US1554693A - Timer for ignition systems - Google Patents

Description

o. F; TALLMAN ET AL TIMER FOR `IGNITQN SYSTEMS sep-a 22, 1925. 1,554,693

Filed Aug. 23, 1924 Tf@ .JHeq zfids,

v BY WMZ( ATT NEY.

Patented Sept. 22, 1925.

UNITED STATES OSCAR FINLEY TALLMAN, WILLIAM PAUL KIMBROUGI'I, AND LOUIS JAMES REYNOLDS,

?TENT OFFICE.

0F SHERMAN, TEXAS.

TIMER FOR IGNITION SYSTEMS.

Application filed August 23, 1924. Serial No. 733,825.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, OSCAR FINLEY TALL- MAN, YVILLIAM PAUL KIMBROUGH, and Lonis JAMns REYNOLDS, citizens of the United States, residing at Sherman, in the county of Grayson and State of Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Timers for Ignition Systems, of which the `following is a specification.

This invention relates to timers for ignition systems of internal combustion engines, and particularly to timers of that type embodying a rotary member carrying a springpressed brush adapted for engagement with spaced contacts carried by a ring of insulated material mounted within the timer casing or shell.

One object of our invention is to provide a timer having a novel construction of pressure spring for the brush, which spring is of considerable length and devoid of angles or interlocking connections in its movable parts liable to cause rapid fracture from crystallization or other causes, and which spring has a self-locking connection with the rotor collar, thereby dispensing' with the use of auxiliary fasteners, the construction of the spring further ensuring its free movements at all times.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and simple construction of rotor for supporting and guiding the brush and spring, and which serves to positively guide the brush in its movements and hold the spring from displacement, and which will effectually prevent the brush or spring from becoming clogged with grease to any such extent as to interfere with their movements.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a construction of spring which will permit of the use of a comparatively long brush block of copper, ensuring better electrical engagement with the fixed contacts, avoiding the necessity of using a steel brush or an excessive amount of lubricant, liable to cause pitting and carbonization of the parts and imperfect engagement between the brush and stationary contacts.

lVith these and other objects in view, theinvention consists of the features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter 'fully described and claimed, reference being had to thel accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of our improved timer looking toward the outer side thereof and with the cap or cover removed.

Figure 2 is a central vertical section taken through the device on a line at right angles to its axis.

Figure 3 is a central section through the device taken parallel with its axis on the line 3 3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a detail section on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, 1 designates the end plate of the timing gear box of a timer of the character described, 2 the rotary timer shaft, 3 the timer casing or shell detachably connected with the plate 1, 4 a removable cap or cover normally closing the open side of the shell, and 5 a spring or like fastener for holding the cap 4 in position, the same being secured to a post 6 projecting from the head 1. The shell 8 is provided as usual with an internal lining or ring 7 of insulating material in which are embedded the spaced stationary contacts 8 of the ignition mechanism.

A rotor 9 of novel form is provided in acordance with our invention to carry the timer brush 10. This rotor 9 is formed of a single casting and comprises a hub or sleeve 11 carrying at its inner side a circular flange 12 giving a proper bearing and balancing action in the rotation of said rotor. A second flange or wall 13 is arranged outside this flange 12 in spaced relation thereto and to the outer end of the sleeve 11 and is connected with the flange 12 by spaced transverse walls 14, the flange 13 and Walls 14 forming with a component part of the flange 12 a radial guide chamber or guideway 15 to receive the brush 10 and hold it from displacement.

The brush 10 comprises an oblong rectangular solid block, of like form at each end, whereby it may be reversed, end for end, if desired in the event that one end should become improperly worn and it is desired to present a new surface for action. This block has its sides formed to slide between the flanges 14, its inner edge sliding in engagement with a groove 16 in the fla-nge 12 and its outer edge sliding in contact with the flange or Wall 13, whereby an accurate guide motion of the block is ensured. The walls 14 are of comparatively short radial depth and positioned adjacent to the outer peripheries ot the flanges 12 and 13, thus providing a transverse opening 17 extending completely through the guideway between the walls 141 and the sleeve 11.

A pressure spring 18 is provided tor toreing the brush 10 outwardly into contact with the surface ot the insulating ring 7' and the stationary contacts 8i This spring is ot' novel form and made ot flat spring metal, the inner portion ot the spring being` bent to provide a circular coilv 19 surrounding the sleeve 11, andA the outer portion ot' the coil being shaped to produce an incomplete spiral coilA 20. The coil 19 closely embraces the sleeve 11 and the inner end of the spring forming one terminal ot this coil is provided witlr an inbent tongue 21 to engage a groove or recess 2:2 inA the sleeve, whereby through the contractile energy oli the coil 2O and locking engagement ot' the tongue 21 with the groove 22, the spring is .tired to the sleeve 11 in a secure manner without the use ot auxiliary fastenings. The opposite end 23. of the spring 18, forming the terminal of the coil 20, extends through the slot 17 and bears against the inner end of the brush 10, the coilI 2O thus acting a pressure coil, the end 23 of which is movable in said slot, for pressing the brush outwardly into contact with the surface oit the ring 7 and the contacts 8 'for proper operation of the rotor for a timing act-ion in the working of the device.

The operation ot the device willbereadily understood 'from the foregoing description, taken in connection with the d 'awing, by those versed in the art, and it will be seen that a timer brush construction is provided consisting oit only. three simple and rugged elements, to wit, the rotor with. integral parts, the brush block and a :flat coiled spring acting on the block. Dueto the construction of'this rotor and 'torni ot the spring employed, a spring having an acting portion movable through a wide range ot surface motion is produced and means provided whereby the working portion ot' the spring is rendered devoid olf angles or interlocking` connections liable to cause rapid crystallization, breakage or impairment olf the working action of the spring. The describedconstruction ot' the spring further provides for its application to the rotor without the use of auxiliary iastenings, and owing to the torm of the working portion 20 ot the spring, and its wide range of motion, it is not liable to be clogged by grease, so that a proper working action ot the brush is at all times ensured. This spring also Ienables a.

brush formed ot' a solid block ot copper to be used, and which is of considerable wearing length, ensuring long life and better electrical conductivity and, as the wearing action ot such metal on the insulating ring 7 and contacts 8 is much less than that ot steel or other hard metal, the necessity ot treqnently replacing the timer shellv or casing is avoided. The use of a copper brush also allows the contact surfaces to keep clean and dry, as the necessity for oil or other lubricant is avoided. or reduced to the very minimum, avoiding pitting, crystallization and other objections causing imperfect tiring incident to the use ot oil or grease tor lubricating purposes. Therefore, as the contact suri'aces will always keep dry and clean, the hotter spark will be furnished, making the car start easier and run better and smoother.

Another advantage is that when it becomes necessary to renew the contact brush all that is required is to remove the timer case, liit out the contact brush, insert a new one, and replace the timer case, it not beingl necessary to remove the brush holder or rotor, whereby considerable time and labor is saved over timers ot' ordinary construction. Having thus lully described our invention, we claim ln a timer, a rotary shaft, a disk lixed to the shai't and having a central sleeve projecting laterally from its outer tace and embracing the shaft, a` radial guideway carried by the sleeve and shaft, said guideway in cluding an inner wall formed by a radially recessed portion oft' the body ot the disk, an outer wall extending radially 'trom the disk parallel with. said inner wall, and' opposite transverse walls connecting said inner and outer walls outwardly beyond the trans verse center of the gui'deway, said guideway being open at its sides between the inner edges oi said transverse walls and the periphery o'l` the sleeve, the said sleeve being provided with a notch in a side thereo'l at right angles to the guidewaya brush movable in said guideway, and a hat metal spring having a substantially circular inner portion embracing the sleeve andy a spiral outer portion lyingy beyond the sleeve, one end of said spring constituting a terminal of said circular portion extending into and lhaving' an interlocking engagement with said notch, and the other end oit' said spring constituting a tree terminal ot said spiral portion, said tree end terminal being arranged to bear uponthe inner end o'l the brush and extending across the guideway and through the open sides thereor' and itreely movable in two directions, both longitudinally and transversely of said gnideway.

In testimony whereotl we aiflix our signatures.

@SCAR FINLEY TALLMAN. VILLIAM PAUL KIMBROUGH. LOUIS JAMES REYNOLDS.

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