US3652870A

US3652870A - Timer construction means and system utilizing the same or the like

Info

Publication number: US3652870A
Application number: US47011A
Authority: US
Inventors: Emil Niemand
Original assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Current assignee: Robertshaw Controls Co
Priority date: 1970-06-17
Filing date: 1970-06-17
Publication date: 1972-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 1989-03-28

Abstract

A timer construction having a frame means carrying a timer motor. A time selector is carried by the frame means for selecting a desired time period that the timer motor is to operate. An actuator is operatively associated with the timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by the time selector. The time selector is adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation of the timer motor as long as the new selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector. The actuator can comprise a push button means which indicates the amount of time lapsing during the operation of the timer.

Description

United States Patent Niemand [451 Mar. 28, 1972 3,319,019 5/1967 Jullien-Davin. ..307/l4lX 3,114,013 12/1963 Morschell ..200/38A 7 Primary Examiner-C. L. Albritton Attorney-candor, Candor & Tassone 57 ABSTRACT A timer construction having a frame means carrying a timer motor. A time selector is carried by the frame means for selecting a desired time period that the timer motor is to operate. An actuator is operatively associated with the timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by the time selector. The time selector is adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation of the timer motor as long as the new selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector. The actuator can comprise a push button means which indicates the amount of time lapsing during the operation of the timer.

32 Claims, 25 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAR 28 I972 SHEET 1 BF 9 FIG.3 I v INVENTOR. EMIL NIEMAND HIS ATTORNEYS FIG.2

P ATENTED m 2 8 1972 sum 2 [IF 9 v' Il/J/I 'I/IIIIl/II/j Ill/I111 INVENTOR. 'EMIL NIEMAND I I BY HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTEBMAM m2 3, 652.870

SHEET 3 OF 9 INVENTOR. .EMIL NIEMAND can z.

ms ATTORNEYS PATENTED ARZE 1912 3,652,870

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' svmsuw FIG.I3

lNVENTOR.

' Emmy NIEMAND HIS ATTORNEYS PATEN'TEnmze I912 3,652 {870 SHEET 8 OF 9 T 3H3 30B FIGJG INVENTOR. EMIL NIEMAND I7 @d uzflinmm HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAR28 I972 3,652,870

INVENTOR.

7 EMJL NIEMAND FIG. 18 BY B 6%, dd" 7am HIS ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMAR28 I972 3,652,870

sum 8 [IF 9 .F|G.22 MENTORF HIS ATTORNEYS PATENIEDMIR28 I972 I 3 652,870

SIIEET 9 [IF 9 FIG. 23 'I 2 FIGIZS INIENTORF HIS ATTORNEYS TIMER CONSTRUCTION MEANS AND SYSTEM UTILIZING THE SAME OR THE LIKE 'This invention relates to an improved timer construction as 'well as to an improved system utilizing such timer construction means or the like.

In general, timer construction means have been provided wherein the operator can select a desired time period of operation with a selector means and, thereafter, initiate the selected time period upon the actuation of an actuator or the like, such as a push button, whereby the timer construction will thereafter operate for the selected time period.

One of the features of this invention is to provide such a timer construction wherein the operator can increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation ofthe timer construction as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is being made by the operator- Another feature of this invention is to provide such a timer construction wherein visual indication is provided of the time that has lapsed during a particular time cycle of operation thereof.

Another feature of this invention is to provide such a timer construction wherein the release mechanism for terminating the operation of the timer construction is normally at its zero position and need not be moved to a new position thereof after the actuation of the timer construction as in prior timer constructions.

In particular, one embodiment of this invention provides a timer construction having a frame means carrying an electrical timer motor as well as a switch means which operates a desired circuit to be controlled thereby. A time selector is carried by the frame means for selecting a desired time period that the timer construction is to operate. An actuator means is operatively associated with the timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by the time selector means, the time selector being adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period dur- .ing the effective operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector means. The actuator comprises a push button carried by the selector means which comprises a knob construction, the push button being adapted to be moved by the timer motor during the operation of the timer so as to indicate the lapse of time during a particular operating cycle. r r

If desired, remote control means can beutilized to operate such a push button actuator means, the remote control means includinga solenoid operated lever arrangement carried by the frame means. h

Such timer construction can be utilized in combination with another like timer construction to provide an automatic on-off operation that will be repeated continuously as long as the selector switch is in an automatic position thereof. Such control system also can'be provided with a manual switch position wherein the operator can initiate the on cycle of operation every time a manual remote control switch is operated by the operator orthe like.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved timer construction having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or described.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved control system utilizing such a timer construction or the like, the control system of this invention having one or more of the novel features set forth above or hereinafter shown or FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of FIG. 2. I

FIG. 4 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2. r v

FIG. 5 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is a reduced cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3andillustrates the timer construction after a predetermined time period has been selected by the selector means thereof.

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 with the timer construction operating after the timer construction has been actuated from the time selected condition of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 7 and illustrates'the timer construction at the end of the timed period previously selected in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 2 and illustrates the timer construction in its actuated condition.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, exploded perspective view of certain parts of the timer construction of FIGS. 2 and 10.

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and illustrates another embodiment of the timer construction of this invention.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 13-43 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of certain parts of the knob construction of the timer construction of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. l2'and illustrates another embodiment of the timer construction of this invention.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken substantially on line 16-l6 of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a reduced, transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 17-17 ofFIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is a reduced bottom view of the timer construction of FIG. 16.

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating an improved control system of this invention utilizing two timer constructions of the remote control type of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a view similar to FIG. 19 and illustrates the control circuit upon the initial actuation of the same when set in a remote control manual position thereof, the heavy lines in FIG. 20 illustrating the energized circuits. v 7

FIG. 21 is a view similar to FIG. 10 and illustrates the timer construction operating a desired load means.

FIG. 22 is a view similar to FIG. 19 and illustrates the operation of the system when the switch means is moved to its remote control automatic position.

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 and illustrates the operation of one of the timer means after the switch has been moved to the automatic position of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 23 and illustrates the control circuit by heavy lines following the lapse of the time cycle produced by the operated timer construction of FIG. 23.

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24 and illustrates the operation of the other timer construction now operating the load means for a second predetermined period of time.

While the various features of this invention are hereinafter illustrated and described as being particularly adapted to provide timer construction means for operating an electrical switch, it is to be understood that the various features of this invention can be utilized singly or in any combination thereof to provide timer construction means for operating other devices as desired. 7

Therefore, this invention is not to be limited to only the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, because the drawings are merely utilized to illustrate some of the wide variety of uses of this invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an improved timer construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30 and comprises a frame means3l formed from a plurality of plates 32 and 33 secured together in spaced parallel relation by post means 34. An electrical timer motor 35 is carried by the frame means 31 in any suitable manner and has an output shaft 36 carrying a pinion gear 37 for meshing with a larger pinion gear 38 fixed on bushing means 39 rotatably carried by the plate 32, the pinion gear 38 having a friction clutch face 40 for clutching with a resilient clutch face 41 of an axially movable clutch member 42 fixed by a bushing 43 to an axially movable shaft 45 having one end 46 passing through suitable opening means 47 in the bushing 39 and the other end 48 thereof received in an opening 49 of a knob bushing 50 rotatably mounted to the plate 33.

The clutch member 41 has a tang extension 51 that is normally disposed in a zero position against a post means 52 of the frame means 31 in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 by a torsion spring 53 wrapped around the bushing 43 and having its inner end fixed thereto with its outer end 54 being secured to post means 52 of the frame means 31 whereby the torsion spring 53 tends to move the clutch member 42 in a counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4 against the post means 52.

An electrical switch 56 is carried by the frame means 31 of the timer construction 30 and has an operating plunger 57 normally urged to its extended condition outwardly relative to the housing 58 of the electrical switch 56 and bearing against an end 59 of a lever 60 fulcrumed or pivoted to the frame 31 by cars 61 of the lever 60 passing through suitable slots 62 in the plate 32 of the frame means 31 whereby another end 63 of the lever 60 is at the end 46 of the actuator shaft 45 for a pur pose hereinafter described.

The natural bias of the spring means and electrical switch 56 is such that the same tends to maintain the plunger 57 in its out" position and, thus, the lever 60 and actuator shaft 45 in the axial position illustrated in FIG. 2 wherein the clutch member 42 that is carried by the actuator shaft 45 has its clutch face 41 disposed out of contact with the clutch base 40 of the pinion gear 38.

In this manner, the timer motor 35 can be continuously operating and driving the clutch gear 38 in a clockwise direction in FIG. 3 and the same will not affect the position of the clutch member 42 as the torsion spring 53 will maintain the clutch member 42 with its tang 51 against the post 52. However, it is to be understood that the timer motor 35 could be interconnected in the circuit in such a manner that the same will only be turned on to drive the clutch gear 38 when the electrical switch 56 is actuated by having its plunger 57 moved inwardly relative to the housing 58 in a manner hereinafter described.

The knob bushing 50 has a dial-like selector knob 64 secured thereto with the knob 64 having an outer annular flange 65, FIG. 1, provided with suitable time-indicating marks 66 thereon which can be set relative to a reference point 67 on a control panel 68 carried by a suitable structure or apparatus and having the frame means 31 of the timer construction 30 of this invention secured thereto by suitable fastening means 69.

The knob bushing 50 is splined to a plate-like member 70 so the plate-like member 70, bushing 50 and knob construction 64 will rotate in unison relative to the frame means 31. The plate-like member 70 carries a pivot pin 71 on which one end 72 of a latch member 73 pivots with its other end 74 projecting through suitable confining slot means 75 in the plate member 70. A hair spring 76 having one end 77 wrapped around the pivot pin 71 and the other end 55 thereof bearing against the latch member 73 normally tends to move the latch member 73 toward the actuator shaft 45. However, with the actuator shaft 45 disposed in the position illustrated in FIG. 2, it can be seen that the latch member 73 bears against an enlarged cylindrical portion 78 of the actuator shaft 45. When the actuator shaft 45 is moved axially to the left in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 10, a reduced cylindrical portion 79 of the actuator shaft 45 comes into registration with the latch member 73 so that the hairspring 76 can force the latch member 73 into the recess of the shaft 45 defined by the reduced portion 79 and thereby prevent the actuator shaft 45 from moving back to the right under the force of the spring of the switch means 56 until the latch member 73 is moved outwardly relative to the actuator shaft 45 in opposition to the hairspring 76 in a manner hereinafter described.

The latch member has an outwardly directed tang 80 at the end 74 thereof which is adapted to cooperate with a pin means 81 carried by the tang 51 of the clutch member 42 in a manner hereinafter described.

A push button actuator 82 is carried in the central portion of the knob construction 64 to rotate in unison therewith, but being axially movable relative thereto from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to a position where shoulder means 83 thereof will abut shoulder means 84 of the knob construction 64. A pin 85 is carried by the knob portion 50 and has an enlarged end 86 for abutting against the end 48 of the actuator shaft 45, the other end 87 of the pin 85 projecting into the space between the knob construction 64 and the closed end wall 88 of the push button 82 normally held in its out position by a compression spring 89.

However, when the operator desires to actuate the timer construction 30, the push button 82 is pushed inwardly relative to the knob construction 64 so that the end wall 88 thereof can bear against the pin 85 and move the pin 85, and, thus, the actuator shaft 45 to the left in FIGS. 2 and 10in opposition to the force of the spring of the switch means 56 to cause the shaft 45 to be latched in its inward position by the latch member 73 in the manner previously described and for a purpose hereinafter described whereby the release of the push button means 82 will permit the same to return to its out" position under the force of the compression spring 89 while the actuator shaft 45 will remain in its in or actuating position as illustrated in FIG. 10 until the latch member 73 is released therefrom in a manner hereinafter described. Thus, as long as the actuator shaft 45 is in its actuating position of FIG. 10, the electrical switch 56 is in an actuated or a particular circuit completing condition thereof.

In order to maintain the clutch gear 38 in a fixed rotational position relative to the plate 32 of the frame means 31, a suitable retainer 90 is carried by the left-hand end of the bushing 39 so as to bear against the left-hand side of the plate 32. A suitable leaf spring 91 is disposed between the right-hand side of the plate 32 and the clutch gear 38 so as to permit the gear 38 to rotate relative to the plate 32 but be forced into its rightward position as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The operation of the timer construction 30 will now be described.

With the knob construction 64 of the timer construction 30 disposed in the off" position as illustrated in FIG. 1, the electrical switch 56 is in an off" condition thereof so that no electrical current is being passed between the

terminals

92 and 93 thereof. However, if it is desired to operate the electrical switch 56 for a predetermined time period within the limits of the timer construction 30, the operator grasps the knob construction 64 and rotates the same in a clockwise direction in FIG. 1 until the appropriate time mark 66 is adjacent the reference mark 67 on the control panel 68. Such clockwise rotation of the selector knob 64 causes the plate member 70 and latch member 73 to rotate in a clockwise direction from FIG. 3 to the time setting position of FIG. 7 whereby it can be seen that the tang 80 of the latch member 73 is completely moved out of the path of travel of the pin 81 of the clutch member 42 for a certain rotational movement of the clutch member 42 as will be apparent hereinafter.

A suitable friction detent spring 94 disposed between the frame plate 33 and the knob bushing 50 will frictionally maintain the selector knob 64 in the selected time setting position thereof.

Thereafter, the operator can initiate the selected time operation of the timer motor 35 of the timer construction 30 by pushing inwardly on the push button 82 to cause the actuator shaft 45 to now move to the left from the position illustrated in FIG. 2 to the position illustrated in FIG. 10 whereby not only is the actuator shaft 45 now latched in its inward position by the latch member 73 under the force of the hair spring 76 in the manner previously described, but such inward position of the actuator shaft 45 has caused the push plunger 57 of the switch 56 to close the switch mechanism and thereby electrically interconnect the

terminals

92 and 93 thereof together and place the resilient face 41 of the clutch member 42 into clutching engagement with the clutch face 40 of the pinion gear 38 so that the clutch plate 42 will now begin to rotate in unison with the clutch gear 38 under the control of the motor 35. As previously stated, the timer motor 35 can be a continuously operating motor or operating only when the electrical switch 56 is closed as desired.

Thus, the shaft 45 begins to rotate in unison with the clutch plate 42 for the amount of time previously selected by the selector knob 64. In particular, the clutch plate 42 now rotates in a clockwise direction as illustrated in FIG. 8 until the pin 81 thereof comes into engagement with the tang 80 of the latch member 73 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 9 whereby further movement in a clockwise direction of the pin 81 will carry the latch member 73 therewith in opposition to the force of the hairspring 76 so that the latch member 73 will clear out of the groove 79 between the

cylindrical portions

78 and 48 of the actuator shaft 45 and permit the shaft 45 to move back to the right by the force of the spring of the switch plunger 57 to not only disengage the clutch member 42 from the clutch gear 38 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and thereby terminate control of the clutch member 42 from the timer motor 35, but also to permit the torsion spring 53 to now rotate the clutch member 42 in a counterclockwise direction so that the tang 51 thereof will again be moved back to its zero position against the post 52 of the frame means 31 as illustrated in FIG. 4. The rightward movement of the actuator shaft 45 upon the pin 81 of the clutch member 42 releasing the latch member 73 from the actuator shaft 45 terminates the on" time of the electrical switch 56.

However, the selector knob 64 still remains in the previous time setting position thereof so that if the operator again wants to repeat the exact time cycle previously accomplished by the timer construction 30, the operator need only again manually press the actuator button 82 in the manner previously described to cause the timer construction 30 to operate the electrical switch 56 for the previously selected time period of operation thereof.

However, the operator can reset the selector knob 64 to another desired time position thereof before actuating the actuator button 82 in the manner previously described.

If during a particular timed operation of the timer construction 30, the operator desires to change the selected time of the knob construction 64, such time period can be increased or decreased as long as the newly selected time period of the selector knob 64 is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new selection is being made by the selector means 64 so that the pin 81 of the clutch member 42 will not engage the tang 80 of the latch member 74.

Further, it can be seen that the timer construction 30 of this invention has the latch release means 42 in a zero position against the stop member 52 at the time the actuator 82 is being utilized to initially start a particular time cycle so that the latch release member 42 does not have to move to an on" position thereon after the actuation of the actuator 82 as required in prior known timer constructions so that immediately upon the actuation of the actuator button 82, the timed cycle of this invention can commence.

Therefore, it can be seen that the timer construction 30 of this invention can be made of relatively few parts in a simple and effective manner to accomplish the aforementioned objects and features as well as the objects and features hereinafter set forth for the other embodiments of this invention.

' While the timer construction 30 of this invention has been previously described as having the electrical switch 56 mounted at the top thereof and with the selector knob 64 being rotated in a clockwise direction for an increase in time selection thereof, it is to be understood that the frame means 31 thereof can be inverted 180 in the manner provided by the timer construction illustrated in FIGS. 15, l6, l7 and 18 whereby the time selection in an increasing selection is made by the selector knob being rotated in a counterclockwise direction. This is permitted by the various parts operating in the manner previously described as will be apparent hereinafter.

As previously stated, the timer construction 30 of this invention permits the operator to change the selected time period that the timer construction 30 is to operate by increasing or decreasing that time even after the operation has begun provided the newly selected time is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector means 64 thereof. Another embodiment of this invention provides such a timer construction wherein the knob construction itself will indicate to the user the amount of time that has actually elapsed during a selected time period thereof so that the operator can made a change of the selector means for the previously described purpose.

In particular, another timer construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30A in FIGS. 12-14 and parts thereof similar to the timer construction 30 previously described are indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter A.

In general, the timer construction 30A is identical to the timer construction 30 except that the knob means actuator and actuator shaft have been modified in order to provide means for indicating the amount of time lapsing during a timed operation thereof.

In particular, the knob bushing 50A is splined to a plate member so that the plate member 95 will rotate in unison with the bushing 50A. The plate 95 has one end 96 thereof disposed between two spaced apart pins or projections 97 of a selector knob 98 telescoped onto the bushing 50A as illustrated in FIG. 13 and carrying an indicating mark 99 that is to be registered against a desired time marking 100 on a control panel sheet 101 adapted to be disposed outboard of the plate 33A of the frame means 31A. Of course, the control plate sheet 101 could comprise a control plate or panel of a desired supporting structure, as desired.

The actuator shaft 45A of the timer construction 30A has the end 48A thereof completely passing through the knob bushing 50A and being secured to a retainer 102 fastened to a plate-like member 103 carrying an indicating mark 104, FIGS. 12 and 14, on the exposed side thereof whereby the actuator shaft 45A and plate 103 are rotatable in unison with the clutch member 42A for a purpose now to be described.

With the timer construction 30A disposed in the off" position as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the operator turns the selector knob 98 in a clockwise direction to position the indicating mark 99 thereof against the desired time period marking 100 on the control panel 101. Since the actuator means 102 and 103 do not rotate in unison with the selector knob 98, the indicating mark 104 thereof remains at the first or zero marking 105 of the control plate 101.

Thereafter, the operator pushes inwardly on the actuator means or push button means 102, 103 to cause the actuator shaft 45A to move inwardly to the left in FIG. 13 and be latched in its inward position for not only closing the electrical switch 56A in the manner previously described, but also to clutch the clutch plate 42A with the clutch gear 38A so that the clutch plate 42A and, thus, the actuator shaft 45A will now begin to rotate in unison during the entire time period until the pin 81A of the clutch plate 42A will engage the tang 80A of the latch member 73A in the manner previously described. However, as the clutch plate 42A rotates through the timed movement thereof, the

push button

102, 103 likewise rotates in unison therewith whereby the marking 104 thereof will rotate in a clockwise direction in FIG. 12 indicating as it moves in a clockwise direction the amount of time that has lapsed since the time cycle has begun and by the time the marking 104 reaches the marking 99 on the selector knob 98, the selected time period will have lapsed and the clutch member 42A will be released from the clutch gear 38A in the manner previously described to be returned to its home position whereby the

actuator button

102, 103 will likewise be rotated counterclockwise back to the position illustrated in FIG. 12 so that the cycle can be repeated in the manner previously described if the operator desires to push inwardly on the actuator means 102, 103.

Thus, it can be seen that the timer construction 30A of this invention utilizes all of the features of the timer construction 30 previously described while further providing means for indicating to the user the amount of time lapsing since the time cycle so that that person can determine as to how much time has lapsed in a particular time cycle of operation thereof for any desired purpose.

Another feature of this invention is to provide means for operating the timer construction from a remote position even though the push button means thereof must be axially moved in order to begin the operation thereof.

Accordingly, another timer construction of this invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 30B in FIGS. 15-18 with parts thereof similar to the

timer constructions

30 and 30A being indicated by like reference numerals followed by the reference letter B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 15-18, the timer construction 30B is substantially identical to the timer construction 30A previously described except that the frame means 31B has been inverted 180.

A solenoid coil arrangement 106 is carried by the frame means 31B and comprises a solenoid coil 107 having an armature 108 which will be pulled into the coil 107 from the position illustrated in FIG. 18 when an electrical current passes through the coil 107 in a conventional manner. A lever 177 has an elbow 178 thereof pivotally mounted to the frame means 31B by a pivot pin means 109 and carries a guide pin 110 passing through an arcuate slot 111 formed in the frame means 31B so as to guide pivoting movement of the lever means 177 about the pivot pin means 109.

A tension spring 112 has one end 113 engaging against one arm 114 of the lever 177 while the other end 115 thereof is fixed to the frame means 318 whereby the lever 177 is normally in the position illustrated in FIG. 18 by the tension spring 112. However, when the coil 107 is energized, the armature 108, by being interconnected to the other arm 116 of the lever 177, will cause the lever 177 to pivot in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 109 as illustrated in FIG. 18 and thereby cause the guide pin 110 thereof to move downwardly in the arcuate slot 111 of the frame means 31B.

The guide pin 110 of the lever 177 extends in the direction illustrated in FIG. 16 so that the same has its free end 117 disposed adjacent the enlarged tang 51B of the clutch member 428 when the clutch member 428 is in its home position, as illustrated in FIG. 17, against the post means 528. Thus, the energizing of the solenoid coil 107 will cause the lever 177 and, thus, the guide pin 117 to abut against the tang 51B of the clutch member 4213 and move the same axially to the right in FIG. 16 to not only place the same into frictional engagement with the clutch gear 388, but also cause the actuator shaft 458 to be latched by the latch member 73B in the manner previously described to cause a timed operation for the timer construction 308 in the manner previously described whereby the electrical switch 563 thereof will energize suitable load means 118, FIG. 15, for the selected time period of the selector knob 98B in the manner previously described. The solenoid coil 107 is adapted to be momentarily energized by the operator pushing a push button electrical switch 119, FIG. 15, located at some point completely remote from the timer construction 308, if desired.

Therefore, it can be seen that the various features of this invention can be utilized with the remotely controlled manual selector means to cause the same to operate in the manner previously described.

Such remotely controlled timer constructions 30B previously described can be utilized in a unique timer control system of this invention generally indicated by the reference numeral 120 in FIGS. 19-25 and now to be described.

The control system 120 includes an electrical power source 171 that has a pair of power source leads 1., and L, that are adapted to be interconnected by a circuit means 121 of this invention to a load means 122 by two timer constructions 30B and 3013' in such a manner-that the load means 122 can be energized for a time period as selected by the timer construction 305 in the manner previously described and can be automatically energized for such a time period in a continuous manner after the lapse of a time period as selected by the selector means 308' as will be apparent hereinafter. I

The power source lead L is interconnected by a lead 123 to a movable switch blade 124 of the electrical switch 56B of the timer construction 30B which is normally disposed in contact with a contact 125 as long as the plunger 57B of the switch 568 is not moved inwardly by the energizing of the solenoid coil 107B in the manner previously described.

However, when the coil 1078 of the timer construction 30B is energized, the same causes the switch blade 124 of the switch 568 to move away from the contact 125 and be placed into electrical contact with a contact 126 thereof for the entire time period of operation of the timer construction 30B after the lapse of which the switch blade 124 automatically moves back to its normally closed position against the contact 125.

The contact 125 of the switch 568 is interconnected by a lead 127 to a manually operated selector switch blade 128 of a selector switch 129 which can be disposed against a contact 130 as illustrated in FIG. 22 for automatic operation of the system 120 in a manner hereinafter described or against a contact 131 for manual operation thereof as illustrated in FIG. 20 and in a manner hereinafter described.

The contact 130 of the selector switch 129 is interconnected by a lead 132 to a movable switch blade 133 of a relay construction 134 that includes a coil means 135 andanother switch blade 136 operated thereby so that when the coil means 135 is in a deenergized condition, the

switch blades

133 and 136 are respectively disposed against

contacts

137 and 138. The contact 138 is not interconnected to any part of the system 120 whereas the contact 137 is interconnected by a lead 139 to one side 140 of the solenoid coil 1073' of the timer construction 308 while the other side 141 of the coil 1078' is interconnected by a lead 142 to the other power source lead L However, when the relay coil 135 is energized in a manner hereinafter described, the same will move the switch blades 133 and 136 respectively out of contact with the contacts 137 and 138 and place the same into contact with contacts 143 and 144, the contact 143 being interconnected by a lead 145 to one side 146 of the relay coil 135 while the other side 147 of the relay coil 135 is interconnected by lead 148 to the power source lead L The contact 144 of the relay 134 is interconnected by a lead 149 to a lead 150 that is interconnected to one side 151 of the solenoid coil 1078 of the timer construction 308 while the other side 152 of the solenoid coil 107B is interconnected by a lead 153 to the power source lead 142 that leads to the power source lead L The lead 150 that is interconnected to the side 151 of the solenoid coil 1078 of the timer construction 30B is also interconnected to a contact 154 of a momentarily operable manual switch 155 which is adapted to have its bridging member 156 bridge the contact 154 with a contact 176 when the bridging member 156 is momentarily moved to an actuating position thereof. The contact 176 is interconnected by 'a lead 157 to the contact 131 of the manual selector switch 129 previously described.

The normally opened contact 126 of the switch 56B of the timer construction 30B is interconnected by a lead 158 to one side 159 of the load 122 while the other side 160 of the load 122 is interconnected by leads 161 to the lead 142 that leads to the power source lead L The switch means 568' of the timer construction 30B has its switch blade 124' interconnected by a lead 162 to the lead 132. The normally closed contact 125' of the switch 568' is interconnected by a lead 163 to the relay switch blade 136. The normally opened contact 126 of the switch 568' is interconnected by a lead 164 to the lead 145 for the relay 134.

The selector switch blade 128 is disposed in its off" position when the same is intermediate the

contacts

130 and 131 thereof, as illustrated in FIG. 19. Thus, the control system 120 is in a complete off condition thereof whereby the electrical power source 171 cannot be connected to the load means 122.

However, if the operator desires to operate the load means 122 for a predetermined time cycle as selected by the selector means of the timer 30B each time the operator will press the manual switch 155, the operator moves the switch blade 128 of manual selector switch 129 to the position illustrated in t FIG. 20, whereby the switch blade 128 is disposed against the contact 131. Thereafter, the operator momentarily pushes inwardly on the bridging member 156 of theswitch 155 to cause the same to bridge the

contacts

154 and 176 as illustrated in FIG. whereby the same places the solenoid coil 1078 of the selector switch of the timer construction 30B of the coil 1078 of the timer construction 30B across the power source leads I. and L as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 20 so that the energized solenoid 1073 causes the switch 568 thereof to have the switch blade 124 moved away from the contact 125 and against the contact 126 for the selected time period of the selector means 303 whereby the load means 122 will be placed'across the power source leads L and L throughout the entire time period of operation of the timer construction 308 as illustrated in FIG. 21.

After the timer construction 3013 has timed out, the same again moves the switch blade 124 thereof away from the contact 126 and places the same against the contact 125 as illustrated in FIG. 20 so that if the operator again pushes on the bridging member 156 of the switch 155, the switch can again energize the coil 1078 and initiate the operation of the timer means 308 in the manner previously described.

Thus, with the switch blade 128 of the selector switch 129 against the contact 131, the load means 122 can be operated for the time period setting of the selector means 308 each time the switch means 155 is manually closed by the operator.

However, if the operator should desire for the load means 122 to be repetitively energized by the timer construction 308 after the lapse of an off" time period as set by the selector means 30B, the operator moves the selector switch of the blade 128 of the selector switch 129 against the contact 130 as illustrated in FIG. 22 whereby the solenoid coil 1078' of the timer construction 308' will now be energized as the same is placed across the power source leads L and L as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 22 so the energized coil 107 causes its switch blade 124' to be moved away from the contact 125' and be placed against the contact 126' for the length of time as determined by the setting of the time selector means of the timer construction 308'. When the switch blade 124' is moved against the contact 126' of the timer construction 303' as illustrated in FIG. 23, the relay coil 135 is energized so the same is placed across the power source leads L, and L as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 23 to cause the

switch blades

136 and 133 thereof to move downwardly against the

contacts

144 and 143 whereby the contact 143 provides a holding circuit for maintaining the relay coil 135 energized even though the timer construction 30B subsequently times out to again cause the switch blade 124 thereof to move away from the contact 126 and against the contact 125' as illustrated in FIG. 24. However, because the switch blade 136 of the relay 134 is now against the contact 144 as illustrated in FIG. 24 by the energized relay coil 135, the switch 56B of the timer construction 303' now causes the coil 1078 of the timer construction 308 to be energized as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 24 so that the samewill now cause its switch blade 124 to move against the contact 126 as illustrated in FIG. 25 to place the load 122 across the power source leads L and L as illustrated by bold lines in FIG. 25 for the time period as set by the time selector means of the timer construction 3013. During the operation of the load 122 by the timer 3013, it can be seen that the movement of the switch blade 124 of the switch 568 against the contact 126 thereof deenergizes the relay coil 135 so that the

switch blades

133 and 136 move back against the

contacts

137 and 138 as illustrated in FIG. 25 so that when the timer construction 308 times out and causes the switch blade 124 thereof to move away from the contact 126 and terminate the operation of the load means 122 and again be placed against the contact thereof, the coil means 1078 of the timer construction 30B will again be energized in the'manner illustrated in FIG. 22 to again automatically cause the operation of the timer construction 308 after the lapse of the time period of the timer construction 308' in the manner previously described.

Thus, the two

timer constructions

30B and 30B cause the load 122 to be continuously operated in a cycling on" and off manner as long as the switch blade 128 of the manual switch 129 is against the contact 130.

Therefore, it can be seen that an improved timer control circuit or system is provided by this invention as well as improved timer construction as previously described.

While the fonn of the invention now preferred has been disclosed as required by the statutes, other forms may be utilized all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

l. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a movable time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, and actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said time selector means remaining in its selected time period position during the operation of said timer motor but being adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period by being moved to a new selected time period thereof during the operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time'the new time selection is made by the time selector means.

2. A timer construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein an actuator is carried by said frame means and is operatively associated with said timer motor so as to be activated only during the operation of said timer motor.

3. A timer construction as set forth in claim 2 wherein said actuator is an electrical switch.

4. A timer construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a push button.

5. A timer construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein said selector means comprises a knob construction movable to a desired set time position relative to said frame means, said push button being carried by said knob construction while being movable relative thereto.

6. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, and actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said time selector means being adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector means, said selector means comprising a knob construction movable to a desired set time position relative to said frame means, said push button being carried by said knob construction while being movable relative thereto, said push button being moved relative to said knob construction by said timer motor as said timer motor is operating so as to indicate the amount of lapsed time during a selected time period.

7. A timer construction as set forth in claim 6 wherein said push button is located in the center of said knob construction.

8. A timer construction as set forth in claim 7 wherein a control panel means is disposed between said knob construction and said frame means with said control panel means having time period indication means, said knob construction having an indicator thereon to be set adjacent the desired time period indication means of said control panel means, said push button having an indicator thereon which will indicate the amount of said lapsed time by its position relative to said time period indication means of said control panel means.

9. A timer construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means is adapted to be repeatedly operated to repeat the time period of operation of said timer motor that has been selected by said selector means.

10. A timer construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein means indicate the amount of lapsed time during the operation of said timer motor for any selected time period.

11. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said time selector means being adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector means, and means indicating the amount of lapsed time during the operation of said timer motor for any selected time period, said actuator means comprising said means for indicating said amount of lapsed time.

12. A timer construction as set forth in claim 11 wherein said actuator means is moved by said timer motor during the operation of said timer motor.

13. A timer construction as set forth in claim 1 wherein said actuator means comprises a push button, said selector means comprising a knob construction movable to a desired set time position relative to said frame means, said push button being carried by said knob constructions while being movable relative thereto, and remote control means for operating said push button to initiate said operation of said timer motor.

14. A timer construction as set forth in claim 13 wherein said remote control means comprises a solenoid arrangement carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said push button to operate the same when said solenoid arrangement is energized.

15. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said time selector means being adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period during the operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector means, said actuator means comprising a push button, said selector means comprising a knob construction movable to a desired set time position relative to said frame means, said push button being carried by said knob construction while being movable relative thereto, and remote control means for operating said push button to initiate said operation of said timer motor, said remote control means comprising a solenoid arrangement carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said push button to operate the same when said solenoid arrangement is energized, said push button being moved relative to said knob construction by said timer motor as said timer motor is operating so as to indicate the amount of lapsed time during a selected time period.

16. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, and actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said actuator means being movable by said timer motor during the operation of said timer motor whereby said actuator means indicates the amount of lapsed time during any selected time period.

17. A timer construction as set forth in claim 16 wherein said selector means comprises a knob construction, said actuator means being carried by said knob construction while being movable relative thereto.

18. A timer construction as set forth in claim 17 wherein said actuator means comprises a push button mounted in the center of said knob construction.

19. A timer construction as set forth in claim 18 wherein a remote control means is operatively interconnected with said push button to operate the same when said remote control means is operated.

20. A timer construction as set forth in claim 19 wherein said remote control means comprises a solenoid arrangement carried by said frame means and being operatively interconnected to said push button to operate the same when said solenoid arrangement is energized.

21. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof when said actuator means is moved from a deactuating position thereof to an actuating position thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said actuator means remaining in said actuating position until said actuator means is released from its actuating position to its deactuating position at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor, and actuator release means for releasing said actuating means from said actuating position thereof, said actuator release means normally being maintained in a non-releasing position and being adapted to be moved from said non-releasing position thereof by said timer motor to a releasing position for said actuator means only at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor so as to cause release of said actuator means from its actuating position.

22. A timer construction as set forth in claim 21 wherein said actuator means has means normally tending to move said actuator means to its deactuating position.

23. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof when said actuator means is moved from a deactuating position thereof to an actuating position thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said actuator means remaining in said actuating position until said actuator means is released from its actuating position to its deactuating position at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor, actuator release means for releasing said actuating means from said actuating position thereof, said actuator release means normally being maintained in a non-releasing position thereof and being adapted to be moved from said non-releasing position thereof by said timer motor to a releasing position for said actuator means only at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor so as to cause release of said actuator means from its actuating position, said actuator means having means normally tending to move said actuator means to its deactuating position, and a movable latch member being carried by said frame means, said latch member latching said actuator means in said actuating position thereof when said actuator means is initially moved to said actuating position, said actuator release means being moved by said timer motor against said latch member to move the same from its latching position to its unlatching position at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor.

24. A timer construction as set forth in claim 23 wherein said actuator release means is adapted to be clutched to and declutched from said timer motor, said actuator means being operatively associated with said actuator release means to clutch the same to said timer motor when said actuator means is moved to its actuating position.

25. A timer construction as set forth in claim 24 wherein said actuator release means is normally biased to a non-latch member engaging position by a torsion spring when declutched from said timer motor.

26. A timer construction as set forth in claim 21 wherein said actuator means comprises a push button.

27. A timer construction as set forth in claim 26' wherein said actuator means comprises a rotatable shaft axially movable relative to said frame means between said actuating and deactuating position thereof, said push button being operatively associated with said shaft for axially moving the same.

28. A timer construction as set forth in claim 27 wherein said shaft is adapted to rotate relative to said push button.

29. A timer construction as set forth in claim 27 wherein said shaft and said push button are interconnected together so as to rotate in unison.

30. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof when said actuator means is moved from a deactuating position thereof to an actuating position thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said actuator means remaining in said actuating position until said actuator means is released from its actuating position to its deactuating position at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor, and actuator release means for releasing said actuating means from said actuating position thereof, said actuator release means normally being maintained in a non-releasing position and being adapted to be moved from said non-releasing position thereof by said timer motor to a releasing position for said actuator means only at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor so as to cause release of said actuator means from its actuating position, said actuator means comprising a push button, said actuator means comprising a rotatable shaft axially movable relative to said frame means between said actuating and deactuating position thereof, said push button being operatively associated with said shaft for axially moving the same, said frame means carrying an electrical switch and a movable lever arrangement for operating said switch, said shaft being engageable with said lever arrangement for operating said switch in response to axial movement of said shaft.

31. A timer construction as set forth in claim 27 wherein remote control means is operatively interconnected to said shaft to axially move the same to initiate said operation of said timer motor when said remote control means is operated.

32. A timer construction as set forth in claim 31 wherein said remote control means comprises a solenoid and lever arm arrangement carried by said frame means and operatively interconnected to said shaft to axially move the same when said solenoid is energized.

Claims

1. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a movable time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, and actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said time selector means remaining in its selected time period position during the operation of said timer motor but being adapted to selectively increase or decrease the selected time period by being moved to a new selected time period thereof during the operation of the timer motor as long as the newly selected time period is not less than the initial lapse of time of the initial time period at the time the new time selection is made by the time selector means.

23. A timer construction comprising frame means, a timer motor carried by said frame means, a time selector means carried by said frame means for selecting a desired time period that said timer motor is to operate, actuator means operatively associated with said timer motor to initiate the operation thereof when said actuator means is moved from a deactuating position thereof to an actuating position thereof after a desired time period has been selected by said time selector means, said actuator means remaining in said actuating position until said actuator means is released from its actuating position to its deactuating position at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor, actuator release means for releasing said actuating means from said actuating position thereof, said actuator release means normally being maintained in a non-releasing position thereof and being adapted to be moved from said non-releasing position thereof by said timer motor to a releasing position for said actuator means only at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor so as to cause release of said actuator means from its actuating position, said actuator means having means normally tending to move said actuator means to its deactuating position, a movable latch member being carried by said frame means, said laTch member latching said actuator means in said actuating position thereof when said actuator means is initially moved to said actuating position, said actuator release means being moved by said timer motor against said latch member to move the same from its latching position to its unlatching position at the end of the selected time period of operation of said timer motor.

27. A timer construction as set forth in claim 26 wherein said actuator means comprises a rotatable shaft axially movable relative to said frame means between said actuating and deactuating position thereof, said push button being operatively associated with said shaft for axially moving the same.

32. A timer construction as set forth in claim 31 wherein said remote control means comprises a solenoid and lever arm arrangement carried by said frame means and oper-atively interconnected to said shaft to axially move the same when said solenoid is energized.