US3240389A - Spray timer - Google Patents

Description

March 15, 1966 F. R. GENUA 3,240,389

SPRAY TIMER Filed Dec. 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F G l ATTORNEYS March 1966 F. R. GENUA 3,240,389

SPRAY TIMER Filed Dec. 24, 1964 2 SheetsSheet 2 INVENTOR Francis R.Genua ATTORNEYS FIG.8. B

United States Patent 3,240,389 SPRAY TIMER Francis R. Genua, Plymouth, Conn., assignor to Robertshaw Controls Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed Dec. 24, 1964, Ser. No. 420,914 28 Claims. (Cl. 222-70) This invention relates to metering devices for aerosols or the like and more particularly to a timer means for regulating the number, frequency and duration of individual discharge or spray cycles from an aerosol dispenser or the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a spray timer including novel means for selectively determining the number, frequency and duration of individual spray cycles initiated by said timer from an aerosol container, wherein said timer is removably mounted over the valve portion of the container.

It is another object of this invention to"provide a spray timer for pressurized containers having tilt type valves and to simultaneously provide a novel nozzle structure for said valve which will properly index said spray timer into proper position on said container.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a spray timer including a clock mechanism having means therein selectively providing continuous or predetermined durations of operation of said clock mechanism, novel spray cycle initiating means driven by said clock mechanism.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a spray timer for pressurized containers having a novel spring and cam valve actuator structure therein.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a spray timer unit for pressurized containers having a novel mounting means for securing said timer unit to said containers.

These and other objects of this invention will become more fully apparent with reference to the following specification and drawings which relate to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is an assembled view, in perspective, of the invention.

FIGURE 3 is a partial cross-section taken along line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a side elevation of the drive motor and valve operating means of the invention;

FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged operational detail of the valve nozzle and activator;

FIGURE 8 is a top plan operational detail of the valve nozzle and actuator; and

FIGURE 9 is a cross-section taken along line 99 of FIGURE 4.

Basically, the present invention comprises a timer unit which mounts over the valve stem and retaining skirt thereof of a conventional aerosol type container having displaceable valve means such as a tilt-type aerosol valve,

a clock mechanism in the timer unit is provided for driving a control cam which constrains valve actuator means to periodically open the valve of the aerosol container and cause a resulting emission therefrom of the container contents over a predetermined period of time hereinafter called a spray cycle. Means are further provided in the timer unit whereby the total number of spray cycles may be selectively determined and correspondingly, whereby the total time of actuation of the timer unit may be select- "ice ed within the end limits of energy stored in a mainspring which drives the said timer unit.

Referring in detail to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGURES l, 2 and 3, the spray timer 10 is shown as being mounted upon an aerosol can or other pressurized container 12 having a conventional tilt type hollow discharge valve stem 14 protruding from the upper end thereof.

The upper end of the container 12 comprises a valve cover 16 having an annular re-entrant portion 18 concentric with the said valve stem 14. The re-entrant portion is defined by a raised annular, three-quarter-round molding 20 or the like.

A spray nozzle 22 having a vertical axial bore 24 therein is mounted on the valve stem 14, which stem 14 is telescopically received within the vertical bore 24. A radial discharge port 26 extends to the atmosphere from the vertical bore 24 and includes a counterbored discharge end 28.

A radially stepped, longitudinally extending index tab 30 is provided integral with the said spray nozzle 22 and is symmetrically disposed beneath the counterbored discharge end 28 of the nozzle discharge port 26. The tab 30 includes a dependent foot 32 which engages the surface of the annular re-entrant portion 18 in the valve cover 16.

The spray nozzle 22 also is provided with a beveled upper portion 34, diametrically opposite the discharge end 28 of the discharge port 26 to permit manual operation of the valve stem 14 when the spray timer 10 is not present on the container 12.

The spray timer 10 is provided with a cylindrical housing 36 having an internal supporting deck 38 intermediate the upper and lower ends thereof. The external peripheral skirt portion below the deck 38 is provided with a rectangular slot 40 which is adapted to be in alignment with the discharge end 28 of the discharge port 26 of the spray nozzle 22.

Dependent from the support deck 38 is a cylindrical sleeve 42, which is internally concentric with the housing 36 and substantially co-extensive therewith below the said deck 38. A plurality of longitudinally extending, radially acting, arcuate spring fingers 44 are provided about the entire lower annulus of the sleeve 42 with the exception that one rectangular slot 46 is left open in a position such that it is in registry with the rectangular slot 40 in the housing 36.

The housing 36 has substantially the same diameter as the container 12 while the inner sleeve 42 is dimensioned such that the spring fingers 44 engage the inner edge of the annular molding 20 on the valve cover 16. An annular recess 48 is provided on the spring fingers 44 so that they fully conform to the contour of the said annular molding 20.

The deck 38 is ported, as best shown at 50 in FIGURE 3, and the inner sleeve 42 is cut away at 52 adjacent the port 50 to provide operating room for the valve actuator means 54.

Referring to FIGURES 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 8, the valve actuator means 54 is shown as comprising a timing cam 56 and a dual cam follower 58, both of which are mounted beneath the lower surface of a timer drive motor 60.

The timer cam 56 comprises a flat cylindrical disc having upper and lower peripheral cam surfaces 62 and 64, respectively, the disc being secured at its center of rotation to the output shaft 66 of the timer motor 60.

The dual cam follower 58 comprises an upper cam follower arm 68 and a lower cam follower arm 70 joined together by means of a torsion spring coil 72, integral with said arms 68 and 70 at opposite ends thereof, which is externally concentric with and freely mounted for rotation on a pivot pin 74 depended from beneath the timer motor 60.

Referring now to FIGURES 1 through 6, the timer motor 60 is shown as comprising a base plate 76 which rests on the support deck 38 of the housing 36, an upper mounting plate 78 separated by spacer studs 80 from the base plate 76, a gear train 82 sandwiched between the base plate 76 and mounting plate 78 and a helical drive or mainspring 84 mounted on the upper mounting plate 78.

The mainspring 84 is secured via its innermost convolution to an actuator shaft 86 which serves to wind the spring 84 as well as comprising the power input shaft for the gear train 82.

A fixed reference bracket 88 is mounted on the upper plate 78 and serves as an anchor for the outermost end 90 of the mainspring 84.

Referring to FIGURES 4 and 9, the spray timer assembly further includes a cylindrical end cap 92 having a serrated periphery 94 and an internally threaded, internal, axial extension 96 which is threadably engageable with the actuator shaft 86 on the timer motor 60. The end cap 92 thus serves as a winding knob for the mainspring 84. a

The serrated periphery 94 is in the form of a dependent skirt which is externally concentric with the upper periphery of the timer housing 36.

Immediately beneath and extending radially outward from the end cap 92 is a selector means comprising a circular index dial 98 having a serrated peripheral edge comprising a plurality of gear teeth 100. The gear teeth 100 extend around most of the periphery of the dial 98 except for an arcuate section thereof between positions referenced 102 and 104, subtended, substantially, by diameters of the dial 98 originating at the OFF and ON positions, respectively, indicated on the upper surface of the said dial 98.

The dial 98 is mounted for rotation on an integral dependent shaft106 which is suitably mounted for rotation on the upper support plate 78 of the timer motor 60 such as by an internally coaxial hold-down screw or bolt 108.

Integral with the dial shaft 106 at a position thereon adjacent the upper surface of the upper support plate 78 is a radial step 110 having a cut-off cam surface 112 on the under side thereof. The cut-off cam surface 112 in the embodiment shown is substantially trapezoidal in crosssection, having a rise on either side of a flattened apex or land.

Mounted between the upper and lower support plates 76 and 78, respectively, in substantially coaxial alignment with the dial shaft 98, is a stop assembly 114. The stop assembly 114 includes a cylindrical body 116 mounted for both rotation and axial displacement between the support plates 76 and '78 and an axial biasing spring 118 of the coiled compression type interconnected at one end with the lower support plate 76 and at its other end with the cylindrical body 116 whereby, the said body of 116 is biased axially towards the upper support plate 78 and in one direction of rotation.

A first cam follower comprising an axially disposed peripherally mounted first follower pin 120 integral with the cylindrical body 116 extends through an arcuate slot 122 in the upper support plate 78 into proximity with the cut-off cam surface 112 when the dial shaft 98 has been rotated so as to position the same cam 112 above the said slot 122 in the plate '78.

A second cam follower comprising a radially extending integral arm 124 carrying a dependent second follower pin 126 at its outer end, the said pin 126 extending through a port 128 in the lower support plate 76 into proximity disposed on the cylindrical body 116 intermediate the ends thereof is provided and increases in radius in a substantial linear relationship with respect to its axial length in a direction from the lower plate 76 to the upper plate 78.

The timer motor 60 includes a balance wheel 134 which is driven from the mainspring 84 via the main shaft 86, gear train 136 and escapment-mechanism 138, see FIG- URE 9. The balance wheel 134 is in immediate proximity with the wedge surface 132, whereby an axial displacement of the cylindrical body 116 of the stop assembly 114 effects juxtaposition of the periphery of the balance wheel 134 with the said wedge surface 132, for purposes to be hereinafter described.

The gear teeth on the periphery of the index dial 98 are interengaged with the teeth of a pinion gear 140 which is coaxially mounted on the main shaft 86, above the mainspring 84, between a pair of annular bosses 142 and 144. A friction washer 146 is provided between the boss 142 and the pinion 140 whereby a predetermined amount of friction opposing rotation of the pinion 140 on the shaft 86 is provided for purposes to be hereinafter described. n

The spray timer assembly 10 is completed by an index or reference pointer 148 extending radially outward from the housing 12 beneath the index dial 98.

Operation Assuming that the spray nozzle 22 is already in position on the valve stem 14 of the container 12, the spray timer 10 is secured to the valve cover 16 by aligning the rectangular slot 46, between the dependent spring fingers 44 of the inner sleeve 42, with the stepped index tab 30 on the spray nozzle 22 and subsequently forcing the entire timer assembly 10 downward whereby the spring fingers 44 enter the re-entrant portion 18 of the valve cover 16 and are locked in place by the intersection of the annular molding 20 on the valve cover 16 and the annular recess 48 on the spring fingers 44.

Thus, the timer 10 is mounted on the container 12 and the discharge end 28 of the discharge port 26 in the nozzle 32 is aligned with the rectangular discharge slots 46 and 40 in the inner sleeve 42 and outer housing 36, respectively.

To initiate a metered discharge from the container 12, assuming for the sake of example that a constant discharge may be effected by tilting the valve stem 14 and thus, controlling the duration of the said discharge will permit a predetermined quantity to be discharged during each spray cycle, the end cap or winding knob 92 is utilized to wind up the mainspring 84 via the actuator shaft 86. A one-way clutch means (not shown is provided on the gear train 82 whereby no movement of the output shaft 66 thereof is effected during the winding operation on the mainspring 84.

The dual cam follower 58 is positioned, upon mounting of the timer 10 on the cam 12, with the lower cam follower arm 70 immediately adjacent the periphery of the spray nozzle 22 above the discharge end 28 of the discharge port 26 therein.

As best shown in FIGURES 4, 7 and 8, release of the mainspring 84 will drive the shaft 86 to energize the gear train 82 and cause the output shaft 66 to rotate the timer cam 56 of the valve actuator means 54.

When the cam 56 reaches the position of FIGURE 8, the upper cam follower arm 68 is in a position of maximum rise on the upper cam 62 while the lower cam follower arm 70 is at a point of minimum rise on the lower cam 64, having just fallen off of the point of maximum rise of the said lower cam. Thus, because of the helical torsion spring 72 interconnecting the said follower arms and the opposed rise characteristics of the upper and lower cams 62 and 63, respectively, the lower cam follower arm 70 is constrained to follow the upper follower arm 68 as it pivots on the pivot pin 74.

Thus, when the lower follower arm 70 falls off the point of maximum rise of the lower cam 64 it is forced against the spray nozzle 22 with sufficient force to tilt or rock the said nozzle and the valve stem 14, as shown in FIG- URE 8, such that a spray discharge is effected from the discharge end 28 of the discharge port 26 through the rectangular discharge slots 46 and 42 in the inner sleeve 42 and outer housing 36. respectively.

The duration of the spray cycle is predetermined by the strength of the mainspring 84, gain of the gear train 82 and rise characteristics of the upper and lower cams 62 and 64, respectively, on the timer cam 56.

The timer motor 60 may be as described or may be an electric clock motor type of drive for the timer whereby similar spray cycle regulation may be efi'ected by selecting gear ratios and cam characteristics.

The spray cycle is terminated when the upper cam fol lower arm 68 falls off of the point of maximum rise on the upper cam 62 whereby the inherent spring return characteristics of the valve stem 14 will terminate the cycle.

Thus, the timer cam 56 selectively stores and releases energy from the torsion spring 72 in the dual cam follower 58 via the upper and lower follower arms 68 and 70, respectively, to effect a timed control of the spray cycle.

Release of the energy stored in the mainspring 84 is effected by means of the index dial 98 which may be selectively rotated from the OFF position at the index pointer 148 to either the ON position for continuous operation of the timer motor 60 or one of the predetermined time interval positions labelled 1 through 7 on the index dial 98.

Referring to FIGURES 4' through 6, 8 and 9, as the index dial 98 is manually rotated, the teeth 100 thereon rotate the pinion gear 140 on the main shaft 86 against the action of the friction washer 146.

Rotation of the index dial 98 simultaneously causes a rotation of the cut-off cam 112 away from the first follower pin 120, whereby the entire stop assembly 114 is forced against the upper support plate 78 under the act-ion of the biasing spring 118 and is also rotated in a counterclockwise direction, with reference to FIGURES 4, 5, 8 and 9 until the periphery of the first follower pin 120 engages the innermost end of the slot 122 in the plate 78 (i.e. the closest end of the slot 122 to the balance wheel 134), assuming that at the time there is no spray cycle in progress, thereby also moving the wedge surface 132 toward the periphery of the balance wheel 134.

'Should a spray cycle be in progress, the lock-out cam 134 engages the periphery of the second follower pin 126 and effects a clockwise rotation of the stop assembly 114 moving the wedge surface 132 away from the periphery ofthe balance wheel 134.

With the wedge surface 132 out of contact with the balance wheel 134, the gear train 136 and escapement 138 are free to drive the output (cam) shaft 66, resulting also in a rotation of the main shaft 86 as the mainspring 84 unwinds.

The friction of the washer 146 action on the pinion gear 140 is greater than the rotational friction of the index dial 98 and consequently, the index dial 98 is rotated towards the OFF position thereof in a clockwise direction if the index dial has been set to register with the index pointer 148 within the range of the time duration indicia l 7 on the said dial 98.

Should the dial 98 be set to register the ON position with the pointer 148, then the toothless arcuate portion 102104 is in registry with the pinion gear 140 and no rotation of the dial 98 will occur, thereby permitting substantiallyunlimited duration of operation within the storrage capacity of the mainspring 84. 7

Assuming the selection of a limited time interval of operation, a clockwise rotation of the dial 98 finally results in bringing the peripheral point 102 into registry with the pinion gear 140 and the OFF indicia into registry with the index pointer 148. At this point in time, there will be no gear teeth to interact with the pinion gear 140 and the dial 98 will stop rotating.

The maximum rise of the cut-off cam 112 will then be in full engagement with the tip of the first follower pin which, if no spray cycle is in progress, will have resulted in a downward movement ofthe said first follower pin 120 and the stop assembly 114, bringing the wedge surface 132 into positive frictional engagement with the periphery of the balance wheel 134, whereby the timer motor 60 is stopped, preventing further rotation of the cam 66 and the institution of any additional spray cycles.

Should a spray cycle be in progress when the OFF position of the dial 98 is reached, the lock-out cam 130, by its aforedescribed rotational constraint on the stop assembly, prevents the wedge surface 132 from engaging the balance wheel 134 until the spray cycle is terminated, thus preventing a condition in which the entire contents of the aerosol container 12 are exhausted. I

As soon as the spray cycle is terminated, the second follower pin 126 drops off of the maximum rise of the lock-out cam 130 and the bias spring 118 is free to rotate the stop-assembly 114 in a counterclockwise direction and force the wedge surface 132 into positive frictional engagement with the balance wheel 134 and terminate the operation of timer motor 60.

From the foregoing description, it now becomes clear that when the dial 98 is set with the ON position in registry with the index pointer 148, the cut-off cam 112 is out of engagement with the first follower pin 120, the wedge surface 132 is out of engagement with the balance wheel 134 because of the vertical displacement thereof by the bias spring 118, and the toothless arcuate portion 102-104 of the dial 98 is in registry with the pinion gear 140. Thus, continuous operation of the timer motor will be permitted until such time as the mainspring f-ully unwinds or the dial 98 is manually reset to the OFF position, whereupon the stop assembly 114 will be actuated by the cut-off cam 112.

Thus, the timer cam 56 selectively stores and releases energy from the torsion spring 72 in the dual cam follower 58 via the upper and lower follower arms 68 and 70, respectively, to effect a timed control of the spray cycle.

As can be seen from the foregoing specification and drawings this invention provides a novel and reliable spray timer means for aerosol or other pressurized containers whereby a metered discharge may be effected for each spray cycle and the number of spray cycles may be preselected by choosing the duration of operation of a timer motor which effects a predetermined number of such cycles in a fixed interval of time.

It is to be understood that the embodiment shown and described herein is for the purpose of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Means for effecting a spray discharge from a pressurized container having a displaceable discharge valve stem comprising a spray nozzle on said valve stem ineluding a discharge port, a housing mounted on said container and partially enclosing said nozzle, drive means in said housing having a rotary output of predetermined speed, cam means adjacent said nozzle opposite said cam means, cam follower means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and extending across said nozzle immediately adjacent same into engagement with said cam means, said cam follower means being constrained by said cam means to periodically engage said nozzle and effect a spray discharge therefrom of a predetermined duration, selector means determining the duration of operation of said drive means, and stop means interconnectable with said selector means and said drive means terminating the rotary output of said drive means after said duration of operation has been effected.

2. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises a disc having upper and lower integral peripheral cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics, and wherein said cam follower means comprises a helical torsion spring concentric with said pivot means and upper and lower integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said upper and lower arms being engaged, respectively, with said upper and lower cam-s on said disc and being constrained to mutually follow one another by the said torsion spring, said lower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

3. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises first and second integral rotary cams having opposed rise characteristics, and wherein said cam follower means comprises torsion means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and first and second integral radial follower arm-s extending therefrom, said first and second follower arms being engaged, respectively, with said first and second cams and being constrained to mutually follow one another by said torsion means, said first follower. arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

4. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said housing includes a discharge opening, said nozzle includes an integral index tab aligned with said discharge port therein, and said-housing further includes index means engaging said index tab on said nozzle such that said discharge port in said nozzle is aligned with said discharge opening in said housing.

5. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a spring motor including a mainspring, and means for winding said mainspring comprising a rotatable end cap on said housing and an integral shaft extending from said end cap into engagement with said mainspring.

6. The invention defined in claim 1, wherein said drive means comprises a clock mechanism including a balance wheel and wherein said stop means includes brake means engageable with said balance wheel at the termination of said duration of operation preventing further operation of said clock mechanism, thereby terminating the rotary output from said drive means.

7. 'Means for effecting a spray discharge from a pressurized container having a displaceable discharge valve stem comprising a spray nozzle on said valve stem including a discharge port, a housing mounted on said container and partially enclosing said nozzle, drive means in said housing having a rotary output of predetermined speed, cam means adjacent said nozzle driven by said drive means, pivot means adjacent said nozzle opposite said cam means, cam follower means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and extending across said nozzle immediately adjacent same into engagement with said cam means, said cam follower means being constrained by said cam means to periodically engage said nozzle and effect a spray discharge therefrom of a predetermined duration, selector means determining the duration of operation of said drive means, and stop means interconnectable said selector means, said drive means, and said cam means terminating the rotary output of said drive means after said duration of operation has been effected in the absence of a spray discharge from said nozzle at the termination of said duration and extending the duration of operation to permit the completion of a spray discharge concurrent with the originally selected termination of said duration of operation.

8.'The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said cam means comprises disc having upper and lower integral peripheral cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics, and wherein said cam follower means comprises a helical torsion spring concentric with said pivot means and upper and lower integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said upper and lower arms being engaged, respectively, with said upper and lower cams on said disc and being constrained to mutually follow one another by the said torsion spring, said lower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

9. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said cam means comprises first and second integral rotary cams having opposed rise characteristics, and wherein said cam follower means comprises torsion means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and first and second integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said first and second follower arms being engaged, respectively, with said first and second cams and being constrained to mutually follow one another 'by said torsion means, said first follower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

10. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said housing includes a discharge opening, said nozzle includes an integral index tab aligned with said discharge port therein, and said housing further includes index means engaging said index tab on saidnozzle such that said discharge port in said nozzle is aligned with said discharge opening in said housing.

11. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said drive means comprises a spring motor including a mainspring, and means for winding said mainspring comprising a rotatable end cap on said housing and an integral shaft extending from said end cap into engagement with said mainspring.

12. The invention defined in claim 7, wherein said drive means comprises a clock mechanism including a balance wheel and wherein said stop means includes brake means engageable with said balance wheel at the termination of said duration of operation preventing further operation of said clock mechanism, thereby terminating the rotary output from said drive ,means; and wherein said cam means constrains said stop means to prevent said brake means from engaging said balance wheel during a spray discharge from said nozzle.

13. In a spray timer including a spray nozzle mounted on a discharge valve stem and'a drive means having a rotary output, actuator means for said spray nozzle comprising cam means adjacent said nozzle driven by said drive means, pivot means adjacent said nozzle opposite said cam means, cam follower means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and extending across said nozzle immediately adjacent same into engagement with said cam means, said cam follower means being constrained by said cam means to periodically engage said nozzle and effect a spray discharge therefrom, selector means determining the duration of operation of said drive means, and stop means interconnected with said selector means and said drive means terminating the rotary output of said drive means after. said duration of operation has been effected.

14. The invention defined in claim 12, wherein said cam means comprises a disc having upper and lower integral cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics, and wherein said cam follower means comprises a helical torsion spring concentric with said pivot means and upper and lower integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said upper and lower arms being engaged, respectively, with said upper and lower cams on said disc and being constrained to mutually follow one another by the said torsion spring, said lower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

15. The invention defined in claim 12, wherein said cam means comprises first and second integral rotary cams having opposed rise characteristics, and wherein said one follower means comprises torsion means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and first and second integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said first and second follower arms being engaged, respectively, With said first and second cams and being constrained to mutually follow one another by said torsion means, said first follower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

16. In a spray timer including a spray nozzle mounted on a discharge valve stem and a drive means having a rotary output, actuator means for said spray nozzle comprising cam means adjacent said nozzle driven by said drive means, pivot means adjacent said nozzle opposite said cam means, cam follower means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and extending across said nozzle mediately adjacent same into engagement with said cam means, said cam follower means being constrained by said cam means to periodically engage said nozzle and effect a spray discharge therefrom, selector means determining the duration of operation of said drive means and stop means interconnectable said selector means, said drive means, and said cam means terminating the rotary output of said drive means after said duration of operation has been effected in the absence of a spray discharge from said nozzle at the termination of said duration and extending the duration of operation to permit the completion of a spray discharge concurrent with the originally selected termination of said duration of operation.

17. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said cam means comprises a disc having first and second integral rotary cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics and third cam means superimposed on one of said cams, wherein said selector means includes a fourth cam means; and wherein said stop means comprises interconnected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said fourth cam means, said third cam means and said drive means.

18. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said cam means comprises a disc having first and. second integral rotary cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics and third cam means superimposed on one of said cams, wherein said selector means includes a fourth cam means; wherein said stop means comprises interconnected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said fourth cam means, said third cam means and said drive means; and wherein said cam follower means comprises torsion means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and first and second integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said first and second follower arms being engaged, respectively, with said first and second cams and being constrained to mutually follow one another by said torsion means, said first follower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

19. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said selector means includes further cam means; and wherein said stop means comprises inter-connected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said further cam means, said cam means and said drive means.

20. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said drive means includes a clock mechanism having a plurality of rotating parts therein; and wherein said stop means includes brake means engageable with said rotating parts.

21. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said drive means includes a clock mechanism having a plurality of rotating parts therein; wherein said cam means comprises a disc having first and second integral rotary cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics and third cam means superimposed on one of said earns; wherein said selector means includes fourth cam means; and wherein said stop means comprises interconnected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said fourth cam means, said third cam means and said rotating parts.

22. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said drive means includes a clock mechanism having a plurality of rotating parts therein; wherein said cam means comprises a disc having first and second integral rotary cams thereon having opposed rise characteristics and third cam means superimposed on one of said earns,

wherein said selector means includes a fourth 0am means; wherein said stop means comprises interconnected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said fourth cam means, said third c-am means and said rotating parts; and wherein said cam follower means comprises torsion means pivotally mounted on said pivot means and first and second integral radial follower arms extending therefrom, said first and second follower arms being engaged, respectively, with said first and second cams and being con strained to mutually follow one another by said torsion means, said first follower arm being adapted to engage said nozzle.

23. The invention defined in claim 16, wherein said drive means includes a clock mechanism having a pluraiity of rotating parts therein; wherein said selector means includes further cam means; and wherein said stop means comprises interconnected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said further cam means, said cam means and said rotating parts.

24. In a control device for periodically actuating a controlled device, through a cycle of operation, a clock mechanism having a plurality of rotating parts, an output means interconnected with said clock mechanism and said controlled device, selector means determining the duration of operation of said clock mechanism and stop means interconnectable with said selector means, said rotating parts and said output means terminating the operation of said clock mechanism after said duration of operation has been effected in the absence of a cycle of operation of said controlled device concurrent with the termination of said duration of operation, and extending said duration of operation to permit the completion of a cycle of operation concurrent with the originally selected termination of said duration of operation.

25. The invention defined in claim 24, wherein said rotating parts include a balance wheel interconnected therewith; and wherein said stop means includes brake means engageable with said balance wheel.

26. The invention defined in claim 24, wherein said output means comprises first and second cam means; wherein said selector means further includes third cam means; and wherein said stop means includes interconnected first follower means, second follower means and brake means engageable, respectively, with said second cam means, said third cam means and said rotating parts.

27. The invention defined in claim 26, wherein said rotating parts include a balance wheel interconnected therewith and engageable by said brake means.

28. In a control device for periodically actuating a controlled device through a cycle of operation, a drive mechanism including a power train, an output means interconnected with said power train and said controlled device, selector means determining the duration of operation of said drive mechanism and stop means operatively connected with said power train, said selector means and said output means terminating the operation of said drive mechanism after said duration of operation has been effected in the absence of a cycle of operation of said controlled device concurrent with the termination of said duration of operation, and extending said duration of operation to permit the completion of a cycle of operation concurrent with the originally selected termination of said duration of operation.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,875,428 2/1959 Griswold 239-69 X 3,165,238 1/1965 Wiley 222-70 3,166,219 1/1965 Rudd 22270 M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner.

LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. 28. IN A CONTROL DEVICE FOR PERIODICALLY ACTUATING A CONTROLLED DEVICE THROUGH A CYCLE OF OPERATION, A DRIVE MECHANISM INCLUDING A POWER TRAIN, AN OUTPUT MEANS INTERCONNECTED WITH SAID POWER TRAIN AND SAID CONTROLLED DEVICE, SELECTOR MEANS DETERMINING THE DURATION OF OPERATION OF SAID DRIVE MECHANISM AND STOP MEANS OPERATIVELY CONNECTED WITH SAID POWER TRAIN, SAID SELECTOR MEANS AND SAID OUTPUT MEANS TERMINATING THE OPERATION OF SAID DRIVE MECHANISM AFTER SAID DURATION OF OPERATION HAS BEEN EFFECTED IN THE ABSENCE OF A CYCLE OF OPERATION OF SAID CONTROLLED DEVICE CONCURRENT WITH THE TERMINATION OF SAID DURATION OF OPERATION, AND EXTENDING SAID DURATION OF OPERATION TO PERMIT THE COMPLETION OF A CYCLE OF OPERATION CONCURRENT WITH THE ORIGINALLY SELECTED TERMINATION OF SAID DURATION OF OPERATION.

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