Abstract: An improved automatic shut-off appliance timer is disclosed which actuates an associated appliance at a set-time and deactuates it a fixed period of time later. The timer comprises a clockwork mechanism, including a cam wheel and a trip wheel which approach one another when the set-time is reached. The relative position of the two wheels is set to define the set-time. When the set-time is reached, a cam follower resting on one of the cam wheel and trip wheel is permitted to move axially, moving a switch shaft and allowing electrical contacts to abut, closing the circuit of the associated appliance. Thereafter, a sector gear also comprised by the switch shaft is engaged by the motor, positively rotating the switch shaft. A cam follower integrally carried by the switch shaft then moves along a drop-off cam formed integrally with the front plate of the timer.

Abstract: An electric power control switch for controlling heating temperature of a heating element such as an electric heater wherein a triangular cam groove is formed and a timing cam driven by a motor rotates the cam between a stationary piece and a movable piece carrying contacts. The electric power can be turned on and off by controlling the engagement of contacts on the two pieces. The contacts are positioned on contact strips. The cam arrangement includes a contact band-type cam follower for one of the contact strips; the control cam optionally connects electrical contacts for driving the timing cam. A guide pin for the contact carrying strips and the control cam interact to adjust the time period of engagement and disengagement between the contacts for the power supply to a heater by properly setting the timing cam spacing between the contacts for the heater.

Abstract: A timer assembly automatically turns off an appliance to which it is connected within a predetermined time period after the appliance has been automatically, or manually, turned on. The timer assembly includes a three-position selector mechanism with rotating cams that activate a plunger to control the operation of an electrical switch which, in turn, activates or deactivates the appliance. Rotation of the selector mechanism is controlled by a clockwork assembly which rotates the selector into a position to turn on the appliance at a predetermined set-time. When the selector is rotated into its "on" position, a gear connected to the selector engages a drive gear which is, in turn, connected to the clockwork assembly. The drive gear continues the rotation of the selector so that after a predetermined time interval, the appliance is turned off.

Abstract: The electric power control switch of the present invention includes a plurality of contact assemblies which are repeatedly opened and closed by a motor driven timing cam and two manually operated control cams. The control cams also control the position of associated operating levers which cooperate with additional plural contact assemblies. The relationship of the motor driven timing cam, manually operated control cams and operating levers provides an unique switching arrangement whereby the period for operation of an oven, range or other electrical appliance is widely varied and switch contact life is enhanced.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a switching device for a coin controlled machine in which the device is actuated in response to completion of a predetermined number of cycle of an operator member. The device includes a shaft disposed for rotating a predetermined angular increment each time the operator member cycles. The device includes a first cam and a second cam adjustably positioned on the shaft relative to each other to permit selecting a predetermined distance along the camming surface of the first cam between the initial inoperative position of said first cam and its actuation position. The angle subtended by the selected predetermined distance along the camming surface of the first cam is a multiple of the predetermined increment that the shaft rotates each time the operator member cycles.

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 coin slide actuated timer mechanism is provided for a commercial apparatus such as an automatic fabric drying machine. The timer mechanism includes an indexing mechanism by which preselected angles of timer drive shaft rotation corresponding to desired periods of machine operating time can be manually preset. A movable peg member can be placed in various angularly spaced locations on an index wheel which correspond to the desired periods of operating time and when the timer drive motor is energized the index wheel will be rotated with the timer drive shaft to move the movable peg member into engagement with a switch actuator for initiating the termination of the time period. The index wheel is rotatably biased upon the timer drive shaft for resetting to a start posture upon actuation of a coin slide actuator.

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: 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 cam is axially displaced so that a pair of cam followers sequentially drop from the cam's outer periphery to sequentially close a pair of electrical switches which are responsive to the cam followers. Upon completion of a program, the cam is permitted to displace to its original position. A coil spring clutch permits an actuator to be located in a predetermined position for axial displacement of the cam.

Abstract: To turn off a television set for a selected period of time during a commercial and have it automatically turned on after that time, a timer includes a telephone-type dial outside of the front panel which turns a ratchet-cam wheel inside the housing of the timer. The ratchet-cam wheel includes a plurality of notches in its rim and a plurality of posts corresponding to the openings in the telephone dial and to periods of time, with a push-button switch being closed when the telephone dial is in its initial position by a large notch in the rim of the ratchet-cam wheel and opened when it is displaced from that position. To disconnect the television set, a timer motor drives a spring-biased ratchet wheel so that turning the dial moves the posts past the teeth of the ratchet and opens the switch and the timer motor turns the teeth of the ratchet to slowly move the dial back into position where the switch is closed.

Abstract: A timer mechanism for controlling a thermostat having a control shaft, the mechanism comprising: a frame, a synchronous motor mounted in the frame, a first and second lever pivotably mounted on the frame so as to be able to take an operative and an inoperative position, cam motion transmission means operatively connected to the said motor so as sequentially to pivot the said first lever from its inoperative to its operative position, while pivoting the said second lever to its inoperative position, and from its inoperative to its operative position, while pivoting the said second lever to its operative position, first transmission means operatively connected to the said motor and controlled by the said first lever to rotate the said control shaft in a first direction when the said first lever is in its operative position, and second transmission means operatively connected to the said motor and controlled by the said second lever to rotate the said control shaft in the opposite direction of rotation when the

Abstract: A timing device comprises a contact assembly, an acting switch and a centrifugal mechanism rotated by a synchronous motor, and a rotatable resiliently biased timing wheel. The acting switch, upon energization of the motor, is moved axially in a direction parallel to the rotary axis of the timing wheel by the centrifugal mechanism to a first position for rotating the said timing wheel and opening a contact between a movable contact plate and a first fixed contact plate of the contact assembly. The acting switch is maintained in the first position by the timing wheel, and is moved to a second position for maintaining the timing wheel in position and closing a contact between the movable contact plate and a second fixed contact plate of the contact assembly, whereby, upon deenergization of the motor, the switch is moved axially in the reverse direction to its normally inoperative state and said timing wheel is rotated back under the action of its biasing means.

Abstract: An automatic reset timer includes two separate switches having operators held in timed-out position by individual latches. A clutch is released by one operator when the timer is timed out. A solenoid also controls the latches for the two switches and also controls the clutch directly. A clutch mode selector is accessible outside the case and may be set for on delay, off delay, or neutral. In neutral the clutch is not controlled by the solenoid and is released only when the timer is timed out. Other mode selectors outside the enclosure control solenoid operation of the switches. They may be caused to transfer from timed out to timing position by either solenoid energization of deenergization. A third position provides for instantaneous operation of one switch by the solenoid. Selection of clutch and switch modes of operation makes a single unit field adjustable in many different combinations, simplifying application to a given problem and reducing models required to be stocked.

Abstract: A pair of cooperating bevel gears cooperate to provide a coupling means between a constant speed drive means and a cam means.A motor is carried by a U-shaped frame which can be inserted into a timer housing, the U-shaped frame having means to align coupling means to provide a second motor drive for the timer.

Abstract: A sequencing and timing mechanism in a beverage vending machine includes a plurality of circular cams mounted on a common shaft driven by a low speed motor, and a follower is movable into engagement with each cam and actuates a corresponding switch. Freely rockably supported by each cam is a member which releasably retains a respective follower in a retracted condition and a powder feed motor is connected through each switch to a current source. A series of push buttons engage a first locking member which is releasably locked in locking position by a second locking member which, in turn, is releasably locked in a release condition by a solenoid actuated dog, the solenoid being pulse excited by a coin actuated switch.