Abstract: A motor driven rotatable camstack includes at least two cams. A V-shaped electrical terminal blade spans the two cams. Each leg of the V-shaped electrical terminal includes a cam follower which individually engages one of the cams. Two individual spring electrical contact blades are positioned on one side of the cams to cooperate with one leg of the V-shaped electrical terminal and a single spring electrical contact blade is positioned on the other side of the V-shaped terminal to cooperate with the other leg.

Abstract: A control system and programmer/timer for a microwave oven having a program cam advanced by a pawl-stepped ratchet wheel having three toothed segments, each with teeth of differing root diameter. The outer teeth provide rapid expanded scale advancement for the terminal five minutes of the cooking program and also for selected programs of five minutes or less for high-resolution switching by the program cam. The segment of teeth of intermediate root diameter provides a compressed scale slower cam advance rate for "COOK" programs of 5-35 minutes. The segment of teeth of lowest root diameter provides slow rate cam advancement for auxiliary "DELAYED START" and KEEP-WARM functions where time accuracy is not critical. The programmer/timer enables continued advancement of the program cam after time-out of the cooking program where the KEEP-WARM mode has been preselected.

Abstract: A shaft is rotatably journalled between end plates. A first drive gear and a first set of cams are fixedly carried on the shaft. A second cam and a second drive gear are integrally constructed to provide a one-piece construction which is independently rotatable of the shaft. A motor drive has two separate output pinions rotating at different speeds each separately connected to the first and second drive gears. The output pinion connected to the second drive gear is connected through a lost-motion connection.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a timer includes a drive pawl having a pin which is trapped between two camming surfaces of a continuously driven drive cam. The drive pawl is slidably mounted in the timer frame so that it is linearly reciprocated when the drive cam is rotated. A spring biases the drive pawl against the ratchet track.

Abstract: Switches are fixed relative to a camstack for cam actuation and include two individual blades the free ends of which are biased toward the camstack. One of the blades engages the cams to actuate it relative to the other. The free end of the other blade rides on a pivotally mounted carriage which is biased by the hub of the camstack to reference the blade to the hub. The carriage includes individual cam followers which are flexible and which engage the hub to be flexed by the hub. Walls extend from the individual followers between adjacent sets of blades to prevent arcing between adjacent sets of electrical contacts. A third blade also rides on the carriage to be biased by the hub. The third blade provides another switching function.

Abstract: A timer comprising a driven control cam having a first and second cam track. First and second resilient arms carry opposing contacts and the second arm has a lateral projection in the direction of the second cam track. A cam following member extending between the second arm and first cam track is biased into cam-following engagement with the first cam track by the second arm. A spring biased pivotal rocker arm having at one end a cam follower portion and at the other end a lifter portion. During rotation of the control cam, the cam following member and first cam track are operative to prevent closing the contacts. The cam following member and firt cam track further being operative to release the cam following member from the first cam track and close the contact. The rocker arm and second cam track being operative to pivot the rocker arm so the lifter portion engages the lateral projection of the second arm and opens the contacts.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based electronic controller for a dishwasher utilizes a motor driven timing cam for selectively energizing the electromechanical components of the dishwater. An internal diagnostic routine in the microcomputer insures that the timing cam is advanced when the microcomputer calls for power to be applied to the motor.

Abstract: An expanded interval drive mechanism for a program timer includes a lift cam which periodically engages a pawl lifter to move the pawl lifter so as to lift the drive pawl away from the ratchet teeth. The ratchet teeth are at two levels. Where the ratchet teeth are at the lower level, operation of the pawl lifter prevents the drive pawl from engagement with the lower level ratchet teeth. However, the higher level ratchet teeth are always engaged by the drive pawl regardless of the operation of the pawl lifter. Therefore, an expanded interval is achieved in the region having the lower level ratchet teeth.

Abstract: An electrical contact blade is manually operated through an actuator to close a circuit to a main power supply and another electrical contact blade is operated off of a cam to engage the manually operated blade to complete a program electrical circuit.

Abstract: In an arc preventing apparatus of a transfer switch connected to an inductive load, the movable contact of the transfer switch is stopped temporarily while it is transferred from one stationary contact to the other by means of a rotary cam. The cam is provided with a high point, a low point and a peripheral portion intermediate the high and low points so that while the actuating lever of the movable contact is engaging the intermediate peripheral portion, the movable contact is held stationary.

Abstract: A timing mechanism is started by pushing a plunger against a cam assembly to disengage a cam from a switch to allow the switch to close. The cam assembly is axially spring biased against a wall of the timing mechanism to stop its movement after the switch closes. The plunger is axially spring biased against the cam assembly to permit it to proceed and override the cam assembly to prevent jamming of the plunger or other elements of the timing mechanism until a stop prevents continued movement of the plunger.

Abstract: A microcomputer-based electronic controller for a dishwasher utilizes a motor driven timing cam for selectively energizing the electromechanical components of the dishwasher. An internal diagnostic routine in the microcomputer insures that the timing cam is advanced when the microcomputer calls for power to be applied to the motor.

Abstract: The timing cam is advanced for switching purposes by the large reciprocating pawl acting on the ratchet teeth molded on the timing cam. When the program requires a timed period during which conditions remain the same the ratchet teeth are spaced so the pawl cannot pick up the next tooth until the cam is advanced by the small pawl acting on the separate ratchet provided with small, closely spaced teeth. This ratchet has a pinion gear driving the ring gear molded inside the timing cam. The steps imparted to the timing cam by the small pawl and ratchet are very small and consume appreciable time--the length of time taken to position the next tooth for engagement by the large pawl being determined by the space between the large teeth.

Abstract: A timing mechanism for use in an appliance such as a domestic clothes dryer, for example. The mechanism includes a synchronous motor and two output shafts. One output shaft is the conventional rotary output shaft of the speed reducing gear train associated with the synchronous motor. The second output shaft is the rotary axle of a Geneva follower gear that is driven by a Geneva driver gear that is in turn driven by a gear located intermediate the input and first output shaft of the gear train. The intermittent rotation of the second output shaft, wherein each intermittent rotation is accomplished in a relatively rapid time, permits a timing cam thereon to control a switch actuator to provide a precise and quite brief switching action of the order of five seconds, for example.

Abstract: The electric motor drives high and low speed drive pinions through reduction gearing. A low torque capacity clutch is located in the reduction gear train to the low speed pinion to permit the user to turn the manual shift to position the timer. The various program cams are driven by a drive member carried by an arbor on which the cams are mounted. The cams are independently spaced relative to the arbor and housing so any may be omitted as desired. The pulsing cam is mounted on the arbor and driven by the high speed pinion. The switch blades are essentially straight, the only forming being at the contact end where contact position or pressure will not be affected.

Abstract: A timer switch comprises a cam member of a generally disc shape having a cam surface at its periphery. The cam surface is stepped to provide a depressed portion and a shoulder portion adjacent thereto. The cam surface has a notch formed in the shoulder portion and opening to one side of the cam member. The cam member is operatively connected to a motor for rotation. A shaft is mounted on a casing for rotation about and displacement along the axis thereof. The cam member is fixedly mounted on the shaft for rotation therewith. An electrical switching means comprises a pair of first and second contact plates of a resilient material. The first contact plate is biased into sliding engagement with the cam surface. The second contact plate is biased normally into engagement with the first contact plate for energizing the motor to rotate the cam member. Upon depression of the first contact plate into the depressed portion the second contact plate engages the shoulder portion to de-energize the motor.

Abstract: The rotating program drum of the timer operates the timer switches in a predetermined sequence. One or more timer switches can be disabled to omit the function of the switch. Means are rotatably mounted in the frame to move a passive switch blade away from the active blade so the active blade cannot contact the passive blade. In two embodiments the disabling means operates on a switch at the end of the program drum while a third embodiment can operate on any of the switches operated by the drum.

Abstract: A timer has a single knob which is normally used to set a desired timing cycle within a given range and also, when pulled out, to set a selected one of a plurality of ranges. When the knob is pulled out, projections formed on the control shaft engage a concentrically-mounted rotatable disc having at least one set of peripheral teeth. These teeth engage a flexible plastic detent formed in the front of the plastic housing of the timer. The rotatable disc is coupled to a reciprocating slider having conductive fingers which engage predetermined pairs of conductive contacts on a circuit board. As the disc rotates and the slider fingers touch different pairs of contacts, different circuit components are actuated thereby changing the range. In one variation of the timer, means are provided for changing the visible decimal point on the dial to correspond to the range selected.

Abstract: The electrical connections illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 3,727,015 have been improved by providing a means of holding the combination electrical terminals and electrical blades in a housing wall to provide more positive electrical connections and by providing a means to connect electrical leads to the combination within the wall.

Abstract: An improved electromechanical timer for accurately controlling relatively short time intervals, such as fill time intervals for washing appliances. A cam-actuated switch includes a first cam-following member rigidly supported from a first contact arm and a second cam-following member movably, preferably pivotally, supported from the first cam-following member. The switch actuating control cam is of the circumferential edge track type rotatably driven by a timer motor. The first cam-following member is biased into cam-following engagement with the cam track by the resiliency of the contact arm. The second cam-following member extends between the cam track and a second contact arm and is biased into cam-following engagement with the track by the second contact arm. The cam track includes a plurality of arcuate segments of different fixed radii.

Abstract: The motor drives the timing drum continuously at low speed through a gear train having a one-way clutch. The motor also drives the input of a second one-way clutch having a drive on its output engageable with the spaced teeth on the interrupted gear formed on the hub of the drum. When the low speed drive rotates the drum to a position in which a tooth on the hub can be engaged by the drive gear the drum is rapidly advanced until contact with the tooth is lost. Switches operated by the cams on the drum are sequenced rapidly during rapid advance. When the drum is manually advanced both clutches are overridden.

Abstract: An electromechanical timer arrangement includes a rotatable cam having a cam surface for actuating an associated switch. An inhibit member is movable between an active position and an idle position. In its active position, the member engages the switch and prevents cam actuation of the switch. In its idle position, the member permits normal cam actuation of the switch. In controlling a dishwasher the active and idle positions are user-selected non-heated and heated drying cycles and the switch controls energization of the heater. The cam surface is contoured to close the switch for heated drying. Moving the member to its active position opens the switch, regardless of the cam position, for non-heated drying.

Abstract: A switching mechanism has disc cams arranged on a shaft for actuating switches positioned beside the shaft. The disc cams are secured in a particular angular position in conjunction with an annular plastically deformable washer which has an unround aperture seated on a corresponding unround portion of the shaft and thereby locked to the shaft. The disc cam and the element are locked together by bending a region of the washer into a recess on the disc cam.

Abstract: In the illustrative embodiment of the invention, an electromechanical timer employs a manually operable actuator, a pawl and a control cam cooperatively arranged to provide a push to start capability. The control cam is carried on a shaft having a longitudinal bore formed therein. The actuator is slidably received in the bore for axial movement between a neutral position and an actuating position. One end of the actuator extends from the shaft for manual operation. The other end has an axial cam surface formed thereon. The pawl is mounted for pivotal movement between a rest position and a cocked position and spring biased to its rest position. A cam follower extends from the pawl into the path of the axial cam surface of the actuator for camming engagement between pawl and actuator. A ratchet tooth is formed on the control cam for engagement by the pawl.

Abstract: A digital clock is coupled to a cam means of a timing mechanism so that the clock can indicate the time remaining of a cycle provided by the cam means. One of the display wheels of the clock is intermittently rotated through the stored energy of a torsion spring, the energy being stored when the wheel is prevented from rotating by a slider which engages the wheel. A second display wheel is intermittently rotated as the first wheel is rotated through a geneva gear system which couples the two wheels together.

Abstract: Timing apparatus for controlling the ON-OFF operation of a lamp or appliance. The timing apparatus is plugged into an electric wall receptacle to energize an internal synchronous motor that turns a time dial with setting pins thereon. The pins control the opening and closing of internal switch means for the lamp or appliance. The apparatus is relatively small, and is simple to manufacture, assemble and service.

Abstract: A slider is actuated by an outer shaft of two cooperating inner and outer shafts to move the slider and close electrical contacts. The outer shaft is spring-biased with respect to the inner shaft such that after a momentary closing the outer shaft is returned to its original position to open the electrical contacts. A means is provided to impart a snap action of the outer shaft with respect to the inner shaft.

Abstract: A gear train is connected to a motor carried in a housing and has an output member extending into another housing, the output member having at least one cam lobe. Electrical switch means carried in the second housing are responsive to the cam lobe.

Abstract: A circuit controller which in addition to providing a program for actuating functions of a clothes dryer also includes a means to provide an additional program to prevent wrinkling of the clothes after the normal drying program is completed. The additional program is provided in a gear train of a motor and follower means are provided to be actuated by the additional program to open and close electrical switches.

Abstract: A rotor, stator assembly, and a field coil are sandwiched between two field plates. A gear train is sandwiched between one of the field plates and another plate while the timing mechanism is carried in a cup shaped housing that is closed by the third plate. A pivotal terminal block is carried by one of the field plates and includes electrical terminals. Bussing bars extend from the electrical terminals through a terminal block carried by the third plate to engage slots in a wall of the cup shaped housing. A shroud substantially encloses the motor assembly and the gear train.

Abstract: A programmed switching device for setting angular positions of shafts of mechanisms and machines comprises a shaft, a cam-and-lever mechanism for operating those particular switching devices which correspond to the angular position of the shaft being set, and a setting mechanism interconnected with the shaft and the cam-and-lever mechanism. Discs are rigidly secured on the shaft, each disc having a slot, and a dividing element is movably installed on the shaft, linked kinematically with the shaft of the mechanism and provided with cutouts on the side surface, one for the rotation plane of each disc. Cams are installed on an axle so that each cam can rotate in the rotation plane of the corresponding disc. The dimensions of the cutouts and slots correspond to the dimensions of the rollers in order to permit interaction of the discs with the switching elements, each of said elements being located in the rotation plane of the corresponding disc.

Abstract: A cam program controlled system providing a continuous set point signal representing a time function relationship using an impulse or stepping drive motor. The drive motor impulses are electronically derived; and therefore, the system's time base or speed can be readily varied using switches and/or jumpers, instead of requiring gear train or motor changes. Also, the drive motor is coupled to the cam program through only a pinion and an anti-backlash drive gear. The cam follower arm is biased against the cam with a constant force. Controls are provided so that a cam scriber built into the cam follower and a controller which is normally provided in the system enables the system to be used for preparing new cams.

Abstract: A cup shaped hub has an actuator rim at its open end and is rotatably carried on a shaft through an aperture in its closed end. The hub is axially fixed to the shaft such that when the shaft is axially displaced the actuator rim opens and closes a line switch. A ratchet is carried by the shaft and is axially spring biased by a coil spring disposed between the cup shaped hub and the ratchet. A pin carried by the shaft engages the ratchet such that the ratchet may be rotated and axially displaced with the shaft. A coupling means couples the shaft to a cam means rotatably carried by the shaft and the cup shaped hub and includes teeth engaging the ratchet means such that a manual rotation of the shaft provides manual rotation of the cam means.

Abstract: A selectable cycle defrost timer having two timing cams and two timing switches that are switched from first to second switch positions by the respective cams. The two cams rotate different numbers of times in a given time period, but the two switches are simultaneously in their second switch positions just once each given time period. Interconnection means between the two switches permits the timer to be connected into a defrost control system in such a manner that a selectable switch permits a normal defrost operation of several defrost cycles per day, or alternatively, just one energy saving defrost cycle per day.

Abstract: Two separate cam means are fixedly and freely rotatably carried on a shaft. Each cam means are simultaneously rotated by a motor at different speeds through a gear train having two separate outputs. Cam lobes are carried on each cam means and engage switch means to open and close same as the cam means are rotated.

Abstract: A cam actuated switch permitting rotation in one direction with snap action and in the other direction without snap action. When the cam is rotated in one direction, the switch contacts are opened rapidly by a substantially radial step on the cam surface and a spring arm which presses a cam follower, disposed on another spring arm, against the surface. When the cam is rotated in the other direction, the cam follower is permitted to be displaced axially from the step by the other spring arm and thereby aligned with a ramp which moves both spring arms radially outward to close the switch contacts.

Abstract: In operating an apparatus provided with a plurality of various component devices incorporated therein, it is necessary to provide some type of sequential controller when the plurality of the devices are required to be operated sequentially for predetermined periods, independently of each other. The improved type of sequential controller of the present disclosure has a plurality of cam plates each of which is provided with switch units for controlling the operating periods of the various component devices, and which are rotated by a driving means, a lock claw for engaging with the cam plates and a controller for controlling the movement of the lock claw, so that the predetermined rotation of the cam plates controls the operating periods of the various devices.

Abstract: The switch comprises a unitary dielectric support member including a base portion to which the fixed ends of a plurality of pairs of cantilever contact springs are secured. Guide portions of the support member define a channel, and a plurality of cam follower portions integrally hinged to the base portion respectively extend between the free ends of an associated contact spring of each pair and the channel. An actuator positioned within the channel includes cam portions for engaging the cam follower portions of the support member and deflecting them so as to displace the associated contact springs.

Abstract: A cam-switch assembly is disclosed in which the individual cam-switches are individually adjustable with respect to the registering cams. The cam-switch assembly comprises a support bracket having at least two parallel end walls supporting a pivot rod and a cam shaft. The cam shaft functions to support a plurality of cams coaxially mounted thereon. A plurality of cam switches are provided with each cam-switch including a cam follower responsive to a respective cam for actuating the switch. A plurality of mounting brackets are pivotally mounted on the pivot rod with each bracket supporting a respective cam-switch by means of the pivot rod and properly positioned anchor which is an integral part of the mounting bracket. Each mounting bracket includes a cantilevered end formed in a U-shaped configuration with one leg of the "U" having a slot formed thereon for adjustably receiving a locking screw. The other leg of the U includes a threaded bore for securedly receiving a locking screw.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with an electrically operated game device wherein a number selector means consisting of at least two electrically actuated spinnable pointers are provided to select or indicate at random a set of numbers, which numbers form possible arithmetical combinations. The rotation of each of said spinnable pointers is made variable and sequential by the use of a timing device. A horizontally disposed playing glass panel is disposed forwardly of said number selector means, said playing panel having several transverse rows of numerical indicia outlined thereon whereby all the possible arithmetical combinations arising from the randomly indicated numbers could be reflected thereon. An electrical control panel is provided wherein a set of switches are provided to actuate the number selector means and the lighting means disposed on said playing panel.

Abstract: A physiotherapy timing and control device for instructing a patient to perform a prescribed program of exercise including a series of "exercise" periods each followed by a "rest" period at the start of which the patient is required to read and record his pulse, includes a spring-wound timer having a dial time-graduated in intervals corresponding to the periods of the exercise program to provide visual guidance concerning the progress of the program, and signal generating means actuable in response to operation of the timer for generating an audible signal of relatively short duration at times corresponding to the start of an exercise period, and an audible signal of longer duration at times corresponding to the start of a rest period. In the preferred embodiment the longer audible signal has a duration of fifteen seconds so that a pulse count observed during the signal when multiplied by four gives the patient's pulse rate in beats per minute.

Abstract: A peak load control and power-distributing system for residential or small commercial/industrial use in which some loads are uncontrolled and others are controlled. Current transformers in the main feeder for all loads supply current to a thermal switch to detect when the power demand exceeds a predetermined value. The thermal switch starts a small synchronous motor having gears driving a shaft with cams operating microswitches for the controlled loads. One cam switch enables the motor to operate through a preprogrammed cycle, and to turn off at the end of a cycle whenever the thermal switch indicates the power demand has dropped below the predetermined value.

Abstract: The timer has switches including upper and lower passive blades and an active blade therebetween. The distal end of the lower passive blade has depending spacers which straddle the cam upon which the follower on the distal end of the active blade rides. The spacers reference the lower passive blade off the hub of the drum type program cam. The lower passive blade is provided with a rest or stop for the upper passive blade limiting downward movement of that blade. With precision molding, both passive blades are accurately referenced from the cam hub and the location of the follower which actuates the active blade is precisely located. Accuracy of switching is increased without increased precision in manufacture. Use of two cam tracks permits simultaneous actuation of the active and "passive" blades to effect faster switching. It is possible to provide a "make-make" arrangement instead of the double throw arrangement.