US2045251A

US2045251A - Time controlled preselector switching mechanism

Info

Publication number: US2045251A
Application number: US539309A
Authority: US
Inventors: Raber Joseph
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1931-05-22
Filing date: 1931-05-22
Publication date: 1936-06-23
Anticipated expiration: 1953-06-23

Description

-J. RABER 2,045,251

TIME CONTROLLED'PRESELECTOR SWITCHING MECHANISM June 23, 1936. 4

Filed May 22, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Joseph R. a b e T;

Y v J o Lbm, A ms ATTORNm June 23,1936. J, RABER 2,045,251

TIME CONTROLLED PRESELECTOR SWITCHING MECHANISM Filed May 22, 1931 -2 Shuts-"Sheet? I: Q II I IN VEN TOR.

54 as Joseph Raber;

" BYW w /s ATTORNEY.

Patented June 23, 1936 UNI-TED STATES PATEN TIME CONTROLLED PRESELECTOR SWITGH- ING MECHANISM Joseph Raber, Haddonfield, N. .92, assignor, by mesne assignments, to Radio Corporation of America, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 22, 1931, Serial No. 539,309

19 Claims. ((31. 250-20) A switching mechanism of this character is adapted to control automatic electrical apparatus and, in its present preferred embodiment, is particularly applicable to the control of radio receiving apparatus and the like, having an electrically operated tuning control system of the preselected channel type.

A tuning control system of the character above referred to may include a reversible electric motor connected with the tuning element of the receiving apparatus or the like and a plurality of operating circuits with which may be connected a selector switching or control means. In connection with such tuning systems for automatic control or tuning at preselected hours, a time controlled preselector switching means is desirable and necessary, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved time controlled preselector switching means or mechanism of that character which is of simple, compact construction adapted for easy adjustment for convenient intervals of time, and adapted to control a plurality of preselected circuits.

It is a further object of the present inventionto provide time controlled switching mechanism of the character above described, which provides for the operation of removable indicating clock mechanism in connection with it, the clock mechanism and the selector mechanism being arranged to be operated from a common driving source.

The invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in perspective showing time controlled preselector switching, mechanism embodying the invention, with certain exterior portions of the mechanism broken away to more clearly illustrate the interior construction; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 and including visual indicating clock mechanism: Fig. 3 is aside elevation in crcss section of the mechanism shown in Fig. 2, all of said figures being on the same scale; and Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of an electrical preselector tuning system for a radio receiving apparatus, showing circuit connections with the various elements of the switching mechanism as applied to said control circuit.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a cylindrical member or drum 6 is provided with a central axially extending hub 1 upon which it rotates about a fixed and preferably horizontal spindle or pivot pin 8 mounted in and secured to a suitable pedestal member or supporting frame 9.

Mounted upon the frame 9 is an electric driving motor llLpreferably of the alternating current synchronous type, having a suitable reduction gear box H in connection therewith from which projects the motor driving pinion l2. Be- 10 tweenthe drum and the pinion I2 is connected 9. suitable gearing having a reduction ratio between the pinion l2 of the motor l0 and the drum 6, such that with the motor operating at synchronous speed, the drum will be caused to rotate one revolution in a certain predetermined time, such for example, as twenty-four hours, representing one day.

In the present example, the reduction gearing includes a ring gear l3 provided on the drum at the rear end thereof, a pinion l4 meshing with the ring gear and mounted on a common shaft IS with a spur gear IS. The latter in turn meshes with a pinion l'l carried on the same shaft l8 with a second spur gear IS. The gear l9 meshes with a pinion mounted on a shaft 2| with a third spur gear 22 which is arranged to mesh with the motor pinion l2. It will thus be seen that the driving force from the motor is applied through three successive reductions through shafts l5, l8 and 2|, all of which are arranged in parallel relation to each other and supported by the pedestal or frame 9.

The shafts i5 and I8 are-arranged to extend through the frame and are journalled therein. The shafts l8 and 2| are also arranged to be movable axially in their journal bearings in the frame, shaft I 8 being movable to carry the spur gear IS, with it thereby to move shaft 2| and spur gear 22 out of mesh with the pinion I 2 on the motor, against the action of a compression spring 23 arranged as indicated in Fig. 1, to apply a restoring force to the pinion 20 and hence to the spur gears 19 and 22 whereby the latter is normally maintained in mesh with the pinion l2. 4

The shaft l8 is'provided with a knurled thumb wheel 24 which by retracting the shaft l8 and the gear l9, permits the gearing'to be disconnected from the driving motor and the drum 6 to be rotated by rotation of the thumb wheel 24,

to adjust the drum to any desired position as will hereafter appear. The releasable clutch means provided by the sliding shaft l8 and gear l9 is necessary in connection with a driving motor of the type described, for the reason that the high reduction gear ratio provided in the gear box H ordinarily prevents operation of the motor by mechanically driving it through its driving pinion l2. Hence, under such conditions, the motor is substantially locked except when current is applied to it to operate it.

A plurality of switching contacts providing a multi-contact switch 25 are mounted on the pedestal or frame 9. The contacts of the switch 25 are arranged to be actuated through the medium of a plurality of resilient spring fingers 26, one for each set of contacts which it is desired to actuate in the switch 25. The spring fingers 26 are arranged in parallel relation to each other close to the peripheral surface of the drum 5, substantially in tangential relation thereto, whereby, as the drum is rotated by the operation of the motor means ID, the fingers are moved to operate the switch contacts by projecting cam members or keys 21 carried on the periphery of the drum.

The operating keys or cam members are carried in parallel slots 28 extending longitudinally across the peripheral surface of the drum and dividing it into equal segments whereby the keys are equally spaced with respect to each other around the periphery of the drum. In the present example, the slots are spaced around the periphery of the drum to divide the latter into segments representing fifteen minute intervals over a period of twenty-four hours. There are, therefore, 96 cam members.

As will be noted in Figs. 1 and 2, even hours are indicated by numerals placed upon the front or dial face 29 of the drum, although any other suitable designation may be employed. In any case, the diameter of the drum is such that the keys are suitably spaced apart about the periphery of the drum so that but one cam member may engage to operate the switch mechanism, and it is obvious that the diameter of the drum will vary with a different number of cam members or keys.

' It will be seen that the slots in the peripheral surface of the drum extend at a right angle to the actuating fingers or operating elements 26 for the switch 25. The operating keys 21 are of thin sheet material, having body portions 30 which lie in the slots 28 and are provided with operating handles 3| by which they may be moved along the slots. Movement of each key along the slot is permitted between stops provided by an annular shoulder 32 integral with the surface of the drum, and the ring gear I 3 at the rear end of the drum. Since the shoulder 32 is also slotted, the keys are laid into the slots and secured therein by an annular member such as a spring wire 33 which fits into a groove in the shoulder 32 substantially as indicated in Figs. 1 and 3. It will be seen that the arrangement is such that a shoulder 34 formed on the top of each cam member or key is arranged to engage the wire as a stop means at one extreme position with the said finger or cam member at one end of the slot, and the cam member or key engages the ring gear l3 at the opposite extreme end of the slot as a stop means. v

The radially inner edges of the operating keys 21 are provided with notches 35 which engage spring fingers 36 mounted within the hollow interior of the drum, to act as detent means for permitting the keys to be moved to predetermined positions along the slots. The detent means act upon the operating keys 21 through an annular opening 31 provided between the hollow interior of the drum and the bottom of each of the slots 28.

The positions in which the detent means hold the operating keys 21 are, in the present example,

those positions in which they lie or move in the plane of one of the spring fingers 26 or actuating means for the switch 25 as the drum 6 rotates. With this arrangement it will be seen that any one of the operating keys 21 may be brought into a plane of operation to actuate any one of the several operating fingers 26, thereby selectively to actuate certain of the contacts of the switch 25.

In the present example and as a preferred arrangement for use in connection with control circuits for the automatic time control of the tuning of a radio receiver, the switch 25 includes a series of sets of triple open circuit contacts indicated in Figs. 1 and 3 at 38, 39, 40, 4|, 42, 43, and 44, which sets of contacts, except that indicated at 44, includes three open circuit contact members. For example, the set of contacts 38 includes an upper open circuit spring contact member bearing the same reference numeral, an intermediate spring contact member 38a and a lower spring contact member 381). For the sake of clarity in explaining the drawings, corresponding reference numerals are not applied to the remaining sets of contacts except in the case of switch contacts 44 which includes as a single lower contact member 441).

As indicated in Fig. 3, the spring contacts are normally in the'open position and are caused to be closed by operation of a cam member 21 engaging an operating finger 26 and causing the latter to close the contact members, for example, 38b and 38a, against the upper contact member 38, substantially as indicated in Fig. 3.

It is obvious that any other suitable arrangement of contacts may be provided for other purposes. However, the arrangement should be such that selected groups of contacts in the switch may be closed by operation of the cam members or keys carried by the rotating drum. In the present example, seven sets of contacts are provided for purposes which will hereafter appear in connection with the application of the switch mechanism to a specific remote tuning control circuit, as shown in Fig. 4 and hereinafter referred to.

It will be noted that the switch 25 is arranged in such a manner that with the cam members or keys moved in slots to the extreme inner position against the stop means provided by the rirg gear l3, rotation of the drum will carry the cam members in a free path or plane whereby the switch will not be actuated by them. In other words, a position is provided for the cam members to which they may be moved to render them inoperative to actuate the switch without removing them from the drum.

Mounted on the rear of the frame is a plate 45 on which is mounted a switch 46 having a pair of contacts 41 arranged to be closed at certain predetermined time intervals independently of the control of switch 25 by the cam members 21. In the present example, the switch contacts 41 are arranged to be closed at definite time intervals corresponding to the time required for the drum to move the distance between one cam or key and the next successive cam or key. This is taken in the present mechanism as fifteen minutes, corresponding to the time intervals between the cams or keys, although it is obvious that any other time interval may be provided. For this purpose a spring actuated lever arm 48 is mounted on the plate in connection with the switch 45 to operate it in response to rotation of the shaft ill. The lever arm 48 is caused by action of a spring 49 to engage at one end a cam 50 mounted upon the shaft I8 between the thumb wheel 24 and the pinion H. The cam 50 is provided with a cam surface or notch 5| into which, at each revolution of the cam, the arm drops under action of. the spring 49 to actuate the switch 46. In the present example, the lever arm operates the switch to close the contacts 41, although it is obvious that the switch may be arranged to be opened in a similar manner and that a plurality of contacts therein may be employed.

The cam 50 is locked in step with the tuning drum 6 and rotates with it in a definite relation. By proper design of the reduction gearing ratio provided in connection with shaft I 8, for each fifteen minute interval as determined by the operation of'the synchronous electric motor III, the drum will move through the space between two of the cam members while the cam 50 rotates through one full revolution measured from the time the lever 48 first enters the notch 5| in the cam and closes the switch 46. The direction of rotation of the cam and of the drum is indicated byarrows suitably placed in the drawings adjacent said elements. This determines the order of the numerals placed upon the face of the dial 29 of the drum which is such that the numerals corresponding to the hours follow in the proper order corresponding to the hours of the day, in a system of the type shown in the present example.

The dial face 29 of the drum is provided with a central opening or recess 52 which is closed at the rear by a web 53 connecting the drum and dial face with the huh I. In the present example, these elements are integral with each other and provide a hollow drum, a central hub and a centrally recessed closure means at one end. Mounted in the central recess is a simple clock'mechanism including a fiat disc or dial 54 forming a closure means for the recess 52 and arranged to lie flush with, but out of contact with, the face of the drum dial 29 when mounted in place as shown.

The clock dial carries suitable hour indications, as shown, and the usual hour and minute hands 55, which are driven through suitable gearing 56 mounted on a plate 51 and terminating in a driving pinion 58. The plate 51 is provided with a hub 59 as a means whereby it is mounted upon the end of the fixed spindle 8, as shown, and is held therein by a central screw 69 passing through the axis of the fixed spindle. It will be noted that pivot pin or spindle 8 is provided with a shoulder iii to retain the hub I and the drum against axial movement in one direction and a bearing washer 62 is interposed between the frame 9 and the hub l at the opposite end thereof, whereby the washer and frame serve to prevent axial movement in the opposite direction.

With the plate 51 mounted upon the spindle, as shown, within the recess 52, the driving pinion 58 for the clock mechanism is arranged to engage as a planetary gear, a fixed toothed ring gear member 63 carried by the rotating drum or the hub thereof, as shown in Fig. 3.

With this arrangement it will be seen the clock mechanism, including the gearing therefor, is

such that the hour hand of the clock makes two revolutions for each single revolution of the drum.

The outer end of theclock mechanism, together with the dial l4 oi the clock, is supported in a fixed position by a plate 54 which fits without looseness into the recess 52, as indicated in Fig. 3. It will be seen that the-entire clock mechanism, with the exception of the hour and minute hands, does not rotate with the drum, but is held stationar'y in fixed connections with the central supporting spindle or pivot pin 8. It will be seen also that with this arrangement, the clock mechanism may easily be removed for inspection by loosening the central screw 50, when the entire mechanism may be pulled forward out of therecess 52. The pinion 58 readily disengages from the ring driving gear 63 and may as easily be meshed therewith when inserting the clock mechanism in the recess.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that a time controlled preselector switching mechanism of relatively simple construction is proof which are locked in place by a simple annular wire locking member carried by a shoulder in the periphery of the drum. A ring gear and the wire member provide limiting means for longitudinal movement of the cam members or keys, and simple spring members engaging notches in the keys 'or cam members from the interior of the drum provide a detent means adapted to permit the members to be adjusted to predetermined positions along each slot, whereby said members may engageand operate predetermined contacts in a control switch as the timing drum rotates. The cam members or keys may be moved to an extreme inner position whereby they are rendered inoperative and may not be removed andlost.

The interior of the drum provides a suitable housing for the motor driving means, while its outer dial face is recessed to provide a central housing for a visual time clock. The time clock itself may readily be inserted and removed from the housing and is arranged to be driven by the keys 2! are all of the same construction whereby they may be readily manufactured in large quantitles and because of their simple plate constructionmaybe of low cost. Also the detent fingers 31 are integral and adapted to be formed from a single piece of sheet metal. This is most clearly indicated in Fig. 1. It will be noted that a single holding means is sufficient for all of the fingers 31, in the form of a ring secured upon the base of the fingers against the interior of the drum.

The operation is as follows: The motor is driven at synchronous speed by connecting its leads, indicated at 68, to a suitable source of alternating current of the proper frequency, (not shown), such as the ordinary house current supply mains supplying cycle current. Through the gearing Cal interposed between it and the drum, the latter is driven in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figs. 1 and 2, to carry the drum through one revolution in twenty-four hours. The dial 29 and the drum are then set to correspond with the proper clock time by operation of the thumb wheel 24. The gear 22 is retracted out of engagement with cal the pinion l2 and the drum is then rotated by the thumb wheel until a cam member or key corresponding to the time on the quarter hour is directly vertical or directly in contact with a switch operating member 26, so that a selected set of contacts of the switch 25 are in the maximum closed position.

At the same time, in turning the hand wheel 24, the cam 50 is finally turned or stopped in position to cause the lever 48 to engage the notch 5| to cause the switch 46 to be just at the maximum point of operation. In the present example, this is with the contacts 41 just closed on the exact quarter hour. The thumb wheel 24 may then be released. The timing drum will then be driven by the motor l0 and maintained thereby at the proper rate with respect to time, dependent upon the frequency of the current supplied to the motor, which when taken from the ordinary lighting mains has been shown by the increasing use of clocks of the electric motor type. to be very accurate and dependable. The indicating clock, if employed, may then be adjusted by adjusting the hour and minute hands in the usual manner.

It will be noted that the cam members or keys 21 lie along the dial member 28 of the drum at fifteen minute intervals. By withdrawing from its inactive position, a selected cam member lying in the slot corresponding on the dial 29, to the desired time of operation of the switch 25, and setting said member at a preselected position as determined by the detent means 36', in which said member may engage and operate a desired switch contact as it moves by rotation of the drum, the switch 25 may be caused to operate at that preselected time. The selected cam member or key, being moved into a plane of rotation to strike and operate a desired set'of contacts is carried at the preselected time into' engagement with the switch operating means whereby a circuit connected with switch maybe controlled thereby at said preselected time.

It will thus beseen that by withdrawing other cam members at other desired points on the dial 29 representing other points of operation with respect to time, the contacts of the switch may be caused to operate in any desired predetermined manner to control circuits in connection therewith automatically with changes in time. For example, the switch may be caused to operate control circuits for the tuning of a radio receiver whereby atpredetermined times the receiver may be tuned to preselected stations or signal channels.

Referring now to Fig. 4, the application of the mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, is shown. in connection with a preselected channel tuning control system for a radio receiving apparatus. Like parts corresponding to those appearing in the preceding figures bear the same reference numerals in Fig. 4.

In the system shown, the tuning control means 61' of a radio receiving apparatus 61, is operated by a reversible electric motor 68. The motor is provided with a common supply lead 69 and two reversing leads 10. The motor reversing windings are indicated at H and a starting winding at 12.

Connected with the reversing leads are a series of reversing switches 13 arranged, as indicated by the dotted line extension from the motor 68 and the tuning control means 61', to be actuated by operation of the latter by the motor.

The control arrangement is such that the reversing switches 13 are moved to a neutral, open circuit position from a closed position in one direction or the other, when the motor 68 has moved the tuning control means 61' to a predetermined desired tuning position.

A control arrangement of this character is shown and described in a copending application of Charles R. Garrett, Serial No. 546,794, filed June 25, 1931, entitled Automatic tuning means for radio receivers and the like, and assigned to the same assignee of the present application. As it forms no part of the present invention, further description of the specific apparatus employed is believed to be unnecessary.

The reversing circuit, however, which includes the reversing switches .13, may be described as follows. The reversing circuit is completed through control leads 14, all of which are not completed, as indicated, for'the sake of simplifying the diagram, and through the control contacts 38 to 44 inclusive of the control switch 25. A common return lead from-the above named switch contacts includes in circuit the intermittent control switch 46, as indicated, and together with lead 69 is connected with a source of alternating current for the motor such as the secondary of a step-down power supply transformer I6. The transformer is connected with alternating current supply mains 11 or other suitable source of power supply. In the usual installation, mains 11 represent the ordinary house mains supplying 110 volt alternating current a 60 cycles.

The timing or driving motor I0 is also connected with the mains 11 whereby it is operated at a constant synchronous speed. As indicated, the motor and the transformer are constantly energized. This is for the reason that the motor l0 operates the indicating clock mechanism and for the further reason that the transformer 16 supplies current to the operating coils 18, 19 of a control relay 80. The apparatus may be made inoperative, however, by opening a power supply switch IT. This permits the clock motor only to continue to operate from the mains 'l'l whereby the clock is maintained in operation.

In the drawings, the relay 80 is shown in the on position having been actuated by the closing coil 19 and serves to close a pair of power control contacts 8| in circuit with the alternating'current supply leads 82 for the radio receiving apparatus 61 per se, and to close a second pair of contacts 83 in circuit with the relay opening coil 18. Contacts 84, of the relay, are arranged to be closed when the relay is in the off position to connect the closing coil 19 in readiness for operation by closure of any of the sets of switch contacts, 38 to 43 inclusive as next described.

As indicated in the drawings, the relay 80 is controlled whereby it is moved from the off" to the on position and vice versa, by oil and on" remote control switches 85 and 86 respectively, by closure of contacts 44 of switch 25 for the off position,- and by closure of

contacts

38a and 38b, or any of the corresponding contacts in the other groups in switch 25 for the on position. In other words, the relay 80 may be actuated to turn the receiving apparatus on or off by operating remote control switches 85 or 86 as indicated, or by operation of the contacts 38 to 44 inclusive of switch 25. contacts 44 being operated only for moving the relay to the off position.

Connected in parallel with the contacts of the switch 25 through the leads I4 are a corresponding number of remote control selector switches 81. These switches correspond in order of arrangement, successively from top to bottom, as shown in-the drawings, to switches 43 to 38 inclusive, the "o control in connection with these switches being provided by switch 85 which is, as will be noted, connected in parallel with switch 44 The control of the motor 68 by switch contacts 44 to 38 inclusive of the time control switch 25 are placed under the additional control of the switch 46 for the reason that the contacts 41 are connected in circuit with return lead I5. Unless the contacts 4'! are closed, operation of switch 25 is ineffective to operate the motor, for the reason that while any one of the sets of contacts 44 to 38 inclusive may be closed by the keys or cam members of the timing mechanism either before, during, or after the exact quarter hour or predetermined time, because of the physical arrangement of the cam member and contacts, the actual operation of the motor is controlled exactly on the quarter hour or at the preselected point of time by closure of the contacts 41 by the cam 50. This arrangement permits the tuning to be effected at the desired and exact preselected point of time.

It will be noted, however, that the switch 46 is not included in circuit with the control switches 85, 86 and 81 which are in the nature of remote control switches. The latter switches are connected to the motor reversing circuit substantially in parallel with and independent of the branch of the reversing or control circuit extending through lead i5, switch 46 and the control contacts 38 to 44 inclusive of the switch 25. This arrangement permits the remote control of the tuning independently of the setting of the tuning control means as determined by the time control mechanism, and independently oi the time of operation of the latter.

While the present preferred circuit arrangement for a remote controlled tuning system has been shown and described in connection with the time controlled preselector switching mechanism embodying the invention, it is obvious that other circuits of a similar nature may be arranged to be controlled thereby.

What I claim is:

1. In a time controlled preselector switching mechanism, the combination of a timing motor means, a movable carrying means providing a surface having a plurality of spaced slots, 9. switch having a plurality of contact operating means located adjacent said surface, an operating key located in each of said slots, each of said keys being provided with means for engaging and moving said switch operating means and each being movable along the slot to preselected positions to engage a preselected one of said switch operating means, and a gearing arranged to provide a driving connection between the timing motor means and said first-named means whereby the latter is moved to carry said keys into operating engagement with said switch operating means.

2. In a time controlled preselector switching mechanism, the combination of an alternating current source, constant speed motor means, a rotatable drum having a peripheral surface provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending spaced slots, a switch having a plurality of contact operating means located adjacent the peripheral surface of said drum, an operating key located in each of said slots, each of said keys being provided with means for engaging and moving said switch operating means and each being movable along the slot to preselected positions to engage a preselected one pinion on said clock mechanism adapted to enrotate at a constant speed.

of said switch operating means, and a gearing arranged to provide a driving connection between the motor means and said drum, whereby the latter is rotated to move said keys into operating engagement with said switch operating means, 5 said gearing having a ratio sucli that the drum is caused to rotate through one revolution during a predetermined time interval when the motor means operates at synchronous speed.

3. In a time controlled preselector switching 1o mechanism, the combination of a. constant speed motor means, a rotatable drum having a peripheral surface provided with a plurality of parallel longitudinally extending spaced slots, a switch having contact operating means located adja- 15 cent the peripheral surface of said drum, an operating key located in each of said slots, each of said keys being provided with means for engaging and moving said switch operating means and each being movable along the slot to preselected positions to engage a preselected one of said switch operating means, a gearing arranged to provide a driving connection between the motor means and said drum, whereby the latter is rotated to move said keys into operating engageg5 ment with said switch operating means, means for manually rotating the drum independently of the motor means, a second switch, and means interposed in said gearing for intermittently operating said switch in response to rotation of 30 the drum.

4. In a time controlled preselector switching mechanism, the combination of a constant speed motor means, a rotatable drum having a peripheral surface provided with a plurality of parallel g longitudinally extending spaced slots, 8. switch having contact operating means located adjacent the peripheral surface of said drum, an operating key located in each of said slots, each of said keys being provided with means for engaging and moving said switch operating means and each being movable along the slot to preselected positions to engage a preselected one of said switch operating means, a gearing arranged to provide a driving connection between the motor means and said drum. whereby the latter is rotated to move said keys into operating engagement with said switch operating means, means providing a fixed axis of rotation for said drum includinga spindle extending through the drum, means providing a recess in the face of said drum, a clock mechanism mounted in said recess and releasably supported by said spindle, a gear member carried by the drum within said recess, and a gage said gear member when said clock mechanism is mounted in said recess.

5. The combination with a switch having a plurality of sets of contacts adapted to be operated independently one with respect to another, of a time controlled selective operating means therefor including a rotatable drum, a plurality of longitudinally movable keys mounted on said drum and movable therewith to actuate said sets of switch contacts, said keys being movable with respect to said drum selectively into each one oi a plurality of operating p sitions and into at least one inoperative position with respect to said sets of switch contacts, whereby each of said sets of switch contacts may be actuated by at least a selected one of said keys when moved by the drum, and means for causing said drum to 6. The combination with a switch having a a plurality of sets of contacts adapted to be operated independently one with respect to another, of a time controlled selective operating means therefor including a rotatable drum, a plurality of longitudinally movable keys mounted on said drum and movable therewith to actuate said sets of switch contacts, said keys being movable with respect to said drum selectively into each one of a plurality of operating positions and into at least one inoperative position with respect to said sets of switch contacts whereby each of said sets of switch contacts may be actuated by at least a selected one of said keys when moved by the drum, a synchronous alternating current motor,

a time clock mechanism, and means providing a driving connection between said motor, said drum and said time clock mechanism, whereby said motor provides a common timing and driving means for said drum and said mechanism.

'7. In a control system, for electrical apparatus, the combination of a relay providing switching means for energizing and de-energizing said apparatus, a plurality of motor control circuits having a common circuit lead, a switch having a plurality of contacts, certain of said contacts being connected in circuit with said relay to actuate the same and certain other of said contacts being connected with said motor control circuits whereby said circuits may be controlled by operation of said contacts, a rotatable drum having a peripheral surface positioned adjacent said switch, a plurality of key members mounted on said surface and being movable thereon selectively to one of a plurality of preselected positions, each of said keys being provided with means adapted to actuate a preselected one of said sets of contacts of the switch when said key member is moved to one of said preselected positions, motor means connected with said drum to rotate it at a predetermined rate of speed, and said key members being spaced about the periphery of the drum whereby they are brought into operating relation with respect to the switch contacts at predetermined intervals of time.

8. In a control system, for electrical apparatus, the combination of a relay providing switching means for energizing and de-energizing said apparatus, a plurality of motor control circuits having a common circuit lead, a switch having aplurality of contacts, certain of said contacts being connected in circuit'with said relay to actuate the same and certain other of said contacts being connected with said motor control circuits whereby said circuits may be controlled by operation of said contacts, a rotatable drum having a peripheral surface positioned adjacent said switch, a plurality of key members mounted on said surface and being movable thereon to one of a plurality of preselected positions, each-of said keys being adapted, when positioned, to actuate a preselected one of said sets of contacts of the switch when moved with said drum, motor means connected with said drum to rotate it at a predetermined rate of speed, a second switch located in the common circuit lead for said motor control circuits, means for actuating said switch, and means providing a driving connection between the drum and said actuating means whereby said switch is actuated in response to movement of the drum.

9. The combination with a control switch having a stationary support and a plurality of aligned groups of cooperating contacts mounted thereon, each group of such contacts being independently operable, of a time controlled selective operating means therefor, including a rotatable member,

motor means connected with said member to move it, said motor means including a timing device for causing said member to move at a predetermined rate of speed, a plurality of operating keys for said switch carried by said rotatable member, each of said keys being movable on said member in a direction transverse to the aligned groups of cooperating contacts, and means permitting each key to assume one of a plurality of predetermined positions of adjustment with respect to said switch contacts whereby each of said keys is adapted to selectively actuate a different group of said switch contacts at predetermined intervals of time as the member moves.

10. A time controlled selector mechanism, including in combination, a rotatable drum, a constant speed driving mechanism therefor, a plurality of spaced operating keys mounted on a peripheral surface of the drum, each of said keys being independently movable to one of a plurality of predetermined positions longitudinally of the drum, means providing a dial on the drum in association with said keys, and a preselector control switch located adjacent to the drum, said switch having a plurality of operating elements 1 corresponding to certain of the predetermined positions for said keys, said elements being arranged in tangential relation to the periphery of the drum and being arranged to lie in the path of movement of said keys when carried by rotation of the drum.

11. A time controlled selector mechanism, including in combination, a rotatable drum, a constant speed driving mechanism therefor, a plurality of spaced operating keys mounted on a peripheral surface of the drum, each of said keys being independently movable to one of a plurality of predetermined positions longitudinally of the drum, means providing a dial on the drum in association with said keys, 2. preselector control switch located adjacent to the drum, said switch having a plurality of operating elements corresponding to certain of the predetermined positions for said keys, said elements being arranged in tangential relation to the periphery of the drum and being arranged to lie in the path of movement of said keys when carried by rotation of the drum, a fixed spindle upon which said drum is mounted to rotate, a clock mechanism including a fixed dial, said mechanism being mounted in said drum and rigidly connected with said spindle, and means providing a driving connection between the rotatable drum and said clock mechanism.

12. In combination with the tuning condenser shaft of a radio receiver, an electrical drive means for adjusting the position of said shaft to difierent desired broadcast station positions, a clock device comprising a rotatable cylindrical shell, a stationary clock face disposed within the end of said shell, the wall of said shell being provided with a plurality of openings, control circuits connected to said drive means, each circuit corresponding to one of said station positions, at least certain of said openings being provided with station selector keys, and the clock work of said clock device cooperating. with said keys to energize said control circuits at predetermined times.

13. In combination, a radio receiver provided with timing mechanism, a motor and a plurality of control circuits therefor for actuating the tuning mechanism to predetermined positions, each of said circuits corresponding to a different one of said tuning positions, a plurality of switch mechanisms, one for each control circuit, arranged 76 in different parallel planes, a drum rotatable about its-axis provided on its periphery with a plurality of longitudinally extending keyways, a key slidably disposed within each of said keyways and having within its keyway as many positions of adjustment as there are switch mechanisms, each key being provided with a switch actuating member which is disposable in the plane of any desired one of said control circuit switch mechanisms depending upon the position of adjustment of the key within its keyway, and means for rotating said drum to successively bring said keys into cooperative relation with said switch mechanisms.

14. The invention defined in claim 13 wherein said keys are arranged in time-spaced relation, and time-controlled means for rotating said drum at a constant rate whereby said keys are brought successively and at regular time intervals into cooperative relation with said switch mechanisms.

15. In combination, a radio receiver provided with tuning mechanism, a motor and a plurality of control circuits therefor for actuating the tuning mechanism to predetermined positions, each of said circuits corresponding to a different one of said tuning positions, a plurality of switch mechanisms, one for each control circuit, arranged in different parallel planes, a switch mechanism also arranged in a different parallel plane for turning the receiver off, a drum rotatable about its axis provided on its periphery with a plurality of longitudinally extending keyways, a key slidably disposed within each of said keyways and having within its keyway as many positions of adjustment as there are switch mechanisms, each key being provided with a switch actuating member which is disposable in .the plane of any desired one of said control circuit switch mechanisms or in that of the receiver offswitch mechanism depending upon the position of adjustment of the key within its keyway, and means for rotating said drum to successively bring saidkeys into cooperative relation with said switch mechanisms.

16. In combination, a radio receiver having tuning mechanism, a plurality of independently operable means for selectively actuating the tuning mechanism to predetermined positions, switch mechanism including a double throw switch and a pair of relays, one for actuating the switch to one position to turn the receiver on and the other for actuating said switch to its second position to turn the receiver off, means under the control of each independently operable actuating means for simultaneously adjusting the tuning mechanism and for energizing the first mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver on position, and additional means under the control of each independently operable actuating means for energizing the second mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver "off" position.

1'7. In combination, a radio receiver having tuning mechanism, time-control mechanism, a plurality of independently operable means under the control of said time-control mechanism for selectively actuating the tuning mechanism to predetermined positions at predetermined times,

switch mechanism including a; double throw switch and a pair of relays, one for actuating the switch to one position to turn the receive on and the other for actuating said switch to its second position to turn the receiver oil, means 10 under the control of each independently operable actuating means for simultaneously adjusting the tuning mechanism and for energizing the first mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver on position, and additional means 5 under the control of each independently operable actuating means for energizing the second mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver ofi position.

18. In combination, a radio receiver having tuning mechanism, a motor and a plurality of control circuits therefor for actuating the tuning mechanism to predetermined positions, each of said control circuits corresponding to a different one of said predetermined tuning positions, means for selectively energizing said control circuits, switch mechanism including a doudle throw switch and a pair of relays, one for actuating the switch to one position to turn the receiver on and the other for actuating said switch to its second position to turn the receiver ofi, means under the control of said control circuit energizing means for energizing the first mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver on position, and additional means under the control of said control circuit energizing means for energizing the second mentioned relay to actuate ,the switch to the receiver off position.

19. In combination, a radio receiver having tuning mechanism, a motor and a plurality of control circuits therefor for actuating the tuning mechanism to predetermined positions, each of said control circuits corresponding to a difierent one of said predetermined tuning positions, means for selectively energizing said control circuits, time-control mechanism cooperating with said energizing means for efiecting operation thereof in a predetermined sequence, switch mechanism including a double thro'w switch and a pair of relays, one for actuating the switch to one position to turn the receiver on and the other for actuating said switch to its second position to turn the receiver off, means under the control of said control circuit energizing means for energizing the first mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver "on position, and additional means under the control of said control circuit energizing means for energizing the second mentioned relay to actuate the switch to the receiver "01? position.

JOSEPH RABER.