Abstract: A timer for controlling an appliance includes a bell chime assembly having a striker, a torsion spring, and a bell. The striker is secured to the torsion spring. The timer further includes a cam follower operatively coupled to the torsion spring. The cam follower is operatively associated with a cam assembly which includes a first cam and a second cam. The first cam and the second cam are configured such that during manual setting of the timer, the torsion spring is prevented from deflecting by an amount sufficient to cause the striker to contact the bell whereby relatively quiet manual setting of the timer is enabled.

Abstract: A time setting control mechanism mounted in a mechanical timer and driven to automatically start or stop a machine at a given time, including, a hollow time counting wheel, a dial mounted in the time counting wheel, the dial having a center through hole, a disk mounted between the time counting wheel and the dial and supported on the time counting wheel by springy projecting strips thereof, the disk having an upward flange raised around the periphery, and a press portion raised from the center and protruding over the center through hole on the dial for pressing by hand, and a time setting control pin detachably mounted on the periphery of the time counting wheel, the time setting control pin having a mounting base detachably coupled to the periphery of the time counting wheel, a springy hook extended from the mounting base and inserted into an annular space defined between the upward flange of the disk and the periphery of the dial and hooked on a bottom edge of the dial, and a trigger rod adapted for trigger

Abstract: A timer mechanism for an appliance such as a clothes dryer includes a pulser cam and a timer cam. The timer cam has a notch along its perimeter while the pulser cam has a step formed in its perimeter. The cams rotate in opposite directions with a cam follower biased against the cams. A clapper is connected to the cam follower and is adapted to strike a chime if the cam follower is aligned with the notch in the timer cam and the cam follower drops off the step in the pulser cam as the pulser cam rotates past the cam follower. The pulser cam is connected to the timer motor and continuously rotates at a first speed throughout a cycle while the timer cam is connected to the timer motor and the timer dial of the appliance and rotates in the opposite direction at a second slower speed.

Abstract: The rotating cam limit switch includes a hub, a position screw arm, a position screw, a position wheel, a retractable cam, a dwell wheel, a dwell screw, a dwell screw arm, a spring wave washer and a locking ring. The hub is to be mounted on a rotating shaft which is to activate a non-rotating switch assembly. Near a first axial end, an integral position screw arm and position flange extend radially from the integral hub. The position screw arm carries a position screw, which is snap fitted onto the arm, which operatively engages the position wheel rotatably mounted on the hub next to the position screw arm. The dwell wheel is also rotatably mounted with respect to the hub. The dwell wheel is operatively engaged by the dwell screw carried by the dwell screw arm integrally formed with a dwell flange. The dwell screw arm is fixed to the hub by hub a anti-rotation device. The wave washer and the locking ring, mounted near a second axial end of the hub, compress the rotating components together.

Abstract: The rotating cam limit switch includes a hub, a position screw area, a position screw, a position wheel, a retractable cam, a dwell wheel, a dwell screw, a dwell screw arm, a spring wave washer and a locking ring. The hub is to be mounted on a rotating shaft which is to activate a non-rotating switch assembly. Near a first axial end, an integral position screw arm and position flange extend radially from the integral hub. The position screw arm carries a position screw, which is snap fitted onto the arm, which operatively engages the position wheel rotatably mounted on the hub next to the position screw arm. The dwell wheel is rotatably mounted on the position wheel. The dwell wheel is operatively engaged by the dwell screw carried by the dwell screw arm integrally formed with a dwell flange. The dwell screw arm is rotatable on the hub but fixed to the position wheel. The wave washer and the locking ring, mounted near a second axial end of the hub, compress the rotating components together.

Abstract: A music playing device, having a music composition member provided with parallel lines and apertures, and pins capable of being selectively and removably inserted in the apertures so as to resemble music notes, and a sound producing unit arranged to be operated by the pins of the music composition member, the sound producing unit being capable of producing sounds of various pitch, so as to produce a melody when operated in association with the music composition member.

Abstract: In a program carrier for switching chronometer means comprising a motor-driven drum which comprises a plurality of switch elements at its circumference that can be displaced between an active and an inactive position and which interact with a sampler in their active position for the control of a switch, the switch elements are integrally connected to the drum via movable arms.

Abstract: A variable power control device for varying the operating duty cycle to an electrical load such as an electrical heating unit, for example, an electrical cooking range, heating pad and the like. The control device can be used to adjust the on time of the electrical load or the temperature of the electrical load. The control device includes a cycling cam which rotates at a constant velocity, and a rotatable movable adjustment cam. A cycling electrical contact switch is located with one contact thereof disposed to follow the contour of the cycling cam and the other contact thereof disposed to follow the contour of the adjustment cam. An on-off of electrical contact switch is associated with an on-off cam with one contact disposed to follow the contour of the on-off cam and the other contact being stationary.

Abstract: A time switch driven by an electric clock motor is disclosed. The time switch has a base plate above which a time dial with on and off-trippers are rotatably mounted. Disposed below the base plate are other components including input and output terminals, switch means electrically connected between the terminals, switch activating means for closing and opening the switch means in accordance with the positions of the on- and off-trippers on the rotating time dial, and gear train leading from a rotor of the motor to the time dial. The motor comprises the rotor which is a bipolarized permanent magnet and an electromagnet in the form of a ring interrupted by a gap in which the rotor is located. In the base plate there is formed a generally annular groove for receiving the electromagnet, such that the electromagnet, a constituent of the motor, is received within the thickness of the base plate to reduce the depth required for the motor disposed below the plate.

Abstract: Time switch is arranged on a plug-in unit for a system housing containing various side-by-side unit components. The time switch includes a rotatable timing disk disposed for rotation about a lateral axis longitudinal of the housing and having a circumferential portion exposed exterior of a front plate of the plug-in unit. The disk is circumferentially formed with time range scale markings and has adjustable switch riders attached along the circumference for selectively triggering control switch as the disk rotates.

Abstract: An indexing unit in the form of a disc or an endless tape for switching chronometers has a number of programmable switch tabs disposed at an edge of the element forming a unitary structure, the switch tabs being depressable against the influence of a restoring force for positioning selected tabs in at least one programming position for actuating a separate switch device for switching a chronometer. The indexing element is comprised of flexible foil having a number of uniformly spaced incisions at an edge thereof. Each tab formed between successive incisions has a free end which may be pressed behind a retaining element for programming the indexing element.

Abstract: The invention is a timing mechanism comprising a motor drive having an output member including at least one leg, a shaft including a circular hub portion having a circular recess therein, a spring tightly and frictionally held within and against an inner wall of the recess, at least one tang extending from the spring and engaging the leg, cams independently rotatably carried on the hub portion through a bore in the cams, a lost motion connection coupling the cams to the hub portion, and a switch assembly responsive to a rotation of the cams to be opened and closed dependent upon the mode of operation. A spring clutch permits the shaft to be manually rotated independent of the motor drive. At the end of a time cycle, a movable switch blade of the switch assembly move a slider to actuate a bell.

Abstract: An interval timer has a cross-shaped cam with elongated arms and is interposed between a slot moving disc and a micro-switch. Adjustable pins are disposed on the outer extremities of the disc and engage the inner ends of the cross-shaped cam arms. The outer ends of the arms rotate with increased velocity causing rapid momentary actuation of the switch.

Abstract: Actuators for a program timer are removably attached to the timer dial in a snap-on manner to enable simple and easy removal or installing of the actuators to effect changing the schedule of operation of the timer.

Abstract: A switching device for variable speed gears in machine tools having an assembly which includes a plurality of axially disposed, rotatably-driven cam discs, each of which is associated with an electric microswitch. Non-rotatable spacers serve to position the cam discs. A spherical key bed clamp axially clamps the cam discs together while permitting rotation of individual ones thereof. A non-rotating indicating disc displays the present RPM or respective gear stage. A shock absorber in the individual gear trains between switching bars and their respective electric motors provides sufficient damping and cushioning to prevent a hard start-up impact when the motor is switched on or when a sliding gear block is engaged. The shock absorber may include an elastic linkage or an elastic spur gear in a toothed wheel gear reduction unit located between the motor drive shaft and the link shaft.

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: Cyclic electric time switch means has a housing with an electrical clock therein and trip contact means comprising a toothed gear wheel coupled to a drive gear of the clock and mounting gear wheel. The disc mounts an electrical switch having contact terminals slidingly engaged with conductive tracks of a further settable disc and connection means are provided to connect a device to be supplied with power under the control of the time switch means. A trip arm is provided on the gear wheel to operate the electrical switch in one position of rotation of the gear wheel according to the setting effected by a manually settable control knob. A delay circuit provides, at the end of a delay period following operation of the electrical switch, restoration of the electrical switch via electromagnetic means for repetition of the operation by the trip arm when the gear wheel again reaches said one position of rotation.

Abstract: A timer device has a pair of switches, a pair of cam means adapted for rotation so as to respectively actuate the switches in a first preselected sequence, and means for driving the cam means to effect the respective rotation thereof. Means for driven association with the driving means so as to be rotatable with the cam means includes means rotatably adjustable from one operating position of at least a pair of operating positions toward another thereof for interrupting the actuation of one of the switches by the one cam means in the first preselected sequence with the actuation of the other of the switches by the other of the cam means and for permitting the actuation of the one switch by the one cam means in another preselected sequence with the actuation of the other switch by the other cam means.An assembly for use in a timer device and a method of operating a timer device are also disclosed.

Abstract: A power switch module for use in controlled-sequence devices such as a domestic laundry appliance has switches arranged in a pattern about a central portion of the module selectively closeable to connect circuitry associated with each switch to a source of electric potential. Each switch has an associated actuator movable to open and close the switch, and each actuator is operated by a hammer having a striking surface for depressing an actuator to open a switch and a camming surface for raising an actuator to close a switch. The hammer is mounted for rotation on a shaft and is axially movable by a solenoid. A disc encoder on the shaft derives hammer-position information which is transmitted to a microprocessor which controls sequential operation of the device and energizes the solenoid to open or close a switch at appropriate times during operation.

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 microwave oven having an electrical switch construction provided with an electrical switch that in one operating condition thereof operates the power unit of the oven and that in another operating condition thereof turns off the power unit. A timer is operatively associated with the switch for causing the switch to be repetitively in one of the conditions thereof a certain percentage of a certain increment of time and for being in another condition thereof for the remainder of the certain increment of time, the timer being adapted for selecting the amount of the certain percentage of the certain increment of time within certain limits whereby a slow to fast defrost cycle of the oven can be provided. The timer includes a rotatable cam member having a cam part for caming the switch to one of the operating conditions thereof during each revolution of the cam member, the cam part of the cam member being radially moveable relative thereto.

Abstract: A stop start fixed cycle sequence timer is started at variable intervals by an adjustable automatic reset timer. This reset timer includes a clutch and resets when the clutch is disengaged. The cycling timer includes a clutch cam and cam follower which disengages and reengages the clutch while the cycling timer is going through its cycle.

Abstract: The rotary control timer for an automatic appliance, e.g., a washing machine, is driven by connecting a saddle pawl through a cable or equivalent connector to an element in the appliance that continually oscillates or makes other repeated cycles of movement of substantially constant time duration during operation of the appliance. Prongs on the pawl engage a plurality of peripherally toothed wheels, one of which is connected to the timer cam drum and another of which is free to rotate relative to the cam drum in such manner that a pawl prong continually engages the free rotation wheel while a second pawl prong engages the drum connected wheel only intermittently.

Abstract: A program control device is described having a rotatably driven program control body and a plurality of stationary actuatable programming members. These members are positioned adjacent a periphery of the body at different locations transverse to the direction of rotation of the body. One or more tabs each having a plurality of selectively removable contact segments are provided and demountable means support the tabs on the program control body adjacent its periphery for transport past and engagement of the programming members.

Abstract: A washer is adjustably connected to a driving member of a cam assembly and is coupled to a cam means of the cam assembly.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly for driving a helical feed screw for use in a vending machine. The helical feed screw is intermittently operated through cycles of similar duration and must be accurately positioned at the end of each cycle. Operation of the motor is initiated by the insertion of coins and is continued for the remainder of a cycle by a holding circuit. An actuating member for the holding circuit switch is positioned adjacent a cam which rotates with the helical feed screw. A pawl is positioned between and engages the switch actuating member and the cam. The cam has a notch indicating the end of the cycle which notch receives the pawl thereby allowing the switch actuating member to open the holding circuit and stop the motor. The pawl also has a dog which engages the edge of the cam notch to prevent reverse rotation of the cam at the end of the cycle. The pawl transmits cam forces to the switch actuating member only along the longitudinal axis thereof.

Abstract: A device for heating a room or building thermostat by radiant means or a combination of conduction, convection and radiation in such a manner as to cause localized thermal energy in the vicinity of the thermostat. The temperature of the area controlled by the thermostat is thus caused to be reduced by an amount approximately equal to the rise in temperature in the vicinity of the thermostat. The heater, as shown a small light bulb, is switched on by a timer for the time period during which the building or room temperature is to be reduced. The light is turned off when the area temperature is returned to the thermostat setting.

Abstract: A modular time sequence controller having multiple timing cams and switches. Modules of switches and cams may be added and removed without disturbing other modules. Clip means for retaining a switch in a module facilitates easy insertion and removal without disturbing other elements of the assembly.

Abstract: A drilling machine capable of rapid change over for drilling different parts, and which has stations for simultaneously, or sequentially, drilling holes in a particular part. The unit includes means for positively positioning the part, and gripping the part, and rotating or indexing the part to different rotational positions for the drilling operation. Control means are utilized for positively and precisely positioning the part for the various drilling operations.

Abstract: A programmer includes an intermittently rotating drum, having thereon a series of actuators arranged in a pre-selected manner, for actuating in a predetermined order, a plurality of devices, such as fluid valves, each of which, when actuated, causes an operation to be performed. The drum is indexed by a stepping motor controlled by impulses of energy to a pilot valve in response to rotation of the drum. The actuators are removably mounted on the drum, so that the programming of the series of operations as to the order thereof, and duration of each, can be done quickly and easily, in advance. Individual valves can also be shut off when not needed.

Abstract: A timing device in combination with a thermostatic control whereby heating units of the type used for heating structures such as buildings can be automatically turned off during predetermined periods, as when such buildings are unoccupied, the device comprising a clock-like motor coupled to a plurality of cam discs adjustable about the output shaft of the clock mechanism, the cams including cam heads to operate control switches engaging therewith.

Abstract: A remote lighting control for box mounted lamps which permits one or more wall switch controlled lamps to be operated on a selected time basis by creating a circuit across the normally opened wall mounted switches.

Abstract: Adjustable cam actuated switch mechanism of the type in which the switch is operated by a rotating cam means on a timing shaft. The cam means includes a cam plate that is rotatable relative to the timing shaft and the cam plate is adjustably connected to the shaft through a differential gear mechanism including a pair of spur gears of like pitch diameter but having relatively different number of teeth, one of which is drivingly connected to the timing shaft and the other of which is drivingly connected to the cam plate and a pinion gear that meshes with both spur gears and is carried by a housing that encloses the spur gears and which is rotatable relative to the timing shaft to angularly adjust the cam relative to the shaft.

Abstract: A set of removable combination cams has an assembly of identical rotary components mounted on a common rotary shaft and carrying removable cams for operation of switches. The rotary components are coupled together in such a manner that they can move relatively perpendicular to the axis of rotation, so that at least a portion of the periphery of one of the components is uncovered to allow fitting of the cam elements. Thus, the cam elements can be fitted without dismantling the assembly, and without changing the relative angular positioning of the rotary components, and without utilising resilient deformation of the materials employed, whilst retaining small axial dimensions for the assembly.