US3646287A

US3646287A - Microswitch operator structure including adjustable cam follower

Info

Publication number: US3646287A
Application number: US25356A
Authority: US
Inventors: Lawrence E Beal; Earl D Miller; William R Craig
Original assignee: Eagle Picher Industries Inc
Current assignee: Eagle Picher Industries Inc
Priority date: 1970-04-03
Filing date: 1970-04-03
Publication date: 1972-02-29
Anticipated expiration: 1989-02-28

Abstract

A switch bank adapted for controlling the operation of multiple switches each of which is adapted to control multiple electrical circuits. The bank includes a plurality of adjustable switch actuators which are preset at a predetermined linear distance from a common reference point. Each actuator is capable of being preset independently of the other actuators. A movable member progressively operates the actuators, whereby the circuits controlled by the respective switches can be operated in accordance with a prearranged plan.

Description

[ Feb. 29, 1972 United States Patent Beal et al.

Honeywell...............................

Vegsund.....................

[72] Inventors:

Eagle-Picher-Industries, lnc., Cincinnati, Ohio .w a. mm 8" mm VR uflwwmmw wwwwwww w wmm 5 67596 1838094 9 2538 mmmmfifi 2222333 E 08% M In C a S M w o m D h R m" 0 TG w AN lle RI m b E Bm P .m OQR m HN m lw n 9U". TEO WHO RL a W LMA S OCF RUM CR ITA MSC H 5 Primary Examiner-J. R. Scott AnorneyTeare, Teare and Sammon [73] Assignee:

[22] Filed: Apr. 3, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT A switch bank adapted for controlling the operation of multi- Appl. No.: 25,356

ple switches each of which is adapted to control multiple elccgq g g trical circuits. The bank includes a plurality of adjustable 66 153 T switch actuators which are preset at a predetermined linear distance from a common reference point. Each actuator is [52] US. [51] Int. [58] Field of Search............

[56] References Cited capable of being preset independently of the other actuators. A movable member progressively operates the actuators, UNlTED STATES PATENTS whereby the circuits controlled by the respective switches can e m g m me n F a g m .m P w a m D W 4 e S C m C 0 2 C c l a b XT 03 15 ll W J H mm mL 23 55 99 .11 l/ 8 l 74 53 900 4 22 Patented Feb. 29 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS NCE E. BEAL- EARL o. MILLER WILLIAM R. cmus ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 29, 1972 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIGS INVENTORS LAWRENCE E. BEAL FIG.4

EARL D. MILLER WILLIAM R. CRAIG BY I 7644.2,

* ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to switching devices, and more particularly to devices for use in controlling multiple electrical circuits.

I-Ieretofore, rotary cam switches which have been employed to control multiple electrical circuits have been so constructed that any desired change in the setting of one of the switch actuators resulted in a corresponding change in the other actuators. In any event, the previous devices have not proven to be entirely satisfactory. For, instance, operations of a machine which have been controlled manually and depend upon the skill of an operator, inevitably result in considerable inconsistency in the operation of the machine, and thus, is reflected in the quality of the end product. Even in those cases where manual operations are performed in conjunction with rotary cam-type switches, a satisfactory degree of consistency is still difficult to obtain unless the operator is highly skilled. Although rotary cam switches have resulted in a substantial improvement in the consistency of machine operations, they still have been found to be subject to maladjustment. Still further, the adjustment of rotary cam switches has been found to be-extremely cumbersome and tedious and often requiring frequentadjustment before a final setting can be attained. In addition, the setting of rotary cam switches requires extensive setup time for each job resulting in high operational and maintenance costs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates the construction of a switch bank which is adapted for use in controlling multiple electrical circuits. One use of such device is to control the operations of a machine, such as a tire building machine or any machine which utilizes elements that are intended to be operated by an electrical circuit. Briefly, the device includes a support member having switches and switch actuators mounted thereon. The switch actuators include selector members which are adapted to be preset at a linear distance with respect to a common reference point and in accordance with a prearranged plan of operation. An actuating member is carried by the support member being movable with respect thereto and adapted to operate the switch actuators progressively as it moves with respect to the support member. In one formof the invention, the actuating member comprises a carriage which is slidably mounted on the support member and adapted for reciprocating movement with respect to the support member. The carriage is provided with ,cam elements which are adapted forcoactingengagementzwith the respec- 'ti-ve selector elements as it is reciprocated with respect to the support member. The carriage may be operated by a drive member which is connected to the carriage and mounted for reciprocation with respect to the support member, or, if desired, the carriage may be operated by a drive member, such as a shaft or the like, which is coupled to the carriage and journaled for rotation in the support member.

1 The present invention provides a switch bank which can be quickly and easily preset to enable a machine to perform any number of desired operations in accordance with any preplanned program. Further, the arrangement of the operations can be set with a high degree of accuracy essentially eliminating the need for adjustment after the initial setting. In addition, the set up time for each job is substantially reduced resulting in a reduction in operational and maintenance costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS along FIG. 4 is an end view of the bank shown in FIG. 1 when looking from the right-hand side thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The switch bank of the present invention is illustrated, generally at 2, in FIG. 1 as being adapted for use with a machine, such as a tire building or servicer machine, having a work mechanism capable of performing multiple operations, but the invention is not limited to the operation of any particular machine. The bank 2 is shown as including a housing 4 which is adapted for mounting on a suitable support member, such as the framework of a machine. A switching mechanism is supported by the housing 4, and as shown, includes an actuating mechanism 8 and a limit switch assembly, illustrated generally at 10, which is disposed adjacent one side of the housing and is operably connected to the actuating mechanism for selective actuation thereof. In the form shown, the actuating mechanism 8 includes an adjustable actuator assembly 12 adapted for predetermined actuation of the limit switch assembly 10 to provide a signal for commencing and/or terminating a specific work function and a movable cam means 14 which may be operably connected to a suitable drive mechanism (not shown) for relative movement with respect to the housing being adapted for progressive coacting engagement with the actuator assembly for controlling the various operations of the work mechanism of the machine in accordance with a predetermined program.

The housing 4 may be of any suitable configuration, but as shown, comprises a generally boxlike structure which may be open at one side, such as the top side 15, being adapted to detachably support a cover C (FIG. 2). As shown, the housing 4 includes opposed, transversely extending

side walls

16 and 17 and opposed, longitudinally extending sidewalls l8 and 19 which together define a cavity or opening 20 in which the switching mechanism is supported. The housing 4 may be made of any suitable material, such as cast iron or the like, and may be provided with mounting pads, such as at 21, including bolt holes 22 (FIG. 3) adapted to receive bolts (not shown) therethrough for mounting the housing on the machine framework.

In the form shown, the actuator assembly 12 comprises a plurality of

actuators

24, 26 and 28 which are adapted for predetermined operation by the cam means 14. As each of the actuators is essentially identical, only one, such as 24, will be described in detail hereinafter with like elements of the remaining actuators being designated by like numerals followed by a letter suffix, such as a, b, etc.

As shown, the actuator 24 comprises a cam followed or selector element 30 which is slidably mounted on a shaft 32. The shaft 32 extends longitudinally of the housing 4 adjacent the top or open side thereof being journaled for rotation in the

walls

16 and 17. The shaft 32 may extend beyond the wall 17 to provide a stub end 34 adjacent one end which is operably associated with the limit switch assembly in a manner to be described hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the selector element 30 comprises a generally polygonal-shaped body 35 including an opening 36 therethrough which is adapted to receive the shaft 32 therein. The shaft 32 and opening 36 may be of any suitable configuration, but are shown as being of the same general configuration, such as polygonal, to prevent rotation of the selector element 30 with respect to the longitudinal central axis of the shaft 32. A projection 38 extends outwardly from the body 35 and inwardly into the housing 4 being adapted for camming coacting engagement with the cam means 14.

In the form shown, the cam means 14 comprises a blocklike carriage 40 which is adapted for reciprocating movement back and forth through the housing 4. As shown, the carriage 40 is mounted within the housing 4 interiorly of the respective actuators being supported for sliding movement along

guide rods

42 and 44, such as by slide bearings (only one shown at 45). The

guide rods

42 and 44 extend longitudinally between the

walls

16 and 17 and may be secured thereto adjacent opposite ends in any suitable manner, such as by clamplike collars 45. A drive shaft 48 is provided which may be connected at one end to the carriage 40 and adjacent the opposite end to a suitable drive mechanism (not shown) to impart movement to the carriage 40. In one form, the shaft 40 may be supported for reciprocating movement with respect to the housing 4 being held in relatively fixed position with respect to the carriage 40 by a lock nut 50 adjacent one side of the carriage and by a shoulder 52 on the opposite side of the carriage. If desired, the shaft 48 may extend completely through the housing being journaled for rotation in the

opposed walls

16 and 17. In the latter from, the shaft 48 may be threadably coupled to the carriage to reciprocate the same with respect to the housing 4.

To operate the

individual actuators

24, 26 and 28, the carriage 40 is provided with a plurality of upstanding

camlike contact knobs

56, 57 and 58, which are shown being detachably mounted on the carriage 40, such as by threading or the like, and which project upwardly and outwardly from the carriage 40 and are adapted for camming coacting engagement with the projections 38 on the

selector elements

30, 30a and 30b, respectively. Preferably, each of the contact knobs, such as 56 is provided with a smooth contact surface 59 being preferably cylindrical in configuration when viewed in top plan (FIG. 1) to provide a smooth contact upon engagement with the respective projections, such as 38. In addition, each of the projections is provided with a generally V-shaped contact surface having inclined cam surfaces, such as at 60 and 62, which are adapted for engagement with the respective knobs, such as 56, upon movement of the carriage first in one direction, such as to the right, and then in the opposite direction, such as to the left, as viewed in FIG. 1. As can be seen, the

cam surfaces

60 and 62 are inclined outwardly away from one another from an apex, as at 64, in a direction away from the knob 56. Preferably, the angles defined by the

cam surfaces

60 and 62 with respect to a plane defined by the path of movement of the central axis of the contact knob are substantially equal. As shown in FIG. 3, the projections extend inwardly into the housing for a sufficient distance so as to be disposed in the path of the contact knobs. By this arrangement, the

knobs

56, 57 and 58 will cammingly engage the

surfaces

60, 60a and 60b of the projections 38, 38a and 38b ofthe

actuators

24, 25 and 28, respectively, as they move longitudinally through the housing to the right when viewing FIG. 1, causing the

respective shafts

32, 32a and 32b to be rotated, such as clockwise, as viewed in FIG. 3. Likewise, movement to the left, will cause the knobs to engage the surfaces 62, 62a and 62b, respectively, to rotate the shafts in a counterclockwise direction upon the return movement of the carriage 40.

Referring now to FIG. 4, the switching assembly may include at least one, but preferably a plurality of

switches

66, 67 and 68 which operably connected to the

shafts

32, 32a and 32b of the

selector units

24, 26 and 28, respectively. As each of the switches is essentially identical, only one, such as 66, will be described in detail with like elements of the remaining switches being designated by like numerals followed by a suffix, such as a, b, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the switch 66 includes a contact arm 70 which is fixably connected to the stub end 34 of the shaft 32, such as by a setscrew 72 or the like, and is adapted for pivotal movement in a plane generally perpendicular to the central axis of the shaft 32. A base 74 may be mounted in any suitable manner on the housing and may include a spring-loaded contact button 76 adapted to be engaged by contact pin 78 carried by the contact arm 70 upon rotation of the latter in a clockwise direction. A resilient member 80, such as a coil spring, may be disposed circumferentially about the stub end 34 being fixedly connected to the housing 4 at one end, such as at 82, and disposed at the opposite end for biasing engagement with the contact arm 70, as at 84, to urge the contact arm 70 in a counterclockwise direction. A stop pin 86 may be mounted on the housing for engaging the contact arm to limit rotational movement of the latter in a counterclockwise direction. Preferably, each of the knobs, such as 56, is aligned with a respective one of the projections 38 so that only a sufficient portion of the cam surfaces 60 and 62 will be engaged to rotate the contact arm 70 a distance sufficient to close the control switch 74 without causing rigid engagement of the contact arm 70 with the base 74. In keeping with this, the contact pin 78 is adjustably mounted, such as by threading or the like, on the contact arm 70 to enable adjustment with respect to the contact button 76.

As shown in FIG. 2, the wall 17 may be spaced inwardly from one side of the housing so as to define an external cavity 87 at one side of the housing in which the switching assembly 10 is mounted. Preferably, the cavity 87 is open at one side to enable access to the

respective switches

66, 67 and 68 for adjustment of the latter while the cover C is in place.

Any number or all of the switches may be electrically connected to the electric control circuit of the machine to actuate or deactuate driving mechanisms thereof, such as electric or hydraulic motors (not shown) to commence and/0r terminate one or more of the operations of the machine upon opening and/or closing of the respective switches. That is, the

switches

66, 67 and 68 may be arranged so that movement of the carriage 40 to the right, as seen in FIG. 1, will cause the commencement and/or termination of one or a series of operations, wherein movement in the reverse direction, such as to the left, will result in the commencement and/or termination of still another one or a series of operations. For example, the closing of control switch 74 may be so connected to the electrical control as to energize a conventional control relay (not shown) in the electrical control circuit of the machine, which would energize an electrical motor to start a turnup operation on a tire building machine, and which could also be connected so as to open the circuit between the switch 67 and the electrical control circuit of the machine. Similarly, the switch 67 may be connected to control two other operations, such as to start a treading operation and stop the turning operation whereas, switch 68 may be connected so as to reclose the circuit between the switch 67 and the electrical control circuit of the machine and also cause the direction of the carriage 40 to be reversed.

In addition, each of the

switches

66, 67 and 68 may include or have associated therewith conventional holding circuits,

well known in the art, to maintain the respective circuits closed after the selector elements have been returned to their original positions at the completion of their engagement with the contact knobs.

Referring again to FIG. 1, each of the actuators is provided with a reference scale, such as 90, 91 and 92, respectively which extend longitudinally of the housing in generally linear parallel, aligned relation with the direction of movement of the

respective selector elements

30, 30a and 30b. By this arrangement, a selector element, such as 30, can be slid onthe shaft 32 alongside one edge 93 of the respective scales. As shown, each of the scales is provided with indicia adjacent the edge 93, such as a series of lines 94, indicating specific points of time or distance in the operation of the machine. As shown, the lines 94 may be spaced equally along the length of the respective scales with the spacing arranged to indicate a predetermined period of time or distance. Each of the

selector elements

30, 30a and 30b may be provided with a reference line, such as at 95, which is adapted to be disposed in aligned relation with any desired line on the scale 94 to set up the program for a particular job. Each of the selector elements may be provided with setscrews, such as at 97, for locking the former in a fixed position with respect to the scales. The respective scales may be mounted on the housing 4 in any suitable manner, such as by screws 96.

In a typical operation of the form of the invention shown in FIG. I, the operator may position the

respective selector elements

30, 30a and 30b in a predetermined position with respect to the

scales

90, 91 and 92, respectively. For example,

the selector element 30 may be positioned so that the respective reference line 95 is disposed in alignment with the line designated plug 2%, plug being to the left off) on FIG. 1 on the scale 90; whereas, the respective reference lines 95a and 95b of the selector elements 30a and 30b may be aligned with the lines designated as and minus 2 /2 on the scales 9] and 92, respectively. When the

selector elements

30, 30a and 30b have been properly positioned, they may be locked in position by tightening the respective setscrews, such as at 97, to hold them securely in their

respective shafts

32, 32a and 32b. In the form shown, the carriage 40 is initially positioned adjacent the left hand side of the housing 4, as shown in FIG. 1. At this time, the operator may start the machine to initiate feeding of the carriage through the housing 4, such as to the right as shown in FIG. 1. As the carriage moves through the cavity 20, the contact knob 56 will move into camming engagement with the cam surface 60 of the selector element 30 to cause the latter to pivot, such as clockwise as seen in FIG. 3, and thus, cause the contact pin 78 to engage the contact button 76 and close the switch 66. The switch 66 may be arranged to close a series of contacts in machine control circuit, and thus, cause the commencement of at least one operation, such as a turnup operation on the tire building machine. As the knob 56 passes beyond the apex 64 of the projection 38 of the selector element 30, the spring 80 will urge the contact arm 70 in a counterclockwise direction into engagement with the stop pin 86, and thus, return the contact arm 70 to its initial position. The carriage 40 will then continue to move through the housing 40 whereby the knob 57 will cammingly engage the cam surface 60a of the selector element 30a. Likewise, the selector element 30a will be rotated in a clockwise direction to close the switch 67. As indicated, the switch 67 may also be arranged to open the circuit between the switch 66 and the electrical control circuit of the machine so that the closing of the switch 67 will have no effect on themachines operation at this time. Continued movement of the carriage through the housing will cause the knob 58 to cammingly engage the cam surface 60b of the selector element 3017 resulting in the latter being rotated, in the manner previously described, to close the switch 68. As indicated, the switch 68 may be connected to the machine control circuit to cause the direction of feed of the carriage 40 to be reversed. The machine control may be provided with suitable time delay circuitry as well known in the art, such as a timer or the like, to enable the contact knob 58 to pass beyond the apex 64b of the projection 38b of the selector element 30b. After a predetermined time delay, the direction of feed may be reversed so that the carriage travels in a direction to the left, as shown in FIG. 1. It is to be understood that the switch 68 may also be arranged to stop the machine after travel of the carriage in only one direction. If reverse travel of the carriage is desired, the carriage will move to the left until the contact knob 58 cammingly engages the cam surface 62b of the selector element 301] to again close the switch 68. As previously indicated, the switch 68 may close a series of contacts, and thus, may also be arranged to reclose the circuits between the switch 67 and the electrical control circuit of the machine whereby a second operation, such as a treading operation or the like, may be commenced while at the same time terminating the turnup operation. As the carriage 40 continues to move to the left through the housing 4, the knob 57 will again engage the selector element 38a, such as at the cam surface 62a to again close the switch 67. Continued movement of the carriage 40 through the housing will cause the contact knob 56 to cammingly engage the cam surface 62 to again actuate the switch 66. As indicated previously, the switch 66 may be electrically connected to the machine control circuit to control a series of operations, and thus, on the return movement through the housing may terminate the treading operation, and also energize the time delay circuit to allow sufficient time for the knob 56 to pass beyond the projection 38 before the machine is stopped automatically. At this time, the operator, if desired, may quickly and easily rearrange the selector elements with respect to the

scales

90, 91 and 92 to easily and readily set up the operations for the next job.

We claim:

1. A device for controlling the operation of a plurality of electrical circuits comprising,

a support member,

a plurality of switches operably associated with said support member and adapted to control at least one electrical circuit,

each of said switches having an actuator operably connected thereto,

cam means movable relative to said support member for operating the respective actuators,

said actuators including cam follower elements pivotally mounted on said support member being adapted for camming coacting engagement with said cam means as it moves relative to said support member,

a plurality of elongated bars journaled for rotation in said support member being operably connected to a respective one of said switches for actuation thereof,

said cam follower elements being mounted on said bars and adapted to rotate said bars upon pivotal movement thereof to actuate said switches, and

said cam follower elements being adjustable linearly along said bars for presetting a program for operation of said electrical circuits upon camming coacting engagement of said cam means with said cam follower elements.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises,

a carriage mounted for movement relative to said support member and operably coacting with the respective actuators to operate them in accordance with the preset program.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said carriage includes upstanding projections,

said cam follower elements are disposed in aligned relation with respect to said projections being adapted for camming coacting engagement therewith upon movement of said carriage with respect to said support member, and

resilient means operably connected to said cam follower elements for returning of the latter to their initial positions after engagement with said projections.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a housing, and

said switches are mounted in said housing adjacent one end thereof.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said bars extend longitudinally of said housing, and

said cam means being movable in the lengthwise direction of said bars.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said cam means comprises a carriage including a plurality of camlike projections adapted for camming coacting engagement with respective ones of said cam followers, and

said carriage being movable from one side to the other side of said housing in the lengthwise direction of said bars for moving said projections into camming engagement with .said cam follower elements for operating said switches in accordance with said preset program.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises a carriage mounted for sliding movement with respect to said support member, and

drive means for operating said carriage including a drive shaft journaled for rotation on said support member and coupled to said carriage.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises,

a carriage mounted for sliding movement along said support member, and

drive means for moving said carriage including a reciprocating member mounted on said support member and connected to said carriage.

9. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means includes camlike projections adapted for camming coacting engagement with said cam follower elements.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bars are journaled for rotation about their lengthwise axis, and

said switches include at least one contact arm physically connected to said bars for movement in a generally perpendicular plane with respect to the axis of rotation of said bars to close said switches.

- 11. A device in accordance with claim 1, including indicia means associated with said actuators for determining the linear distance therebetween for presetting a program for operation of said electrical circuits.

12. A device for controlling the operation of a plurality of electrical circuits comprising,

a housing,

a plurality of switches operably associated with said housing and adapted to control at least one electrical circuit,

each of said switches having an actuator operably connected thereto,

a carriage assembly movably mounted within said housing for operating said actuators,

said actuators including a plurality of elongated bars journaled for rotation in said housing and each being operably connected to a respective one of said switches for actuation thereof,

each of said bars having cam follower elements mounted thereon adapted for camming coacting engagement with said carriage assembly as it moves relative to said support member, I

said cam follower elements being mounted for pivotal movement with said bars about the lengthwise axis thereof upon camming coacting engagement with said carriage assembly,

said carriage assembly including a plurality of camlike projections and being movable from one side to the other side of said housing in the lengthwise direction of said bars,

said cam follower elements being adjustable linearly along said bars for presetting a program for operation of said electrical circuits,

said camlike projections being disposed in aligned relation with respective ones of said cam follower elements and movable with said carriage into camming coacting engagement with said cam follower elements,

said switches including contact arms each being connected to a respective one of said bars,

said contact arms extending generally perpendicularly outwardly from said bars being adapted for angular movement upon rotation of said bars for actuating said switches in accordance with said preset program as said camlike projections cammingly coact with said cam follower elements, and

resilient means operably connected to said actuators for returning said cam follower elements to their initial positions after engagement with said camlike projections.

Claims

1. A device for controlling the operation of a plurality of electrical circuits comprising, a support member, a plurality of switches operably associated with said support member and adapted to control at least one electrical circuit, each of said switches having an actuator operably connected thereto, cam means movable relative to said support member for operating the respective actuators, said actuators including cam follower elements pivotally mounted on said support member being adapted for camming coacting engagement with said cam means as it moves relative to said support member, a plurality of elongated bars journaled for rotation in said support member being operably connected to a respective one of said switches for actuation thereof, said cam follower elements being mounted on said bars and adapted to rotate said bars upon pivotal movement thereof to actuate said switches, and said cam follower elements being adjustable linearly along said bars for presetting a program for operation of said electrical circuits upon camming coacting engagement of said cam means with said cam follower elements.

2. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises, a carriage mounted for movement relative to said support member and operably coacting with the respectiVe actuators to operate them in accordance with the preset program.

3. A device in accordance with claim 2, wherein said carriage includes upstanding projections, said cam follower elements are disposed in aligned relation with respect to said projections being adapted for camming coacting engagement therewith upon movement of said carriage with respect to said support member, and resilient means operably connected to said cam follower elements for returning of the latter to their initial positions after engagement with said projections.

4. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said support member comprises a housing, and said switches are mounted in said housing adjacent one end thereof.

5. A device in accordance with claim 4, wherein said bars extend longitudinally of said housing, and said cam means being movable in the lengthwise direction of said bars.

6. A device in accordance with claim 5, wherein said cam means comprises a carriage including a plurality of camlike projections adapted for camming coacting engagement with respective ones of said cam followers, and said carriage being movable from one side to the other side of said housing in the lengthwise direction of said bars for moving said projections into camming engagement with said cam follower elements for operating said switches in accordance with said preset program.

7. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises a carriage mounted for sliding movement with respect to said support member, and drive means for operating said carriage including a drive shaft journaled for rotation on said support member and coupled to said carriage.

8. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said cam means comprises, a carriage mounted for sliding movement along said support member, and drive means for moving said carriage including a reciprocating member mounted on said support member and connected to said carriage.

10. A device in accordance with claim 1, wherein said bars are journaled for rotation about their lengthwise axis, and said switches include at least one contact arm physically connected to said bars for movement in a generally perpendicular plane with respect to the axis of rotation of said bars to close said switches.

11. A device in accordance with claim 1, including indicia means associated with said actuators for determining the linear distance therebetween for presetting a program for operation of said electrical circuits.

12. A device for controlling the operation of a plurality of electrical circuits comprising, a housing, a plurality of switches operably associated with said housing and adapted to control at least one electrical circuit, each of said switches having an actuator operably connected thereto, a carriage assembly movably mounted within said housing for operating said actuators, said actuators including a plurality of elongated bars journaled for rotation in said housing and each being operably connected to a respective one of said switches for actuation thereof, each of said bars having cam follower elements mounted thereon adapted for camming coacting engagement with said carriage assembly as it moves relative to said support member, said cam follower elements being mounted for pivotal movement with said bars about the lengthwise axis thereof upon camming coacting engagement with said carriage assembly, said carriage assembly including a plurality of camlike projections and being movable from one side to the other side of said housing in the lengthwise direction of said bars, said cam follower elements being adjustable linearly along said bars for presetting a program for operation of said electrical circuits, saiD camlike projections being disposed in aligned relation with respective ones of said cam follower elements and movable with said carriage into camming coacting engagement with said cam follower elements, said switches including contact arms each being connected to a respective one of said bars, said contact arms extending generally perpendicularly outwardly from said bars being adapted for angular movement upon rotation of said bars for actuating said switches in accordance with said preset program as said camlike projections cammingly coact with said cam follower elements, and resilient means operably connected to said actuators for returning said cam follower elements to their initial positions after engagement with said camlike projections.