US1996173A - Time controlled switch - Google Patents

Description

April 2, 1935. M H RHODES TIME CONTROLLED SWITCH Filed May 29. 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet mww@ uw awww Q w April 2, 1935. M HI RHODES 1,996,173

TIME CONTROLLLD SWITCH Filed May 29, 1933 4 SheelS-ilae3t. i)

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April 2, 1935 M. H. RHODES 1,996,173

I TIME CONTROLLEDl SWITCH Filed May 29, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 n 'April 2, 1935. Ml H RHODES A 1,996,173

TIME CONTTOLLED SWITCH Filed May 29, 19'33 4 sheets-sheet 4 FIG. I3.

Patented Apr. 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE M. '11. Rhodes, Inc., tion of Delaware Hartford, Conn., a corpora- Application May 29, 1933, Serial N0. 673,422

8Claima.

This invention relates to time-controlled electrical switches, and with regard to certain more speciilc features, to time-controlled electrical switches adapted for coin-controlled operation.

Among the several objects oi' the invention may be noted the provision oi means for operating a time-controlled switch of the type shown in my copending application, Serial No. 578,596, now Patent No.'1,951,490, dated March 20, 1934, and 1n the like, with a coin receiving and selecting mechanism, so that, for a coin oi a predetermined denomination, the ow of electric current may be had for a predetermined time interval; the provision oi a switch of the class described which is 15 operable both to initiate the flow of current and to predetermine the time interval during which current will iiow by a simple longitudinal movement of a single manually operable means; a switch of the class described which does not func- 20 tion to initiate current ilow until after the inserted coin has been delivered into a coin-receiving receptacle, so that momentary insertion of the coin and manipulation oi' the device throughout less than its full range, to avoid discharging the coin, is unaccompanied by the initiation oi' current iiow; and the provision of a switch of the class described which is relatively simple in construction and operation. Other objects will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangements ot parts which will be exempliiied in the structures hereinafter described, and the scope oi the application of 35 which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which is illustrated one oi' various possible embodiments of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation the present invention;

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the switch of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken along line I-I o! Fig. 2, and illustrating a normal position oi' certain coin selecting elements;

Fig. 4 is a section similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the manner in which motion is intercepted when no coin hasbeen inserted in the device;

Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the manner in which motion is permitted i! a coin of proper denomination has been inserted;

Fig. 6 is a section similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the operation of a certain slug-detecting device;

Fig. 7 is a. section similar to Fig. 3, illustrating the discharge oi' a coin of the proper denomination from the device;

oi a switch embodying 40 (c1. zoo- 39) Fig. 8 is a longitudinal section taken along line 8-8 oi' Fig. 2, and illustrating the time switch operating means oi' the present invention in their normal position;

Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 8, but showing the operating means in an extended position;

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 8, but showing the operating means in the course o! their return from the extended position oi Fig. 9 to the normal position oi Fig. 8;

Fig. 11 is a section taken along line II-II ci Fig. 2, illustrating certain mechanical switching means in their normal position;

Fig. l2 is a longitudinal section taken along line IZ-il o! Fig. of certain switch operating means at the stage of operation corresponding to Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a section similar to Fig. 12, but showing the means at the stage of operation corresponding to Fig. 9;

Fig. 14 is a section similar to Fig. 12, but showing the means at a stage oi operation generally corresponding to Fig. 10; and,

Fig. 15 is an ideal section oi a timing tmin used in the switch of the present invention.

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views oi.' the drawings.

The present invention comprises, generally speaking, a combination ot a coin selecting and operating mechanism, and a time-controlled switch per se, with elements whereby the normal movement of the coin operating mechanism are eilective to operate the time-.controlled switch in the desired manner. No claim is made herein to the coin operating mechanism per se, as this comprises a type which may be procured on the open market, nor is any claim made in this application to the construction of the time-controlled switch per se, such being claimed in my copending application, Serial No. 578,596, iled December 2, 1931, now Patent No. 1,951,490, dated March 20, 1934. However, in order to make clear the operating characteristics oi' the combination as a` combination, the coin operating mechanism and the time-controlled switch will be described separately in as brief a manner as is compatible with the objects of the present invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral I indicates a face plate which is provided with screw receiving holes 3 i'or receiving screws to mount the device, as is customary, upon a panel or the like. Extending through the plate I is a track 5, in which slides a slide member 1. The slide member 1 is secured in position in the 2, and illustrating the position' track immediately beneath the hole i3, for convenience in inserting the coin.

Mounted on the upper edges of track 5 immediately behind the plate is a plate Il, upon which are mounted three detent members I9, 2 l, and 23.

Detent i9 rotates in a vertical plane in line with the center of the slide 'l upon a pin 25. Detente 2l and 23 are alike, but located on opposite sides of detent i9, and are suitably pivoted (to rotate in a vertical plane as well) upon projections 2l struck from the plate il. A leaf spring 29, mounted on the plate Il by a screw 3|, has two ngers 33 which bear one upon the upper edge of each of the detents 2| and 2,3, urging them always downwardly. The under side of the track 5 is solid beneath the detents.

Progressing rearwardly from the detents, the next means mounted upon the track 5 comprises an ordinarfhorseshoe magnet 35, the magnetic polesof which are centrally placed above the midline of the slide l. The mounting for .the

,magnet 35 comprises a clamping bar 37 and a screw 39, the screw d@ passing through a long slot All in the center of the slide l. A collar 4,3 on the screw 39 spaces the magnet from the track 5. Also mounted by the screw 39 is a bar 55, which is above the level ci the slide l but under the magnet 35. .K

The slide l continues rearwardly, for switch operating purposes to ,be described.

Beneath the poles of magnet 35, a hole il is provided in the under side of track 5, said hole being of large enough diameter to passthe designated coin. The bar E5 extends to a point somewhat ahead of the center of the hole il?.

The operation oi this coin operating mechanism :le as follows:

When a suitable coin is inserted in the hole i3 of slide and said slide is pushed into the track 5 (to the left in the drawings), said slide is perinitted to move all of the way back until the hole i3 is positioned above the hole d? in the track 5, whereupon said coin falls out through the hole lli into the receptacle provided (see Figs. 5 and 7 This is called the retracted position of the slide. The original position ci the slide, in distinction. may be termed the extended position of l said slide.'

Ii no coin is placed in the hole i3, the slide l cannot be pushed back all of the way, but only until the hole i3 comes beneath the detents I9, 2l and 223, for, as illustrated in Fig. 4, if there is no coin in hole ill, the detents i9, 2l and 23 all 'fall into said hole and act as positive bars against further movement of the slide.

li a magnetic metal slug (slugs are usually made oi iron) is inserted in the hole i3 in place or a legitimate coin, such slug passes the detents i9, l and but when it comes beneath the magnet it is lifted as shown in Fig. 6, and its edge is brought to bear against the bar 15, and iur- 'ther progress of the slide 'i is impeded.

From the above, it will be seen that the coin operating mechanism, from a functional standpoint, comprises means for permitting the slide 'l 'to move through a certain maximum longitudinal 'copending application, the switch is not adapted tc be directly operated by a simple longitudinal motion alone. are made in the present invention, the signicance of which will appear hereinafter.

Broadly considered, the switch comprises mechanical switching means operated by a toggle f handle, and a time-delay mechanism which interposes itself, when desired, to prevent functioning of the switch until the expiration of predeter- Accordingly, certain adaptations mined time intervals, the time intervals being adjustably predetermined by a rotatable adjusting disc.

The construction of the mechanical switching means will be apparent from Fig. l1. Numeral 5, as heretofore, indicates an extension of the track, although the turned-over portions 9 are now disposed of. Beneath a slot 49 in the extension 5 is supported, by rivets or the like 5|, a plate 53, upon which the switch as a whole is mounted. The plate 53 has a slot 55 therein, through which a control handle 51 projects. The under side of plate 53 is provided with perpendicular edge extensions 6|. To the 'far extension 6| is secured a contact board or panel 63, which is thus positioned at right angles to the track extension 5. To a similar extension 6| on' the other side of strip 59 is secured a plate 65 (see Fig. 15), which is thus maintained parallel to the panel 63. A pinl 6l is"\mounted between the extensions 6|,

and serves as the axis upon which the handle 5l rotates. Also mounted on the pin 61 is a swingable hammer saddle member 69 and a member 1| the saddle being rotatable with respect to the handle 5l while the member 1| is fixed with respect to said handle. The saddle 65 and the member 'll are provided with noses 13 and 15, re-

spectively, between which is supported a compression spring Tl. The arrangement between the handle 5l, hammer saddle 69, member ll, and spring ll is such that an overcentering motion is had when the handle 5l is manipulated. That is, when the handle 51,-as it appears in Fig. l1,

is rotated to the right, no motion of the hammer saddle 69 takes place until the noses 13 and l5v are in line radially to the pin 61, but as soon as such line is passed, the accumulated force in the compressionvspring I1 throws the hammer saddle 59 sharply to the right, to the full extent of its movement as limited by a stop 19 struck from the The panel 65 is preferably formed of insulating material, suchas ilber. "On it is mounted a pin lll, which is located substantially directly beneath the pin 5l.` On the pin 80 rotates a contacter Cdl bar assembly, which comprises a spring contacter piece which is secured to a circular anvil piece lhaving a notch cut therein. The notch $5 ing posts 95 and 91, respectively, and knife-edge extensions 99 and 0|, respectively. r'Ihe binding posts 95 and 91 constitute the means for making exterior connections to the switch. The

knife-edge extensions 99 and |0| are in positionv to be engaged and disengaged by the contactar arm I1 when the contactor assembly is rotated. By reason of the engagement of the lower end of hammer saddle 99 with the notch 95 in anvil piece 83, rotation of the contactor assembly is had in a quick, forcible manner when the handle l1 is oscillated. Thus, contacts are made and broken in a snapping manner, which avoids the formation of arcs and sparks which deteriorate the terminals and contacting elements.

The time-delay mechanism kis mounted between plate 95 and a similar plate |03 which is supported on plate by means of screws |05, as spaced by collars |01 (see Fig. 15). It cornprises, primarily, a main shaft |09, to which is aiiixed, on the outside of the plate |03, an adjusting dial or ratchet wheel I. Between the plates 95 and |03 are mounted on the main shaft |99 a mainspring ||3 (the other end of which is anchored to the plate |03 as indicated at numeral Hl), a main spring cover plate ||1, aspacing collar ||9, a main gear |2| (which is rotatable on the shaft |09), a clutch disc |23 (which is xed on the shaft |09) and a spacing washer |25. Engaging the main gear |2| is a gear train |21 terminated by an escapement mechanism |23. The construction of this train and escapement is of no consequence to the present invention, and vmay be had by reference to my said copending application. Theclutch disc 23 comprises a spider made of spring metal,

which has a plurality of radial fingers arranged to bear upon the surface of main gear |2I. One of the fingers is provided with an upturned projection |3|, which serves purposes to be described hereinafter. 'Ihe clutch arrangement is such that when the wheel is manually rotated (thus rotating the main shaft |09 to wind the main spring ||3), the gear |2| is permitted to remain unmoved, but when the device is running down under the power of the main spring, the gear |2| is held non-rotatable with respect to the shaft |09, and thus, to run down," the main spring must drive the gear train |21 and escapement mechanism |29, whereby the running down may take place only in a slow, timed manner. It will be obvious that the length of time required for the device to run down after its initial winding is proportional to the angle through which the wheel has been rotated in winding. This angle is expressed by the angular rotation of the projection |3| on the clutch disc |23.

Numeral |33 (Fig. 12) indicates a latch lever that is rotatably mounted on a-pln |35 thatls in turn supported between plates 35 'and |03. A spring |31 always urges the lever |33 into its uppermost position. The lever |33 is provided with an upper cam edge |39, and a projection fili which extends at right angles from the plane of the lever through a slot |43 in the plate II.

The lever |33 is so positioned that the projection lil on the clutch disc |23 engages the cam edge |39 when said timing mechanism is in its run down position, and thus depresses the lever |33 against the action of the spring |31. When the lever |33 is in its upper position, the projection |4| is in positionvto intercept the motion of the hammer saddle 99, but when said lever is in its lower position. as when the timing mechanism is run down, said projection III clears the hammer saddle 99 and allows it to swing freely. It is through the projection III that the time control of the switching means is secured.

'Ihe operation of the time-controlled switch is as follows: Assume, initially, that the elements are in the positions indicated in Figs. 1l and 12, this being the normal position of the switch. 'lhe timing mechanism is run down, and hence the lever |33 is depreed and the projection `|4| is not in the way of the hammer saddle 99. The control handle 51 is now manipulated to its other position.V This action, as has been described, causes the hammer saddle 69 to swing sharply to its other position and move the electrical elements into connected or on position, as indicated in Fig. 13. The time-delay 4feature is now brought into play by rotating the wheel With a few degrees rotation, the latch lever is permitted to move upwardly and the projection |4| moves into position to intercept the movement of the hammer saddle I9. Subsequent rotation of the wheel merely increases the time interval before the latch will be returned to non-interfering position. After the wheel has been set at the desired interval, the handle l1 is again manipulated as if to turn oifthe switch. The handle 51 itself moves to its oil' position, but because of the projection |4|, the hammer saddle 99 cannot follow the handle 51, but instead remains in on position, as shown in Fig. 14; the compression spring 11 however, is

,- cocked to return the hammer saddle 99 to off position as soon as the projection |l| is removed.

Thus. the switch remains on although the control handle has been thrown to oif position.

At the expiration of the set time interval, the projection |3| engages the cam edge |39 to force the lever |33, and hence the projection Hi, into its lower position, and thus to permit the hammer saddle 99, under the power of the compression spring 11, to snap sharply to oil position and rotate the contactor assembly into disconnecting position. Thus, after the predetermined time interval, the switch automatically turns' off, and lis ready for another cycle of operations.

- Analyzing the manual movements incidental to the above cycle of operations with respect to the coin control mechanism, it will be seen that the following is the sequence: First, the control handle is pushed back from its frontward to its rearward position. Then, the wheel is rotated forwardly to set the desired time interval. FinalLv, the control handle is returned from its backward to its frontward position.

The elements for accomplishing this sequence of operations merely through the longitudinal motion of the slide member 1 are as follows:

First, with respect to the movement of the handle |51: This is accomplished by extending the slide back the full length of the track 5, and providing a slot I in said slide, through which the handle 01 projects. Now, when the slide is pushed backward, the front edge |45 of the slot I engages and pushes the handle backwardly (see Fig. 13). When the slide 1 is again pulled forward, the rear edge |41 of the slot |43 engages and returns the handle 51 to its original position (see Fig. 14).

The mechanism for controlling and moving the ratchet wheel I I is slightly more complicated. Mounted on the pin 61 exteriorly of the Wheel and in a freely rotating manner, is a lever |49 (Fig. 1). At its upper end, the lever |49 is provided with an inwardly turned projection I 5| and an upstanding projection |53. To the projection |53 is pivoted, on a pin |55, a pawl member |51, which comprises a tooth |59 and a cam extension |6I. The pawl is in the plane of the wheel and the tooth |59 is disposed to engage the teeth of said wheel. The pawl is limited in its rotation by engagement with the projection |5| from lever |49. On the slide 1 are provided two spaced upstanding pins |63 and |65 (see also Fig. 2), which are positioned to engage the projection I5| from lever |49. The operation of this mechanism is as follows: The normal position of the elements is that illustrated in Fig. 8, corresponding to Fig. l. The cam extension IGI rests upon the track extension 5, thus lifting the tooth |59 from engagement with the wheel so that said wheel is permitted freely to move, as in running down of the time-delay mechanism. Now, when the slide 1 is pushed back to its retracted position the forward pin |63 on the slide 1 engages the projection |5| and thus rotates the lever |49, and hence the pawl |51, to the right, and into the Fig. 9 position. The wheel I is not moved during this operation, as the tooth |59 engages the teeth of wheel only on forward rotation. At the end of the backward motion of the slide 1, however, the weight of the cam extension |6| rotates the pawl |51 so that the tooth |59 is engaged with one of the teeth of the wheel I, as shown. If the slide 1 now be pulled forwardly, the rearward pin |65 engages the projection |5| to rotate the lever |49, and since the tooth |59 remains in engagement with the wheel III, said wheel is'rotated in a winding direction, thus empowering the time-delay mechanism. The winding continues until the cam extension IBI again comes. into contact with the track extension 5 to lift the pawl |51 from engagement with the wheel I II. The position of the elements at the moment that the pawl is being lifted out of engagement with the wheel is shown in Fig. 10. When the slide has been pulled forward to its fully extended position, the position of the element is again that shown in Fig. 8, in which position the wheel III is free of any engagement with the pawl |51 and is thus permitted freely to return to its run down position, with the action of the time-delay mechanism.

Thus is the control of the two parts of the timecontrolled switch achieved by a single backward and forward motion of the slide 1, when such motion is permitted by the insertion of a coin of proper denomination, as hereinbefore indicated. It will be noted that, under ordinary circumstances, therefore, the circuit is completed when the coin has been inserted and the slide 1 pushed all of the way in. Now, if the elements were only those thus far described, it would be possible to cheat the device by leaving the slide 1 in its pushed in position, and thus never starting the time-delayed turning olf into operation. To prevent this, the following procedure is adopted:

Referring again to Figs. 1 and 2, numeral |61 indicates an auxiliary toggle switch of customary design, which is supported on a bracket |69 mounted on the track extension 5. The switch |61 has a handle |1| which moves in the plane of the slide 1. The switch |61 is connected in series with the main time-controlled switch, so that the effective terminals of the device as a Whole constitute one terminal of the main switch and one terminal of the auxiliary switch. Mounted on the slide 1 is a retractable detent |13, which is normally pressed outwardly from its casing |15 by a compression spring i11. The detent |13 is positioned to engage the handle |1| of switch |61.

When the slide 1 is pushed backwardly from its Fig. 2 position, the detent |13 engages the switch handle IlI to throw said switch oi. Subsequently, the operations are performed which turn the auxiliary switch to on position. In so' pulling the slide forward, the time-delay oi feature of the time-controlled switch is set into opration, and thus the diiliculty above noted is obviated.

The directions to the user of the switch should instruct that a suitable coin be placed in the slide 1, the slide 1 pushed in as far as it will go, and then pulled back out as far as it will come; these instructions, if followed, will result in the flow of current for a length of time predetermined according to the circumstances.

If it is desired to have the switch on for periods longer than that originally provided for, this may be done by repeating the operations with a second coin at once; this will operate to rotate the wheel I|| a further increment away from normal position, and increase the time purchased accordingly. 'I'his use of additional coins may be followed until the limit of rotation of the wheel I I is achieved, and thereafter the current will flow constantly until all of the purchased intervals have elapsed. Thus, if a nickel purchases two minutes of current iiow, two nickels will purchase four minutes, three nickels will purchase six minutes, and so on.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in carrying out the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

l. In combination, a time-controlled switch comprising mechanical switching elements having a handle for operating the. same, and a timedelay mechanism cooperating with said switch-V ing elements to effect delayed operation thereof subsequent to the manipulation of said handle, and a rotatable means for adjustably predetermining the extent of said delay, and means for operating both said handle and said rotatable means, said operating means moving back and forth in one direction only.

2. In combination, a time-controlled switch comprising mechanical switching elements having a handle for operating the same, and a timedelay mechanism cooperating with said switching elements to effect delayed operation thereof nally movable means operative when moved to a' subsequent to the manipulation oi said handle. and a rotatable means for adiustably predetermining the extent of said delay, and longitudinally movable means for operating both said handle and said rotatable means, movement of said longitudinal movable means being restricted to said longitudinal movement alone.

3. In combination, a time-controlled switch comprising mechanical switching elements having a handle for operating the same, and a timedelay mechanism cooperating with said switching elements to effect delayed operation thereof subsequent to the manipulation oi.' said handle, and a rotatable means for adjustably predetermining the extent of said delay, and longitudiretracted' position to manipulate said handle to throw said switching means to on position, and when moved back to an extended position, to manipulate said handle to throw said switching means to of! position, and means associated with said longitudinally movable means adapted, simultaneously with its handle-manipulating movement, to manipulate said rotatable means to lcondition said time-delay mechanism to defer return of said switching means to oil' position for a predetermined time interval.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3, in which the last-named means includes a pawl engageable with said rotatable means, and means on said longitudinally moving means for actuating said pawl to rotate said rotatable means upon movement oi said longitudinally movable means from its retracted to its extended position.

5. The combination as set forth in claim 3, in which the last-named means includes a pawl engageable with said rotatable means, and means on said longitudinally moving means for actuating said pawl to rotate said rotatable means upon movement of said longitudinally movable means from its retracted to its extended position, and comming means associated with said longitudinally movable means tor removing said pawl from operative engagement with said rotatable means when said longitudinally movable means is in its fully extended position.

6. In combination, a time-controlled switch having a handle reciprocable in a given plane, and rotatable means tor setting the time delay mounted in a plane parallel to that of the movement, of the handle, a longitudinally movable plate, means mounting said plate for movement in a plane perpendicular to the planes oi' said handle and said rotatable means, said plate having means thereon engaging said handle and said rotatable means whereby, upon reciprooation of said plate in its own plane, said handle is reciprocated and said rotatable means is simultaneously actuated to a time-delay setting.

MARCUS H. RHODES.

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