US3063719A

US3063719A - Velocity score control

Info

Publication number: US3063719A
Application number: US48106A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rosenberger John
Original assignee: LION Manufacturing CORP
Current assignee: LION Manufacturing CORP
Priority date: 1960-08-08
Filing date: 1960-08-08
Publication date: 1962-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 1979-11-13

Description

Nov. 13, 1962 Filed Aug. 8, 1960 J. ROSEN BERGER VELOCITY SCORE CONTROL @ag-2y Bric/r FRONT E A 2 Sheets-Sheet l l5 BACK n Sw/rc/ffs SPEED HMP E19/VK IN V EN TOR.

TTR/Vey.

NOV. 13, 1962 1. ROSENBERGER 3,063,719

VELOCITY SCORE CONTROL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 8, 1960 hmm.

States This invention has as its principal object the provision of improvements in score control mechanism for use in game apparatus of the class of ball-rolling games, such as simulated bowling wherein a projectile such as a ball or puck, or like playing piece, is launched at targets such as ten pins or switches simulative of the same, or a likev objective, with electrically-controlled score and indicating mechanism usually including lights, operated by such switches dependently upon the score achieved.

In one game of this type, as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 2931,65@ the scoring is dependent not only upon the actuation of a target switch by the projected playing piece but upon the actuation of a plurality of such switches ina certain order and at a certain speed, the target switches being arranged in tandem pairs, and special control mechanism being provided in conjunction therewith to make the scoring dependent upon hitting both switches, and importantly, also upon the time interval accruing between actuation of the rst and second paired switches.

Such a scoring system is thus dependent not only upon the direction, but also upon the velocity of the ball or puck or other playing piece, and it is possible for the player to exercise considerable skill and judgment in regulating the force or speed with whichA he launches the ball or puck in an eort to achieve a desired score, the score control means associated with such a game being desirably contrived to award an optimum score where the time interval is neither too long nor too short, that is to say, where the speed of the playing piece is neither too slow nor too fast, with a range of variable scoring possibilities in between these limits.

In the score control means disclosed in the aforesaid patent an electronic time measuring apparatus and circuit of a relatively complex and expensive character is disclosed, and while this apparatus is very satisfactory and capable of a relatively high degree of accu-racy and adjustability and sensitivity, it has been found that a considerable saving in manufacturing costs can be had by use of the presently-disclosed simpler and less costly scorecontrol and timing system while achieving comparably satisfactory results.

In contrast tothe basically electronic character of the timing means of said patent, the present control apparatus utilizes a mechanical system of interlocking or interacting motor-driven rotary switches and related circuit means connected to start a timing or measuring cycle on striking of the first target switch, and a consequent actuation of a iirst rotary switch means, which advances proportionally to the time elapsing until the second target switch is struck to bring about a stoppage of such timing cycle and start a second rotary switch means to convert the measuring action of the iirst switch means into a visual display by illuminating a series of lamps, the number of which will be proportionate to the time interval measured.

Other and more detailed aspects of novelty and utility characterizing the disclosed improvements will become apparent as the following description proceeds in view of the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a partial perspective of one form of lbowling game, in which the new control system may be utilized;

FIG. l-A is a partial circuit diagram to enlarged scale for some of the score switches used in the game of FIG. l;

' atent f -,rows of pins in the array of simulated bowling pins 1S.

FIG. l-B- is a block diagram of the novel scoring.y

system for control by the score switches of FIG. l-A;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram. f

The exemplary game of FIG. 1 consists of a playtield- 10 over which a playing piece, such as the weighted puck r 11, is glided toward the actual target objectives, whichl are the operating levers 12 of appertaining

score switches

13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, such as shown in FIG. 1-A.

The said actuating levers 12 and their respective switches 13 are aligned in tandem pairs in the manner of FIG. l-A, so that each pair of switches consists of a front switch means 12A, 13A and a rear switch means- 12B, 13B in one row, and of a similar front switch means 12C, 13C and rear switch means 12D, 13D in the next adjacent tandem pair or row, and so on, vfour suchl rows being shown in FIG. 1, each aligned with one of the Each pin customarily actuates its ownl supervisory and score switch means 14 (FIG. l-A), when the appertain-v ing pin 15 is triggered to struck position, all in a man-l ner familiar in the art.

The illustrative apparatus being a simulated bowling game, the ostensible target objectives are the simulated bowling pins 15, which are of a well-known mechanicallyactuated type adapted to swing up out of sight in simulation of-aten-pin which has been knocked out of play,. as in real bowling, whenever the appertaining actual:

target object or switch means is actuated by the puck 11,

the several pins 15 being provided with a known type of.

electrically-released latch means (not shown) controlled by the target switches for thisipurpose, so that the playeris given the illusion of having actually knocked a pin down as the puck aimed thereat passes over the appertaining switch-actuating means.

Additional indications of such scoring usually involvel lighting up appropriate indicia 17 on a conventional glass score panel 16 by means of control circuits not necessary to detail herein, since they are not material to the and automatically withdrawn from view. In such a scoring operation the present disclosure is concerned primarily with measuring and translating the time interval between the operations of the front switch 13A and itsrcom-V panion rear switch 13B.

Another incident to the aforesaid automatic pin action is the operation of the corresponding pin switch 14X to set up a corresponding score circuit to be evaluated for lamp display by the score motor unit. v

Closure of a front switch 13A will apply a ground or operational pulse to conductor 18, and closure of a rear switch 13B will apply a ground or operating pulse to conductor 19 for utilization in the manner to be described relative to the block diagram of FIG. 1-B.

Referring to the functional block diagram of FIG. l-B,

it may be assumed that the player has successively struck l and actuated the front and back score switch means A and B in FIG. l-A. On operation of the first or front switch means 12A, 13A the operating pulse on conductor v18 would correspond to the A function in FIG. l-B and' i 'operate the Front Hit Relay Means, which would result in setting up a hold circuit at B, which circuit in turn is maintained through a breaker circuit F supervised by the v Patented Nov. 13, 1962 l 3 aforesaid,l a rotary Timer Switch (function C) starts and continues to run over a series of contacts at a moderate speed of about 128 r.-p.m. until stopped by actuation of the back switch means in function E to operate the Back Hit Relay Means, which will drop out the Hold Circuit and stop the Timer Switch in function B F,

meanwhile starting, by function G, the second rotary switch means or Conversion Switch, which runs at a slower speed (e.g. about 67 12pm.) than the Timer Switch, and which will be stopped ultimately at a position determined by connections D set up by the Timer Switch. The rotary Conversion Switch will sequentially illuminate via connections H a series of display lamps in the Speed Lamp Bank I, which may desirably correspond to the illuminated display panels 20 in FIG. l.

The Back Hit Relay Means also sets up a HoldtCktf broken at the end of the cycle in the resetting operation as partof functions J and L.

As a further result of the aforesaid actuation of the Back Hit Relay Means and the Conversion Switch means, a Score Motor & Reset Unit will be activated in function I to illuminate appropriate score lamps in function K to display a score on panels 17 in FIG. l; and in an additional function L to reset the rotary timer and conversion switch means to a predetermined zero or starting position by actuation of the Timer & Conversion Reset Ckts. in function M, which will conclude the timing and score displaying cycle initiated by striking a. pair of front and back score switches in the scoring example described.

Thus, hitting ofthe first target objective starts a relatively fast-moving rotary timer switch, which is stopped asa result of hitting of the second target objective, which gives the furtherr result of starting a second and slower rotary conversion switch to illuminate thesequence of displayY lamps, the number of which will depend on how long the first rotary switch is permitted to run.

Since. the time interval to be measuredbetween striking the front and4 back switches is quite short (eg. about 600 mil/sec.) even for the players slowest shot, the tirst rotary switch must have a speed capable of producing suicient angular displacement to permit the rotary contactor. to sweep over a significant number of contacts in this short time in order that a substantial number of display lamps may be illuminated' to represent the shortest, as well as the longest, expected interval, so that the player may Visualize his shot in terms of how many lamps are flashed on. In other words, the time interval is converted into a visual analogue.

In one embodiment of an actual circuit arrangement, according to FIG. 2, thetwo rotary switch devices may desirably b'e driven by a singleV motor 30 having a main shaft 31'operating ata principal speed ofabout 128 r.p.m. and' driving through suitable reduction gearv means 32 ay secondary shaft 33 at a speed of about 67 r.p.m.such speeds being found practical for a puck-type playing piece, it being understood that such values will be empirical for different sizes and types of game it being apparent for instance that substitution of a rolling ball for the gliding puck may require adjustment in the operating speeds of the rotary switches, since a rolling ball can be easily propelled at high speeds. Moreover, such variable factors as the length of the playeld 10, the spacing of the switches in each pair, the weight and size of the puck or ball, etc., will require selection of appropriate switch speeds to afford the duration of visual display found most attractive and suitable for each type of game.

The faster main shaft drives the timer switch section through a known typey of slip clutch means 35, while the slower secondary shaft'33 drives the conversion switch section through another slip clutch 34.

The timer switch wiper 39 sweeps over a plurality of stationary timer contactsV 40 and is driven in this action from clutch 35 through shaft means 36 along with a timer index'ratchet' disc 37 and a timer zerocarn 38, but' rotation 4 of these members and shaft 36 is normally restrained by spring-urged engagement of a stopping or index pawl 41 in the'teeth of the ratchet disc.

In FIG. 2 the counterpart of the Front Hit Relay Means, referred to schematically in FIGA 1-B, consists of a combination relay and index coil 43 and an armature means 44 adapted to actuate or close normally open contacts 45 and 46 and also to release'the index pawl through a linkage 47.

Thus, when one of the front puck switches 13A is closed in scoring a hit, the front hit relay and index coil 43 is energized to close contacts 45 and 46 and free the index ratchet disc 37 so that wiper 39 will begin its travel over contacts 40, a holding circuit being set up via

conductors

48, 49, normally closed contacts 50 on the back relay, and conductor 51, so that the timer index relay coil 43 will hold up until the back puck switch 13B is closed to energize the back relay coil 52' and open contacts 50 to drop out the front relay.

The back relay operates to set up its own holding circuit via conductor 53X, closed contacts 53, conductor 54, score motor breaker switch contacts 55 held closed by the score motor cam for the duration of each operating cycle of the latter except for a momentary opening of said contacts 55 by the deep cam notch 95B as the score motor is deenergized at the end of each score and resetting cycle, the carry-over of the motor being utilized to reclose the breaker contacts S5 just after motor 96 stops, so that a new holding circuit may be set up for the back relay in the ensuing round of play or bowling framef Thus, whenever the back relay 52.is energized it sets up its own holding circuit at V53, which will be dropped at 55 only at the end of' the scoring and resetting cycle; and it will also drop out the previously energized front relay at contacts 50 at such time.

When the timer switch is at starting or zero position, as in FIG. 2, contacts 60, 61 of the timer zero switch are closed, and at this time the converter switch is also at starting or zero position and its zero switch contacts 64 are closed, connectingoperating ground via conductor 65 to thev4 timer zero switch contact 61 closed with contact 60, so that operating ground is also connected via con-4 ductor 66, a safety resistor 67 and conductor 68 to close theA energizing circuit for the coil `69 of the converter relay with power conductor 70. n

Thus, the converter relay is normally energized while -the rotary timer and conversionl switches are standing! idle in their reset or zero starting conditions, in consequence of which converter relay contacts 72 are closed, while contacts 74 are open, so that operating ground is applied to conductor 73 leading to one of the timer index relay contacts 46, which are normally open until a front puck or target switch is actuated. Resistor 67 guards the almost continuously energized converter relay by maintaining an upper limit to theA current therethrough.

When ay hit is scored on a front switch and the timer index andV front relay is energized, as aforesaid, contacts 46 close and apply the operating ground from conductor 73 via branch conductor 66A to conductor 66 in order toA maintain the converter relay in energizedy or picked-up condition until such time as a back puck or target switch shallL be actuated; and conceivably no such actuation might occur if a wildly-directed puck slanted off into the gutter ofthe pl-aylield instead of hitting a back switch, it beingY observed that' the timer zero cam 38 will leave its zero position as soon as the front relay picks up, as aforesaid, so that. timer zero contacts 60-61 will open and would drop out the converter relay via conductor 66 were it not for the temporary hold-overv circuit thus set up by the front relay contacts 46.

If in the foregoing condition of the circuit wherein the timer switch has been setl in motion, it is next assumed that the back puck switch 13B is now closed to energize the back relay coil 52, back relay hold contacts .5 t) will open to drop out the timer index and front relay, and contacts 53 will close, and contacts 46 on the front relay will open to'drop the temporary holding circuit for the converter relay coil 69, with the result that converter relay contacts 74 will drop back -to closed condition, thereby applying operating ground via conductor S53 to energize the converter index relay coil 81 as a result of which the holding pawl 32 for the converter index ratchet disc 83 wiil be freed and the converter switch drive shaft 84 will rotate, carrying the rotary switch wiper 35 over the series of converter switch contacts 86.

It being recalled that the timer zero

switch contacts

60, 62 were closed when the timer switch operation was initiated, it will be seen that a restoration operating ground for the converter relay will be set up on conductors 63 and 66 (via contacts 69, 62) when wiper 35 engages any one of the conversion contacts S6 which is grounded. Each timer contact 4i? is cross-connected to a corresponding conversion contact 86, and since the timer wiper 39 is grounded, it will be obvious that whichever one of the timer contacts 40, for example contact lX, is engaged by timer wiper 39 when the latter comes to rest at the end of the timing excursion, will be grounded, so that its corresponding conversion contact at 86X will also be grounded, and when wiper 85 strikes this particular ,contact an operating ground will exist on conductorH 66 to re-energize the converter relay coil, thus again Vopening contacts 74 and dropping out the converter index relay coil 81, so that the index pawl 32 drops back to stop the ratchet 83, shaft S4, and conversion wiper S5 at a position corresponding angularly to the displacement of timer wiper 39.

Since the secondary motor drive shaft 33 turns at approximately half the speed of the main shaft 31, the conversion switch shaft S4 will be correspondingly slow and, in addition to driving the follower. contact wiper 85, drives a second or translating conversion switch wiper 85, drives a second or translating conversion switch wiper 96 over a series of lamp contacts 91 to illuminate lamps 92 corresponding to the lamps in the lamp bank I mentioned in view of FIG. l-B and adapted to illuminate the display panels 26 in the game of FIG. l.

The 67 r.p.m. rate of travel of this second wiper 9i) is selected to give an interesting and readable light-up action or lamp display, thereby translating the speed of the shot into terms of a visual measure.

In addition to aording the player a visual translation of his shot, the relative speed of the shot is utilized for variable scoring purposes by extending connections from certain ones of the lamp contacts 91 to the score control unit 93, which includes a motor 96 driving rotary score switch means 97 adapted to be set into operation when a second target switch, such as the Back Puck Switch 13B (FIG. 2), is closed to energize the back relay coil 52 in conjunction with starting of the converter switch on freeing of index pawl 82, as aforesaid. T

'Ihe score motor 96 is started as soon as the conversion switch comes to rest in each cycle of operation thereof, an anticipation circuit for this purpose being partially set up by closure of the converter cam switch 98 on the initial movement of the converter switch from zero position, said starting circuit comprising the ground on conductor 99 set up by converter index relay contacts 169 (when this relay is dropped), cam contacts 98 which are now closed because Gif-zero, and conductor 97 to motor 96, it being apparent that the converter switch will stop when its index relay 81 drops out on the finding of a hot contact by its wiper 85, which will cause the index contacts o to be reclosed and complete the aforesaid operating -ground for score and reset motor 96, this motor being effectively a slow unit geared down to about 45 r.p.m. and serving to actuate certain score switching meer anism in a manner alluded to hereinafter.

The resetting rfunction of score motor 96 is initiated,

near the end of its scoring cycle, by transient closure of reset contacts 130 by the shallower reset cam notch 95A on cam located appropriately in advance of a deeper drop-out notch 95B situated at the zero position, the spacing of these notches being sufficient to afford time for the rotary timer switch to return to zero position before the deeper notch 95B opens drop-out reset contacts 55 so as to drop out the back relay 52 only after the timer index coil 43 has been dropped at 132. This will occur just prior to stoppage ofl Score motor 96 in the manner explained hereafter.

Thus, closure of reset contacts pulses the timer index relay coil a second time in each playing and scoring cycle via conductor 131, the timer zero reset contacts 132 closed (ott zero) by another timer zero cam 133, thereby energizing the index-relay via conductor 134, with the result that the converter switch is started a second time by pulling in of converter relay 69 as a result of closure of contactsv 46 in the manner previously described for the rst operation of the converter switch.

yFollowing the aforesaid resetting stoppage of the timer' at zero (by opening of zero contacts 132) the converter relay 69 continues 'in' the droppedcondition, with the are reopened and contacts 60-61 are reclosed, withthe result that as the` converter switch now reaches `zero or starting position, it not only ends the score motor cycle at cam contacts 98, but closes zero position contacts 6.4

on the rotary converter switch, so that operating ground.

via conductor 65, the said reclosed timer zero cam contacts Gil-61, conductor 66, shunt contacts 101 (which apply a full operating voltage around the resistor 67 )v andv conductor 68 will once again pick up the normally energized converter relay 69, thereby opening its contacts 74 and inally dropping the converter index coil 81 to stop the converter switch in reset zero position. Y.

The score motor having been stopped, as just described, has a slight carry-over suicient to reclose the reset cam contacts 55 in readiness to establish a new hold circuit for the back relay in the ensuing round of play.

In commercial embodiments of games of the type indicated in FIG. l, there will commonly be as many as twenty of the game or puck switches 13 wired with circuit means and a score control apparatus such as the unit 93, in a manner such that hitting combinations of more than two such switches will produce a variety of scoring patterns. The circuits and score control switch apparatus `required for such purposes is complex, and since the details of such arrangements do not constitute part of the present invention, the same are not described, it being sucient for present purposes to point out that such a score control apparatus 93 will be operably controlled or cycled for each round of play bythe score motor 96.

A simplied example of one application of the novel velocity score control means is illustrated schematically in FIG. 2, wherein the several pin switches 14 are respectively connected to pin-down switch terminals in switch -means operable to illuminate Strike or Spare light-up lamps 141 or 1412, depending upon how many pins are hit; while connections 143 from the Score Values Terminals are extended to the score control unit for connectio-n to switching terminals of a switchv ing means `144 for illuminating the score values lamp 145 depending upon which one of the speed-award zones or Contact groups 91 the speed of the players shot causes the conversion switch wiper 90 to select to illuminate ay means and the grouped or zoned speed-value contacts 91v thereof may be utilized in many ways in combination with such systems to augment or modify the control func.

7 tions thereof according to the speed or velocity measured by the timing switch means.

The disclosed improvements function basically to measure a time interval as a function in a projectile-type of game in which at least two events are caused to occur in rapid succession, such as the hitting of successive targets by a projected playing piece, or particularly in the present embodiment, the successive operation of two target switches.

According to the present disclosures, the time interval is measured entirely by the first rotary switch in terms of an angular excursion of a motor driven contact means from a starting position, initiated when the first target switch is actuated and stopped when the second target switch is actuated.

The improved control arrangement further provides a means in the form of a second motor-driven rotary switch for proportionately reproducing the angular excursion of the first rotary switch but at a different rate (eg. slower), and further serving to spread the effective contact position of the second moving (converter) contact means (e.g. the wiper arm 9u) over a widened angular area, as by connecting numbers of the contacts 91 in groups at lsucceeding intervals so as to establish wide value zones in order to provide arbitrary award values or the like to any nal resting position of the converter-switch contact means at the'end of each such excursion, or to establish contact zones which are relatedV to the magnitude of the originally measured time interval, while at the same time spreading out this interval to make the contact-changing operation of the converter switch means suitable for visual translation.

Thus, if the players shot were very fast contacts 91 in the group 112 would be selected and would lie in an advance evaluation zone; but if the shot were very slow the selected contacts might lie in group 110 in a terminal zone; while a moderately fast shot would lodge the converter contactor 90 in an intermediate or optimum value zone on group 1118. The contact grouping accordingly affords the possibility of assigning a useful signicance to the relative, as distinguished from the absolute or precise, angular displacement and position of the measured and converted time angle with the slower operation of the conversion switch means permitting the translation of the measured interval into terms of a display analogue, such as thev operation of the speed lamps 92 at a rate cognizable as suchv by the player.

' In order to simplify the reading of the circuit diagram of FIG. 2, the power supply is illustrated conventionally as positive and negative terminals with the latter grounded, so as| to reduce the number ofl conductors to be shown, it beingv emphasized that this is merely a convenience and is in no way intended to be limiting, it beingy preferred in the commercial forms of the game to employ alternating current as the power source.

I claim:

.lL For' userin gamev apparatus, score control means inclc'ling infc'ooperative combination, tandem' target objective switches to be actuated in close succession by a playing piece aimed thereat, and operatively engaging both of the same; two multi-'contact switches, each having a' starting position and electrically-controlled drive means operable to separately actuate and advance each of the same from its said starting position; circuit means controlled by a first actuated tandem switch and connected to actuate said drive means to start and advance the first multi-contact switch; circuit means controlled by a second actuated tandem switch to actuate the said drive means to stop the advance of the first multi-contact switch and start the advanceof the second multi-contact switch; and circuitconnections set up by advance operation of the first multi-contactswitch to stop the second multi-contact switch in a position of advance from starting position always proportionate to that of the first said multi-contact switch; together with score-indicatingl connections setup get switches arranged to be struck and actuated in sucy cession, said apparatus comprising: a motor driven timer switch having a plurality of contacts successively engaged from a starting position depending in number upon how long the motor drive means operates; circuit connectionsy controlled -by successive target switches actuated in quick succession to start and stop said motor switch as a means for measuring the time interval between a said succession of target switch actuations as a function of the number of contacts engaged thereby; and a second andV slower motor conversion switch meansstarted concurrently with, and under control of, the action of the last of said succession of target switches and arranged and constructed as to be stopped at positions determined by circuit connections set up at the stopping position of said first motor switch but so as to be operated for a period of time always proportional but longer than the time of operation of the first motor switch; and electrically a'ctuated visual display means actuated under control of the second motor switch to provide a proportioned visual analogue of thc time interval measured by the first motor switch.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 further characterized by the provision of score value switch means operated in step with said conversion switch means and having contacts connected in successive value groups one of cach of which corresponds to an advance, an intermediate, and a terminal speed value zone, connection with any of said ygroups being dependent upon whether the measured time interval is arbitrarily very short, of intermediate duration, or very slow, in that order, said groups being adapted for connection in a game score award circuit.

4. A time measuring and value circuit comprising: two multi-contact rotary switches each having a starting position; electrically-controlled drive means for each said switch and connected for operation to start and stop said switches; first and second game switches' and circuit means connecting each of the same with one of said electricallycontrolled drive means and respectively operable by the appertaining game switch to start the appertaining one of said rotary switches; circuit means controlled by a second one of said game switches for stopping the rotary switch started by a first one of said game switches; circuit means including connections established by said first rotary switch and extended to contacts on the second rotary switch for stopping the latter at an angular excursion away from its starting position always proportionate to the angular excursion of the first rotary switch away from its starting position, the speed of the second rotary switch being substantially different from that of the first rotary switch; and multiple contact means controlled by the second rotary switch for establishing any one of a plurality of value connections depending upon the amount of angular excursion of one of said rotary switches; together with reset circuit means automatically set into operation by connections controlled by that one of the rotary switches to be set into motion after the other for restoring both rotary switches and their associated controlled circuit means to their respective starting positions. v

5. In a game apparatus, target objective switches having actuating parts aligned to be sequentially Vengaged and actuated -by a playing piece aimed thereat; electricallyreleased rotary contacter switch means comprising a timer section and a converter section; motor means for driving said sections at different speeds'- from a matching zero starting position when released, the converter section being the slower; electrically actuated release and stopping means for each said timer and converter section; circuit means connecting a rst one of said target objective switches with the release means for the timer switch to start the latter on actuation of a hit from a playing piece; circuit means connected with a second target objective switch paired with the trst said target switch to stop the started timer section and start the converter section; supervisory circuit connections between angularly located and related contacts on both said switch sections and said release and stopping means for operation to stop the converter switch, responsive to travel of the respective contact means thereof, always at an angular position which is in proportion to the angular travel of the rotary timer switch contactor away from zero position; and value contact means including a rotary travelling value contactor member movable from a zero position in step with said converter contactor and traversing a succession of stationary value contacts greater or less in number depending on the angular travei of the movable converter contactor member and the angular travel of the movable timer contactor member from zero position; and means for resetting all 0f said switch contactors to their respective zero position.

6. ln a timing and transformation apparatus, in cooperative combination: first and second interval switches adapted to be operated in succession to determine the beginning and end of an interval; rst and second powerdriven rotary switches each having sequential contacts respectively located at corresponding angular positions with respect to a corresponding starting position; electricallycontrolled power drive means for each rotary switch operable to drive one of the same at a speed differing uniformly from that of the other and to start and stop the driving action of the same; iirst circuit means including said iirst interval switch for actuating the drive 'means of 35 the iirst rotary switch to start the same responsive to operation of the first interval switch; second circuit means including said second interval switch and connections with said iirst circuit means for stopping the first rotary switch and starting the second rotary switch responsive to operation of the second interval switch; and third circuit means controlled by contacts in sets at corresponding angular displacements from starting position on both rotary switches for stopping the second rotary switch when it reaches an angular position corresponding to that at which theiirst rotary switch is stopped; a controlled device actuated to start and stop in step with the second rotary switch; and circuit means including zero reset control switch means operably controlled by both rotary switches for automatically restoring the latter to said starting position.

7. In an interval timing and transforming circuit: first and second sequentially operable interval switches; rst and second rotary switches having corresponding angular starting positions and corresponding angularly displaced contacts at advanced stopping positions; means controlled Iby the rst interval switch for effecting operation of the first rotary switch at a predetermined uniform rate; means controlled by the second interval switch for stopping the irst rotary switch and starting the second rotary switch and driving the latter at a rate slower than the rate of the first such switch; means controlled by contacts at the advanced stopping position of the rst rotary switch and contact means at a correspondingly advanced angular position reached by the second rotary switch for stopping the latter; utilization contact means controlled by the second rotary switch; and a restoration circuit means vfor returning both rotary switches to said starting position.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS