US2389990A

US2389990A - Time-controlled radio program preselector

Info

Publication number: US2389990A
Application number: US485826A
Authority: US
Inventors: Knut J Magnusson
Original assignee: RCA Corp
Current assignee: RCA Corp
Priority date: 1943-05-06
Filing date: 1943-05-06
Publication date: 1945-11-27
Anticipated expiration: 1962-11-27

Description

Nov. 27, 1945. K. J. MAGNUSSON 2,389,990

TIME-CONTROLLED RADIO PROGRAM PRESELECTOR Filed May 6, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet l TUNlNG RANGE- sELEcTo Zinnento'r KNUT vlMHGNUSSON By MM Gttomeg Nov. 27, 1945. K. J; MAGNUSSON TIME-CONTROLLED RADIO PROGRAM PRESELECTOR Filed May 6, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Bmaentor SSON (Ittorneg fl W w g y g r J C R 0 MW Mum-on ZMGQXQHIM 7 W a I a K w y W F Y B B A m a any v z W A 6 w 7 6 M, x M 4 Nov. 27, 1945. K. J. MAGNUSSON 2,339,990

TIME-CONTROLLED RADIO PROGRAM PRESELECTOR Filed May 6, 1945 5 SheetsSheet 4 KNUTJ.

To RECETVH Gttorneg NOV. 27, 1945. J MAGNUSSQN 2,389,990

TIME-CONTROLLED RADIO PROGRAM PRESELECTOR Filed May 6, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 vllllllllllllhll 1g: 82 RADIO RECEIVER TIME TUNING SWITCH 3nventor KNUT dMAewussoN Cittorneg Patented Nov. 27, 1945 UNITED 2,389,990 FICE TIME-CONTROLLED RADIO PROGRAM PRESELECTOR Knut J. Magnusson, Princeton, N. J assignor to Radio Corporation of America, a corporation of Delaware Application May 6, 1943, Serial No. 485,826

17 Claims.

The present invention relates to a time-controlled radio program preselector which is capable of automatically tuning in certain desired stations at predetermined times.

It is one of the objects of the invention to pro vide a compact, simple and inexpensive mechanism capable of being housed in the cabinet of a receiver Without occupying much additional space.

It is another object of the invention to provide an automatic time-controlled tuning mechanism wherein the clock motor serves as the source of power and a minute cam is used to automatically operate the receiver push-buttons at predetermined times.

It is a further object of the'invention to provide a two-station program selector so that the increased cost of the receiver may be reduced to a minimum, but which may be modified in a simple manner to provide a preselector capable of automatically tuning in several stations.

Still another object is to provide control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of tuning devices which are operable each to adjust the receiver to a predetermined station, the mechanism comprising a member for selectively actuating the devices, means for effecting movement of the actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, means for moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, means for releasing the stored-up energy to effect movement of the actuating member, and settable means operative to limit the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate a selected station adjusting device.

A further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of radially-adjustable, uniformly spaced slides or levers circumferentially disposed around the face of a clock mounted on the receiver panel. so arranged that the radial adjustment of each slide or lever determines the particular station to which the receiver is to be tuned or whether the receiver is to be turned off, and each slide or lever, depending upon its angular position, determines the particular time when a particular station is to be tuned in or when the receiver is to be turned off.

The novel features characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and mode of operation together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Fig. 1 is a view of the front panel of the receiver, showing the clock face, the circumferentially arranged settable operating levers, and the receiver pushbuttons and control knobs; Fig. 2 is a side view, partly in section, of the time control mechanism embodying the invention; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Figs. 4 to '7 are views showing details of construction of certain elements of the mechanism; Fig. 8 shows schematically the cooperative relation between the various component parts of the mechanism in order to indicate more clearly the operation thereof; Fig. 9 is a. circuit showing the connection of the several receiver operating switches; and Fig. 10 shows a modified form of the invention for adapting the time-controlled Dreselector to a plurality of stations.

extend a plurality of settable or adjustable opcrating levers l1. Each lever corresponds to a particular 15 minute period, the hours of the day between 6 a. m. and 1 a. m. being marked on the escutcheon adjacent the levers, as shown, for purpose of identification. Since radio receivers are used only infrequently between the hours from 1 to 6 a. m. automatic time tuning for this period has not been provided. However, the space that is provided below the dial by reason of the omission of time tuning for this period is utilized for better styling and the provision of a control knob l8 which enables the user to turn the time tuning on OK.

Each lever is adjustable in a radial direction, in a manner to be described hereinafter, to one of three positions which correspond respectively to two broadcast stations and the Off position of the receiver. Suitable means such as the legends at l9 may be used to identify the several positions of the lever adjustments. By Way of example there is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings the adjustment of the 9:00 a. m. lever in the position corresponding to station WJZ. The 9:15

lever is similarly adjusted, while the 9:30, 9:45

to lever to Cd.

received for the next half hour, after which the receiver will automatically be turned off.

A suitable indicator such as at which shows black for p. m..and white for a. m; through an aperture in the clock dial may be used to apprise the user that the time tuning mechanism is properly synchronized with the electric clock. A control knob 2| acting through suitable means may be employed to adjust the setting of the clock hands and through suitable gearing is adapted to set also the time tunin control mechanism.

Additional controls are provided for operating the receiver in the conventional manner. These are shown below the escutcheon and comprise the power-volume control knob 22, the tone control knob 23, the manual tuning control knob 24' and the range selector 25', if the receiver is of the multi-band type. The speaker grille is indicated at 26'.

The time tuning mechanism will now be described and reference will be made to Figs. 2 and 3. It comprises a frame member 22 of truncated shape which is supported from the rear of the receiver panel by four suitable connecting members 23 which have their outer ends connected to the frame by means of screws 23". A pair of upstanding brackets 24 are formed in the frame member and serve to support the push-button assembly 25 which is not shown in detail since its construction is not material to the present invention. It need only be stated that the pushbuttons l3 are provided each with an operating rod 26 and a part 21 which carries the switch contacts which are moved into operative position upon actuation of the push-rod to connect into circuit one or more pre-tuned circuits, as well known in the art. See for example U. S. Patent No. 2,289,147. The part 2'! is provided with a lug 28 by means of which the two central pushrods 26 are actuated by the timing mechanism. Also, the push-rods operate in the conventional manner to release a previously actuated pushrod upon actuation of any one of the other pushrods.

The frame member 22 is provided with a substantially circular portion within which there are formed over the greater portion thereof uniformly spaced radial slots 29 which are aligned with the radial slots l6 formed in the escutcheon plate. Fitted within each slot 29 is an operating lever I! made of thin sheet metal and having the configuration shown in Fig. 2. In the particular embodiment disclosed H such operating levers are required, and being of identical construction they can be produced in large quantities from sheet metal stock by a simple stamping operation at low cost. The portion 30 of each lever is of such configuration that it constitutes at the edge facing toward the front of the receiver a plurality of stops 3], 32 and 33 equal to the number of lever adjustments. A second portion 34 is provided with an equal number of notches 35 with which a spring detent 36 is adapted to eng e for maintaining the lever in adjusted position. Each operatin lever is also provided with a finger portion 31 which extends through the radial slot IS in the escutcheon plate and With a cut-out portion 38 which is adapted to engage with a circular laterally extending ridge 39 formed integral with the frame member in such a manner as to serve as a pivotal point about which the operating levers are adapted to swing. The three positions of the operating lever are shown by the dash lines identified with they legends 01f, WJZ and KYW.

A partition plate 48 is supported from'the main frame and in the compartment formed by the plate to the right thereof there is housed an electrically driven clock motor 4| which, through suitable gearing, not shown, but represented by the rectangle 42, drives the minute and hour hands of the electric clock. A shaft 43 which is formed as an extension of the clock minute-hand shaft extends rearwardly through the plate 48 and carries at its free end a timing disc 88 and an actuating cam 83 to be described later. A hub 43' is free to rotate on shaft 43 and is axially located between partition plate 40 at its right and a shoulder on the shaft at its left. Solidly mounted on the hub are a gear 46 and a bracket 41. A second, continuously rotated shaft 44 driven from the clock gearing is extended rearwardly through the partition plate which serves as the bearing for this shaft as well as the bearing for the right hand extension of the hub. The hub and bracket 41 are driven from the shaft 44 through the gears 45 and 45 which have such gear ratio that the bracket makes a complete revolution every 24 hours.

Pivotally mounted at the outer end of the bracket at 41 is a rocker bar 48 which is capable of being rocked in a direction transverse to its direction of rotation. The outer or free end 49 of the rocker bar is adapted to move in the space defined by the

lever portions

38 and 34 and to be aligned successively with a different operating lever every 15 minutes. When so aligned theend 49 of the rocker bar is adapted to cooperate with one of the stops 3|, 32 Or 33, depending upon the particular radial adjustment of the operating lever. The other end of the rocker bar is provided with a pin 50 which rides in a groove 5| formed on the surface of a coupling member 52 which is slidably mounted on the clock driven shaft 43. The coupling member is provided on its surface with a second groove 53 within which there is adapted to ride a pin 54' aifixed to a pivoted actuating member 55, now to be described more fully with reference to Figs. 2' and 3.

A rod 55 is horizontally supported at the rear of the frame member by means of clamping brackets 51. The actuating member 55 is pivotally mounted on the rod 56 and comprises the

parts

58 and 59 which are connected together by means of screws, rivets or otherwise. The part 58 has an upper U-shaped portion 68, the side arms of which have aligned apertures through which the rod 56 passes. The side arm at the left (Fig. 3) is affixed to the actuating member part 59 and the right side arm extends downwardly and assumes the shape shown in side view in Fig. 2. The lower portion of the part 58 is formed as a rearwardly extending arm 6| which carries at its outer end a roller 62 mounted on a bearing pin 63 afiixed to the arm. The outer end of the arm is further provided with an offset portion 64 which extends in the same direction as the roller. The other end of the arm 6.! is provided with the inwardly extending pin 54 which as previously described engages the groove 53 of the coupling member.

The other part 59 of the actuating member is formed, as shown in side view in Fig, 2, with an upwardly extended portion 64 and a downwardly and rearwardly extended portion 65, The terminal part of the portion 64 is extended laterally to the left and then forwardly (as viewed in Fig. 3) to form a pawl 65, the operating edge 68 of which is aligned with the depending his 28 form-.

ing a part of one (left) of the two center pushbuttons. A second pawl 61 which is slightly in advance of the pawl 66 extends to the right, being pivoted at 68 and having a part 69 which extends laterally to the left. The operating edge 81 of the pawl 61 is aligned with the lug 28 forming a part of the other (right) of the two center push-buttons. A spring 1|! having one end connected to 69 and the other to a lateral extension on the upright 59 serves to maintain the pawl 61. in the position shown in Fig. 2. A stop member II disposed in the path of the pawl part 69 is afiixed to the frame 22. The arrangement of the parts above described will be understood more clearly from the perspective view of Fig. 4, and the manner of operation of the pawls will be described later.

The lower portion 65 of the actuating member part 59 is formed with a bifurcated part I2 and a hook 13. A tension spring 14 has one end looped over the hook I3 and its other end looped over the end of a shaft 15. The tendency of the spring is to swing the actuating member 55 about its pivotal point (rod 56) in a counterclockwise direction. A lifter bar 16 is provided at its upper end with a bifurcation 11 which is adapted to interlock with the bifurcated part 12 of the actuating member, and at its lower end it is provided with a right-angled cut-out 18, shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A lever 19 is keyed to the shaft 15 and is positioned next adjacent the lifter bar 16, the shaft 15 passing through the cut-out 1 8. The lever carries at its outer end a pin 88 which also extends through the cut-out. The other end of shaft 15 extends through the panel and the escutcheon, terminating in the time-tuning On- Off control knob l8. Fig. 6 shows the relation of parts when knob I8 is turned to On. When the knob is turned to Off, the lever 19 will be rotated through substantially 90 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 6) carrying with it the pin 80 which causes the lifter bar I6 to be raised vertically and to be maintained in that position, as shown in Fig. '7. The vertical movement of the lifter bar results in the clockwise rotation of the actuating member against the action of the spring 14. A lug 8| projecting from an edge of the lifter bar 16 is adapted to cooperate with a switch actuator 82, which by reason of the up and down movement of the lifter bar causes respectively the closing and opening of a switch for a purpose to be later described.

The minute-hand shaft 43 as previously stated is extended rearwardly, and at its end there is carried the actuating cam 83 of circular form and provided with four equally spaced lobes 84. A developed view of one of the lobes is shown more clearly in Fig. 8, and is seen to comprise a gradually rising portion 86 which merges into a vertical portion 85, and a horizontal edge portion 81. Mounted behind and movable with the cam is the timing disc 88 provided with four outout portions or notches 89 which are spaced 90 apart, a notch being in alignment with the horizontal edge portion 81 of each cam lobe. The minute-hand shaft, cam and timing disc are continuously rotated in unison and make one complete revolution each hour. The cam lobes are so designed that during about nine minutes of rotation of the earn the inclined edge of the lobe will ride under the roller 62 to force the lower end of the actuating member 55 to move rearwardly. As a result, the pawls 66, 61 at the upper end of the actuating member will move forwardly, to the right in Fig. 2. During this interval the actuating member will be moved against the action of the spring 14 thereby causing the storing up of energy in the spring. During the continued rotation of the cam, the flat vertical edge of the cam will ride first under the roller 62 to reduce friction and then under the ofi-set portion 64 until on exactly the quarter hour the abrupt edge of 85 will be cleared by 54. At this point the stored-up energy in the spring will be released to force the actuating member to swing in a counter-clockwise direction. As a result the pawls at the upper end will move rearwardly or to the left, and the arm 6| at the lower end will move to the right. The extent of such movements will be determined by the particular stop 3|, 32 or 33 of the operating lever I! that is effective (as determined by its radial adjustment) to engage the free end 48 of the rocker bear 48, since the lower ends of both the actuating member 55 and the rocker bar 41 are mechanically interconnected by the coupler 52,

It will be observed that for several minutes prior to the tuning operation, during each 15 minute cycle, the pawls 66 and 61 are brought to their extreme forward position (to the right in Fig. 2) away from the lugs 28. This is so because during the last few minutes of the cycle the vertical edge 85 rides under the roller 62 and then under the off-set portion 64, until at the exact instant when tuning is effected the off-set 84 drops off edge 85 and the pawls by action of sprin 14 will be forced to move rearwardly or to the left unless'prevented from doing so. It will be clear from the description thus far that the extent of the pawl movement is determined by the angular movement of the rocker bar, it being the function of the operating lever, as determined by its radial adjustment, to limit such angular movement.

Now then, with adjustment of a lever I! to its outer or Off position its stop 33 will be aligned with or in the path of the free end 49 of the rocker bar, so that as off-set 64 drops off edge 85 the angular movement of the rocker bar is only slight. being the clearance that is necessary between 49 and stop 33 for permitting the rocker bar to revolve without interference. Corresponding movement of the pawls is ineffective to contact the lugs 28 to actuate the push-rods.

With adjustment of the lever I I to its center or WJZ position, as shown in Fig. 2, its stop 32 will be aligned with the free end 48 of the rocker bar, so that as the off-set 64 drops off edge 85 a greater angular movement of the rocker bar takes place. As a result the pawls are permitted to move a correspondingly greater distance rearwardly or to the left which is just sufhcient to cause the pawl 61 to push the lug 28 rearwardly for effecting operation of the associated pushrod.

With adjustment of the lever IT to its inner or KYW position its stop 3| will be aligned with the free end 48 of the rocker bar, so that as the off-set 64 drops off edge 85 a still greater angular movement of the rocker bar takes place, it being observed that the

stops

33, 32 and 3| are located at progressively greater distances from the pivotal point 38. As a result the pawls are permitted in this instance to move a still greater distance rearwardly or to the left. During the initial movement of the pawls, that is through the same angular movement as in the previous case, they will both move in unison. However, as the top of the pawl carrier 59 continues to the left (Fig. 2) the pawl 61 is swung counterclockwise around its pivot 68 and lets go of its aligned lug 28 on the push-rod 26 for station WJZ at about the same time that the operating edge 69 of pawl 99 coacts with its aligned lug 28 on the push-rod for station KYW. The push-rod for station WJZ is then released while that for station KYW becomes latched in.

Also pivotally mounted on the supporting rod 56 are a pair of locking

levers

99 and 9| which are adapted to swing in the same direction as the actuating member and which are adapted also to move with respect to one another. As more clearly shown in Fig. 5 the lower ends of the locking levers have laterally bent portions 92 each provided with three notches 93 to correspondwith the number of positions of adjustment of the operating levers. The lever 9| is provided with .a part 94 bent at right angles thereto and serves to cooperate with an insulating stud 95' carried by the movable blade of a switch 95. A spring 99 tends to urge both looking levers rearwardly, and the spring 91 tends to urge the locking lever 9| in a forward direction to a position whereby the notches in both levers will be in registry. Dependin upon the position of the actuating member 55, as determined by which operating lever-stop the rocker bar is engaged with, the timing disc 98 will ride through one or the other of the notches of the locking levers. At the instant when the actuating member is released to operate one or the other of the two center push-buttons, the timing disc will have been rotated to a position such that-one of its notches will be in the path of the laterally bentportions of the locking levers to permit them to return to a, normal position by action of the return spring 95. When an operating lever is adjusted to Off, the position of the actuating member will be as shown by the dash line in Fig. 8, and the locking lever 9| will be rocked to the left by the spring 99 so that the right hand notch 93 will engage with the timing disc '88 to lock the lever 9! in this iposition for the next I5 minutes. In this locked position the part 94 will coact with the stud 95' toopen the switch 95 in the receiver power supply circuit.

In order to obtain a clearer understanding of the invention, the operation of the device above described will be reviewed with reference to Fig. 8 which shows schematically and in simplified form the essential elements disclosed in the other figures. corresponding parts having been indicated by the same reference character.

Let it be assumed that cam 83 has just completed one-quarter of its revolution and that it rotates in a direction such that the cam lobe 84 is. moved downwardly in the direction of the arrow. During approximately 9 minutes of this quarter revolution or 15 minute period, the cam lobe 84 forces the actuating member 55 to swing clockwise to the position shown by the dash line. This action also swings the top end 49 of the rocker bar or rotary selector arm 48 to the right into the open space between

portions

39 and 34 of the selector levers I! where it is free to rotate. At the same time spring 14 is stretched or put under tension and stores upenough energy to operate the push button switches. When cam 83 has advanced far enough, that is to the position shown in the figure, the part 94 drops off the cam lobe at the edge 8! and spring I4 forces member 55 to swing counter-clockwise a distance deter-.

mined by the middle stop 32 of station selector lever I1. As shown, the station selector lever is set for station WJZ and the

pawl end

69, 6 1 of the actuating member has pushed the corre of its engagement actuated the corresponding button, travel of they actuating member being determined by the rotary selector coming'up against the stop 3| on the se lector lever. to the Off position the rotary selector 4 8 would abut against stop 33 and the actuating member would assume the dash line position thereby preventing its upper end from pushing any stashuts off the radio.

Levers

99 and 9! are normally locked in any one of three positions by means of locking and timing disc 98 and are free to move only at the end of each 15 minute period when a notch in disc 98 registers with the formed up ends 92 of

levers

99, 9|. These notches must be wide enough to permit

levers

99, 9| to swing freely to the right and turn the radio on when forced to do so by the actuating member swinging counter-clockwise (in Fig. 8 when the lower part of 55 moves This means, however, that when tothe right). the end 64 of the actuating member is still on top of cam lobe 89, lever 9| would swing back and momentarily turn the radio off until cam 83 was in a position to again release the arm 64. To prevent this, the secondary locking lever 99 is provided. This is similar to lever 9| but somewhatshorter and connected thereto by the spring 91. Lever 9| is therefore free to swing counter-clockwise (to the right) with actuating member 55, but can not move clockwise (to the left) until lever'99 registers with a notch in timing disc 88.

In order to permit relative adjustment between actuating member 55 and levers 99, 9| (which adjustment is necessary for properly synchronizing the movement of the latter with that of the timing disc 98), the member 55' is provided with a part 88 bent at right angles and disposed to therear of and in parallel relation with the part 94 of lever 9! (Figs. 2 and 3). Threaded through part 98 is an adjusting screw 99 against the end of which part 94 is forced to abut by action of the spring 99.

The electrical connections of the several switches previously described are shown in Fig. 9. I99 is the main on-off switch for the receiver which is controlled by the knob 22' on the front panel.

are connected in series in the power line between the source and the receiver I92. Connected in shunt with time tuning switch I9I is theswitch which is under control of the timing mechanism.

In operation of the receiver the main switch I99 is turned on. When time tuning is not desired,

actuation of the control knob i8 to Off will result:

ing of switch I9I, so that energization of the receiver will be entirely under the control of the switch 95.

While in the modification above described the If the station selector had been set:

A few seconds later. the lever 9| swings to the left thus opening switch 95 which- I9l is the time tuning switch actuated by the member 82 under the control of the lifter bar I6 which in turn is controlled from the front panel by the knob #8. The switches I 99 and I9I time tuning feature has been applied to select only two stations for reasons already stated, by simple modification I the apparatus may be adapted to automatically tune in a plurality of stations at predetermined times. This is shown in Fig. 10. The locking levers 90, 9I are replaced by the laterally movable rack member 9I' which is adapted to rotate the pinion I03 afiixed to a shaft I03. Mounted on the pinion shaft for movement therewith are two switch wafers I04, I05. Actually the wafers and the pinion are assembled side by side, but in order to clarify the construction the several parts are shown in an exploded view. Each wafer is provided with a conducting peripheral or ring portion I06, I01 with which there is in continual contact a brush collector O, respectively. On the respective conducting rings there is formed a switch blade I08, I09. The switch blade I08 is adapted to selectively contact with one of a plurality of stationary contacts A, B E circumferentially arranged around the wafer I04, and the switch blade I09 is adapted to selectively contact with one of a plurality of stationary contacts A, B E circumferentially arranged around the wafer I05. It will be noted that the several pairs of stationary contacts A, A; B, B; etc. and the switch blades I08, I09 are phased, as illustrated.

The contacts A to E have each connected thereto one terminal of a plurality of tuning inductances A1. to En, preferably permeability tuned or iron core coils, the opposite ends of the coils being connected to ground. The contacts A to E have each connected thereto one terminal of a plurality of trimmer condensers A0 to E0, the opposite ends being connected to ground. The brush collectors O and 0 have connected thereto the conductors I I0 and II I which lead to the receiver proper in a manner well-known in pushbutton receivers of the electrical type. For example, the collectors O and O and the leads H0 and III may correspond to the fixed

contacts

55 and 63 and the leads connected thereto, as disclosed in Fig. 1 of Chittick et al. Patent No. 2,209,959. In the shown position of the switch wafers the receiver will be tuned to station A. In the ofi position of the switch, the contacts I08 and I09 will contact with the brush collectors O and 0 thereby disconnecting the several pretuned circuits from the receiver.

On the under surface of the rack member there are provided cut-out portions or notches 93'. Five of the notches correspond to the number of stations to be selected, in this case the stations being A to E, and the sixth notch serves to turn the receiver ofi. IAS in the first modification the timing disc 88 is adapted to engage one of the notches 93' depending upon the position of the actuating member 55, the engaged notch in turn determining the lateral movement of the rack 9| and the angular movement of the switch contacts I08, I09. It will be understood of course that in this modification also the operating selector levers I'I will be provided with as many stops as there are stations to be selected and in addition an Off stop.

In operation the actuating member 55 will asferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood that variou modifications and changes will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. I therefore contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim is:

1. Control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of push-buttons which are operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, comprising a member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, means for moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, means for releasing the stored-up energy to effect movement of the actuating member, and settable means operative to limit the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate a selected one of said push-buttons.

2. Control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of push-buttons which are operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, comprising a member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, spring means for effecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, means for moving the actuating member to the inoperative position against the action of the spring means causing potential energy to be stored-up therein, means for releasing the stored-up energy of the spring means to effect movement of the actuating member, and settable means operative to limit the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate a selected one of said push-buttons.

3. Control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of push-buttons which are operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, comprising a member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, means for moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, mean for releasing the stored-up energy to effect movement of the actuating member, and manually settable means provided with a plurality of stops for limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate a selected one of said pushbuttons.

4. Control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of push-buttons which are operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, comprising a member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, means for efiecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, time-controlled means for periodically moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, means for periodically releasing the stored-up energy to effect movement of the actuating member, and settable means operative to limit the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate a selected one of said push-buttons at a predetermined time. 7

5. Time clock controlled mechanism for a radio receiver provided vvitha plurality of pushbuttons which are operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, comprising a member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, clock-controlled means for periodically moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, means for periodically releasing the stored-up energy to efiect movement of the actuating member, and manually settable means provided with a plurality of stops for limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate a selected one of said push-buttons, one of said stops serving to maintain the actuating member in its inoperative position.

6. Control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of push buttons which are operable to render the receiver selective to predetermined stations, comprising an actuating member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, spring means for effecting movement of said actuatingmember from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, continuously operated means for perioidically eifecting movement of the actuating member to the inoperative position against the action of the spring means, means for releasing the actuating member at predetermined times, and manually settable means provided with a plurality of stops corresponding in number to the operative positions of the actuating member for limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions depending upon the adjustment of the settable means.

7. Control mechanism for a radio receiver providedwith a plurality of push-buttons which are operable to render the receiver selective to predetermined stations, comprising an actuating member pivoted at an intermediate point, one end of said member being adapted to selectively actuate said push-buttons, spring means for effecting movement of said actuating member about its pivotal point from an inoperative position. to one of a plurality of operative positions, cam means cooperating with the other end of said actuating member for effecting movement thereof to the inoperative position against the action of the spring means and for releasing the actuating member, and manually settable means provided with a plurality of stops corresponding in number to the operative positions of the actuating member for limiting the movement of the actuating member to' one of its operative positions depending, upon the adjustment of the settable means.

8. Control mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of push-buttons which are operable to render the receiver selective to predetermined stations, comprising an actuating member pivotally mounted at an intermediate point, means at one end of said member for selectively actuating said push buttons, spring means for effecting movement of said actuating member about its pivotal point from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, cam means cooperating with the other end of said actuating member for effecting movement of said member to the inoperative position essence against the action of the spring means and at releasing the actuating member, a'rocker bar, means for mechanically coupling said other end of the actuating member'to one end of the rocker bar whereby the movement of the former is transmitted to the latterfand' manually s'et table means provided with a plurality of stops corresponding in number to the operative posi tions of the actuating membeg-said stops being adapted to cooperate with the other end of the rocker bar to limit its movement and concomitantly that of the actuating member to one of its operative positions depending upon the adjustment of the settable means. V

9. Time clock controlled mechanism for a radio receiver provided with a plurality of pushbuttons which are operable to render the receiver selective to predetermined stations, comprising an actuating member pivotally mounted atxan intermediate point, means at one end of said member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, spring means for efiecting movement of said actuating member about its pivotal point from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, a clock-driven shaft,

cam means movable with said shaft cooperating with the other end of said actuating member for effecting the periodic movement of said member to" its inoperative position against the action of the spring means and for releasing the actuating member at predetermined times, a rocker bar continuously rotated from the clock-driven shaft, means for mechanically coupling said other'end of the actuating member to one end of the rocker bar whereby movement of the former is transmitted to the latter, and a plurality of manually adjustable station and time determining levers, each provided with a plurality of stops corresponding in number to the operative positions of the actuating member, said stops being adapted to cooperate with the other end of the rocker bar to limit its movement and concomitantly that of the actuating membe to one of its operative positions depending upon the adjustment of said levers.

10. The combination with aradio receiverhaving a plurality of push-buttons operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, of time clock controlled mechanism for automaticall tuning in said stations at predetermined times, said mechanism comprising a member for selectively actuating said push-buttons, means for efiecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, each of the latter positions determining the station to be tuned in, clock-controlled means for periodically moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, means for periodically releasing the stored-up energy'to efi'ect movement of the actuating member, and manually settable means provided with a Diurality of stops for limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate the corresponding one or said push-buttons.

11. The combination with a radio receiver hav---- ing a plurality of push-buttons operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, or time clock controlled mechanismiior automatically tuning in said stations at predetermined times, said mechanism com risin a frame having an annular portion withinwhich there are formed a plurality of radially extending key-ways, a plurality of operating keys each pivotally mounted within one of said key-ways and each having as many positions of adjustment as there are stations to be automatically tuned in, a clock-driven shaft extending transversely of the frame and arranged centrally with respect to the operating keys, a member pivotally supported from said frame for selectively actuating said push-buttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, cam means movable with the shaft for periodically moving the actuating member to the inoperative position and for simultaneously storing up energy in the first means, means for periodically releasing the stored-up energy to effect movement of the actuating member, a rocker bar continuously rotated by the shaft arranged to move in a direction transversely to its direction of rotation, said rocker bar having a free end which is adapted to successively cooperate with the operating keys, and mechanical coupling means between the other end of the rocker bar and the actuating member, the arrangement being such that the adjustment of the operating key determines the extent of transverse movement of the rocker bar and concomitantl the movement of the actuating member to a corresponding position for selectively operating the push-buttons.

12. The combination with a radio receiver having a plurality of push-buttons operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, of time clock controlled mechanism for automaticall tuning in said stations at predetermined times, said mechanism comprising a frame having a circular portion which is provided with uniformly spaced radial slots, a plurality of operating levers each pivotally supported within one of said slots and each capable of a plurality of adjustments in a radial direction, each operating lever having a portion of such configuration that it constitutes a plu-r rality of stops equal to the number of lever adjustments, a member for selectively actuating the push-buttons, means for efiecting movement of said actuating member from a neutral position to one of a plurality of operative positions, and clock-controlled means adapted to cooperate successively with one of the stops of each operating lever for periodically limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate the push-buttons.

13. The combination with a radio receiver having a plurality of push-buttons operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, of time clock controlled mechanism for automatically tuning in said stations at predetermined times, said mechanism comprising a frame having a circular portion which is provided with uniformly spaced radial slots, a plurality of operating levers each pivotally supported within one of said slots and each capable of a plurality of adjustments in a radial direction, each operating lever having a portion of such configuration that it constitutes a plurality of stops equal to the number of lever adjustments, a second portion provided with an equal number of notches with which a spring detent is adapted to engage for maintaining the lever in adjusted position, and a finger portion, a member for selectively actuating the push-buttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from a neutral position to one of a plurality of operative positions, and clock-controlled means adapted to cooperate successively with one of the stops of each operating lever for periodically limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate the push-buttons.

14. The combination defined in claim 13, wherein an escutcheon plate is mounted on the receiver panel and is provided with radial slots aligned with those of the frame and through which the finger portions of the operating levers extend.

15. The combination with a radio receiver having a plurality of push-buttons operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station, of time clock controlled mechanism for automatically tuning in said stations at predetermined times, said mechanism comprising a frame having a circular portion which is provided with uniformly spaced radial slots, a plurality of operating levers each pivotally supported within one of said slots and each capable of a plurality of adjustments in a radial direction which determine the particular station to which the receiver is to be tuned or whether the receiver is to be turned off, and each lever depending upon its radial position determining the particular time when the particular station is to be tuned in or when the receiver is to be turned oil, a member for selectively actuating the pushbuttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from an inoperative position to one of a plurality of operative positions, and clock-controlled means adapted to cooperate successively with said operating levers for periodically limiting the movement of the actuating member to its inoperative position or to one of its operative positions depending upon the adjustment of successive operating levers.

16. Time clock controlled mechanism for attachment to a radio receiver having a plurality of push-buttons operable each to render the receiver selective to a predetermined station whereby said stations are automatically tuned in at predetermined times, said mechanism comprising a frame having a circular portion which is provided with uniformly spaced radial slots, a

plurality of operating levers each pivotally supported within one of said slots and each capable of a plurality of adjustments in a radial direction, each operating lever having a finger portion and a portion of such configuration that it constitutes a plurality of stops equal to the number of lever adjustments, a member for selectively actuating the push-buttons, means for effecting movement of said actuating member from a neutral position to one or a plurality of operative positions, clock-controlled means adapted to cooperate successively with one of the stops of each operating lever for periodically limiting the movement of the actuating member to one of its operative positions to thereby actuate the pushbuttons, an electric clock centrally supported on the frame and having its dial exposed through an aperture in the receiver panel, and an escutcheon plate surrounding the clock dial provided with radial slots through which extend the finger portions of the operating levers.

17. Time clock controlled mechanism in accordance with the invention defined in claim 16 wherein means are provided for causing the operation of the receiver under the control of the timing mechanism to be ineffective, said means being controlled from the receiver panel.

KNUT J. MAGNUSSON.