USRE23783E - Demountable time switch unit fob - Google Patents

Demountable time switch unit fob Download PDF

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USRE23783E
USRE23783E US23783DE USRE23783E US RE23783 E USRE23783 E US RE23783E US 23783D E US23783D E US 23783DE US RE23783 E USRE23783 E US RE23783E
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time
clock
disc
switch
discs
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    • GPHYSICS
    • G04HOROLOGY
    • G04CELECTROMECHANICAL CLOCKS OR WATCHES
    • G04C23/00Clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at preselected times or after preselected time-intervals
    • G04C23/14Mechanisms continuously running to relate the operation(s) to the time of day
    • G04C23/16Mechanisms continuously running to relate the operation(s) to the time of day acting only at one preselected time or during one adjustable time interval

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  • This invention relates to time switches combined with or incorporated within a time-.of-day telling clock and particularly to electric circuitmaking-and-breaking mechanism operated or governed by-clockwork.
  • Time switches of this type commonly consists of a time giving mechanism or time movement mechanically so associated with circuit switching electric contacts that such contacts are caused automatically to make and break. one or more electric circuits at preset time'sof day.
  • time switches where the same clockwork not only operates or governs an electric switch but also drives conventional clock hands in front of a conventional clock face for telling time of day, it has been proposed in my former U. S. Patents Nos.
  • dicators adjustably settable around the circularly arranged regular time-ofday markings on the clock face for registering thereby the time of day at which the circuit making and breaking actions automatically will take place.
  • Mechanically, such indicators may be connected with the switch operating mechanism so as to assume registering positions with respect to the clock face indicia that shall accord accurately with the Setting of inside trips or any other kind of working elements which determine at what point in the running of the clock movement the automatic electric switch actions shall be caused to take place.
  • the present invention aims to incorporate such distinctive kind of switch action, time indicator means as are proposed in my former said patents in a novelly organized form of appliance that may be characterized as a demountable armored unit having distinct and important advantages over previously known kinds of time switches.
  • This novel structural form of combined clock and time switch unit opens the way to radical departure from long established but costly and inefilcient practices of manufacturing and merchandising time switches for many fields of use.
  • Examples of such use are: the time control of cooking in electric and gas ranges; timed automatic turn-on and turnoff of radio receiving sets for catching desired broadcasting programs; the automatic shifting of temperature setting in house heating controls at regular preset times between lowered night heat and normal daytime heat; the timed automatic defrosting of electric refrigerators on a regular daily schedule; the automatic turning on and of! of store window display lights, bill board and outdoor advertising lights, as well as' the illumination of public quarters automatically at preset times of day or night.
  • the present improvements aim to solve these former problems by providing a small, unitary, armor-encased time switch incorporating a timeof-day telling clock with its crystal protected clock face, which shall be attachable in readily demountable manner in flush relation to a sight apertured panel or other form of upright support in an organization of working parts based on circuit switching action from a twelve hour cycle to a twenty-four hour cycle, controls additional to the electric switch setting controls exposed for manipulation at the front of the unit for actuating the clock-work as for restarting a non-self starting synchronous clock motor when its interrupted supply of current is resumed or resetting the clock hands to a correct time of day, devices to stay the time setting indicators and controls against unintentional displacement from their set positions, and devices to enable a time-switch of the character concerned to switch current automatically from one circuit to another.
  • Fig. 1 is a front view of my improved clock switch unit mounted on a vertical panel, a part I of which is shown as broken away to expose more of the unit than in practice would appear.
  • Fig. 2 is a view looking from the right at Fig. 1, some of the parts being shown as taken in section on the planes 2-2 in Fig. 1, a different thickness of support panel being indicated at the top than is indicated at the bottom for purposes of switch unit when the cover of the cabinet is swung closed, flexible electric wires connecting the clock switch unit and the magnetic switch while permitting the cabinet cover to be opened and closed.
  • Fig. 4 shows a portion of the mechanism.
  • Fig. 5 shows on a scale similar toFig. 4 a still further modification of gearing construction for; changing the ratio through which the circuit controller is rotated.
  • Fig. 6 on a correspondingly enlarged scale. shows a modification of the time setting manual of Fig. 2 whereby this manual becomes selfbraked to remain stationary without. being held while the other manual is being adjusted.
  • Fig. 'l is apartial view of the clock motor as viewedv from the left looking at Fig. 1 with the cover of the unit shown in section and serving to mount an agitating mechanism for starting in motion the clock movement.
  • Fig. 8 is a rear view of the agitating mechanism of Fig. '7 as same'appears when looking from the left at Fig. 7. 1
  • Fig. 9 is a front view of a modified construction of the clock switch unit wherein the clock face and hands are only fragmentally shown and the F18. 13 is a similar view of an insulative facing for the disc of P18- 11.
  • Fig. 14 correspondingly shows an insulative facing for the disc of Fig. 12.
  • Fig. 15 is a sectional fragmentary view taken on the plane l5l5 in Fig. 9 toshow the relationship of the interleaved discs of Figs. 11 to 14,
  • I provide a framework including a partition or main frame plate l0 having a large circular aperture through which, and beyond both faces of which, extends a diametrically large thin-walled flanged bearing-eyelet II.
  • a ring gear I! is retained by one flange of this large bearing eyelet against the front surface of frame plate II, and a similar ring gear I! is retained by the other flange of the same eyelet against the rear face of frame plate In.
  • Ring gears l2 and II are thus supported for independent rotation on opposite sides of the frame plate Hi.
  • I may construct a supp rt means for the switch and time telling parts in the form of a base plate slab M of insulative material firmly attached to and spaced rearward from frame plate It by the support brackets I 5.
  • Bearing structure which comprise as also clearly shown in Fig. 4, a large thin insulative washer IS. the insulative collar 2
  • FIG. 1 Further parts fixedly sup-- ported upon the bushing l8 comprise the internally threaded, insulative collar 23' which has threaded engagement with the front end of bushing It and projects forward from the' front end thereof and at its own front end receives and insulates from electrical contact with bushing ll a retaining screw 24 the enlarged head of which clamps a clock face dial 25, backed by an insulative facing 26, against the forward end of insulative collar 23 whereby the clock dial is supported concentrically with the-ring gears 12 and I1.
  • Dial 25 is represenative of any circuitous scale of timeof-day markings stationed in relation to frame plate III.
  • may be recessed as shown in Fig. 4 to reduce the axial length of its central hole that serves as a steadying bearing for the rotary spindles for the clock hands later to be described.
  • the prime mover of my improved assembly of clockwork may incorporate any kind of spring driven movement or electrically powered reduction gear train capable of running at a constant speed for time keeping purposes.
  • the movement herein shown includes an electric motor, prefer' ably of the synchronous type. that is inherently”.
  • a train of reduction gears may provide operating connection between the armature pinion 35 and another pinion I8 inlet to the spindle 31. that extends through the stationary bushing l6 and at the front end thereof carries a clock hand It swingable about an axis transversely of which frame plate in exf 45 which may detachably engage a squared terhelps to support the circuit switching and time minus of spindle s1 and itself be rotatably mounted in'the rear wall of the rear section ll of the casing structure.
  • may then be driven at a speed of one revolution in one minute to serve as the I prefer so to mine movement gearing that so-called "second hand" of an ordinary clock and, by its greater and therefore visible speed.
  • pinion 36 may derive its movement by being fixed to minute spindle 31, the latter carrying gear 42 also fixed thereto and impelled from pinion 39 by the reducing idler gears 43 and 44 whose common spindle 44' is of course rotatably supported in bearing plates 21 and II of the clock movement.
  • the minute spindle 31 may be surrounded by 'the usual hollow spindle 41 carrying the hour hand ll between the minute hand 38 and the clock dial 25.
  • the clock controlled circuit maker and breaker of my improved construction is similar in nature to that disclosed in my aforesaid U. S. Patent No. 2,004,137 and includes a current distributor in the form of a time wheel continually rotatable about a fired axis and including a helically disposed contact wiper 52 presenting a cumming surface that is disposed in oblique relation to the axis of rotation of the time wheel, preferably of resilient conductive material, fixed to rotate in unison with a metallic hub 53 to which is also flared the gear 54 preferably made of insulative material.
  • Hub 53 is freely rotatable about the stationary insulative collar 20 between the insulative washers l9 and 2t and contains a peripheral groove 55 constantlycontacted conductively by the resilient current carrying brush 55 mounted on the insulative base [4 by screw 51.
  • the contact wiper 52 is thereby constantly supplied with current through the brush 56 while rotatively impelled by suitable transmission gearing driving the insulative gear 54 and driven by the time movement, orany part motivated thereby, in a manner to travel in unison with some one of the three clock hands 38, [ll] 41 or 4B, or at some predetermined speed ratio inrelation thereto.
  • I have not shown the contact wiper gear 54 as driven from the time movement through a train separate from that which impels the time telling clock hands but instead I have shown the hour spindle 41 equipped near its rear end with a second gear i4 and connected to turn in unison with the idler gear at the rear of said base which gear 50 is in mesh with gear 58.
  • the contact wiper 52 may be rotated, say, in unison with the hour hand 48 if pinions 55 and Eli are equal to each other in diameter and gears 54 and 58 are equal to each other in diameter, or, if preferred, at half the speed thereof, as would be the case with the relative sizes of gears 54, 59, 60 and 58, that are shown in Fig. 4.
  • the means which determine the time at which a circuit shall be made or broken by the clock impelled contact wiper 52 include switch action controlling elements in the form of interleaved and relatively adjustable discs or rings for the most part similar to those described in detail in my aforesaid Patent No.
  • of conductive material carrying a series of time interval indicating marks 88 is interslidably adjustable in helically interleaved-relationship to a screening split disc 52 of insulative material containing a break in its circular continuity and carrying a time setting index: consisting of a visible edge of such break settable into various time signalling relationships to the time-of-day markings on clock dial 25, both of these dlscsbeing carried upon a central hub 63 which may comprise a thin walled bearing eyelet between whose rear head and said discs is assembled a cupped spring washer 64 to insure good electrical conductance between disc 6
  • the two discs 51 and G2 with their hub adjustably turnable about the insulative collar 2.3 back of the clock dial 25 and insulated therefrom by the facing 28.
  • Suitable disc stationing friction is imparted to the discs BI and 62 by their mutually acting broadside contact and pressure against each other aided by the spring 55 which exerts an axially expansive thrust between the disc hub 63 and the clamp nut 22 heretofore described.
  • Such broadside contact also causes a tendency of one of said discs to be turned by the turning of the other disc.
  • Spring 65 is thus part of the means of electrical contact between the conductive disc 6
  • a click such as shown at ll in Fig. 1 limits the permissible degree. of backward turning of each of gears 11 and II for, the purpose of preventing make and break of the circuit between contact wiper 52 and the conductive disc ll other than with a snap action.
  • the protective and dust proof enclosing struc-' ture whichhouses the clockwork assembly hereinbefore referred to includes a bezel ring BI holding a'cl'ock face crystal 8'.
  • a mat ring 81 borders an annular space around the'edge of the clock dial 2! in which annular space time setting arcuate signal charts in the form of curved bands of the contrasting distinctive colors of discs II and II are visible as shown in Fig. 1. thereby to indicate by the arcuate length and circular positions of said curved color bands the portions of the full cycle of time represented by the complete circle of the clock face during which the clock controlled circuit will remain made or will remain broken.
  • each of discs 82 and BI relative to the other is preferably limited to substantially one complete circle of relative and operation of these discs and their stop limited relative movement is contained in my Patent No. 2,004,137 where corresponding parts are identified by corresponding reference numerals.
  • the ring gears II and II are manually adiusted. respectively by separate spur gears 11 and II. These spur gears being on respectively'opposite sides of an apron-like extension I! of the otherwise circular main frame plate III on which each of said spur gears is.pivotally mounted. Said spur gears carry respectively forwardly projecting operating spindles Ill and BI 'tumable by manuals in the form of finger knobs l2 and 83 whereby gears 11 and It may be-rotated manually together or separately.
  • the foregoing parts thus constitute separate time setting mechanisms m addustinythe discs s1.
  • the graduations on the clock dial 25 will be referred to only for telling the time of day and the graduations on the mat ring 81 will be referred to for telling what time of day or night'the automatic circuit switching action will take place.
  • an enclosing structure I may provide the dust-proof protective casing 46 with a flange portion 89 which may be clamped firmly to the main frame plate III by the same nuts 90 and spacer studs 9! which hold the bezel ring 85, the casing 46 being notched and slotted as indicated in Fig. 2to form a. narrow opening into its interior Just back of plate It to permit surface of a thin metal support wall or panel as 92, or against a thick wooden support wall or panel as 93, in either of which cases the clock crystal 08 may lie substantially flush with the front face of such wall or panel.
  • may be chosen to this end and such wall or panel will contain openings through which the time setting spindles BI and 80 project.
  • Knobs such as 03 and 82 may be detachably secured respectively to spindles 'III and 00, these knobs being the only working parts required to be removed in mounting or dismounting the entire clock switch unit from the wall or panel of any appliance or machine to which the unit is applied. It is further apparent that in some cases the knobs 82 and 8! can be made so small in comparison with the openings for spindles and III that even these knobs could be withdrawn through said openings without requiring their removal.
  • FIG. 3 Illustrative of a useful application of the complete clock switch unit of Figs. 1 and 2, I show this unit in Fig. 3 mounted upon the inside surface of a sheet metal door 96 hinged to a cabinet 91 by brackets 90 and hinge pins 99, the cabinet 91 containing a remote control, or electromagnetic, switch commonly termed a relay.
  • Theremote control switch comprises an insulative base I00 on which is mounted electric arc-baffling shields IOI at the point where contact is made and broken between a line terminal I02 and its corresponding load terminal I03 and simultaneously between a second line terminal I04 and its corresponding load terminal I05, the action of this contact making and breaking mechanism being effected by the rocker core I06 of an electromagnetic coil I01 mounted upon the contact arms I09 and H0 in unison to contact making position. Terminals for the magnet coil I01 are shown at III and 2, respectively, and the electrical connection of the three wires 69, 10 and 95 to the supply line and to the magnet coil I01 will be clear from Fig. 3.
  • wire 69 connects electrically to both the right line terminal I04 and the magnet coil terminal III; wire 10 connects electrically with the other terminal II2 of the magnet coil I01; and wire connects to. the left line terminal I02.
  • the magnet coil I01 of the remote control switch is energized and de-energized by the circuit controlling action of contact wiper 52 in the clock operated switch unit, while the motor coil 33 of the timing movement is constantly energized saves minals I02 and I04 of the electromagnetic switch.
  • the hour hand shall point exactly to twelve o'clock, and no change in this condition must be brought about through the act of shifting the speed at which contact wiper 52 shall be impelled, since the same condition must-obtain if the wiper 52 is to be geared to travel at a speed equal to that of the hour hand or only half as fast.
  • wiper II will not be thrown out of accurate rotative relationship to the clock hands with respect to its performing circuit. switching automatic action at the true times of day or nlsht indicated 1 by the settings of the discs ii and If against their designed scalesof graduations.
  • the timing movement energized by the coil II may be a synchronous motor of the self startingtype or of the nonself starting type.
  • the broken lines in Fig. 8 indicating the positions to which 'arm Ill and rocker lever III will thereby be moved against the tension of spring I21.
  • the push rod I" may extend to any accessible position for use'by the operator of the clock switch unit. I have shown in Fig. 6 that it may extend forwardly through the shaft I. or Ii.
  • the spindle II is made with a round portion I" Journaled in the frame plate ill and flanked at -each side of said frame plate by squared porlatter case, for convenience in restartingpthe 7 motor should it stop from. current interruption.
  • I may employ a spinning device best shownin Fig.7 consisting of a starter spindle ill iournaled in the movement plates and carrying fixed to therewith plates 28 and 21 a flanged .member III which carries secured in itsilange and disposed parallel to its axis. the pin ill connected by the spring ill to'the movement post II.
  • the starter pin III as carried with the flanged member lll'swings in an arcuate opening in the movement plate 11 the ends of which opening limit the swinging travel of pin I21 in both directions, the spring ill normally stationing the pin I21 incontact with one end of said opening and out of contact with the armsture gear ill.
  • a cupped spring washer I acts to thrust spindle II and all parts carried thereby, forwardly, therebeing a slight space to permit' a little rearward movement of these parts against the tension of washer I42.
  • a washer m of friction material aifording yieldable resistance to the turning-of the rear gear 11' with which it has considerable area of surface contact. This arrangementaflords what in effect is a self-braking or self-staying action of each v spindle is or II' and consequently of ring gears if or.
  • FIGs. 9 to 16, inclusive, 1 show a modification of certain parts of my improved clock switch unit, such modification as concerning the ring gears 12 and II. enabling me to lead the current to and from the time controlled switching parts by current feeding or current take-oil brushes wiping on conductive parts carried on said gears.
  • the modification illustrated in Figs. 9 to 16 enables a universal time setting to be made in accordance with the principles Y disclosed in my Patent 2,004,137, where-instead mechanism of the entire clock switch unit except the contact wiper 52.
  • This wiper in its circuit controlling rotation will be transferred with a snap action from one of these conductive discs to the other, and vice versa, being in no rotary position able to contact both of said discs at the same time.
  • This enables the use of the time controlled switch for shifting current automatically from one circuit to a different circuit and back again at respectively predetermined times, instead of for merely making and breaking a single circuit.
  • the ring gear I44 rotatively adjustable by gear 11 (not shown in Figs. 9 and 10) is made of insulating material and disposed against the front face of frame plate It as is the ring gear I2 of Fig. 2.
  • a similar ring gear I45 of insulative material and adjustable by gear II (not shown in Figs. 9 and 10) is disposed against the rear face of frame plate I in the manner of ring gear I3 of Fig. 2.
  • a collector ring I55 on which constantly bears the conductive brush II which is in electrical contact with binding post I52 mounted on and insulated from main frame plate III and adapted to receive the wire I53 leading to a difierent electric circuit.
  • Collector ring I45 carries the conductive pin I54 for propelling the projection II' of a disc similar to disc 52 of Fig. 4 but made of conductive material.
  • This conductive disc is numbered 52' (see Fig. 11) and because of the uncertain electrical contact that would result from mechanical looseness between pin I54 and the opening in projection lI' engaged by same, and because such mechanical looseness is desirable for compensating for any inaccuracy in the exact concentric relationship of the parts that turn in unison as well as to permit slight axial sliding movement between pin I54 and projection II, a flexible conductive strap or connector I55 may be soldered or otherwise suitably secured to insure good electrical connection between pin I54 and projection ll while accommodating slight relative movement therebetween.
  • Collector ring I55 carries the conductive bracket I4 so disposed as to straddle and impel the projection I3 of conductive disc ii in the same manner as insulative bracket 14 in Fig. 2, but because in Figs. 9 to 16 it is desired that good electrical contact shall exist between bracket I4 and the disc projection I3, a flexible strap I55 may be employed and attached for this purpose in the manner of the connector I55.
  • I may insulate the front, or visible, face of disc 5
  • I may enamel or otherwise insulate the front or visible face of disc 52' in Fig.
  • I may provide disc I55 with the peripheral projection I5I in such relationship to projection I I as will operate to this end.
  • Fig. 10 how the take-on of current from the commutator rings I45 and I enables me to dispense with a compound support structure such as the conductive bushing I5, insulative collar 25, and insulative extension 23 of Fig. 4 and substitute therefor the single-piece insulative bushing I 52 as a support for the clock face and for the parts which rotate concentrically therewith.
  • I may also dispense with the hub eyelet 53 of Fig. 4 and arrange the discs 5
  • the retaining nut I55 having threaded engagement with the front end of insulative bushing I52 may clamp the clock an exchangeable unit on a support wall, proximate a sight aperture therein, embodying in combination with a clock face, clockwork including a time-of-day telling clock hand cooperative with said clock face rotatable about an axis in position to be observed through said sight aperlture, enclosing structure housing said clockwork.
  • framework supporting said clockwork without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure including a partition to which at least part of said enclosure structure is detachably joined equipped to derive full support from said wall without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure said partition being directed crosswise of saidaxis within said enclosing structure and containing a frame hole, a ring-like time setting device bordering said frame hole and carried by said partition in a, manner to be rotatably adjustable about said axis while positioned to be observed through said sight aperture, and electric current switching mechanism controllably related to said clockwork and deriving its support from said said partition and to the first said ring-like time setting device.
  • a time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 1, in which the said 18 a sight aperture therein, embodying i'n combination with a clock face, a clockwork including a time-of-day telling clock hand cooperative with said clock facerotatable about an axis in position to be observed through said sight aperture, enclosing structure housing said clockwork including a transparent protective covering in front of said clock hand registering with said sight aperture, framework supporting said clockwork without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure including a partition to which at least part of said enclosing structure is detachably joined equipped to derive full support from said wall without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure said partition being directed crosswise of said axis within said enclosing structure and containing a frame hole, a ring-like time setting device bordering said frame hole and carried by said partition in a manner to be rotated adjustable about said axis while positioned to be observed through said sight aperture, and electric current switching mechanism controllably related to said clockwork and deriving its
  • a time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 7, in which the said enclosing structure comprises two cupped sections joined in'rim-to-rim relation, and the said partition has a marginal portion fixedly sandwiched between said cupped sections.
  • a time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim '1 in which the said enclosing structure comprises two cupped sections disposed in rim-to-rim relation, each of said sections having a radially outward directed flange at, its rim, said rim flanges being fastened 1 separably together, and means penetrating said time setting device comprises a time setting ring on one side'of the said partitionhaving spur gear teeth, together with a time setting ring on the other side-of said partition having spur gear teeth, and separate ring actuating pinions pivotally supported at respectively opposite sides of said partition in mesh with the gear teeth of said time setting rings respectively.
  • a time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in. claim 1, in which the said enclosing structure is'mainly cylindrical and the said partition comprises a fiat plate having a circular area coextensive with. the compass of said enclosing structure and extending radially in outboard relation therebeyond, and the said time setting device comprises a time setting ring .on one side of said partition plate having spur gear teeth, together with a ring actuating pinion pivotally supported on the said side of said'partition plate outside the compass of said enclos ing structure in mesh with the gear teeth of said time setting ring.
  • a time telling electric circuit controlling appliance adapted to be detachably mounted as an exchangeable unit on a support wall proximate rim flanges for demountably attaching said enclosing structure to the said support wall at points bordering about the said sight aperture therein.
  • a circuitous scale of time designating indicia, terminals of two electric circuits a first cross-split ring of composite conductive and non-conductive united ma-' terials having a front face of non-conductive material in register with said indicia and a rear face of conductive material electrically connected with one of said terminals, a second cross-split ring of composite conductive and non-conductive united materials having a front face of non-conductive material in register with said indicia and a rear face of conductive material electrically connected with the other of said terminals, means rotatably supporting said rings so that at least one ring may fiex to a helical form and so that each ring may be rotated through the split portion ofthe other ring thereby to dispose varying extents of its circular lengths on respectively different sides of the other ring, and a rotatable electric distributor mounted to wipe against the rear faces
  • m settable time switch the combination defined in claim 11, together with two setting rings of insulating material supported for rotary adiustive movement coaxially with the said crossby said spindle to sweep in front of said clock face, indicia on said clock face including an index mark, electric switch controlling mechanism including a rotor coaxial with said spindle, and a variable speed transmission comprising two sets 01 constantly meshing gears connected to impart;
  • variable speed transmission includes two pairs of change gears with the gears of each of said pairs constantly in mesh, and means to clutchone of the gears of either of said pairs to the said clockwork and simultaneously to declutch one of the gears of the other of said pairs from the said rotor in a manner to vary the speed ratio between said clockworks and rotor without displacing said rotor from its relation to said index mark.
  • a multiple scale time indicating mechanism a time movement, two scales of time indicia arranged in concentric circles and designating respectively different intervals of time corresponding to equal segmental portions of said concentric circles, at least one signal device Ynovable in a path to register with both of said scales of time indicia simultaneously thereby to designate respectively on both of said scales at least two of said d′′rent intervals of time, and electric switch controlling mechanism including a stationary part cooperative with said signal constructed and arranged to be settable in accordance with the position 01' said signal along said path and a movable part cooperative with said stationary part, together with speed changing mechanism comprising two sets oi! constantly meshing gears connected to transmit impelling power alternatively from said movement to said movable parts 01' said switch controlling mechanism.
  • a combined clock and time switch unit the combination of, electric switch control mechanism, clockwork objectively associated with said mechanism including motor driven time telling hands, separately movable handles connected respectively to actuate said mechanism and said clockwork, and coaxial spindles separately and independently movable operatively connecting said handles to said mechanism and said clockwork respectively at least one said spindles being movable in an axial direction for actuating said clockwork.
  • a settable time switch the combination of, a scale or circularly arranged time designating indicia, a first cross-split ring, a second I cross-split ring, means rotatably supporting said rings so that at least one ring may flex to a helical form and so that ringmay be rotated adjustably through the split portion of the other ring, electric switch controlling means including a time driven element and an adjustably settable stationary member cooperative therewith, signal means registering with said indicia and adjustably settable in accordance with various stationary positions of said member, separate manuals connected respectively to rotate said rings adjustably, and yieldable brake means automatically operative to resist the rotary adjustment of at least one of said rings thereby to retain the said one ring while the other ring is rotated adiustably by its said manual.
  • a frame plate for supporting both clockwork and'time switch mechanism, a hollow post perpendicular to and rigid with said plate, a threaded 5 tubeof insulating material fixedly carried at the free end of said post[s], a nut having threaded engagement with said tube and .switching parts between said frame plate and said clock face rotatably supported in part by said post and in part by said tube.
  • a time telling electric circuit controlling appliance adapted to be detachably mounted as an'exchangeable unit on a support wall proximate a sight aperture therein, embodying in combination with a clock face, clockwork including a time-oi-day telling clock hand cooperative with said clock face rotatable about an axis in position to be observed through said sight aperture, enclosing structure housing said clockwork, framework including a main partition to which at least part of said enclosing structure is detachably joined equipped to derive full support from said wall without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure'said partition being directed crosswise of said axis within said enclosing structure and containing a frame hole, an auxiliary partition supporting said clockwork also extending crosswise said axis deriving full support from said main partition without the in strumentality of said enclosing structure, a hollow bearing post concentric with said axis fixed on and projecting from said auxiliary partition and carrying said clock face, spindle connections extending through said hollow post
  • a combined clock and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single band of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected different times of day.
  • the said brake comprises a spring deriving thrust from the said [frame plate] framework and exerting a frictional thrust on at least one of the said manuals.
  • a combined clock and time switch unit 7 completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at'least two automatic switch actions at selected different times with rotary settings of said charts, separate man uais connected to adjust said charts selectively to their said settings, and a brake arranged cooperatively with each of said charts and its said manual in a manner to anchor the same yieldably in relation to said [frame] framework with sufllcient force to hold either of said charts and its said connected switch controlling element motionless during rotary a'djustive movement of the other said chart within its said range.
  • anautomatically acting time switch the combination of a clock hand turnable about an axis of rotation to tell time of day, a frame plate extending transversely of said axis of rotation, a closure panel in frontof said frame plate spaced therefrom, a sight window in said closure panel through which said clock hand is visible, concentric arcuate time signalling charts independently movable for cooperative rotary adjustment in mutual register so that one of said charts conceals and exposes various selective portions of the other of said charts, said charts deriving support from said frame plate and being visible through said window, sets of gears deriving support from said frame plate each of said sets of gears being connected to cause independent rotary adjustment of a different one of said charts, at least one of said sets of gears being located between said frame plate and said closure panel and concealed by the latter, and manual controls operatively connected respectively to gears of said sets and extending through said closure panel to be accessible for time setting manipulation at the front of the latter.
  • thesaid brake comprising a spring under compression between said [frame plate] framework andsaid manually impelled gear
  • said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced aboutsaid axis over a sectoral area of said graduated disc traversed by said break in said screening disc whereby said screening disc acts in part to-conceal and in part to reveal said time interval indicating marks, switch action controlling elements operably connected to said discs respectively.
  • a graduated disc mounted for rotary adfustive movement about said axis in close face-to-face proximity to said screening disc and mechanically so associated therewith that broadside contact of one of.said discs against the other can occur whereby turning of one of said discs can impart a tuning tendency to.the other of said discs, said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced about said axis overa sectoral area of said graduated disc traversed by said break in said screening disc whereby said screening disc acts in part to conceal and in part to reveal said time interval indicating marks, switch action controlling elem nts operably connected to said discs respectively in a manner to be stationed variously in diflerent switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said discs, separate setting mechanisms for individually adfusting said discs selectively totheir said settings, said mechanisms including respectively separate manuals and respectively separate sets of intermeshed gear teeth operably related
  • a combined clock and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected different times of day
  • a graduated disc mounted for rotary adfustive movement about said axis in close face-to-face proximity to said screening disc and mechanically so associated therewith that broadside contact of one of said discs against the other can occur whereby turning of one of said discs can impart a turning tendency to the other of said discs
  • said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced about said axis over a sectoral area of said graduated disc travers
  • switch action controlling elements 1 respectively fixed in relation to said charts and arranged to be stationed variously in wipable relation .-t0 said time wheel in diflerent switch timing positions of said charts with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said charts, separate manuals connected to adjust said charts selectively to their said settings, and a brake arranged cooperatively with at least one of said charts and its said manual in a manner to anchor the same yieldablg inrelation to said frame. with sufllcient force to hold said one of said charts and its said connected switch controlling element motionless while being wiped by said time wheel during rotation of the. latter and during rotary adjustive movement of the other said chart within its said range.
  • the combination defined in claim 30 in which the said time wheel carries a camming surface disposedin oblique relation to the said axis of rotation of the time wheel, and the said switch action controlling elements are stationed in the path of rotation of said camming surface so as to'be wiped lrictionally by the latter in a manner tending to drag said elements around said axis with said time wheel.

Description

Feb. 16, 1954 R. D. SMITH DEMOUNTABLE TIME SWITCH UNIT FOR UNIVERSAL USE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed June 20, 1945 mmvz w? Feb. 16, 1954 R. D. SMITH DEMOUNTABLE nus swrrcu UNIT FOR UNIVERSAL USE I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 20. 1945 IN VEN TOR Feb. 16, 1954 R, sMlTH Re. 23,783
DEMOUNTABLEI TIME SWITCH UNIT FOR UNIVERSAL USE Original Filed June 20, 1945 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 L Reissue! Feb. 16, 1954 v UNITED S TES A PATENT oFi-"ics 3 DEMOUNTABLE 'rnus s'wrrcn m For; UNIVERSAL USE- 1 Raymond B. Smith, Easton, co s.
Original No. 2,508,896, dated May '23, 1950, Serial No. 600,557, June 20, 1045.- Application for reissue December 14, 1950, Serial No. 200,820
32 Claims. (or zoo-as) Matter enclosed in new brackets l; :i appears in the original patent but forms no part of unreissue specification; matter printed in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.
. 1 This invention relates to time switches combined with or incorporated within a time-.of-day telling clock and particularly to electric circuitmaking-and-breaking mechanism operated or governed by-clockwork. i J
Time switches of this type commonly consists of a time giving mechanism or time movement mechanically so associated with circuit switching electric contacts that such contacts are caused automatically to make and break. one or more electric circuits at preset time'sof day. In such time switches where the same clockwork not only operates or governs an electric switch but also drives conventional clock hands in front of a conventional clock face for telling time of day, it has been proposed in my former U. S. Patents Nos.
2,004,137 and 2,032,714 to provide separate in.-'
dicators adjustably settable around the circularly arranged regular time-ofday markings on the clock face for registering thereby the time of day at which the circuit making and breaking actions automatically will take place. Mechanically, such indicators may be connected with the switch operating mechanism so as to assume registering positions with respect to the clock face indicia that shall accord accurately with the Setting of inside trips or any other kind of working elements which determine at what point in the running of the clock movement the automatic electric switch actions shall be caused to take place.
The present invention aims to incorporate such distinctive kind of switch action, time indicator means as are proposed in my former said patents in a novelly organized form of appliance that may be characterized as a demountable armored unit having distinct and important advantages over previously known kinds of time switches. This novel structural form of combined clock and time switch unit opens the way to radical departure from long established but costly and inefilcient practices of manufacturing and merchandising time switches for many fields of use. Examples of such use are: the time control of cooking in electric and gas ranges; timed automatic turn-on and turnoff of radio receiving sets for catching desired broadcasting programs; the automatic shifting of temperature setting in house heating controls at regular preset times between lowered night heat and normal daytime heat; the timed automatic defrosting of electric refrigerators on a regular daily schedule; the automatic turning on and of! of store window display lights, bill board and outdoor advertising lights, as well as' the illumination of public quarters automatically at preset times of day or night.
. 2 The present improvements aim to solve these former problems by providing a small, unitary, armor-encased time switch incorporating a timeof-day telling clock with its crystal protected clock face, which shall be attachable in readily demountable manner in flush relation to a sight apertured panel or other form of upright support in an organization of working parts based on circuit switching action from a twelve hour cycle to a twenty-four hour cycle, controls additional to the electric switch setting controls exposed for manipulation at the front of the unit for actuating the clock-work as for restarting a non-self starting synchronous clock motor when its interrupted supply of current is resumed or resetting the clock hands to a correct time of day, devices to stay the time setting indicators and controls against unintentional displacement from their set positions, and devices to enable a time-switch of the character concerned to switch current automatically from one circuit to another.
The foregoing and other objects of the invention are more fully referred to in the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention in which description reference is had to the appended drawings wherein:
Fig. 1 is a front view of my improved clock switch unit mounted on a vertical panel, a part I of which is shown as broken away to expose more of the unit than in practice would appear.
Fig. 2 is a view looking from the right at Fig. 1, some of the parts being shown as taken in section on the planes 2-2 in Fig. 1, a different thickness of support panel being indicated at the top than is indicated at the bottom for purposes of switch unit when the cover of the cabinet is swung closed, flexible electric wires connecting the clock switch unit and the magnetic switch while permitting the cabinet cover to be opened and closed.
Fig. 4 shows a portion of the mechanism. in
3 Fig. 2 drawn on a illustrate modified details of construction.
Fig. 5 shows on a scale similar toFig. 4 a still further modification of gearing construction for; changing the ratio through which the circuit controller is rotated.
Fig. 6, on a correspondingly enlarged scale. shows a modification of the time setting manual of Fig. 2 whereby this manual becomes selfbraked to remain stationary without. being held while the other manual is being adjusted. Fig. 6
further shows separately movable handles on concentric spindles for independently actuating the switch mechanism and the clockwork.
Fig. 'l is apartial view of the clock motor as viewedv from the left looking at Fig. 1 with the cover of the unit shown in section and serving to mount an agitating mechanism for starting in motion the clock movement.
Fig. 8 is a rear view of the agitating mechanism of Fig. '7 as same'appears when looking from the left at Fig. 7. 1
Fig. 9 is a front view of a modified construction of the clock switch unit wherein the clock face and hands are only fragmentally shown and the F18. 13 is a similar view of an insulative facing for the disc of P18- 11.
Fig. 14 correspondingly shows an insulative facing for the disc of Fig. 12. v
Fig. 15 is a sectional fragmentary view taken on the plane l5l5 in Fig. 9 toshow the relationship of the interleaved discs of Figs. 11 to 14,
larger scale more clearly to.
II in rigid perpendicular relation thereto and projecting forward therefrom concentrically with theringgears l2 and II asbestshowninFlg. 4.
Members fixedly carried by the stationary bushing it, in their order from back tofront,
inclusive, at their point of circuit switching 7 of the discs at their other point of circuit switch-x ing action.
For the purposes of constructing my improved clock switch as a self-contained, unitary device, I provide a framework including a partition or main frame plate l0 having a large circular aperture through which, and beyond both faces of which, extends a diametrically large thin-walled flanged bearing-eyelet II. A ring gear I! is retained by one flange of this large bearing eyelet against the front surface of frame plate II, and a similar ring gear I! is retained by the other flange of the same eyelet against the rear face of frame plate In. Ring gears l2 and II are thus supported for independent rotation on opposite sides of the frame plate Hi. There will occur to those skilled in .the art obvious equivalents for this particular construction which will permit gears 12 and It to be correspondingly disposed and operative.
I may construct a supp rt means for the switch and time telling parts in the form of a base plate slab M of insulative material firmly attached to and spaced rearward from frame plate It by the support brackets I 5.
Bearing structure which comprise as also clearly shown in Fig. 4, a large thin insulative washer IS. the insulative collar 2|, another large insulative washer 2i, and a third clamp nut 22 having threaded engagementwith the forward end of bushing l6 and serving to thrust the washers I! and 2 I, together with the insulative collar 20 axially backward and tighten them fixedly against the clamp nut I! so that all these parts are in effect made rigid with the bearing bushing ll. Further parts fixedly sup-- ported upon the bushing l8 comprise the internally threaded, insulative collar 23' which has threaded engagement with the front end of bushing It and projects forward from the' front end thereof and at its own front end receives and insulates from electrical contact with bushing ll a retaining screw 24 the enlarged head of which clamps a clock face dial 25, backed by an insulative facing 26, against the forward end of insulative collar 23 whereby the clock dial is supported concentrically with the-ring gears 12 and I1. Dial 25 is represenative of any circuitous scale of timeof-day markings stationed in relation to frame plate III. The retaining screw 2| may be recessed as shown in Fig. 4 to reduce the axial length of its central hole that serves as a steadying bearing for the rotary spindles for the clock hands later to be described.
The prime mover of my improved assembly of clockwork may incorporate any kind of spring driven movement or electrically powered reduction gear train capable of running at a constant speed for time keeping purposes. The movement herein shown includes an electric motor, prefer' ably of the synchronous type. that is inherently".
capable of keeping in step with the time characteristics of an alternating current. of this type of motor is disclosed in United States Patent No. 1,864,108. The only description thereof necessary to be given herein is that its framework may comprise a front frame plate 21 mounted on, and spaced from, base plate H by posts I81 together with an intermediate plate 2| connected in spaced relation to plate 21 by posts 29, and a rear plate ll connected to and spaced from intermediate plate 28 by posts 3|. The rear frame plate In of the time giving train or movement may be formed and made of material suitable to constitute the magnetic or field stator for motor armature 82, field stator plate 20 being energized for this purpose by an alternating current coil a wound about a laminated bar 34, magnetically contacting said plate. A train of reduction gears may provide operating connection between the armature pinion 35 and another pinion I8 inlet to the spindle 31. that extends through the stationary bushing l6 and at the front end thereof carries a clock hand It swingable about an axis transversely of which frame plate in exf 45 which may detachably engage a squared terhelps to support the circuit switching and time minus of spindle s1 and itself be rotatably mounted in'the rear wall of the rear section ll of the casing structure.
In some constructions of the clock switch unit a One example cares spindle 31 and hand ll rotate at a speed of one revolution .in one hour thus to serve as the so-called "minute hand of an ordinary clock.
In other constructions I prefer to arrange the movement train to impel directly a pinion ll fast to the spindle 40 and extending through spindle Il (made hollow for this purpose) to carry at its forward end the sweep hand 4|, which parts are shown in broken lines in Figs. 1 and 4. Spindle 4| and hand 4| may then be driven at a speed of one revolution in one minute to serve as the I prefer so to mine movement gearing that so-called "second hand" of an ordinary clock and, by its greater and therefore visible speed.
to intorm an observer whether the clock isrunning or has stopped. In the case of using spindle 4| and hand 4|, pinion 36 may derive its movement by being fixed to minute spindle 31, the latter carrying gear 42 also fixed thereto and impelled from pinion 39 by the reducing idler gears 43 and 44 whose common spindle 44' is of course rotatably supported in bearing plates 21 and II of the clock movement.
Whether or not the sweep hand 4|, its spindle 4| and the gears 42, 43 and 44 are employed, the minute spindle 31 may be surrounded by 'the usual hollow spindle 41 carrying the hour hand ll between the minute hand 38 and the clock dial 25. 'Hollow spindle 41 will be rotated at the usual speed of one revolution in twelve hours by means of the gear 49 flxed On its rear end because gear 48 is driven from pinion 36 in the ratio of 1 to 12 by the idler reduction gears 50, the former of which is at the front of movement plate 21 while the latter is at the rear of said movement plate, both of said idler gears 50 and 5| being fixed to turn in unison on a common spindle not shown but projecting through and having bearing in the movement plate 21. As the hour spindle 41 is given rotary bearing support in the screw 24 and as the minute spindle 31 is given rotary bearing in the movement plate 21, and as spindles 41 and 31 (as well as in when used) rotate in telescoped relationship, it will be plain that they are adequately supported for free rotation at their respectively different speeds without tendency to bind even if variations occur in the assembled relationship of the stationary supporting parts extending between the bearing screw 24 and the movement plate 21.
The clock controlled circuit maker and breaker of my improved construction is similar in nature to that disclosed in my aforesaid U. S. Patent No. 2,004,137 and includes a current distributor in the form of a time wheel continually rotatable about a fired axis and including a helically disposed contact wiper 52 presenting a cumming surface that is disposed in oblique relation to the axis of rotation of the time wheel, preferably of resilient conductive material, fixed to rotate in unison with a metallic hub 53 to which is also flared the gear 54 preferably made of insulative material. Hub 53 is freely rotatable about the stationary insulative collar 20 between the insulative washers l9 and 2t and contains a peripheral groove 55 constantlycontacted conductively by the resilient current carrying brush 55 mounted on the insulative base [4 by screw 51.
My above said U. 8. Patent No. 2,004 137 ea:- plains that the wiper 52 presses against first one and then the other of discs 61 and 62 in its slowly impelled circular movement as it travels in unison with the clock hand, and that it will climb up and drop 0.0 from raised lip portions of thediscs that are herein best pictured in Figs. 15 and 6 u 18.. This of-ne'ce'ssity gives rise to the tendency of wiper 52 to drag the disc 61 or 62 along with -,it in itscircular path of travel. Prevention of the rotary displacement of each disc in response to such drag is aided by the braking efiect or disc staying action of the springwashers 142 in respect to each of the discs 61, 62 as will hereinafter be explained.
The contact wiper 52 is thereby constantly supplied with current through the brush 56 while rotatively impelled by suitable transmission gearing driving the insulative gear 54 and driven by the time movement, orany part motivated thereby, in a manner to travel in unison with some one of the three clock hands 38, [ll] 41 or 4B, or at some predetermined speed ratio inrelation thereto. For convenience of illustration I have not shown the contact wiper gear 54 as driven from the time movement through a train separate from that which impels the time telling clock hands but instead I have shown the hour spindle 41 equipped near its rear end with a second gear i4 and connected to turn in unison with the idler gear at the rear of said base which gear 50 is in mesh with gear 58. Thus the contact wiper 52 may be rotated, say, in unison with the hour hand 48 if pinions 55 and Eli are equal to each other in diameter and gears 54 and 58 are equal to each other in diameter, or, if preferred, at half the speed thereof, as would be the case with the relative sizes of gears 54, 59, 60 and 58, that are shown in Fig. 4.
The means which determine the time at which a circuit shall be made or broken by the clock impelled contact wiper 52 include switch action controlling elements in the form of interleaved and relatively adjustable discs or rings for the most part similar to those described in detail in my aforesaid Patent No. 2,004,137 wherein a graduated split disc 6| of conductive material carrying a series of time interval indicating marks 88 is interslidably adjustable in helically interleaved-relationship to a screening split disc 52 of insulative material containing a break in its circular continuity and carrying a time setting index: consisting of a visible edge of such break settable into various time signalling relationships to the time-of-day markings on clock dial 25, both of these dlscsbeing carried upon a central hub 63 which may comprise a thin walled bearing eyelet between whose rear head and said discs is assembled a cupped spring washer 64 to insure good electrical conductance between disc 6| and hub 53. The two discs 51 and G2 with their hub adjustably turnable about the insulative collar 2.3 back of the clock dial 25 and insulated therefrom by the facing 28. Suitable disc stationing friction is imparted to the discs BI and 62 by their mutually acting broadside contact and pressure against each other aided by the spring 55 which exerts an axially expansive thrust between the disc hub 63 and the clamp nut 22 heretofore described. Such broadside contact also causes a tendency of one of said discs to be turned by the turning of the other disc. Spring 65 is thus part of the means of electrical contact between the conductive disc 6| arid'a binding post 66 secured to the switch base [4 by a screw 61 which is placed in electrical connection with the clamp nut IT by a radial conductive strap or buss bar 68 clamped between nut I1 and the base plate [4.
All parts have now described which enable the contacting with, and separation from.
switch action controlling elements GI and SI of 'metallic parts of the mechanism or frame by parts composedof insulation as hereinbefore described.
In my U. 8. Patent No. 2,004,137 means for engaging the discs 6 I. and 62 for shifting their rela-v tive rotative adjustment as well as their absolute rotary positions are provided consisting ofaxially disposed insulative projections or studs attached respectively to the discs. Fig. 2 herein (as well asFlgs. 1i and 12) show a construction of these v discs wherein no propelling stud or the like is attached thereto but wherein the material of the discs themselves is extended at suitable points to project in suitable directions from the peripheral edge of each disc to be engaged by suitable propelling shoulders carried by ring gears l2 and 13, respectively, for manually effecting selective rotative adjustments of each disc while the con ductive disc BI is thus precluded from conductive contact with any metallic parts of the unit other than those designed to complete an electric circuit as hereinbei'ore described.
selective settings. A clicksuch as shown at ll in Fig. 1 limits the permissible degree. of backward turning of each of gears 11 and II for, the purpose of preventing make and break of the circuit between contact wiper 52 and the conductive disc ll other than with a snap action.
The protective and dust proof enclosing struc-' ture whichhouses the clockwork assembly hereinbefore referred to includes a bezel ring BI holding a'cl'ock face crystal 8'. A mat ring 81 borders an annular space around the'edge of the clock dial 2! in which annular space time setting arcuate signal charts in the form of curved bands of the contrasting distinctive colors of discs II and II are visible as shown in Fig. 1. thereby to indicate by the arcuate length and circular positions of said curved color bands the portions of the full cycle of time represented by the complete circle of the clock face during which the clock controlled circuit will remain made or will remain broken. Conventional clockface graduations on the clock dial may serve to measure and indicate the hours and fractions of hours represented by the relative and absolute position- The radialprojection'll extending from the peripheral edge of insulative disc 62 contains an opening which may be engaged by a forwardly extending pin 12 carried by the front ring gear I:
whereby pin II can propel insulative disc '2 in either rotary direction, while the backward ex tension 13 of a tongue-like continuation of the sheet material of conductive disc 6| occupies a notch in an insulative impelling lug 14 carried by the rear ring gear l3 whereby lug-ll can propel the conductive disc II in either rotary direction. The tuming' of each of discs 82 and BI relative to the other, as adjusted respectively by the turning of ring gears l2 and I3, is preferably limited to substantially one complete circle of relative and operation of these discs and their stop limited relative movement is contained in my Patent No. 2,004,137 where corresponding parts are identified by corresponding reference numerals. v
The ring gears II and II are manually adiusted. respectively by separate spur gears 11 and II. these spur gears being on respectively'opposite sides of an apron-like extension I! of the otherwise circular main frame plate III on which each of said spur gears is.pivotally mounted. Said spur gears carry respectively forwardly projecting operating spindles Ill and BI 'tumable by manuals in the form of finger knobs l2 and 83 whereby gears 11 and It may be-rotated manually together or separately. The foregoing parts thus constitute separate time setting mechanisms m addustinythe discs s1. s2 individually to their ing of the contrasting visible arcuate signal charts determined by the circular positioning of discs Cl and 62, but if preferred I may render the measurement and indication of elapsed time "represented by the extent of these color bands even more readily and exactly discernible by adding to the visible portion of discs 8|" and II themselves indicia quantitatively expressing different time intervals as illustrated in the case of one disc in Fig. l where the graduations BB serve to measure and indicate the number of hours and fraction of hours represented by the arcuate cxtentof the exposed portion of disc Gl. Corresponding graduations could of course be applied to the other disc. To accord with the gear ratio of 1 to 2 indicated between the hour hand spindle l1 and the contactwiper 52, I may graduate the mat ring or alternative clock face 81 to represent a-division of the complete circle into 24 hours arranging the markings to make evident that twelve of these hours are hours of the day, and thatthe other twelve are hours of the night. In such case the graduations on the clock dial 25 will be referred to only for telling the time of day and the graduations on the mat ring 81 will be referred to for telling what time of day or night'the automatic circuit switching action will take place. Obviously I might add graduations to the clock face 25 for 24-hour divisions of a complete circle in place of placing such graduations on the mat ring 81. a
As part of an enclosing structure I may provide the dust-proof protective casing 46 with a flange portion 89 which may be clamped firmly to the main frame plate III by the same nuts 90 and spacer studs 9! which hold the bezel ring 85, the casing 46 being notched and slotted as indicated in Fig. 2to form a. narrow opening into its interior Just back of plate It to permit surface of a thin metal support wall or panel as 92, or against a thick wooden support wall or panel as 93, in either of which cases the clock crystal 08 may lie substantially flush with the front face of such wall or panel. The length of studs 9| may be chosen to this end and such wall or panel will contain openings through which the time setting spindles BI and 80 project. Knobs such as 03 and 82 may be detachably secured respectively to spindles 'III and 00, these knobs being the only working parts required to be removed in mounting or dismounting the entire clock switch unit from the wall or panel of any appliance or machine to which the unit is applied. It is further apparent that in some cases the knobs 82 and 8! can be made so small in comparison with the openings for spindles and III that even these knobs could be withdrawn through said openings without requiring their removal.
Illustrative of a useful application of the complete clock switch unit of Figs. 1 and 2, I show this unit in Fig. 3 mounted upon the inside surface of a sheet metal door 96 hinged to a cabinet 91 by brackets 90 and hinge pins 99, the cabinet 91 containing a remote control, or electromagnetic, switch commonly termed a relay. Theremote control switch comprises an insulative base I00 on which is mounted electric arc-baffling shields IOI at the point where contact is made and broken between a line terminal I02 and its corresponding load terminal I03 and simultaneously between a second line terminal I04 and its corresponding load terminal I05, the action of this contact making and breaking mechanism being effected by the rocker core I06 of an electromagnetic coil I01 mounted upon the contact arms I09 and H0 in unison to contact making position. Terminals for the magnet coil I01 are shown at III and 2, respectively, and the electrical connection of the three wires 69, 10 and 95 to the supply line and to the magnet coil I01 will be clear from Fig. 3. Here these three wires are shown as leaving the cover 46 0f the clock switchg unit through the insulative bushing H3 and detachably secured respectively to three binding posts -on the insulative block II4 toeach of which binding posts are respectively secured individually insulated wires of flexible nature which permit the opening and closing of the door 90 relative to cabinet 91. -By the means just described, wire 69 connects electrically to both the right line terminal I04 and the magnet coil terminal III; wire 10 connects electrically with the other terminal II2 of the magnet coil I01; and wire connects to. the left line terminal I02. By these connections the magnet coil I01 of the remote control switch is energized and de-energized by the circuit controlling action of contact wiper 52 in the clock operated switch unit, while the motor coil 33 of the timing movement is constantly energized saves minals I02 and I04 of the electromagnetic switch.
It will be understood that when the cabinet door is closed the clock face dial 25 and time setting discs GI and 62, as well as the time setting controls 82 and 03, are all accessible or visible from the exterior of cabinet 91 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 and 2. There is room in the upper portion of cabinet 01 to receive the clock switch unit when the door 00 is closed, the flexible wiresbeing suitably secured by clips H5 at different points properly to hold these wires from interference with any of the working parts of the mechanism. From the foregoing description it will be appreciated that it is a very easy matter to remove the clock operated switch unit completely from the cabinet of the remote control switch in the case of needed attention or repairs to the clock or the switch unit. This can easily be done by inexperienced mechanics in the field who without expert repair experience will thus be able to replace a defective time switch. unit with a spare or replacement unit that is in good operating condition without appreciable interruption of use of the relay.
As in some uses it is desirable tohave the contact wiper 52 travel at the same rate of speed, or in strict unison with, the hour hand 40 or the clock while in other uses it is preferred that contact wiper 52 travel at half that speed thus consuming 24 hours in making one revolution, economies of manufacture and commercial distribution can be effected by providing a gearing arrangement for driving contact wiper 52 which will be shiftable at will to produce either one of the above mention speeds. A peculiar requirement of such arrangement is that the wiper 52 must always so rotate as to coincide with the position of hour hand 48 at its point of circuit breaking action when the hour hand is at some definite and predetermined point in its travel. Usually this will be when the hour hand points to 12 where as is shown in Fig. 1, the cardinal 12" of a stationary 24-hour series of graduations coincides in its position on the circle with cardinal 12" on the time telling clock face. In such case, therefore, whether the wiper 52 rotates in sychronism with the hour hand, or completes one revolution to every two revolutions of the hour hand, it will always be necessary that when the contact wiper 52 (or its operating tip which snaps from one to the other of discs BI, 62) is at exactly top center position in Fig. 1, the hour hand shall point exactly to twelve o'clock, and no change in this condition must be brought about through the act of shifting the speed at which contact wiper 52 shall be impelled, since the same condition must-obtain if the wiper 52 is to be geared to travel at a speed equal to that of the hour hand or only half as fast.
With these particular requirements in mind,
I-have shown in Fig. 5 a modification of the construction of the idler gears 59 and 00 wherein an idler spindle H0 is given bearing of appreciable length in a bushing structure I I1 which extends through the switch base I4 and is fast 'thereto. Spindle IIG carries fixedfpinion I! will determine whether pinion ill is fast or loose respectively in relation to spindle ill. Pinion III is in mesh with an additional gear I which turns fixedly with the hour hand spindle l1 and is of the same diameter as the contact wiper gear ll so that when pinion lfl is fast to spindle Ill the contact wiper I! will rotate at the same speed as an hour hand ll. In this modification I give the rear idler gear II (which is similar in size to the idler gear ll of Fig. 4 and is in mesh with the same hour spindle gear II) a loose or tight connection on the clamp bushing m dependending on whether a clamp nut I it set up tightly or loosely on the threaded exterior of bushing" III by means of which gear ll may be forced forward against the front shoulder on said bushing to be made fast thereto. Obviously, the above described mechanism would look and be inoperative if both the screw III and the clamp nut I24 are tightened at the same time, but if one alone is tightened and if in shifting the gear ratio the other is tightened before the first is loosened, no relative movement will have taken place between thehour spindle 41' and the contact wiper I: as a consequence of having shifted the effective drive connection of contact wiper II. from gear iii to gear II, or
vice versa. Accordingly it will be appreciated overhanging the same to inrigasandaishow thestartersplndle m face of the protective cover ll. The bracket I" that if the clock hands are set to exactly twelve o'clock when the shift in gear ratio is made, the
wiper II will not be thrown out of accurate rotative relationship to the clock hands with respect to its performing circuit. switching automatic action at the true times of day or nlsht indicated 1 by the settings of the discs ii and If against their designed scalesof graduations.
The timing movement energized by the coil II may bea synchronous motor of the self startingtype or of the nonself starting type. In the givesslidingbearingtoapushrod ll! carrying a cone shaped actuator III at its rear end adapted to act upon the lower offset end of rocker lever I for displacing the latter when the actuator I" is thrust toward the rear. the broken lines in Fig. 8 indicating the positions to which 'arm Ill and rocker lever III will thereby be moved against the tension of spring I21. Whereas the push rod I" may extend to any accessible position for use'by the operator of the clock switch unit. I have shown in Fig. 6 that it may extend forwardly through the shaft I. or Ii.
made hollow for this purpose, thereby to permit tively, for adjusting the times of circuit controlling switch action. .Ii'i this modification the spindle II is made with a round portion I" Journaled in the frame plate ill and flanked at -each side of said frame plate by squared porlatter case, for convenience in restartingpthe 7 motor should it stop from. current interruption. I may employ a spinning device best shownin Fig.7 consisting of a starter spindle ill iournaled in the movement plates and carrying fixed to therewith plates 28 and 21 a flanged .member III which carries secured in itsilange and disposed parallel to its axis. the pin ill connected by the spring ill to'the movement post II. The starter pin III as carried with the flanged member lll'swings in an arcuate opening in the movement plate 11 the ends of which opening limit the swinging travel of pin I21 in both directions, the spring ill normally stationing the pin I21 incontact with one end of said opening and out of contact with the armsture gear ill. On turning the spindle III clockwise as viewed in Fig. 8 to the limit of movement permitted by the travel of pin ill in its arcuate tions Ill. On each of these squared portions there is carried a similar gear I1 secured by a thrust nut I engaging threaded portions of spindle 8.. Between the front gear 'II' and the frame plate II, a cupped spring washer I acts to thrust spindle II and all parts carried thereby, forwardly, therebeing a slight space to permit' a little rearward movement of these parts against the tension of washer I42. Between the rear gear l1 and the frame plate II is a washer m of friction material aifording yieldable resistance to the turning-of the rear gear 11' with which it has considerable area of surface contact. This arrangementaflords what in effect is a self-braking or self-staying action of each v spindle is or II' and consequently of ring gears if or. 'The' frictional resistance of washer ill 'is'convenientLv annulled or overcome by the forces that would be imparted to knobs 82' or I by'the hand of the user in the natural manner slot, the rear-end of pin I2 1 is swept into engagement with teeth of the armature gear III so that when suddenly released by the hand-of the operator the pin I21 is snapped back to its normal or starting position thus imparting a spin to the armature gear III through the rapidity of the spring caused action. The speed thus imparted to armature gear III is preferably as great as. or greater than, its normal running speed so that the armature i! may by this starting movement slow down into exact step with its designed ratio of speed in relation to the oscillations of alternating current in the coil I1.
of operating same. Hence in this construction either of discs I or I! will remain stationary while the other is shifted relative thereto with out requiring simultaneous grasping and manipu lation of both time setting knobs in order to prevent either disc 6i or If from turning with the other.
InFigs. 9 to 16, inclusive, 1 show a modification of certain parts of my improved clock switch unit, such modification as concerning the ring gears 12 and II. enabling me to lead the current to and from the time controlled switching parts by current feeding or current take-oil brushes wiping on conductive parts carried on said gears. As concerning the circuit controlling discs ii and M, themselves. the modification illustrated in Figs. 9 to 16 enables a universal time setting to be made in accordance with the principles Y disclosed in my Patent 2,004,137, where-instead mechanism of the entire clock switch unit except the contact wiper 52. This wiper in its circuit controlling rotation will be transferred with a snap action from one of these conductive discs to the other, and vice versa, being in no rotary position able to contact both of said discs at the same time. This enables the use of the time controlled switch for shifting current automatically from one circuit to a different circuit and back again at respectively predetermined times, instead of for merely making and breaking a single circuit.
In Figs. 9 and 10 the ring gear I44 rotatively adjustable by gear 11 (not shown in Figs. 9 and 10) is made of insulating material and disposed against the front face of frame plate It as is the ring gear I2 of Fig. 2. A similar ring gear I45 of insulative material and adjustable by gear II (not shown in Figs. 9 and 10) is disposed against the rear face of frame plate I in the manner of ring gear I3 of Fig. 2. Embedded, inlaid, or otherwise suitably secured to the front face of ring gear I44 is a collector ring I45 of conductive material on which constantly bears the conductive brush I" which is in electrical contact with binding post I45 mounted on and insulated from the main frame plate It and adapted to receive the wire I49 leading to one electric circuit. correspondingly attached to therear face of ring gear I45 is a collector ring I55 on which constantly bears the conductive brush II which is in electrical contact with binding post I52 mounted on and insulated from main frame plate III and adapted to receive the wire I53 leading to a difierent electric circuit.
Collector ring I45 carries the conductive pin I54 for propelling the projection II' of a disc similar to disc 52 of Fig. 4 but made of conductive material. This conductive disc is numbered 52' (see Fig. 11) and because of the uncertain electrical contact that would result from mechanical looseness between pin I54 and the opening in projection lI' engaged by same, and because such mechanical looseness is desirable for compensating for any inaccuracy in the exact concentric relationship of the parts that turn in unison as well as to permit slight axial sliding movement between pin I54 and projection II, a flexible conductive strap or connector I55 may be soldered or otherwise suitably secured to insure good electrical connection between pin I54 and projection ll while accommodating slight relative movement therebetween. Collector ring I55 carries the conductive bracket I4 so disposed as to straddle and impel the projection I3 of conductive disc ii in the same manner as insulative bracket 14 in Fig. 2, but because in Figs. 9 to 16 it is desired that good electrical contact shall exist between bracket I4 and the disc projection I3, a flexible strap I55 may be employed and attached for this purpose in the manner of the connector I55.
To maintain the discs 5I and 52' of Figs. 12 and 11 always insulated from each other in every possible rotative relation, I may insulate the front, or visible, face of disc 5| by enameling the same or in any other suitable way such as by joining fixedly to the said face of disc 5| a thin disc of insulation preferably of slightly 14 larger diameterthandiscfl suchasthedllc il'l of'Fig. 14 having the notch it beyond which in Y a forward direction, the stop lug I5 may project. In a similar manner I may enamel or otherwise insulate the front or visible face of disc 52' in Fig. 11 such as by cementing or otherwise securely fastening to said face of disc 52' a conilgurative disc of insulating material such as I53 in Fig. 13, same being of slightly larger diameter than disc 32' and carrying the notch 15' to enact as a stop with the lug 15 on disc II, which latter is kept from contact with the metal of disc 52' by a larger notch I53 in the latter disc. Also to prevent projection 13 from coming into electrical contact with projection 'II' when these two projections would otherwise engage and act as a limiting stop in the opposite direction of relative movement from that direction in which the rela tive movement is checked by lug I5 and the edge of notch 15', I may provide disc I55 with the peripheral projection I5I in such relationship to projection I I as will operate to this end.
In the relationship of the parts detailed in Figs. 11 to 14 that is indicated in Fig. 9, the contact wiper 52 in its clockwise rotative movement as impelled by the time movement will snap from its full line position to its broken line position in Fig. 15 thus shifting the flow of current supplied through line wire III, from disc 5I to disc 52, that is to say from the circuit lead wire I43 to the lead wire I53 of a diilerent circuit. Likewise in the next circuit shifting action of wiper 52, the latter will snap from its full line position to its broken line position in Fig. 16, thus shifting the supply of current delivered by line wire II, from disc 52' to disc 5I, that is to say, from circuit lead wire I53 to circuit lead wire I43. It is thus seen how the modified clock switch of Figs. 9 to 16, inclusive, functions as a so-called double-throw" switch instead of as an ordinary on" and ofi switch. This double-throw feature is commonly applicable to remote control electric switches, gas valves or other devices reciprocated between two positions by the use of two magnets as indicated in Fig. 33 of the drawings of my United States patent, Numberv 1,984,204, granted December 11, 1934.
It will be noted from Fig. 10 how the take-on of current from the commutator rings I45 and I enables me to dispense with a compound support structure such as the conductive bushing I5, insulative collar 25, and insulative extension 23 of Fig. 4 and substitute therefor the single-piece insulative bushing I 52 as a support for the clock face and for the parts which rotate concentrically therewith. I may also dispense with the hub eyelet 53 of Fig. 4 and arrange the discs 5| and 52' to bear rotatably on a simple insulative collar I53 between insulative washers I54 at their front and I55 at their rear. The retaining nut I55 having threaded engagement with the front end of insulative bushing I52 (used in place of the screw 24 of Fig. 4) may clamp the clock an exchangeable unit on a support wall, proximate a sight aperture therein, embodying in combination with a clock face, clockwork including a time-of-day telling clock hand cooperative with said clock face rotatable about an axis in position to be observed through said sight aperlture, enclosing structure housing said clockwork. framework supporting said clockwork without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure including a partition to which at least part of said enclosure structure is detachably joined equipped to derive full support from said wall without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure said partition being directed crosswise of saidaxis within said enclosing structure and containing a frame hole, a ring-like time setting device bordering said frame hole and carried by said partition in a, manner to be rotatably adjustable about said axis while positioned to be observed through said sight aperture, and electric current switching mechanism controllably related to said clockwork and deriving its support from said said partition and to the first said ring-like time setting device.
3. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 1, togetherwith a second ring-like time setting device carried by the said partition in a manner to be rotatably adjustable about thesaid axis relatively both to 4 said partition and to the first said ring-like time setting device and flanking the side of said partition opposite the first said ring-like time setting device.
4. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 1, together with a second ring-like time setting device on the opposite side of the said partition from thefirst said ring-like time setting device, and an eyeletshaped annulus shaped and arranged cooperae tively with said time setting devices and occupying the said frame hole in said partition in a manner to afford axially retentive internal rotary bearing support for both of said ring-like time setting devices.
5. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 1, in which the said 18 a sight aperture therein, embodying i'n combination with a clock face, a clockwork including a time-of-day telling clock hand cooperative with said clock facerotatable about an axis in position to be observed through said sight aperture, enclosing structure housing said clockwork including a transparent protective covering in front of said clock hand registering with said sight aperture, framework supporting said clockwork without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure including a partition to which at least part of said enclosing structure is detachably joined equipped to derive full support from said wall without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure said partition being directed crosswise of said axis within said enclosing structure and containing a frame hole, a ring-like time setting device bordering said frame hole and carried by said partition in a manner to be rotated adjustable about said axis while positioned to be observed through said sight aperture, and electric current switching mechanism controllably related to said clockwork and deriving its support from said framework without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure including a contact member arranged to be settable adjustably around said axis by rotary movement of said time setting device.
8. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 7, in which the said enclosing structure comprises two cupped sections joined in rim-to-rim relation, one of said sections including the said transparent protective covering.
9. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim 7, in which the said enclosing structure comprises two cupped sections joined in'rim-to-rim relation, and the said partition has a marginal portion fixedly sandwiched between said cupped sections.-
10. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in claim '1, in whichthe said enclosing structure comprises two cupped sections disposed in rim-to-rim relation, each of said sections having a radially outward directed flange at, its rim, said rim flanges being fastened 1 separably together, and means penetrating said time setting device comprises a time setting ring on one side'of the said partitionhaving spur gear teeth, together with a time setting ring on the other side-of said partition having spur gear teeth, and separate ring actuating pinions pivotally supported at respectively opposite sides of said partition in mesh with the gear teeth of said time setting rings respectively.
6. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance as defined in. claim 1, in which the said enclosing structure is'mainly cylindrical and the said partition comprises a fiat plate having a circular area coextensive with. the compass of said enclosing structure and extending radially in outboard relation therebeyond, and the said time setting device comprises a time setting ring .on one side of said partition plate having spur gear teeth, together with a ring actuating pinion pivotally supported on the said side of said'partition plate outside the compass of said enclos ing structure in mesh with the gear teeth of said time setting ring. a v
'7. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance adapted to be detachably mounted as an exchangeable unit on a support wall proximate rim flanges for demountably attaching said enclosing structure to the said support wall at points bordering about the said sight aperture therein.-
11. In a settable double-throw time switch for shiftingcurrent fiow from one circuit to a different circuit the combination of, a circuitous scale of time designating indicia, terminals of two electric circuits, a first cross-split ring of composite conductive and non-conductive united ma-' terials having a front face of non-conductive material in register with said indicia and a rear face of conductive material electrically connected with one of said terminals, a second cross-split ring of composite conductive and non-conductive united materials having a front face of non-conductive material in register with said indicia and a rear face of conductive material electrically connected with the other of said terminals, means rotatably supporting said rings so that at least one ring may fiex to a helical form and so that each ring may be rotated through the split portion ofthe other ring thereby to dispose varying extents of its circular lengths on respectively different sides of the other ring, and a rotatable electric distributor mounted to wipe against the rear faces of said rings sequentially for delivering current to either of said circuit terminals.
. 17., 12." m settable time switch the combination defined in claim 11, together with two setting rings of insulating material supported for rotary adiustive movement coaxially with the said crossby said spindle to sweep in front of said clock face, indicia on said clock face including an index mark, electric switch controlling mechanism including a rotor coaxial with said spindle, and a variable speed transmission comprising two sets 01 constantly meshing gears connected to impart;
alternatively to said rotor motion derived from said clockworks.
14. In timing mechanism, the combination defined in claim 13, in which the said variable speed transmission includes two pairs of change gears with the gears of each of said pairs constantly in mesh, and means to clutchone of the gears of either of said pairs to the said clockwork and simultaneously to declutch one of the gears of the other of said pairs from the said rotor in a manner to vary the speed ratio between said clockworks and rotor without displacing said rotor from its relation to said index mark.
15. In a multiple scale time indicating mechanism, a time movement, two scales of time indicia arranged in concentric circles and designating respectively different intervals of time corresponding to equal segmental portions of said concentric circles, at least one signal device Ynovable in a path to register with both of said scales of time indicia simultaneously thereby to designate respectively on both of said scales at least two of said diilerent intervals of time, and electric switch controlling mechanism including a stationary part cooperative with said signal constructed and arranged to be settable in accordance with the position 01' said signal along said path and a movable part cooperative with said stationary part, together with speed changing mechanism comprising two sets oi! constantly meshing gears connected to transmit impelling power alternatively from said movement to said movable parts 01' said switch controlling mechanism.
16. In a combined clock and time switch unit, the combination of, electric switch control mechanism, clockwork objectively associated with said mechanism including motor driven time telling hands, separately movable handles connected respectively to actuate said mechanism and said clockwork, and coaxial spindles separately and independently movable operatively connecting said handles to said mechanism and said clockwork respectively at least one said spindles being movable in an axial direction for actuating said clockwork.
17. The combination of a switch cabinet, a door having a sight aperture hinged to said cabinet in a manner to swing to a position completing closure for the interior oi the cabinet, an electro-magnetic circuit controller oi relatively high electrical capacity within said cabi-'- net including a contact actuating solenoid, a time switch unit of relatively low electrical capacity carried detachably by said door on the cabinet side oi said sight aperture and register- 18 ing with the latter. and electrical conductors connecting said solenoid to said time switch unit constructed and arranged to permit said door to swing to and away from its said closure completing position.
18. In a settable time switch, the combination of, a scale or circularly arranged time designating indicia, a first cross-split ring, a second I cross-split ring, means rotatably supporting said rings so that at least one ring may flex to a helical form and so that ringmay be rotated adjustably through the split portion of the other ring, electric switch controlling means including a time driven element and an adjustably settable stationary member cooperative therewith, signal means registering with said indicia and adjustably settable in accordance with various stationary positions of said member, separate manuals connected respectively to rotate said rings adjustably, and yieldable brake means automatically operative to resist the rotary adjustment of at least one of said rings thereby to retain the said one ring while the other ring is rotated adiustably by its said manual.
19. In a concentric clockwork and time switch mechanism, a frame plate for supporting both clockwork and'time switch mechanism, a hollow post perpendicular to and rigid with said plate, a threaded 5 tubeof insulating material fixedly carried at the free end of said post[s], a nut having threaded engagement with said tube and .switching parts between said frame plate and said clock face rotatably supported in part by said post and in part by said tube.
20. A time telling electric circuit controlling appliance adapted to be detachably mounted as an'exchangeable unit on a support wall proximate a sight aperture therein, embodying in combination with a clock face, clockwork including a time-oi-day telling clock hand cooperative with said clock face rotatable about an axis in position to be observed through said sight aperture, enclosing structure housing said clockwork, framework including a main partition to which at least part of said enclosing structure is detachably joined equipped to derive full support from said wall without the instrumentality of said enclosing structure'said partition being directed crosswise of said axis within said enclosing structure and containing a frame hole, an auxiliary partition supporting said clockwork also extending crosswise said axis deriving full support from said main partition without the in strumentality of said enclosing structure, a hollow bearing post concentric with said axis fixed on and projecting from said auxiliary partition and carrying said clock face, spindle connections extending through said hollow post and through said auxiliary partition impellably connected to said clock hand, a ring-like time setting device bordering said frame hole and carried by said main partition in a manner to be rotatably ad-. justable about said axis while positioned to be observed through said sight aperture, and electric current switching mechanism controllably related to said clockwork deriving its support from said bearing post without the instrumentality'of said enclosing structure including a contact member arranged to be adjustably settable 19 around said axis by rotary movement of said time setting device.
21. In a combined clock and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single band of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected different times of day. the combination of, a, framework, a circuitous scale of time-of-day markings stationed in relation to said framework, a first arcuate signal chart mounted for rotary adjustive movement a different switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said'framework in accordance relatively to said framework through a range of 1 and said framework in cooperative time-signalling register therewith, switch action controlling elements operably connected to said charts respectively in a manner to be stationed variously indifferent switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary'settings of said charts, separate manuals connected to adjust said charts selectively to their said settings, and a brake arrangedcooperatively with at least one of said charts and its said manual in a manner to anchor the same yieldably in relation ,to said frame with sufficient force to hold said one of said charts and its said connected switch controlling element motionless during rotary adjustive movement of the other said chart within its said range.
22. In a combined clock and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected different times of day,
the combination defined in claim 21. in which the said brake comprises a spring deriving thrust from the said [frame plate] framework and exerting a frictional thrust on at least one of the said manuals.
23. In a combined clock and time switch unit 7 completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at'least two automatic switch actions at selected different times with rotary settings of said charts, separate man uais connected to adjust said charts selectively to their said settings, and a brake arranged cooperatively with each of said charts and its said manual in a manner to anchor the same yieldably in relation to said [frame] framework with sufllcient force to hold either of said charts and its said connected switch controlling element motionless during rotary a'djustive movement of the other said chart within its said range.
In anautomatically acting time switch, the combination of a clock hand turnable about an axis of rotation to tell time of day, a frame plate extending transversely of said axis of rotation, a closure panel in frontof said frame plate spaced therefrom, a sight window in said closure panel through which said clock hand is visible, concentric arcuate time signalling charts independently movable for cooperative rotary adjustment in mutual register so that one of said charts conceals and exposes various selective portions of the other of said charts, said charts deriving support from said frame plate and being visible through said window, sets of gears deriving support from said frame plate each of said sets of gears being connected to cause independent rotary adjustment of a different one of said charts, at least one of said sets of gears being located between said frame plate and said closure panel and concealed by the latter, and manual controls operatively connected respectively to gears of said sets and extending through said closure panel to be accessible for time setting manipulation at the front of the latter.
26. In a combined clock and timeswitch unit completely settable by the use of a single hand of theoperator to perform at least two automatic of day, the combination defined in claim 21,
be impelled by one of the said manuals, thesaid brake comprising a spring under compression between said [frame plate] framework andsaid manually impelled gear;
ment through a range of various settings relatively to the other and to said framework in visible time signalling relation to said scale, and the other chart being mounted concentrically with said first chart for rotary adjustive movement through a range of various settings relatively to both said first chart and said [frame work] framework in cooperative time-signalling register therewith, switch action controlling elements operably connected to said charts respectively in a manner to be stationed'variously in switch actions at selected diflerent times of day,
.- the combination of, a framework, a circuitous ing a break in its circular continuity and carrying an index in fixed relation thereto, said disc being mounted for rotary adjustment relative to said framework through a range of circular movement about a pivotal axis thereby to eject various settings of said indez: in visible time signalling'relation to said scale, a graduated disc mounted for rotary adiustive-movement about said axis in close face-to-face proximity to said screening disc and mechanically so associated therewith. that turning of one of said discs can impart a turning tendency'to the other of said discs. said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced aboutsaid axis over a sectoral area of said graduated disc traversed by said break in said screening disc whereby said screening disc acts in part to-conceal and in part to reveal said time interval indicating marks, switch action controlling elements operably connected to said discs respectively. in a manner to be stationed variously in difierent switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said discs, separate setting mechanisms for individually adiusting said discs selectively to their said settings, said mechanisms including respectively separate manuals and respectively separate sets of intermeshed gear-teeth operably related to said manuals and turnably supported by said framework, each of said sets of gear teeth being connected to impart adiustive rotary movement to a diiferent one of said discs, and a brake arranged cooperatively between said framework and at least one of said mechanisms in a manner to anchor the latter yieldably in relation to said framework with a force sumciently strong to overcome said tendency of one of said discs to impart movement to the other. said disc.
27. In a combined clock and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected diflerent times of day,
the combination, of, a'framework, a circuitous scale of time-of-day markings stationed in rela-,
, signalling relation to said scale, a graduated disc mounted for rotary adfustive movement about said axis in close face-to-face proximity to said screening disc and mechanically so associated therewith that broadside contact of one of.said discs against the other can occur whereby turning of one of said discs can impart a tuning tendency to.the other of said discs, said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced about said axis overa sectoral area of said graduated disc traversed by said break in said screening disc whereby said screening disc acts in part to conceal and in part to reveal said time interval indicating marks, switch action controlling elem nts operably connected to said discs respectively in a manner to be stationed variously in diflerent switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said discs, separate setting mechanisms for individually adfusting said discs selectively totheir said settings, said mechanisms including respectively separate manuals and respectively separate sets of intermeshed gear teeth operably related to said manuals and turnably supported by said framework, each of said sets of gear teeth being connected to impart adfustive rotary movement to a diflerent one of said discs, and a brake arranged cooperatively between said framework and-at least one of said mechanisms in a manner to anchor the latter yieldably in relation to said framework with a force sufficiently strong to overcome said tendency of one of said discs containing a break in its circular continuity and carrying an index in flxed relation thereto, said disc being mounted for rotary adfustment relative to said framework through a range of circular movement about a pivotal axis thereby to effect various settings of said index in visible time signalling relation to said scale, a graduated disc mounted for rotary adfustivev movement about said axis in close face-to-face proximity to said screening disc and mechanically so associated therewith that turning of one of said discs can impart a turning tendency to the other of said discs, said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced about said axis over a sectoral area, of said graduated disc traversed by said break in said screening disc whereby said screening disc acts in part to conceal and in part to reveal said time interval indicating marks, switch action controlling elements operably connected to said discs respectively in a manner to be stationed variously in diflerent switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said discs, separate setting mechanisms for individually adjusting said discs selectively to their said settings, said mechanisms including respectively separate manuals and respectively seperate sets of intermeshed gear teeth operably related to said manual and turnably supported by said framework, each of said sets of gear teeth being connected to impart adfustive rotary movement to a different one of said discs and to be movable thereby, and a brake 5 arranged cooperatively between said framework and at elastone of said sets of gear teeth in a manner to anchor the latter yieldably in relation to said framework with a force sufilciently strong to overcome said tendency of one of said discs to impart movement to the other said disc.
29. In a combined clock and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected different times of day, the combination of, a framework, a circuitous scale of time-of-day markings stationed in relation to said framework, a screening disc containing a break in its circular continuity and carrying an index in fixed relation thereto, said disc being mounted for rotary adjustment relative to said framework through a range of circular movement about a pivotal axis thereby to efiect various settings of said index in visible time signalling relation to said scale, a graduated disc mounted for rotary adfustive movement about said axis in close face-to-face proximity to said screening disc and mechanically so associated therewith that broadside contact of one of said discs against the other can occur whereby turning of one of said discs can impart a turning tendency to the other of said discs, said graduated disc carrying a series of time interval indicating marks arcuately spaced about said axis over a sectoral area of said graduated disc traversed by said break in said screening disc whereby said screening disc acts in part to conceal and in part to reveal said time interval indicating marks, switch action controlling elements operably connected to said discs respectively in a manner to be stationed variously in different switch timing positions with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said discs, separate setting mechanisms for individually adjusting said discs selectively to their said settings, said mechanisms in eluding respectively separate manuals and respectively separate sets of intermeshed gear teeth operably related to said manuals and turnably supported by said framework, each of said sets of gear teeth being connected to impart adjustive rotary movement to a different one of said discs and to be movable thereby, and a brake arranged cooperatively between said framework and at least one of said sets of gear teeth in a manner to anchor the latter yieldably in relation to said framework with a force suiflciently strong to overcome said tendency of oneof said discs to impart movement to the other said disc.
30. In a combined clock mechanism and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a new single hand of the operator to performat least two automatic switch actions at selected difiersaid first chart for rotary adjustive movement about said axis through a range of various settings relative to both said first chart andsaid framework in cooperative time-signalling regis- 24 claim 30, in which the said time wheel carries a camming device, and the said switch action controlling elements are stationed in the path 0! rotation of said camming device so as to be wiped jrictionally by the latter in a manner tending to drag said elements around said axis with said I time wheel.
ter therewith, switch action controlling elements 1 respectively fixed in relation to said charts and arranged to be stationed variously in wipable relation .-t0 said time wheel in diflerent switch timing positions of said charts with respect to each other and to said framework in accordance with rotary settings of said charts, separate manuals connected to adjust said charts selectively to their said settings, and a brake arranged cooperatively with at least one of said charts and its said manual in a manner to anchor the same yieldablg inrelation to said frame. with sufllcient force to hold said one of said charts and its said connected switch controlling element motionless while being wiped by said time wheel during rotation of the. latter and during rotary adjustive movement of the other said chart within its said range.
31; In a combined clock mechanism and time switch unit completely settable by the use 0] a single hand of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected diflerent times of day, the combination defined in 32. In a combined clock mechanism and time switch unit completely settable by the use of a single hand of the operator to perform at least two automatic switch actions at selected diflerent times of day, the combination defined in claim 30, in which the said time wheel carries a camming surface disposedin oblique relation to the said axis of rotation of the time wheel, and the said switch action controlling elements are stationed in the path of rotation of said camming surface so as to'be wiped lrictionally by the latter in a manner tending to drag said elements around said axis with said time wheel.
RAYMOND D, SMITH.
References Cited in the file of this was or the original patent Candor Oct. 24, 1944
US23783D Demountable time switch unit fob Expired USRE23783E (en)

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Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2932702A (en) * 1958-09-05 1960-04-12 Zenith Radio Corp Clock-controlled timing apparatus
US2981807A (en) * 1956-02-13 1961-04-25 Raymond D Smith Day and night distinguishing clock controlled switch
US3028456A (en) * 1959-03-06 1962-04-03 Raymond D Smith Backsettable rotary time switch
US20040079624A1 (en) * 1999-08-02 2004-04-29 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2981807A (en) * 1956-02-13 1961-04-25 Raymond D Smith Day and night distinguishing clock controlled switch
US2932702A (en) * 1958-09-05 1960-04-12 Zenith Radio Corp Clock-controlled timing apparatus
US3028456A (en) * 1959-03-06 1962-04-03 Raymond D Smith Backsettable rotary time switch
US20040079624A1 (en) * 1999-08-02 2004-04-29 France/Scott Fetzer Company Timer

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