actuating and winding extension therefor. Butsuch pointer constitutes merely an adjustment agent, that remains wherever stationed and, while sostationed, operates automatically at every switch-opening operation to predetermine the period of delay automatically caused to intervene between movement of the actuator to its full line position in Fig. 5, and responsive, tension-caused, switch-opening movement of the blade structure, to break the circuit.

It will be appreciated that whereas, for simplicity, I have chosen to disclose my improved timer arrangement as applied to an electric knife switch, the scope of the invention is by no means limited to such application. Thus I may as readily combine my improved and simplified timer arrangement, with switch structures of radically different types, such as either rotary or pushbutton wall switches'of standard'and approved design; or my invention and especially the further developed form thereof last described, wherein all actuating control is concentrated in common main control handle, is as readily embodiable in timer mechanism for a gas-valve or other device, as for electric switches.

My invention, will be understood as not confined to the specific embodiments thereof herein disclosed, but what I claim as new is:

. 1. In an electric time switch, in combination; a movable circuit-governing member; resilient means tending when actively energized' to cause operative movement of said member; a separately mounted detent movable to and from a position for intercepting said member to prevent said operative I, movement thereof and normally springurged into said position; and normally idle timing mechanism embodying a mechanically retarded timer clement movable in operative relation to said detent, and a motor spring tending to impel said element to a definite stop-determined position out of operative relation to said detent, said Spring being" connected to be energized for action by the displacement of said element from its said position, and the said timing element being arranged during its springimpelled travel to hold the detent in its said position for intercepting said member.

2. In an electric time switch, the combination with a movable contact member; of resilient means for establishing tension tending to cause circuit-switching movement of said member; a movable detent positioned by resilient means in the path of said member and normally arranged to be thrust from said path by the pressure of said member thereon, thereby to permit said circuitbreaking movement; a locking element normally positioned to free said detent but adjustable to a position for preventing said detent from yieldingto the thrust of said member; and timing mechanism adapted to actuate said element, thereby to release said detent and permit its said yielding movement at a predetermined time.

3. In an electric switch, in combination; a movable contact member arranged to be manually established in different circuitcontrolling positions; power means tending when energized and rendered operative, automatically to impel said member to a definite circuit-controlling position thereof; a manually adjustable timer element, with separate power means operative when energized slowly to impel said element to a stop-determined position thereof; and a detent operatively related to said contact member and arranged to be. controlled by movethereby to time ment of said element, the operation of said first-mentioned power means ;the said member, element and detent being free from any ,fixed interconnection and so co-operatively arranged that said member and said element are normally free of operative restraint by one another, except when said element is displaced from its said stop-determined position.

4. In a timing mechanism for an electric switch, the combination with a circuitgoverningswitch member of an operating handle arranged to tension said member automatically to shift from one to another of its operative positions; a manually displaceable and self-restorable timer element normally idle in a definite stop-determined position wherein it is out of operative relation to said member; and interposed detent parts arranged to be rendered operative by displacement of said element from its stop-determined position to prevent tensioncaused movement of said member for a limited interval of time but normally disposed to free both said member and said element for independent movement.

5. In timing mechanism for an electric switch, the combination with a circuitgoverning switch member of an operating handle arranged to tension the latter auto matically to shift from one to another of its operative circuit-controlling positions; a manually displaceable and self-restorable timer element normally idle in a definite stop determined position wherein it is out of operative relation to said member; and an interposed detent movable into the path of said member to intercept the latter, said detent being normally out of engagement with said element but operably related thereto when the latter isidisplaced from its stop-determined position to be locked in the path of said member until restoration of said timer element to its stop-determined position.

(3. In timing mechanism for an electric switch, the combination with a circuitgoverning switch member of all-operating handle to tension the latter automatically to shift from one to another of its operative circuit-controlling positions; a manually displaceable and self-restorable timer element normally idle in a designed stopdetermined position wherein it is out of operative relation to said member; and an interposed detent movable into the path of said member to intercept the latter and formed co-operatively therewith to be displaced from said path by the engagement therewith of said member in passing,tl1e said detent being also operably related to said timer element when the latter is displaced from its said stop-determined position to be positively locked in the path of said member until restoration of said timer element to its stop-determined position.

7. In timing mechanisnt'for an electric switch, the combination with a circuitgoverning switch member of an operating handle to establish the said member in different circuit-controlling positions, and movable relative to said member to a locked position to tension the same automatically to shift from one to another of its said positions; a manually displaceable and restoring timer element normally idle in a definite stop-determined position wherein it is out of operative relation to said member; and a separately mounted interposed detent movable into the path af-said member to intercept the latter ;sa id detent being operably related to said element when the latter'is displaced from its stop-determined position 'to be locked in the path of said member until self-restoration of said element to its stop-determined position.

8 A switch-action interval timer embod 'ng, in combination; a spring operated switch mechanism having a control handle operable to actuate the switch contacts and also to tension them for automatic action:

an escapement mechanism to govern said automatic action; and a spring driven timer mechanism operable to govern the said escape nent mechanism and having a time indicating handle, movement of which in opposite directions acts respectively to energize and de-energize the driving spring of the timing mechanism.

9. In combination; an electric switch having a control handle and movable con- -tion, said means acting" normally to permit free and independent movement of said'timer to and fromits stop-determined position.

10. In combination an electric switch having a control handle and movable contact governed thereby; a retarded, springdriven timer normally held idle in a stop-determined position, wherein it frees said contact for movement responsive to said handle,

and means operated by said timer to restrain said contact when the timer is displaced from its stop-determined position ;together with a time indicating handle for adjusting saidtimer to and away from its stop-determined position, and connections whereby movement of said time indicating handle in opposite directions respectively energizes and de-energizes the driving spring for said timer. 1

11. In combination; an electric switch having a control handle and a movable con-' tact spring-connected. thereto to be impelled thereby; a retarded, spring-driven timer normally held idle in a stop-determined position, and means normally conditioned to permit the displacement of said timer from its stop-determined position and rendered operative by said timer to prevent movement of the switch contact when the timer is so displaced; whereb movement of the switch control handle at er said timer is so displaced, tensions the switch con-- tact to perform an automatic movement under the control of said timer.-

12. In timing mechanism for an electric switch, the combination with a circuit-governing switch inember of an operating ha'ndle mounted for limited movement relative to said member and arranged to tension the latter automatically to shift from one to another of its operative circuit-controlling positions; a manually displaceable and selfrestoring timer element normally idle in a definite stop-determined position wherein it is free of operative relation to said mem ber; and an interposed detent movable into the path of said member to intercept the latter, the displacement of saidelement from its stop-determined position being ermitted by Said detent as normally conditioned and causing said detent to be locked in the path of said member fora pre-determinedtime 1 3. A switch action interval timer em bodying, in combination; a switch and mechanism for establishing tension tending to actuate the same, a timer, with associated detent means governed thereby for controlling tension caused actuation of thetact, means to tension said contact fo switch, separate control handles for separatelybperating respectively said switch and said'timer, to tension the switch for automatic action under control of the timer i and so related when both handles are norsaid member and at a predeterminable time v acting to free the latter for spring caused return to its normal position relative to said handle; the arrangement being such that the freeing of said member by its detent permits said handle to' effect further switch. controllin movement.

15. In a time switchin combination with a switch contact, a handle operable both to actuate said contact and to.energize it for time controlled action; a timer; a handle separate from the first said handle and 0perable both to position said timer and to energize it'for movement to control said contact; and detent parts adapted to hold said switch contact in designed position and later to release it under the control of said timer.

1.6. In a time switch in combination with a switch contact, a handle operable bothito actuate said contact and to tension it for time controlled'action; a timer; a handle separate from the first said handleand optension it for movement'to control said c0ntact; and detent parts adapted tohold said switch contact in designed position and later to release it under the control of saidtimer,

said detent parts being normally conditionedto free both the said contact and said timer for separate and independent movement.

17. In combination; an electric switch having a control handle and movable contact governed thereby; a retarded, springdriven timer-normally held idle in a stopdeterminedposition, wherein it frees said contact for movement responsive to said handle, and means operated by said timer to restrain said contact when the timer is displaced from its stop-determined position; together with a time indicating handle for adjusting said timer toand away from its stop-determined position, and connections whereby movement of said time indicating handle in one direction energizes the drivmg spring for said timer.

erable both to position said timer and to Y "Aswitch action imer 'c'b mbination, a spring-actuated switch on- 1 action, mechanism to retain said 7 mechanism and having a time indicator and winding handle, movement of which in 0pv posite directions acts respectively to energize and de-energize the driving spring of the timing movement.

19. In combination, an electric switchhaving a contact controlled by spring and detent'mechanism; .a retarded spring driven timer normally heldidle in a stop-deter- 15 mined position and operative upon said contact co-operatively with said detent mechanism at a pre-determined time after said timer is displaced from its stop-determined position; together with a time-indicating handle for adjusting said timer to and away from its stop-determined position, and connections whereby movement of said timeindicating handle in the driving spring for said timer.

Signed at Boston, Massachusetts, this 13th day of December, 1917.

RAYMOND D. SMITH. Witnesses:

JAMES D. GORDON,

E. L. MdFAnnEN.

one direction energizes

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