US3219769A

US3219769A - Sequencing device

Info

Publication number: US3219769A
Application number: US243713A
Authority: US
Inventors: William C Lutzen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-05-19
Filing date: 1962-12-07
Publication date: 1965-11-23
Anticipated expiration: 1982-11-23

Description

Nov, 23, 1965 w. c. LUTZEN 3,219,769

SEQUENGING DEVICE Original Filed May 19, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. W/u MM 6. .l/fZt-N Nov. 23, 1965 w. c. LUTZEN 3,219,769

SEQUENGING DEVICE Original Filed May 19. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. W/Ll/HM C. L UTZEN jag/w WM United States Patent 3,219,769 SEQUENCTNG DEVICE William C. Lutzen, 1407 N. 123rd St, Wauwatosa, Wis. Continuation of appiicafion Ser. No. 111,346, May 19, 1961. This application Dec. 7, 1962, Ser. No. 243,713 11 Claims. (Cl. 2410-46) This application is a continuing application of a pending appilcation in the name of William C. Lutzen, Serial No. 111,346, filed May 19, 1961, and now abandoned.

This invention relates broadly to a device for order ing a sequence of events. The invention has more particularly reference to What is oftentimes called timing switch for making and/or breaking one or more electrical contacts in some predtermined sequence. The present invention is especially advantageous for use in selectively controlling the sequence of events in the cycle of a commercial laundry machine and for the present purposes is so described.

Laundering on a commercial scale of each of the many different fabrics made from fibers of natural, synthetic, and blends of natural-synthetic presents many new problems and aggravates many old problems. A dilierent laundering process is required, for example, for cotton shop towels (ordinarily having a high grease and oil content) than for nylon articles of clothing. Variables in the laundering cycle include Water temperatures, cleaning agents including detergents, wash times, number and time length of rinses, and variations in the sequence of various steps of washing, rinsing and draining.

A commercial laundry must be prepared to handle properly any given fabric which a customer brings to it for laundering. Automatic controls or the laundering cycle for such fabrics is extremely preferable because it provides the correct predetermined sequence of operations. However, the automatic control device itself should have some means to allow changing from one laundering cycle to another thereby to provide the proper laundering cycle as dictated by the fabric, and in some cases, by the materials which soil the fabric.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sequencing device so constructed as to permit changing from one cycle to another. To this end, the invention contemplates, in a timing switch construction, the use of an individual timing card for each cycle. In each card is cut slots each representing an event in a cycle. A plurality of timing cards are provided, each of which represents a different cycle by having a different arrangement of slots. The timing cards are interchangeable.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a sequencing device so contructed and arranged as to allow changing from one cycle to another by changing timing cards. In this connection the invention provides a construction for enclosing the device, which construction inludes means for gaining access to the mechanism to mount, remove, and/or exchange timing cards. Briefly stated, the construction includes a cabinet enclosing the switch mechanism and having an access door. The timing card is removably supported on the mechanism within the cabinet. The cabinet includes a unique access door construction having mechanism to cooperate with the remainder of the apparatus in the support and/ or positioning of the timing card.

ice

The operator of the laundering operation occasionally inspects to determine what event in the cycle is taking place, eg., rinsing. The operator also has occasion to repeat and/ or speed up certain cycle events, e.g., when the 'fabric is excessively dirty an extra washing operation is indicated or when the fabric is unusually clean or being rewashed a shortened Washing operation is indicated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a sequencing device that, at least, displays the event or events currently in action.

A further object of the invention is to provide a sequencing device constructed to receive and detchably support any of a plurality of interchangeable timing cards.

Among objects of the inventon is a novel access door construction wihch supports the timing card during oper ation in such a way that the card is readily detachable.

Still another object of the invention is novel access door construction which positionally relates a flexible member, such as a timing card, to mechanism located adjacent the door.

Still another object of the invention is a novel access door construction which positionally relates a flexible member, such as a timing card, to mechanism located adjacent the door while visually displaying the flexible member.

A related object is the provision of a timer cabinet or housing construction wherein the door cooperates with the timing card and other structure to position the timing card adjacent switches actuated thereby and wherein the door combines with the timing card to form what is called a face cam.

Another object is the provision of novei mode of adjustably mounting switches to coact with the timing card.

Other objects, advantages and features will become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an instrument cabinet with its door open and the timing card partly cut away to show a switch bank and timing card positioning means.

FIG. 2 is a top cross section taken on a horizontal plane through the axis of the timershaft of FIG. 1 showing the pressure plate mounting in cross section, manner of receiving mounting block in plate central recess, and relation of timing card to all including positioning means on the shaft, door and panel.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross section along 3-3 of FIG. 2 to illustrate a preferred manner of adjustably mounting micro-switches.

The present invention contemplates the use of a thin card, preferably in the form of a disc having annular arcuate slots therein. Means are provided to rotate the card about an axis so that the arcuate slots engage microswitches. The ends of the slots preferably coincide with a radius and define the means to manipulate the respective switch engaged by the slot ends. The micro-switches are then actuated to either open or close an electrical contact in response to engagement by the card slot ends. One or more events are capable of being controlled in a timed fashion by this means.

The disc or timing card is preferably of a flexible material and can be either metal, plastic, cardboard, or the like. It can be either an electrical conductor or nonagainst the cabinet.

conductor. Preferably, the disc is of a laminated structure, having cellophane on each face thereof with cardboard in the middle. The cardboard can be of the wellknown chip board variety. The various arcuate slots are cut in the timing disc to extend perpherally about the axis of rotation. The lengths of the individual slots determine the length of time that a particular switch is maintained in a closed or open position.

In the preferred embodiment, the timing disc is mounted to rotate relative to a cabinet housing in which the rotating means is supported. The card being of thin flexible material is supported by a unique mechanism mounted on the door of the cabinet or housing. The support structure is of such nature that the timing disc or timing card is precisely positioned relative to the switches so that the various slots are brought into positive engagement and disengagement with the switches.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown a cabinet housing having a door designated generally as 12. The housing includes the panel 14 on the front face thereof. The door is pivotally supported relative to the face by the hinges 15 which are in turn spaced an appropriate amount away from the panel 14 by brackets 16 (see FIG. 2).

The panel 14 supports a number of elements of collateral interest. As shown in FIG. 1, a bank of switches generically denoted as 18 is disposed at the top of the panel for manual actuation or control of selected events. The switches are disposed so that the door 12 does not have to be opened by the operator in order to have access to them. Additionally,

toggle switches

20 and 22 are provided for respectively turning on the power to the electrical system and for turning on the timer motor, respectively.

A door latch 24 is secured to the panel and cooperates with latching means 26 mounted on the door handle 28 in order to latch the door in place when the latter is closed A plunger safety switch 30 is also mounted to extend through the panel and to engage the inner face of the door. The purpose of the plunger switch is to shut off the timer motor at any time the door is opened. In this fashion, the particular process being controlled is brought to a halt when the door is opened.

One or more signal lights 32 are also mounted on the panel.

The previously mentioned timing card is illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 as the disc 35. A plurality of peripherally extending slots 36 are cut in the disc. Means are provided for detachably mounting the disc in such fashion that when the door is opened to the position shown in FIG. 1, the operator can merely lift the disc off the mounting means. In the illustrated embodiment, the means for detachably supporting the timing card comprises a square shaft 38 which fits snugly into a corresponding square hole 40 whereby the timing card rotates in unison with the shaft. The timing card is positioned axially on the shaft by a shoulder 42 which is mounted on the shaft. In this fashion, the shoulder 42 positions the timing card at its central portion with respect to the panel 14 and also with respect to the door, as described below with particular reference to FIG. 2.

Another positioning means is disposed radially outwardly from the shaft and is preferably supported from the panel. This particular positioning means comprises the pair of vertically spaced-apart rounded studs 44. As best seen in FIG. 2, the studs are located at a radius such that they do not contact the timing card, but instead contact the pressure plate 45 which is mounted on the door. The studs have a rounded end and frictionally engage the pressure plate. Preferably the studs are made of plastic such as Lucite, nylon, Teflon or the like. The two studs 44 are spaced apart in such fashion that they straddle the bank of switch actuators 46 which are preferably arranged linearly along a radius and extend through a hole 48 in the panel. The switches and their mounting 4 are described further below in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3.

The door assembly or door body 12 comprises a frame member 50 on which the handle 28, the pressure plate 45, and associated mechanism is mounted. The door frame 50 can be most simply described as a shallow boxlike structure with a hole 52 cut in one side of the box so that a window 54 can be mounted in the hole. Referring also to FIG. 2, the window is mounted by any suitable means, the illustrated means including nuts 56 welded to the door frame at a plurality of places around the hole 52, and the bracket 58 screwed into place with the bolt 60. The bracket 58 is angle shaped and serves to clamp the window 54 against the frame 50, as best seen in FIG. 2. The window 54 is preferably made of Lucite, but may also be made of other suitable transparent materials, including glass.

The gasket 62 is afiixed to the door, and extends completely therearound in order that a sealing engagement against the panel 14 can be effected. However, a notch 64 is cut in the bottom of the door so that the pressure plate 45 can depend or extend therethrough whereby the operator can manually rotate the pressure plate in making adjustments, as hereinafter described.

Referring now to both FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a means connected between the pressure plate and the door for rotatably supporting the plate on the inside of the door whereby the plate rotates in a plane that is generally parallel to the door. Such means is generically denoted as the assembly 66 and further includes a bearing block 68 that is mounted in a generally central region of the window 54. The bearing block can likewise be constructed of plastic. A hole 69 is drilled through the block, and a stud 70 is slidably mounted in the hole. A helical spring 72 surrounds the stud 70, and when the door 12 is closed as seen in FIG. 2, the spring is in compression to thereby urge the pressure plate away from the door and toward the panel.

A ball bearing assembly 74 is mounted with its outer race secured in a recess in the bearing plate 76. The bearing plate is fixedly secured to the pressure plate 45 by any suitable means, or can be machined or cast in one piece with the pressure plate. In the present embodiment, a plurality of screws (not shown) are used to secure the pressure plate to the bearing plate. A bolt 78 and its corresponding underlying washer secure the inner race of the ball bearing to the stud 70.

The just-described construction sets forth the means by which the plate is revolvably supported from the door. When the door is closed, as seen in FIG. 2, the outwardly extending square shaft 38 is received in a recess 80 which is at the central region of the pressure plate. With this arrangement, the spring 72 biases the entire pressure plate away from the door and toward the panel so that the timing card 35 is frictionally engaged by the face of the pressure plate 45 (referring to that face toward the viewer as seen in FIG. 1). This enables aligning the pressure plate with the timing card; the switches; with the various switching means; and with the means for aligning and positioning the card and/or the pressure plate, including the shaft shoulder 42, the studs 44, and the next-described means for engaging the plate to position it for rotation and to bias the pressure plate toward the locating means which includes the shaft shoulder 42 and the studs 44.

The positioning means referred to includes the spring biased door stud 82 which is located radially outwardly from the axis of the pressure plate at a position such that the two studs 44 straddle the stud 82 along a vertical line. This is best realized when viewing the relationship of the parts as seen in FIG. 1. the spring biased door stud 82 is to urge the pressure plate into engagement with the two studs 44 adjacent the edge of the pressure plate. This cooperates with the force of spring 72 urging the plate toward the shoulder 42, on the shaft so that the pressure plate, the timing card, and; the

The purpose of bank of switches 46 are all in alignment. The spring biased arrangement of the pressure plate provides a proper but flexible aligning construction whereby variations in the thickness of the timing card become immaterial. It will be observed that the area in which the alignment is most stringently maintained is that region where the bank of switches 46 contacts the timing card. This, of course, is where the alignment has to be maintained.

The spring biased stud 82 is mounted in a threaded tube 84 that is screwed into a nut 86 welded to the door. A helical spring 88 is maintained in compression so that the stud 82 is urged constantly away from the door and toward the studs 44 when the door is closed (see FIG. 2).

The means for engaging and positioning the pressure plate also includes the stop assemblies 90 (FIG. 1). The stop assemblies 90 each include a bracket 92 with a Z- shaped cross section which is welded to the door at one end. The flange on the other end of the bracket is threaded and a screw 94 threadedly engages the threaded flange to secure a stop leaf 96 against such flange. The stop leaves in turn engage the pressure plate at its periphery and are arranged to straddle or vertically flank the spring biased stud 82. The stop leaves are spaced toward the panel 14 away from the front of the door 50 so that when the door is closed the studs 44 engage the pressure plate and push it backward by compressing the spring 88. This disengages the pressure plate from the stop leaves 96. The stop leaves 96 are arranged to prevent the pressure plate from being pushed entirely away from the door or door window by reason of the force exerted by the

springs

72 and 88.

The pressure plate 45 is supported on the door 50 by the above mechanism in such fashion that it is substantially coaxial with the shaft 40, or with the shaft of which 38 is an extension. The door latch mechanism 24 maintains the relationship when the door is closed. If desired, the door latch mechanism can be magnetic, as by mounting a magnet on the inside of the door to engage magnetically the vertical face at the front of the bracket 24.

In order that the operator can align the timing card for starting an operation, each timing card has a start line indicia 100 (FIG. 2). The indicia may be printed, scored, or similarly afiixed to the timing card. In starting the operation, the operator brings the start line indicia 100 into alignment with the starting pointer 102 by turning the pressure plate at its lowermost end where it depends below the notch 64 in the door. The starting pointer extends radially of the pressure plate and timing card. The pointer is conveniently mounted on the threaded tube 84 in which the stud 82 is mounted. This is conveniently accomplished by securing the pointer between two

nuts

104, 106 which are threadedly engaged with the tube 84.

As should be evident from the above construction, where the pressure plate and the window are both made of transparent material, the operator can observe the timing card and thereby tell from its relation to the pointer 102 just what step or steps are being carried out in the controlled process. It may be convenient to label the different annular tracks in which the respective slots 36 are cut. For example, two such labels 108 are shown. In this fashion, should the operator decide that certain steps need manual control or manual extension of time or other specialized attention, the operator can manually take over the operation by manipulating the appropriate ones of the switches 18, which are similarly identified.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there are shown means for driving the timing card through its cycle of operation in a timed fashion. This includes the synchronous clock motor 110 of any conventional type and an associated gear box 112, preferably with a worm gear drive, for adjusting the velocity of rotation. The output shaft 114 from the gear box supports the shoulder 42 and the square shaft 38. The clock motor and gear box may advantageously 6 be secured to the backside of the panel 14 by bolting the flanges 116 on the gear box to the rear of the panel 114. As shown in FIG. 2, an appropriate aperture is provided for the shaft 114 to extend through the panel.

It is preferred that the gear box include a one way clutch of such nature that the synchronous motor can be manually turned in only one direction during those times that the operator is aligning the start line with the pointer 102. In such case, the direction of manual rotation should be the same as the direction in which the clock motor drives the timing card. In the illustrated embodiment, both such directions are clockwise, as the timing card is viewed in FIG. 1.

A novel means is provided for mounting the bank of switches generically denoted 46. The particular mounting means enables adjusting the switches relative to the timing card and the pressure plate. This is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, where there is seen a micro-switch having a body 102 through which is drilled a hole 122. A shaft 124 fits snugly in the hole 122, but permits rotation of the body 120 about the shaft. The shaft 124 is secured at each end in an appropriate bearing by any suitable means, such as a set screw. The bearings, securing means, and set screws are generically shown in FIG. 2 as 126. It will be observed that each of the micro-switches has a lever arm 128 attached thereto, and that one end thereof extends into engagement with the timing card 35 (see FIG. 3). It is preferred that a roller 130 be provided at the timing card-engaging end of the lever. The roller 130 rolls into and out of the respective slots 36 cut in the timing card.

The micro-switches, along with the associated shaft and shaft securing means, are all mounted on a flanged channel shaped bracket 132 (see FIG. 2). The flanges 134 of the channel are used as a means for securing the bracket to the back of the panel. A threaded rod 136 is pivotally secured to the body 120 of the mounting switch and extends through an aperture 138 in the base of the bracket. Two spaced apart nuts, 140, 142, are respectively disposed along the threaded rod with the compression spring 144 and the base of the bracket 132 therebetween.

When it is desired to adjust the position of the roller 130 relative to the pressure plate 45, it is only necessary to turn the nut 140 so that the threaded engagement with the rod 136 swings the entire micro-switch about the shaft 124.

The bracket 132 is preferably secured to any suitable means such as screws to the back of the panel 14. In this fashion, the entire switch bank can be removed for servicing or repairing any one of the respective switches.

The switches in the switch bank 46 are connected to control various relays, solenoid valves, and the like as may be indicated by the particular process under control. Preferably, the switches are connected in parallel circuits, each in series with the respective solenoid or relay controlled by the switch. Where desired to effect a manual control by the switch 18, one of the switches 18 is connected in parallel with the particular micro-switch and in series with the solenoid, relay, etc. which is to be controlled either by the timing card or manually. The particular and specific electrical circuits are not the subject matter of this invention because such a wide variety of processes are susceptible to control with the disclosed sequencing device.

In review, it will be seen that the timing card 35 can be readily placed on the square shaft 38. A detachable connection is thus provided, whereby the timing card is merely lifted off the square shaft 38 when it is desired to change to another timing card for a different process. At the same time, during operation the timing card is precisely held in place by reason of the door construction. More particularly, when the door is closed and brought to the position of FIG. 2, the pressure plate 45 moves into coaxial alignment with the square shaft 38 and the timing card, at the same time receiving the square shaft 38 in the recess 80. The pressure plate frictionally engages the timing card when the door body, or assembly, is moved to the closed position relative to the panel.

At the time the door is close, the pressure plate also engages the fixed studs 44 in such fashion that the plate moves away from the stop leaves 96 thereby further compressing the helical spring 88; a similar action takes place at the center of the plate in compressing spring 72 and sliding the stud 70 in the hole 69. This is a gentle compression and provides a frictional engagement between the plate and the studs 44, 82 during those times that the timer is in operation. During operation, the pressure plate rotates in unison with the timing card and the square shaft by reason of the frictional engagement of the timing card with the pressure plate.

The frictional engagement between the timing card and the pressure plate is promoted by the two

respective springs

72 and 88. The particular elignment required of the timing card with the bank of switches '46 is accomplished by reason of several factors: the alignment of the timing card with the shoulder 42, the bias of spring 72 which maintains the engagement of the timing card and the pressure plate with the shoulder 42, the frictional engagement with the plastic studs 44 and 82 at the periphery of the pressure plate, and by the arms 128 of the microswitches which are ordinarily biased by the structure of the switch outwardly to bring the roller 130 into rolling engagement with the timing card 35.

Thus, it will be observed that the timing card is detachably mounted by the cooperation between the door assembly 12 and the aligning or positioning means comprising the shoulders 42, the studs 44, and the coacting portions of the door.

During operation, the particular length of time the switch is maintained in an operative or inoperative position is determined by the peripheral length between the radially extending edges of the respective slots 36. It is ordinarily preferred to cut the length of the slots to define the period of time that a desired event takes place. As may be observed by the arrangement of slots in FIG. 1, a plurality of events can be controlled at the same time.

It is also to be observed that the bank of switches 46 is preferably disposed in the region between the square shaft and the two studs 44.

While the invention has been disclosed with respect to a particular environment, application, and a presently preferred construction, it is to be understood that it is not limited thereto, but includes all those modifications, changes, substitutions and equivalents, and the like which would be obvious to one skilled in the art but which also fall within the spirit of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a sequence timer having a selectively interchangeable sequence controller disc mounted for rotation in a timer housing, a door construction for holding said controller disc in an operative position comprising a door body mounted on said housing for movement from an open to a closed position,

a pressure plate,

means connected between said plate and said door for rotatably supporting said plate, on one side of said door, for rotation in a plane parallel to that of said door,

said plate engaging one surface of said disc when the door is in the closed position, means mounted on said housing for engaging said plate to position said plate for rotation in a predetermined plane,

and means for urging said plate away from said door and into engagement with said disc and said engaging means whereby said disc is rotated in a predetermined plane.

2. In a cabinet for a timer having an interchangeable disc type sequence controller, a door construction for holding said disc controller in position comprising a door body including a window of transparent material,

a pressure plate adapted to frictionally engage said controller and having at least a portion thereof constructed of transparent material,

means connected between said plate and said door for rotatably supporting said plate in alignment with and on one side of said door for rotation in a plane parallel to that of said window,

means for engaging said plate to position said plate in spaced apart relationship to said door for rotation in said plane, and

means for urging said plate away from said door and int-o engagement with said means for engaging whereby said plate, when rotated, is urged away from said door into engagement with said means for engaging to thereby rotate in said plane and to permit visual observation through the transparent portions of said door and said pressure plate.

3. In a cabinet, a door construction comprising the combination of a door body,

a flat circular member defining a pressure plate,

means for engaging said plate to position said plate for rotation in said plane and means for urging said plate away from said door and into engagement with said means for engaging whereby said plate, when rotated, is urged away from said door into engagement with said means for engaging to thereby rotate in said plane.

4. In a cabinet, a door construction comprising a combination of a door body,

a flat circular member defining a pressure plate,

means mounted on said door and angularly spaced apart with reference to the center of said plate, for engaging said plate to position the same for rotaiton in said plane, and

means for urging said plate away from said door and int-o engagement with said means for engaging whereby said plate, when rotated, is urged away from said door into engagement with said means for engaging to thereby rotate in said plane.

5. A sequencing device comprising in combination a flat panel a shaft extending through said panel and supported to resolve relative to said panel a thin generally circular member defining a timing card and having a plurality of timing slots cut therein, each slot extending circularly through a portion of an annular circular circumference means on said shaft to detachably support said timing card for rotation in unison with said shaft first positioning means disposed on said shaft for locating said timing card relative to said panel and axially on said means, the positioning means being disposed between said means and said panel in alignment with the next-said means second positioning means disposed radially from said shaft and supported on said panel a plurality of actuators for respective switching means and disposed between said first and second positioning means, each said actuator being disposed at a radius from said shaft to be engaged by a predetermined one of said slots in said timing card a door body a fiat pressure plate revolvably supported from said door body to rotate in a plane generally parallel to that of said door body means supported from said door body for urging said plate away from said door body, and

means for removably supporting said door body in a closed position relative to said panel whereby said means for urging biases said plate into frictional engage-ment with said plate and also into a predetermined relationship with said first and second positioning means.

6. A sequencing device comprising in combination a panel a shaft extending away from one face of said panel and supported to revolve relatively thereto means on said shaft to detachably support a member for rotation in unison with said shaft first positioning means for locating such member relative to said one face and axially on said means to support second positioning means disposed radially from said shaft and supported on said panel in alignment with said first positioning means a door body means for pivotally supporting said door body to restrain said door body for pivoting relative to said panel and in one position of the door body to bring the hereinafter defined pressure plate into alignment with said first and second positioning means a fiat pressure plate means connected between said plate and said door for rotatably supporting said plate, on one side of said door, for rotation in a plane parallel to that of said door means for engaging said plate to position said plate for rotation in said plane, and

means for urging said plate away from said door and into engagement with said means for engaging whereby positioning said door body in said one position aligns said pressure plate with said first and second positioning means so that a member when detachably supported on said shaft is frictionally engaged by said plate whereupon said plate and the member rotate in unison and the member is maintained in a predetermined position between said first and second positioning means on one hand and on the other hand said plate.

7. A sequencing device comprising in combination a housing a fiat panel mounted in said housing a shaft extending through said panel and supported to revolve relative to said panel a thin generally circular member defining a timing card and having a plurality of timing slots cut therein, each slot extending circularly through a portion of an annular circular circumference means on said shaft to detachably support said timing card for rotation in unison with said shaft first positioning means disposed on said shaft for locating said timing card relative to said panel and axially on said means, the positioning means being disposed between said means and said panel in alignment with the next-said means second positioning means disposed radially from said shaft and supported on said panel a plurality of actuators for respective switching means and disposed in linear alignment along a radius between said first and second positioning means, each said actuator being disposed at a radius from said shaft to be engaged by a predetermined one of said slots in said timing card a door body a flat pressure plate revolvably supported from said door body to rotate in a plane generally parallel to that of said door body means supported from said door body for urging said plate away from said door body and means for hingedly supporting said door body from said housing in a closed position and relative to said panel whereby said means for urging biases said plate into frictional engagement with said card and also into a predetermined relationship with said first and second positioning means.

8. A sequencing device comprising in combination a panel a shaft extending away from one face of said panel and supported to revolve relatively thereto means on said shaft to detachably support a member for rotation in unison with said shaft first positioning means for locating such member relative to said one face and axially on said means second positioning means disposed radially from said shaft and supported on said panel in alignment with said first positioning means a door assembly having a transparent portion means for pivotally supporting said door to restrain said door body for pivoting relative to said panel and in one position of the door body to bring the hereinafter defined pressure plate into alignment with said first and second positioning means means connected between said plate and said door for rotatably supporting said plate, on one side of said door, for rotation in a plane parallel to that of said door means for engaging said plate to position said plate for rotation in said plane and means for urging said plate away from said door and into engagement with said means for engaging whereby positioning said door body in said one position aligns said pressure plate with said first and second positioning means so that a member when detachably supported on said shaft is frictionally engaged by said plate whereupon said plate and the member rotate in unison and the member is maintained in a predetermined position between said first and second positioning means on one hand and on the other hand said plate.

9. A sequencing device for controlling the operation of a number of function switches comprising a housing,

a cover for said housing,

a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing,

a timing card blank,

mounting means on said shaft supporting said timing card blank for rotation with said shaft between said housing and said cover,

a plurality of actuators for said function switches mounted on said housing in a fixed position with respect to said mounting means and in a position to engage the surface of said blank facing said housing,

means for rotating said shaft, said blank having a number of slots selectively cut therein and aligned with individual actuators for controlling the same in a predetermined sequence.

10. A sequencing device according to claim 9 wherein,

said cover has a pressure plate mounted to rotate freely thereon and is biased to engage the other surface of said blank when the cover is closed to thereby hold the blank on the support means.

11. A sequencing device for controlling the operation of a number of function switches comprising a housing a shaft rotatably mounted in said housing means for driving said shaft at timing speed a selectively interchangeable card mounted on and rotatable with said shaft,

1 1 1 2 a door having a pressure plate rotatably mounted theresequence as the shaft is rotated to actuate said on, said plate being biased to engage one entire surswitches in a prescribed program of operations.

face of said card when the door is closed, so that the card rotates in a predetermined plane a switch actuator for each function switch, said actuator being aligned on a line intersecting the axis of 2,003,852 6/1935 Beattie 200-46 said shaft in a position to engage the surface of 2,639,340 5/1953 Gaite 20046. said card,

said card having a number of slots cut therein to se- KATHLEEN CLAFFY Primary Examiner quentially engage said actuator in a predetermined 10 ROBERT SCHAEFER, Examinefi

Claims

9. A SEQUENCING DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A NUMBER OF FUNCTION SWITCHES COMPRISING A HOUSING, A COVER FOR SAID HOUSING, A SHAFT ROTATABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOUSING, A TIMING CARD BLANK, MOUNTING MEANS ON SAID SHAFT SUPPORTING SAID TIMING CARD BLANK FOR ROTATION WITH SAID SHAFT BETWEEN SAID HOUSING AND SAID COVER, A PLURALITY OF ACTUATORS FOR SAID FUNCTION SWITCHES MOUNTED ON SAID HOUSING IN A FIXED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID MOUNTING MEANS AND IN A POSITION TO ENGAGE THE SURFACE OF SAID BLANK FACING SAID HOUSING, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID SHAFT, SAID BLANK HAVING A NUMBER OF SLOTS SELECTIVELY CUT THEREIN AND ALIGNED WITH INDIVIDUAL ACTUATORS FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME IN A PREDETERMINED SEQUENCE.