US2976377A

US2976377A - Switch construction and mechanism therefor

Info

Publication number: US2976377A
Application number: US673658A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard H Jordan
Original assignee: Kingston Products Corp
Current assignee: Kingston Products Corp
Priority date: 1957-07-23
Filing date: 1957-07-23
Publication date: 1961-03-21
Anticipated expiration: 1978-03-21

Description

March 21, 1961 R, H JQRDAN v 2,976,377

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION AND MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 23, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. RICHARD H. JORDAN di? l TTORNEYS March 2l, 1961 R. H. JORDAN 2,976,377

SWITCH CONSTRUCTION AND MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 23, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

40 90 96 97 l.vn" ATTORNEYS 90 4o 9G 97 RICHARD H, JORDAN SWITCH CONSTRUCTION AND MECHANISM THEREFR Richard H. Jordan, Mansfield, Ohio, assigner to Kingston Products Corporation, Kokomo, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed .uly 23, 1957, Ser. No. 673,658 23 Claims., (Cl. 20D-38) This invention relates generally to time switch mechanisms, and more speciiically to improved gear and switch construction incorporated therein.

Although the principles of the present invention may be included in various timers or rotary switches, a particularly useful application is made in timers of the types that are constructed to control consecutively the washing and drying programs of a combination washer-dryer appliance. In particular, such a combination appliance shouldy preferably include such controls as are necessary to enable the operator to selectively operate such device either as a washer alone, a dryer alone, or as a combination washer-dryer, which combination appliance control carries out the drying program upon completion of the washing program. Further, in any one of these uses, the operator should be able to select the duration of the main wash-cycle and duration of the main drying cycle, such selection being independently made for each of the programs and such selection or advancement `of the program being able-to be made at any point during` the respective programs.

The present invention contemplates the utilization of a motor-driven rotary-cam-actuated switch, having the requisite number of switch circuits adapted for connection to the various controls of the appliance. In the instant embodiment, two such rotary selector switches are driven by a common motor or source of power, the power being supplied from the motor, through a gear train, and thence to one of the cams. Upon such one cams reaching a'predetermined point, a pivotal link upon which a portion of the gear train is carried, is moved byy a biasing force into such recessed portion, ,thereby disengaging the gear train from the rst cam and engaging a gear which drives the second cam. The cams employed herein are of the type which have radially spaced tracks on one side thereof, such tracks lying adjacent to a portion of the frame which carries various switch blades. The portion of the frame has one or more apertures through each of which a cam follower slidably shuttles to engage the corresponding cam track and one of the blades of a switch with which it registers.

The instant embodiment further includes manual means for advancing the position of each of the cams, such means being concentrically disposed with respect to each other. The motor operates at a relatively high speed and therefore the gearing connected thereto reduces the speed of the source of power to a somewhat slower more appropriate speed for the cams. If an attempt be made to manually rotate a cam in a reverse direction, the force is Iapplied tothe gear train with a mechanical disadvantage whereby .the gear train itself prevents reverse rotation of the selector knob. However, when the knob is rotated in the opposite direction manually, the pivotally movable link member shifts to permit one gear to disengage, whereby the program cam may be ad- Vanced.

Accordingly, it is lan object. of the present invention atent O to provide a timer for a combination washer-dryer appliance.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved timer for both the consecutive and alternative control of two programs.

YetA another object is the provision of a mechanical movement for transferring power first to one driven member vand thereafter to another.

Still another object is the provision of a driven mechanical movement which may be overridden at a point other than where the power normally is applied, such overriding being possible in only one direction, namely, the direction in which the movement normally is driven.

Another object is the provision of a rotary cam actuated switch.

A still further object is the provision of means for translating the profile of a cam to a switch mechanism.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a fast acting switch which is actuated by a slow acting movement.

Many other advantages, features and additional objects of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

On the drawings:

Figure 1 is `an elevational view of a timer provided in accordance with the principles of the present invention, the cover of such timer being partially broken away to expose various interior components in elevation;

Figure 2 is an end View taken along line II-II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the axial components of Figure l, the other components being omitted for the sake of clarity;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional View, partially in elevation, of a gear mechanism by which motion may be transferred consecutively to each of a pair of driven gears;

Figure 5 is a view taken along line V-V of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a view taken along line VI--VI of Figure 4;

Figure 7 corresponds to Figure 5, but with the parts in a diierent relative position;

Figure 8, partially in elevation and partially in crosssection, is an enlarged representation of a switch detail;

Figure 9 is a view taken along line IX-IX of Figure 8;

Figures 10 and 11 correspond to Figure 8, but with the components in a different relative position; and

Figure 12 illustrates a section of the face of the cam shown in Figure 8.

As shown on the drawings:

The principles of this invention are particularly useful when embodied in a timer assembly such as illustrated in Figure l, generally indicated by the numeral 20. While the principles of this invention are thus illustrated in a gear driven rotary cam type of structure, it will become apparent from the description which follows that principles disclosed herein may also be incorporated in timers employing other frictional means than gears, and in timers employing other types of motion than rotary.

The timer generally includes a frame Z1, a motor 22, a washing controls program portion 23, and a drying controls program portion 24.

The frame 21 includes a pair of

sidewalls

25 and 26, a pair of

removable covers

27 and 28, and a pair of

end plates

29 and 30. A pair of frame screws 31 and 32 draw the

end plates

29 and 30 together, the

end plates

29 and 30 having suitable apertures and the

sidewalls

25 and 26`having suitable projections extending therein to positively determine their relative positions. Preferably, the

sidewalls

25, 26 and the covers 27, 28 comprise electrically insulative material.

- The frame assembly 21 further includes a portion or member 33, for example of molded nylon, which has a plurality of projections '34 extending through similar aperturesrin the

sidewalls

25 and 26; A similar frame portion or member 35 is disposed on one side of the portion 33 and spaced therefrom by a lplurality of spacers 36. A further frame portion or member'37 is alsovsimilarly carried by the

sidewalls

25 and 26, while another rigid plate 38, having a central aperture, is similarly carried in spaced relation to the frame portion 37. A plurality of spacers are carried intermediate the portion 37 and the plate 38 ina manner similar tothat in which the spacers 36 are carried. The length of the spacers 36, and of the other spacers intermediate the

members

37 and 38 determines the distance between such` members, such spacers being secured in any convenient manner, such as by screws (not shown) extending through the various frame members.

Intermediate the framemembers 33- and 35, there is carried a washing program cam 39, which cam may bear against the adjacent faces of the

frame members

33 and 35. Intermediate the

frame members

37 and 38, there is carried a drying program cam 40 Which may bear against the adjacent faces of the

members

37 and 38 Thus the

frame members

33, 35 and 37 each have one face which may bear against a program cam. The opposite side or face of the

frame members

33, 35 and 37 provides an insulative face to which the various switch assemblies and electrical terminals may be attached. Of course various jumper wires (not shown) or bus bars may be used, e.g. to extend from any terminal to any switch assembly. Thus the frame member 33 supports a plurality of terminals 41 and at least one switch assembly, e.g. a switch assembly 42. The frame member 35 supports a plurality of terminals 43, and one or more switch assemblies' 44. The frame member 37 supports a plurality of terminals 45, and at least one switch assembly 46. Y

The timer 28' may be secured to a wall W having a bracket B as by a plurality of screws S which project into the end plate Z9, the wall W comprising a portion of the appliance which the timer is tocontrol.

The motor 2K2 is of conventional design, and typically includes a gear train within its Vcase so thatY its output speed is relatively slow. v Y v Referring now to Figure 3, the axial components of the timer assembly Ztl include the

end plates

29 and 30, the

frame portions

33, 35, 37, and 38, between pairs of which are carried the

cams

39 and 40. This view also shows the relatively large space which is available on one side of the

member portions

33, 35 and 37 for the disposition of the various terminals and switch assemblies (not shown in this view). e

The washing program cam 39 has a pair of annular portions 47 which extend into apertures inthe

members

33 and 35 and are journaled thereby. 'The cam 39 has a central aperture, for example of double-Dl configuration, through which a shaft 48 drivingly extends. The shaft 48 is journaled by the end plate 29 of the frame at one end, and thus is journaled by the cam 39 at the other end. The shaft 48 extends through the wall W of the appliance, and a knob 50 is secured to the outer end thereof as by a set screw 49. The knob 50 has an annular finger gripping portion 51, preferably of transparent construction. As shown in Figure 2, the finger gripping portion 51 of the knob 50 has an index mark 52 which registerswith a plurality of' scale markings 53 associated with the wall W.

Referring again to Figure 3, the shaft 48 has on its opposite end a drive gear 54, locked thereon by a set screw 55 and also having rotational driving engagement with the shaft 48 as by means of an asymmetrical bore in the gear 54 and a correspondingly shaped inner end portion of the shaft 48. Y

The shaft 48 is hollow, and received therein is a second shaft 56 which projects axially therefrom at both ends. The outer end of the shaft 56 is journaled within the shaft 48 and carries a knob 57 which is secured thereto as by means of a set screw 58.

As best seen in Figure 2, the knob 57 has a ange portion 59 on which there is an index mark 60 which registers with a plurality of scale markings 61 carried by the wall W of the appliance, and visible through the transparent finger portion 5l of the knob 50.

Referring again to Figure 3, it will be seen that the other end of the shaft 56 is journaled by the inner end of the shaft 48, and adjacent to such journaled portion, has an annular groove in which there is received a lock ring 62 which bears against the end of the shaft 48 to limit relative axial movement therebetween in one direction and to apply an axial force. 'Ihe inner end of the shaft 56 further includes an enlarged portion 63 to which a gear 64 is secured as by a set screw 65. The gear 64 has an annular portion 66 which is journaled by the frame portion 37. The drying program cam 40 is secured to one face of the gear 64 as by means of a plurality of rivets 67. Thus the annular portion 66 could comprise either a part of the gear 64 or of the cam 40, whereby the annular portion 66 is journaled by the frame portion 37. If desired, the innermost end of the shaft 56 may be piloted in the end plate 30 as at 68, and a compression spring 69 provided to bear between the end plate 30 and one face of the drive gear 64 which has an annular portion around which the spring ts. The spring 69 imparts an axial thrust to the gear 64 to give it a slight friction in a rotational direction, to thereby prevent rotational displacement thereof due to any vibration which may be present in the appliance.

Thus the manual knob 57 and the gear 64 may be used to rotate the cam 40 with respect to the member 37, while the knob 49 and the drive gear 54 may be used to rotate the cam 39 between the

frame member portions

33 and 35. The friction between the two

shafts

48 and 56 is less than the friction acting on the shafts or components secured thereto directly, whereby rotation of the one shaft does not cause any rotation of the other shaft.

Referring now to Figure 4, the drive gear 54 is shown carried by the shaft 48, While the drive gear 64 is shown carried by the shaft 56. These gears are thus disposed intermediate the end plate 30 and the portion 35 of the frame. The motor ZZ has a pinion 70 projecting through a bushing 71 which is carried by the end plate 30. The frame portion 35 has a pin 72 directed toward the motor pinion 70. The pin '72 and the motor pinion 70 are axially aligned and are radially offset from the axis of the

shafts

48 and 56, as best shown in Figure l.

A relatively movable link or member 73 is yieldably biased toward the teeth of the drive gears 54 amd64 by a spring 74. The spring 74 is an extension spring which acts between the member 73 and any convenient stationary portion of the timer, such as one of the screws 31, to pivot the member 73 about the pin 72 and the bushing 71, the spring 74 thereby applying a force which has a vector component directed toward the teeth orfengaging portion of the

gears

54 and 64. While the member 73 has been shown as comprising a pivotal link, it is to be understood that a similar result may be achieved by the use of an appropriately constructed reciprocably carried and biased member. The link 73 supports a rotatable driving means 75, here comprising gearing which is engageable with the drive gears 54 and 64 in a manner presently to be described. The rotatable driving means comprises a shaft 76 on which is carried co-rotatable geared portions or engaging portions. The first of these portions comprises a gear 77 engageable with the drive gear 54, in the instant embodiment to drive the washingcontrol portion of the timer. The second portion comprises a gear 78 engageable withl the drive gear 64 to drivel the drying control portion of the instant timer. The third portion comprises a gear 79 driven by a gear and pinion assembly 80 which engages the motor pinion 70 and which is supported by a pin 81 carried by the pivotal link 73. Thus upon rotation of the pinion 70, the gear train including gear and pinion 80, the gear 79, and the shaft 76 rotates to turn the drive gears 54 and 64.

Referring to Figure 5, the relatively movable link or member 73 is shown as being pivotable about the axis of the motor pinion 70, which transmits motion to the gear and pinion assembly 80, which in turn engages the gear 79 to rotate the -shaft 76 and the gear 77. The gear 77 engages the drive gear 54, and the spring 74 urges the link 73 in a counterclockwise direction as vshown to maintain the engagement between the gear 54 and the gear 77. It will be noted that the radius of the gear 77 plus the radius of the gear S4 limits the counter-clockwise movement of the movable member 73 to the position shown.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a condition which occurs simultaneously with that illustrated in Figure 5. It can be seen that the gear 64 has a radius which added to the radius of the gear 78 is less than the sum of the radii of the

gears

54, 77, so that under the condition illustrated Vin Figure 5, the gear 78 does not engage the drive gear 64. Thus under this condition, the motor 22 can drive only the gear 54, the gear 64 remaining stationary due to friction. However, under this condition, the knob 57 may be rotated to turn the shaft 56 against such friction to thereby allow the manual presetting of the gear 64 and the cam 40 to any selected position.

If manual torque be applied to the knob 50, any torque tending to turn the shaft 48 and the gear 54 in a counterclockwise direction will also cause the pivotal link 73 to tend'to turn in the same direction, thereby insuring tighter engagement of the

gears

54 and 77. The motor inertia and the inertiaof the rather long gear train, acting through the mechanical disadvantage of the entire train, precludes rotation of the gear in such direction. On the other hand, if the shaft 48 and the gear 54 are rotated in a clockwise direction, the teeth of the gear 54 and of the gear 77 coact to cam the pivotal link 73 in a clockwise direction, against the bias of the spring 74, to let the gears slip relatively by an amount equal to one tooth. Continued application of clockwise torque causes repetition of the sequence so as to obtain or permit clockwise manual selection or pre-positioning of the drive cam 54.

The drive cam 54 further includes a recessed zone or zone of non-engagement 82 with which the gear 77 will mate upon rotation of the gear 54. This mating will occur whether the gear 54 has been rotated clockwise by the knob or by the gear 77. When teeth of the gear 77 register with the recessed Zone 82, further driving of the gear 54 ceases. It would be noted that the depth of the zone 82 is greater than the height of the gear teeth, so that when the gear 77 registers with the zone 82 the spring 74 urges the link 73 in a counterclockwise direction by a small increment of arc as shown in Figure 7. Under this set of conditions, the gear 77 rotates ineffectively adjacent to the gear 54, there being no driving engagement with the zone 82. At the same time, the gear 78 has been brought into engagement withthe gear 64 to advance it so that it may drive the second or drying program cam of the timer.

With the parts relatively ydisposed or arranged as shown in Figure 7, when a torque is applied in a counterclockwise direction to the shaft 56, the gear 64 draws the pivotal link 73 in a counterclockwise direction to preclude disengagement of the gear 78 from the gear 64. However, when a clockwise torque is applied to the shaft 56, the teeth of the

gears

78 and 64 coact to cam the pivotal link 73 in a clockwise direction against the force of the biasing spring 74 to allow the teeth to slip one at a time, thereby permitting the clockwise rotation of the gear 64 to a selected position. Manual rotation of shaft 48 and hence of the gear 54 in a normal direction reestablishes the engagement of the teeth of the gear 54 and the gear 77 as well as the disengagement of the teeth of the

gears

64 and 78.

Referring again to Figure 1, and more specifically to the switch means 46, it can be seen that there is a cam follower 83 included intermediate the cam 40 and one of the blades of the switch 46, the cam follower 83 being received within an elongated aperture in the frame portion 37. With this switch structure, a camrise causes lifting of the cam follower 83 which closes the switches, while a cam drop restores the open switch condition illustrated.

Referring now to Figure 8, there is illustrated an enlarged showing of a switch employing two cam followers. In this figure, there is shown a pair of

switch blades

84 and 85 each having an

electrical contact

86 and 87 respectively at one end thereof and aligned with the other contact. The

blades

84 and 85 are supported insulatively as by the frame portion 37. Each of the

blades

84 and 85 have an

intermediate portion

88 and 89 laterally spaced from each other. Each of the blades is biased toward a cam track in the cam 40. Thus the portion 37 of the frame extends intermediate the tracks and blades. The portion 37 has a pair of radially disposed axially extending

elongated apertures

90 and 91, best seen in Figure 3, each registering with one track and with one intermediate blade portion. Within each of the

elongated apertures

90 and 91, there is an

elongated cam follower

92 and 93 respectively which are wipingly engageable with the blade and with the cam track. As best seen in Figure 9, each of the

cam followers

92 and 93 has an asymmetrical cross-section. The use of such cross-sections prevents rotation of the cam followers within their respective apertures, and. prevents the insertion of a given cam follower in the wrong position, particularly Where, as shown in Figure 8, the cam follower has a sloping surface for engaging the cam track. When the

cam followers

92 and 93 differ in length, the use of the two asymmetrical forms also precludes the installation of the incorrect part at time of assembly.

Referring to Figures 8 and 12, it can be seen that each of the cams, e.g. cam 40, includes a plurality of concentrically disposed cam tracks, e.g. 94 and 95, on which the various cam followers, e.g. 92 and 93 ride. As shown in Figure 8, when the cam follower 92 is caused to move upwardly, the switches remain closed. Accordingly, the cam follower 93 may also be moved upwardly at substantially the same time. Upon relative rotation of the cam with respect to the frame in the direction indicated by the arrows, the cam follower 92 reaches a precipitous drop 96 so that the switch blade 85, acting under the influence of its bias, rapidly moves to an open position when the cam follower drops. Figure 10 illustrates this condition just an instant before the cam follower 92 has dropped, to set up the switch condition shown in Figure 1'1. Thereafter, a slight rotation of the cam 40 with respect to the cam follower, causes the cam follower 93 to slip oif the precipitous drop 97 to reclose the contacts as shown in Figure 8. The cams themselves may be constructed of a platelike member having raised portions serving as tracks. However, in the instant embodiment, the cams have been molded to form a thicker member wherein the tracks represent recesses in the surface. The cam 39 is constructed similarly to the cam 40, except that it has a plurality of recessed tracks on each side of the cam. The exact number and length and relationship between the various cam tracks is dependent of course upon the desired program.

In a typical embodiment, current to the timer motor and the appliance controls may be provided by a switch which closes when the gear 54 is manually rotated out of the position shown in Figure 7. The gear 54 may be further advanced to eliminate or shorten any portion of the washing program, for example, the duration of the main washing cycle. If drying is also desired, the knob 57 or drying knob may be preset to the desired period of drying time, represented by the angular position of the cam 40 with respect to one of the switches actuated by it. Upon completion of the Washing time, which may be optionally set between zero and the limit of the mechanisrn, the pivotal link shifts from driving the washer control portion 23 to driving the dryer control portion 24. It'will be'noted that a higher gear ratio has been used to ,drive the drying portion of the washer, so that a somewhat longer total dryingptime is available than is the duration of theentire Washing cycle.

In any event, after the desired washing and drying times have been manually selected, the motor 22, operating through the gear train rotates the drive gear 54 of the washing control portion 23 until the recess 82 registers withY the gear 77. At this point, the spring 74 causes the movable member 73 to shift to a point where the gear 77 does not drive the gear S4, but where the gear 78 engages the gear 64 to rotate the drying portion of the timer.

Even though either the gear 54 or the gear 64 is engaged with the drive meansv 75, such engaged gear may be advanced manually since the advancing force causes the link 73 to move against the bias of its spring 74 to permit such rotational advancement. When the gear 78 is disengaged as shown in Figure 6', the dryer controldrive gear 64 may be freely advanced. Should this gear be rotated in a reverse direction, such rotation can continue until one ofV the cam followers, e.g. 93, engages one of the precipitous drops, e.g. 97, such motion being in the direction opposite to the arrow.

The principles of switch design disclosed herein may be used to provide either a slow close and fast open switch as shown in Figure 1, or a fast close and fast open switch as shown in Figure 8. Of course these principles may be utilized in more complex switches employing additional blades with insulative members therebetween, for example switch 44, shown in Figure l.

While the invention has been described as having utility in connection with the operation of a combination washer-dryer appliance, as a means to control the electrical components thereof, it is to be understood that such description is by way of illustration and not by way of limitation. Thus this invention may be used to control any device having two programs to be executed consecutively.

Accordingly, the washing program cam 39 may therefore comprise any rotatable means controlling a rst program, and the drying program cam 40 can likewise comprise rotatable means for controlling a second program.

lt is to be `further understood that the mechanical movement of Figure 4 may be varied considerably without departing from the novel concepts of the instant invention. Thus the drive lgear 54 may be any iirst element or gear to be driven. Further this element may be any generally circular body associated `with means to be rotated and having an engagement zone, lfor example a toothed portion in the instance of a gear. The engagement zone has a recessed zone 'within its periphery wherein there is no driving engagement. Likewise the gear 64 may comprise any second generally circular body or element associated with a rotatable means to be driven, and when it comprisesa gear, its engagement zone would have teeth.

Itis to be `further understood that the detailed construction of the rotatable driving means 7 5 may be varied considerably trom that shown. By way of example, in the instant embodiment, this mechanism is used to provide both a changeover from driving one gear to driving the second gear and also for permitting manual advancement ofthe one cam with respect to the gear train. IIE only the latter feature is required in a given embod-iment, either gear 77 or 7 8 could be omitted. Further, gears 77 and 78 may be combined into a single gear providing that gears 64 and 54 are closely adjacentand that gear 54 has the larger diameter.

Further, some of the principles of this invention can be used in constructing a rotatable selector switch. Thus if the motor and the gearing be eliminated, such is the result. Y'

Although various minor moditications might be suggested by those versed in the art, it should be understood that I wish to embody within the scope of the patent iwarranted herein all such embodiment as reasonably and properly come within the scope of my contribution to the art.

I claim as my invention:

1. A program timer `for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a rst program cam and a separately movable second program cam; switch means operated by each of said cams, and having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a iirst drive gear connected to said rst program cam and rotatable therewith; a second drive gear connected to said second program cam and rotatable therewith; a pivotable link biased toward the peripheries of said drive gears; Igearing carried by said llink and engageable with said'iirst drive gear to rotate said lirst cam; means driving said gearing; and a recess in the periphery of said first drive gear for receiving a portion of said driven gearing. said recess permitting said gearing to pivot toward said drive gears for drivingly engaging said second drive gear.

2. A program timer for a device having two consecutive programs, said timer comprising in combination: a rst rotatable means for controlling the first program, and a second separately rotatable means for controlling the second program; a pair of generally circular rotatable bodies each individually associated with one said rotatable means respectively to eect rotation thereof and each having an engagement zone; a relatively movable member yieldably biased toward said engagement zone of said rotatable bodies; third rotatable means carried by said member and drivin-gly engageable with the engagement zone of only one of said bodies to rotate said first rotatable means; means for driving said third rotatable means; and a recessed zone of non-engagement in said one of said bodies for receiving a portion of said third rotatable means, said recessed zone permitting said third rotatable means to move relatively to and to disengage said one body and to move into driving engagement with the engagementl zone of only the other of said rotatable bodies.

3. A program timer for a device having two consecutive programs, said timer comprising in combination: a first means for controlling the rst program and a second separate means for controlling the second program; first and second driving means, each one being respectively drivingly associated with only said iirst and second controlling means and movable therewith, each of said iirst and second drivin-g means having4 a portion with teeth; a member yieldably biased toward said teeth, said member being relatively movable in the general direction of said bias; third driving means carried by said member and engageable with the teeth of said rst driving means to move only said iirst controlling means; means for driving said third driving means; and a recessed zone in said irst driving means and aligned with the teeth thereof for receiving a portion of said third driving means, said recessed zone permitting said third driving means to move relatively to said first driving means in the direction of said bias into driving engagement with the teeth of said second driving means lfor moving only said second controlling means.

4. A mechanical movement comprising in combination: a first element to be driven and a second element to be driven, each of said elements having a portion with teeth; a member yieldably biased toward said teeth, said member being relatively movable in the general direction of said bias; driving means carried by said member and t9, drivingly engageable with the teeth of said first element and `spaced from the teeth of said second element; and a recessed zone in said first element extending a substantialdistance beneath the roots of Several of said teeth thereof and aligned with the teeth thereof for receiving a portion of said driving means, said recessed zone permitting said driving means to move relatively to said first element in the direction of said bias into driving engagement with the teeth of said second element.

5. -A mechanical movement comprising in combination: a first generally circular rotatable element to be driven and a second generally circular rotatable element to be driven, each of said elements having an engagement zone; a relatively movable member yieldably biased toward said engagement zones of said rotatable elements; rotatable driving means carried by said member and drivingly engageable with the engagement zone of only said first element for rotating said first element; and a recessed zone of non-engagement in said first element for receiving a portion of said` driving means, said recessed zone permitting said driving means to move relatively to and to disengage said first element and to move into driving engagement with the engagement zone of only said second element.

6. A mechanical movement comprising in combination: a first dri-ve -gear to be rotated and a second drive gear to be rotated; a link pivotably biased toward the periphery of said drive gears; gearing carried by said link and engageable with only said first gear to drive it, said gearing being then adjacent to the teeth of said second drive gear and radially spaced therefrom; and a recess in the periph ery of said first gear for receiving a portion of said gearing, said recess permitting said gearing to pivot toward said drive gears for driving engagement with only said second gear.

7. A mechanical movement for automatically driving only a second toothed element after only a first toothed element has been ydriven thereby to a predetermined position, including in combination: `a member yieldably biased toward the teeth of the elements, said member being relatively movable in the general direction of said bias; driving means carried by said member and having three engaging portions, the first of which is drivingly engageable with the teeth of the first element, and is operative to space the second engaging portion from the second element; a recessed zone aligned with the teeth of the rst element for receiving said first engaging portion in a nondriving relationship, said zone permitting said driving means to move relatively to the first element in the direction of said bias, and permitting the second of said engaging portions to move into driving engagement with the teeth of the second element; and means engageable with the third of said engaging portions to move said driving means.

8. A mechanical movement for automatically driving only a second generallycircular rotatable element after only a first generally circular rotatable element has been driven thereby to a predetermined position, each of the elements having an engagement zone, including in combination: a relatively movable member yieldably biased toward the engagement zones of the rotatable elements; rotatable driving means carried by said member and having three engaging portions, the first of which is `drivingly engageable with the engagement zone of the iirst element for rotating the first element and for spacing the second engaging portion Ifrom the second element; a recessed zone of non-engagement in the first element for receiving said first engaging portion of said driving means in a non-driving relationship, said Zone permitting said driving means to move relatively to the first element in the direction of said bias, and permitting the second of said engaging portions to move into driving engagement with the engagement zone of the second element; and means engageable with the third of said engaging portions to rotate said driving means.

9. A mechanical movement for automaticallyrotating only a second gear after only a first gearV has been driven thereby to a predetermined position, including in combination: a link pivotably biased toward theV periphery of the gears; a shaft rotatably carried by said link and having three shaft gears rotatable therewith, the first of which shaft gears is engageable with only said first gear to drive it and to space the second shaft gear from said second gear; a recess in the periphery of the first gear for receiving a portion of said first shaft gear in non-driving relationship, said recess permitting said shaft and said link to pivot in the direction of said bias, and permitting the second of said shaft gears to move into driving engagement with the second gear; and means engageable with the third of said shaft gears to rotate said shaft.

l0. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a first program cam and a separately movable second program cam; switch means operated by each of said cams, and having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a pair of drive gears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams and rotatable therewith; a pair of manually rotatable knobs each respectively drivingly associated with only one of said cams for selectable rotation thereof; and a mechanical movement means for rotating only said drive gear for said first program cam to -a predetermined position, and thereafter rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

ll. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a first program cam and a separately movable secondA program cam; switch means operated by each of said cams, and having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a pair of drive gears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams; a pair of manually rotatable shafts each respectively drivingly connected to only one of said cams for selectable rotation thereof, each of said shafts drivingly supporting one of said drive gears for rotation therewith; and a mechanical movement means for rotating only said drive gear for said first program cam to a predetermined position, and thereafter rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

l2. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a iirst'program cam and a separately movable second program cam; switch meansoperatedby each of said cams, and having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a pair of drive gears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams; a pair of manually rotatable shafts each respectively drivingly connected to only one of said cams for selectable rotation thereof, each of said shafts drivingly supporting one of said drive gears for rotation therewith; one of said shafts being axially hollow and receiving the other of said shafts therein; and a mechanical movement means for rotating only said drive gear for said first program cam to a predetermined position, and thereafter rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

13. A rotatable selector switch comprising in combination: a frame; a cam having at least two radially disposed cam tracks on one side thereof; a manually rotatable shaft journalled with respect to said frame and having driving engagement with said cam for rotation thereof; a switch assembly carried by said frame, said switch comprising a pair of contact blades each having an electrical contact at one end thereof aligned with the other contact, said blades each being supported insulatedly from the other at the other end, said blades each having an intermediate portion laterally spaced from the intermediate portion of the other and each biased toward one of said cam tracks; said frame including a portion extending intermediate said pair of blades and said cam tracks and having -a pair of elongated apertures therein each registering with one of said cam tracks and with one of said intermediate blade portions; a cam follower reciprocably and'slidably received in each of said apertures for wipingly engaging one of said blades and one of said cam tracks; each of said tracks having a precipitous drop whereby the one cam follower engaging that one of said blades which has its contact closer to said track allows said one blade to move rapidly under the iniiuence of its bias to open said contacts, and whereby the other cam follower allows said other blade to move rapidly under the influence of its bias to close said contacts.

14. In a rotary switch having a frame, a cam having at least two adjacent cam tracks, and a rotatable shaft journalled with respect to the frame and having driving engagement with the cam for driving rotation thereof, the improvement comprising in combination: a pair of contact blades each having an electrical contact aligned with the other contact, each of said blades being supported insulatedly from the other at a point remote from said contact, said blades each having an engaging portion spaced from the engaging portion of the other; a member rigidly supported with respect to the frame and extending intermediate said pair of blades and said cam tracks and having a pair of elongated apertures therein each registering with one of said cam tracks and with one of said engaging portions; a cam follower reciprocably and slidably received in each of said apertures for engaging said registering cam track and blade portion, said blades each being biased toward said engaging cam follower; each of said tracks having a precipitous drop whereby one of said i cam followers allows one of `said blades to move rapidly under the influence of its bias to open said contacts, and whereby the other of said cam followers allows said other blade to move rapidly under the inuence of its bias to close said contacts.

15. In a rotary switch including a frame, a cam, a rotatable shaft journalled with respect tothe frame and having driving engagement with the cam for driving rotation thereof, `and a switch supported by the frame adjacent to the cam, said switch having a contact blade with a movable portion, the improvement comprising in combination: a member rigidly supported with respect to the frame and extending intermediate the cam and the contact blade, said member having an elongated aperture therein registering with the cam and with the movable portion of the contact blade; an elongated cam follower reciprocably and slidably received in said aperture for engaging the cam and the movable portion of the blade, the blade being biased toward said `cam follower, whereby upon rotation of the ca m, said' cam follower shuttles back and forth in said aperture to operate the switch.

16. In a rotary switch including a frame, a cam, a rotatable shaft journalled with respect to the frame and having driving engagement with the cam for driving rotation thereof, and a switch supported by the frame adjacent to the cam, said switch having a contact blade with a movable portion, the improvement comprising in combination: a member rigidly supported with respect to the frame and extending intermediate the cam and the contact blade, said member having an elongated aperture therein registering with the cam and with the movable portion of the contact blade; an elongated cam follower reciprocably and slidably received in said aperture for engaging the cam and the movable portion of the blade, the blade being biased toward said cam follower, said aperture and said cam follower each having a corresponding asymmetrical cross-section to insure proper relationship; whereby upon rotation of the cam, said cam follower shuttles back and forth in said aperture to operate the switch.

17. A rotary switchincluding in combination: a frame a generally circular cam having a track on one side thereof; a rotatable shaft journalled at one end with respect to said frame and having driving engagement with said cam at a point remote from said one end for driving rotation thereof; a member rigidly supported with respect to said frame and disposed against said one side of said cam; one of said cam and Said member having anaxially extending annular portion concentric with said shaft and received within the other of said cam and said member to journal the other end of said shaft; said member having an axially extending elongated aperture radially disposed from Vsaid annular portion and alignedV at one end with said cam track; a switch rigidly supported with respect to said `frame and having a contact blade with a movable portion thereof aligned with and biased toward the other end of said aperture; and an elongated cam follower received in said aperture for engagement with said ca m track and said movable portion of said switch blade; whereby upon -rotation of the cam, said cam follower shuttles back and forth in said aperture to operate said switch.

18. In a program timer including a motor, a program control cam, high reduction gearing including gears all of which are substantially rigidly connected together as a train, said gearing directly and positively connecting the motor to the cam for rotation thereby, and a manually rotatable shaft having driving engagement with the cam for manual setting thereof, the improvement for allowing manual cam rotation in one direction while preventing cam rotation in the opposite direction, said improvement comprising in combination: a relatively movable member yieldably biased toward a rst gear of said gearing, said first gear being corotatable with said shaft and said program cam, a second gear of said gearing intermediate the motor and said first ygear being rotatably carried by said member and yieldably engageable under the influence of said bias with said first gear; said member being so constructed and arranged that manual rotation of the shaft and said iirst gear in said one direction moves said member against its bias to allow the teeth of said yfirst gear to slip one at a time with respect to said second gear, while a torque from 'the shaft and said first gear in said opposite direction coacts with said `bias to keep said first and second gears engaged, whereby the mechanical disadvantage of the high reduction gearing prevents reverse cam rotation.

19. A mechanical movement normally driven by a source of power comprising, in combination: a first gear; a shaft having a co-rotatable driving connection with said first gear; a relatively movable member yieldably biased toward said first gear; a second gear rotatably carried Iby said member and yieldably en-gageable, under the influence of said bias, with said iirst gear; and a speed reducing gear train having gears all of which are substantially rigidly connected together as a train, said gear train directly and positively connecting the source of power to drive said shaft in one direction through said second gear; said member being so constructed and arranged that when torque is manually applied directly to said shaft and said first ygear in said one direction, said member is forced by the coaction of the teeth of said first and second gears to move against its bias to allow the teeth of said first gear to slip one at a time withA respect to said second gear, thereby permitting manual rotation of said shaft, and that when a torque is applied in the opposite direction to said shaft and said lirst gear, it coacts with said bias to keep said lfirst and said second gears engaged, whereby the mechanical disadvantage of said gear train prevents manual rotation of said shaft in a direction opposite to said one direction.

20. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a rst program cam and a separately movable second program cam;

switch means operated by each of said cams, and having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a pair of drive gears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams and rotatable therewith; and a mechanical movement means for rotating only said drive gear for said first program cam to a predetermined position, and thereafter rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

21. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a rst program cam and a seperately movable second program cam; switch means operated by each of said cams, and having means for connection to the electrical components to lbe controlled; a pair of drive ygears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams; a pair of rotatable shafts each respectively drivingly connected to only one. of said cams for rotation thereof, each of said shafts drivingly supporting one of said drive gears for rotation therewith; and a mechanical movement means lfor rotating only said drive gear for said rst program cam to a predetermined position, and thereafter rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

22. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a stationary frame; a irst program cam and a separately rotatable second program cam disposed within said frame in axially spaced relation 4to each other, each of said cams being rotatable independently of the other; switch means supported by said frame adjacent to each of said cams and each operated thereby, said switch means having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a pair of drive gears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams; a pair of manually individually rotatable shafts each respectively drivingly connected to only one of said cams for selectable rotation thereof, each of said shafts drivingly supporting one `of said drive gears for rotation therewith; one of said shafts `being axially hollow and being rotatably supported at its outer surface by said stationary frame, said one shaft rotatably receiving and supporting directly within it the other of said shafts; and a mechanical movement 4-for rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

23. A program timer for the electrical components of a device comprising in combination: a stationary frame; a rst program cam and a separately rotatable second program cam disposed within said frame in axially spaced relation to each other, at least one of Whichcams has a hub portion which is directly journalled at its outer periphery by said stationary frame, `each of said cams being rotatable independently of the other; switch means supported by said frame adjacent to each of said cams and each operated thereby, said switch means having means for connection to the electrical components to be controlled; a pair of drive gears each respectively operative to rotate only one of said cams; a pair of manually individually rotatable shafts each respectively drivingly connected to only one of said cams for selectable rotation thereof, each of said shafts drivingly supporting one of said drive gears for rotation therewith; one of said shafts being axially hollow and being directly journalled at one end of its outer surface by said stationary frame, said one shaft rotatably receiving and supporting directly within it the other of said shafts; and a mechanical movement for rotating only said drive gear for said second program cam.

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