Abstract: A hand dryer timer assembly including a plate with a timer motor mounted on one side of the plate and a switch mounted on an opposite side of the plate. The switch is in electrical communication with, and controls the operation of, the timer motor. A cam is mounted on a drive shaft of the timer motor such that the cam rotates with the drive shaft and also slides longitudinally over the drive shaft. The cam extends through an opening in the plate and has a flange at one end located adjacent the one side of the plate to prevent the one end of the cam from moving past the one side of the plate. The cam further has a cam lobe located on the opposite side of the plate adjacent an actuating arm of the switch. A biasing element is located between the timer motor and the cam and biases the cam to a first position aligning the cam lobe with the actuating arm of the switch.

Abstract: A cam-operated timer for a household appliance has a variety of improvements. An audible and tactile feedback member engages a textured surface on the cam wheel, to produce desired audible and tactile feedback when the timer is manually set. When the timer is manually set, the cam-actuated switches are moved away from the cam surfaces, and a clutch is opened to permit bi-directional slip between the cam wheel and motor, so that the sole source of audible and tactile feedback is the audible and tactile feedback member. The timer also features lanced switch arm contacts, that provide a sharp contact edge to permit the switch arms to make good contact with adjacent switch arms. The switch arms are mounted in a stack of wafers, where each wafer may have switch arms of differing thickness or metal, allowing high current and low current switches to be mixed. Features in the housing are used to receive and locate the wafers to prevent inaccuracies in wafer thickness from accumulating through the stack of wafers.

Abstract: A timer has an upper cover, a mounting base and a circuit board. The space between the upper cover and the mounting base is used to accommodate the circuit board. The upper cover and the mounting base are fixed together by way of fixing poles and screws. At one side of the circuit board is disposed a number of conducting legs some of which are integrally formed and coupled to the connecting pins of electronic components by welding and are secured to the circuit board at the same time so that the assembly of the timer of the present invention is time saving in production and safer in use.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: A self-contained programmable wall switch actuator/timer unit can easily be mounted directly onto the outside of the face plate of a standard wall switch. This actuator/timer unit can be programmed to operate the lever of the wall switch in accordance with a program that automatically repeats on a diurnal, weekly or other cyclical basis. It comprises a small battery, a miniature electric motor with a gear/linkage mechanism operable to engage with and to move the switch lever between its OFF and ON positions, and a quartz-clock-based programming means having programming intput keys and time display means. Once programmed by way of the programming input keys, the programming means is operative to actuate the electric motor in such manner as to move the switch lever into its ON and/or OFF position in accordance with the keyed-in program.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: The drive train of an appliance timer includes a slip clutch formed of a triangular spring meshing with the outer flat surfaces of a hexagonal drive shaft. The slip clutch is incorporated into a drive pinion in the appliance timer drive train. Excessive torque causes the walls of the triangular spring to resiliently bend outward under rotational pressure from the drive shaft, permitting the drive shaft to rotate without rotating the drive pinion. When used in an icemaker, the slip provided by the clutch alleviates the need for an expensive, stallable motor.

Abstract: A sequence switch unit for use in a dishwasher eliminates a need for a separate timer and relay for each dishwasher component during the washing portion of the cycle. In one embodiment, the sequence switch unit includes a switch disk having a plurality of contact blade tracks, a lower control track, an upper control track, and a ramp connecting the lower control track and the upper control track. The sequence switch unit includes a blade unit including a plurality of contact blade assemblies. Each of the contact blade assemblies has an elongate fixed blade having a fixed contact and an elongate movable blade having a movable contact. The contact blade assemblies are normally in a closed condition. The movable blades are movable so that the contact blade assemblies can be positioned in an open condition. A switch lift lever is secured to and rotatable with the switch disk, and the switch lever extends between the fixed blade and the movable blade of each contact blade assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for permitting quiet manual setting of an appliance timer is disclosed. The apparatus has an appliance control cam which has a first cam surface defined on a first side thereof and a second cam surface defined on a second side thereof. The apparatus includes a rocker arm positionable between a first cam reading mode of operation and a first idle mode of operation. The rocker arm contacts the first cam surface when the rocker arm is positioned in the first cam reading mode of operation. The rocker arm is spaced apart from the first cam surface when the rocker arm is positioned in the first idle mode of operation. The apparatus also includes a cam follower arm positionable between a second cam reading mode of operation and a second idle mode of operation. The cam follower arm contacts the second cam surface when the cam follower arm is positioned in the second cam reading mode of operation.

Abstract: A timer for controlling an appliance includes a cam having a first cam surface and a second cam surface defined therein. The first cam surface is distinct from the second cam surface. The timer also includes a first circuit blade which cooperates with the first cam surface so as to moved between a first neutral position and a first actuated position. The timer further includes a second circuit blade which cooperates with the second cam surface so as to moved between a second neutral position and a second actuated position. Moreover, the timer includes a third circuit blade which is positionable in a first offset position and a second offset position. The third circuit blade is positioned at the first offset position when the first circuit blade is positioned at the first actuated position. The third circuit blade is moved from the first offset position to the second offset position when the first circuit blade is moved from the first actuated position to the first neutral position.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor, a first gear assembly which is mechanically coupled to the motor, and a second gear assembly which is also mechanically coupled to the motor. The appliance timer further includes a cam which is driven by (1) the first gear assembly during a first period of time, and (2) the second gear assembly during a second period of time. The cam is decoupled from the first and second gear assemblies during a third period of time. The cam is rotated at a first speed during the first period of time, at a second speed during the second period of time, and is stopped during the third period of time. A method of operating an appliance timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A rotary cam actuated sequence switch assembly having a reversible electric drive for forward and reverse movement to selectively position the cam for actuating a plurality of switches in a desired sequence under electronic control of the motor. Reverse rotation of the cam causes a flip-over follower to lift the blade contacts of the switch controlling line power to the remaining switches thereby preventing the reverse rotation from causing damage to the device being controlled by the switches.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a cam member and a first coupler attached to the cam member, the first coupler having a structure with a notch defined therein, wherein the structure defines a substantially cylindrical member having a void defined therein. The appliance timer also includes a knob shaft and a second coupler attached to the knob shaft and positioned within the void, wherein (1) the second coupler includes a body and a tab, (2) the tab is movable in relation to the body, (3) the body is fixed in relation to the knob shaft, and (4) the tab is positionable within the notch.

Abstract: A cam switch mechanism comprises a drive source, such as a motor, a cam driven by the drive source, a switching device responsive to contacting the cam surface of the cam for switching its electrically conducting state and a control unit, such as a microcomputer, for controlling the drive source. Control of the drive source by the control unit makes it possible to set positions of the cam as desired and permits the electrically conducting state of the switching means to be freely set. The control unit controls the drive direction, stopping and drive speed of the drive source.

Abstract: A timer for controlling an appliance includes a camstack which is continuously rotated during a portion of an entire operation cycle of the appliance. The camstack is rotated in either a slow mode of operation or a fast mode of operation. The timer further includes a first slow pawl which is advanced in a first path of movement. Movement of the first slow pawl in the first path of movement causes the camstack to be rotated in the slow mode of operation. The timer also includes a first fast pawl which is advanced in a second path of movement. Movement of the first fast pawl in the second path of movement causes the camstack to be rotated in the fast mode of operation. A method of controlling an appliance is also disclosed.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: An electrical timer is provided having an electrical motor connected to a first geneva drive gear via a gear train. The geneva drive gear engages a geneva wheel and is coupled to a cam via a clutch joining the geneva wheel and the cam. The clutch may provide a plurality of indexable operating positions wherein each operating position is angularly displaced from adjacent operating positions by a distance equal to the angular distance between adjacent cusps.

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: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electro-mechanical programmer/timer having a plurality of switches actuated by a rotating program cam with each of the switches tracking a separate cam track on the cam. The program cam is indexed by a pawl which engages ratchet teeth on the program cam. The pawl is oscillated by engagement with a sub-interval cam driven by a motor drive. At least one of the switches following the program cam is a single-pole double-throw switch with the center blade thereof actuated by a cam follower lever operated by a separate track on the sub-interval cam.

Abstract: A control device for controlling the time sequence activation of a wall mounted toggle switch is mounted directly to the toggle switch cover plate. The device is then programmed to turn the switch on and off in accordance with the programmed entry instructions. A sliding plate within the device contacts and moves the toggle into its on and off position in accordance with the program. The housing of the device defines an opening large enough for the toggle to be manually manipulated without removal of any components of the device.

Abstract: An electrical timer having scales for setting switching times and time-of-day. A window exposes only a portion of one of the scales thereby helping a user to set the time-of-day of the timer. In one aspect, the window is located in a cover that hides all but a portion of the time-of-day scale. According to a further aspect, the switching-times scale and the time-of-day scale are located on a dial rotatably mounted on a timer housing that includes a suitable electrical plug, an electrical receptacle, and an electrical switch operable with the scales.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: An appliance timer has features to facilitate automated assembly or manual assembly. A timer housing base accepts timer components from two directions, and installation of components in either direction is along a straight axis. A motor in the timer engages a gear train which runs a drive cam. The drive cam imparts motion to a camstack which then engages timer blade switches, and the blade switches operate the appliance. A subinterval is also supplied on the timer to allow periodic operation of a switch without the use of the camstack. The timer also features a quiet manual advance which removes the blade switches from communication with the camstack to allow an operator to select various timer programs without any of the clicking noises that are usually associated with timer program selection. Furthermore, a detent slider is positioned in communication with the camstack to provide a tactile feel for the operator of the timer when selecting between various timer programs.

Abstract: A cam disc has a dual row of ratchet teeth on the periphery for dual rate of advancement by either of two oscillating motorized advance pawls. The disc has alternating high and low concentric cam tracks formed on one face. A plate is registered on the cam disc hub and has integrally formed plural resilient cam follower arms with each arm having a plastic cam track follower tip molded over the tip. The molded tips make contact with a stationary portion of the plate to limit follower travel when the cam is retracted by user movement of the shaft for setting the cam position. The high and low cam tracks engage adjacent follower arm pairs to effect a drop-to-make and drop-to-break action to each of a plurality of SPDT switches disposed for actuation by the cam followers.

Abstract: An improved icemaker having a number of features, including: a dual-activated feeler bar switch which combines the motion of two cams to operate a single switch; an adjustable-duration water fill switch which is closed by rotating a connector between two contacts; switches mounted to make wiping contact so as to clean the contact area; a combination deflector which not only deflects ice removed by the ejector from the ice mold, but also supports and lifts a feeler bar to determine whether the ice storage bin is full; a clutch mounted between the motor and ejector bar to permit slip therebetween so as to avoid stalling the motor as the ejector bar presses upon ice in the mold; a manual start button for starting the motor, simplifying installation; and an anti-back mechanism in the icemaker drive train to prevent an installer from damaging the icemaker by rotating it backwards.

Abstract: A programmer/timer for appliances having cam actuated switches with a cam drum advanced by a motor driven four-stage speed-reducing gear train with a missing teeth type intermittent device. The third step gear is readily interchangeable for changing the rate of cam advance. An auxiliary housing with auxiliary cam drum and switches may be added without altering the basic configuration of switches and advance mechanism.

Abstract: A dial-type timer device having a timer body and a dial on a face of the timer body. A cover, including a locking pawl, is placed on the face of the timer body so that the dial protrudes through a hole therein. A setting ring is mounted on the dial and engages the locking pawl at a selected location to repeatedly set the time. Alternatively, two setting rings, each including a tooth on its outer periphery, are mounted on the dial to limit the range of rotation of the dial. Also, in a timing circuit of the timer, a dummy resistor of substantially the same impedance as an output relay, with its own switching element is connected in series with the output relay. By switching current alternatively through the output relay and the dummy resistor, fluctuation of current in the circuit is minimized and stable power is supplied to the time-limit circuit.

Abstract: A plug-in timer has a set of input terminals and a set of output terminals as well as a contactor operable to make and/or break electrical connection between these sets of terminals in accordance with a pre-setable 24 hour program. The timer is powered from a small built-in battery, and comprises its own quartz clock and programming-and-control means. The contactor is actuated by a miniature DC motor through a gear and cam arrangement. The operation of the DC motor is controlled by the programming-and-control means, which provides power from the battery to the motor in accordance with a pre-set program; which pre-set program may be modified at any time by way of a keyboard and a numeric display means.The contactor operates by way of hard metal contacts and very little power dissipation occurs within the timer. The timer can be plugged into a special wall switch receptacle and then operates to programmably control the flow of power to the load controlled by this wall switch.

Abstract: A torque limiting drive and programmer/timer using same. A motor drives a driving member which has drive lugs engaging the central web of a plural-armed wave spring. The wave spring arms frictionally engaged radially oppositely facing annular friction surfaces on a driven member, which in a programmer/timer is the program cam, which upon rotation of the cam is operative for sequentially actuating electrical switches. User rotation of the cam when the motor is not operative allows the wave spring arms to slip against the annular friction surfaces permitting the user to position the cam as desired.

Abstract: A compact automatic stop device for two mechanisms for counting revolutions which consist of coaxial counting wheels (10, 10') each associated with a notched cam (14, 14') interacts with a cutoff finger (24, 24') securely fastened to a common cutoff lever (20, 20'), so that when the notches (19) are aligned, the cutoff lever actuates a switch (26, 26'). A set-to-zero lever (29, 29') makes it possible to reset the counting wheels to zero by acting via hammers (33') on core cams (18'). The counting wheels, the cutoff levers and the set-to-zero levers of each counting mechanism are pivoted in a common cradle (5, 5') articulated with respect to a fixed casing (1) having profiled parts (36, 37, 36', 37') which are intended to interact with the cutoff levers and the set-to-zero levers during the displacement of the cradles.

Abstract: An improved sheet detecting rotary switch activator is disclosed. The switch is modified by mounting the switch for rotation at a hub member which pivots about a fixed point. The hub member has teeth with a helical surface which mate with fixed surfaces having helical top surfaces. When the switch is rotated from a first position by passage of a paper sheet, energy is stored in the spring connected to the hub member. Upon release of the spring, energy by movement of the paper path switch contact arm moves the hub member from a position where the mating helical surfaces overlying are in contact to the output contact position. The return is a "soft" stop due to the dissipation of the release force of the spring in a direction generally normal to the helical surfaces of the mating teeth.

Abstract: A plug-in timer has a set of input terminals and a set of output terminals as well as a contactor operable to make and/or break electrical connection between these sets of terminals in accordance with a pre-setable 24 hour program. The timer is powered from a small built-in battery, and comprises its own quartz clock and programming-and-control means. The contactor is actuated by a miniature DC motor through a gear and cam arrangement. The operation of the DC motor is controlled by the programming-and-control means, which provides power from the battery to the motor in accordance with a pre-set program; which pre-set program may be modified at any time by way of a keyboard and a numeric display means. The contactor operates by way of hard metal contacts and very little power dissipation occurs within the timer. The timer can be plugged into a special wall switch receptacle and then operates to programmably control the flow of power to the load controlled by this wall switch.

Abstract: An electromechanical appliance programmer has a cam drum indexed by primary advance motor drive for sequentially operating plural appliance function switches. The cam shaft is axially slidable by user actuation and moves an annular cam ring for moving a slider for actuating and de-actuating a line power switch. An internally-toothed gear is attached internally to the cam drum web and is engaged by a drive pinion of a second motor drive for effecting rapid advance of the cam drum.

Abstract: An anti-rotational device for a cam-operated timer is used in appliances with timer control knobs that recess when the appliance is operating. A spring biased axially displaceable shaft that carries a circular disc having teeth peripherally disposed around its circumference is provided. When the shaft is axially displaced by pressure on the timer control knob, the teeth on the circular disc engage raised tabs on the timer's housing, and the engagement prevents the shaft from rotating.

Abstract: A electromechanical programmer with smooth program preselection having a rotating main cam unit for executing several operating programs, a first cam for allowing step passage with the main cam unit driven in rotation by a micromotor through a speed reduction system, and a second cam for smooth program preselection. The programmer comprises a retractable mechanical drive device for assuring a mechanical connection between the rotating main cam unit and first cam for allowing step passage under a control of the second cam for smooth program preselection.

Abstract: A timing mechanism having electrical switches opening and closing in response to power driven rotating cams. The electrical switches are composed of fixed and movable electrical contact blades which include electrical contacts carried on the blades. For those blades which are switching currents of two amperes or less (120 VAC) a protuberance on one and/or both the fixed and movable blades may form the contact.

Abstract: A timing mechanism has cams operating switches which control the functions of an appliance and another cam operating another switch supplying short pulses to a separate function such as a warning buzzer. A PTC thermistor is in series with the switch supplying the short pulses.

Abstract: A secondary timer mechanism for controlling a secondary program function independently of a first program function. A main timer mechanism controls the first program function and is operatively driven by a motor. A second timer mechanism can be set independently of the main timer mechanism and engages the motor through a drive gear in a first axial position and is in non-engaging relation with the drive gear in a second axial position. The second timer mechanism includes a peripheral cam surface that cooperates with a cam follower to advantageously control selective electrical connection between contact portions. The contact portions regulate the secondary program function. Pins are operatively included in the second timer mechanism for maintaining an engaged relationship with the drive gear.

Abstract: A timing mechanism has a segmented shaft one segment of which carries a camstack while the other segment carries a drive member coupled to an actuator for a momentary switch. The actuator is coupled to the drive member such that the shaft is free to rotate independent of the actuator, with the actuator being restrained from rotation. The actuator moves axially in response to movement of the drive member to open and close the momentary switch. A positive snap action breaking of the electrical contacts of the momentary switch is achieved by holding the movable electrical contact of the switch to the actuator so that it positively disengages from the other contact when the actuator is positively indexed.

Abstract: A u-shaped timer housing body has a pair of elongated legs, a closed end, an open end, and a pair of open sides. There are a plurality of electrical switches, each switch including a pair of contacts, one of which comprises a terminal-switch blade combination passing through and secured to the closed end of the housing body. A cylindrical cam assembly, including a cam shaft, is rotatably supported by a pair of side panels, one end of the shaft mounted in a bearing in each of the panels. The panels and the housing body have a tongue and groove construction which permits the panels to be slid into the housing body along the legs, the panels closing the open sides and the cam assembly entering the housing through the open end, in a direction along a radius of the cam axis. A cover plate snaps onto the housing body, closing the open end and locking the panels and the cam assembly in place.

Abstract: A programmer for an appliance having a single timing motor drive for a rotating cam drum which actuates plural appliance program function switches. An advance pawl drives the cam drum in one direction when selectively engaged with a toothed wheel on the drum and drives through a first rotary frictional coupling. A gear train drives continuously through a second rotary frictional coupling and drives the cam drum in a reverse direction when the advance pawl is disengaged. When the pawl is engaged, the second rotary frictional coupling slips and is overdriven in a direction opposite its driving direction by said first frictional coupling.

Abstract: An electromechanical timer includes a motor-driven cam, and electrical switches responsive to the cam supported in a housing. An array of rows and columns of electrical terminals are connected to the switches and extend from one end of the housing. First electrical busses of corrugated form fit into similarly shaped first channels parallel to each row of terminals and c-shaped second electrical busses fit into similarly shaped channels connecting the first channels and the terminals. The first and second busses are compressed between opposing walls of the first and second channels to provide a first bias force which holds the busses in place. The second busses are also compressed between their corresponding terminal and an opposing wall of the corresponding second channel to provide a second bias force in a direction perpendicular to the first bias force, which second bias force provides the force for electrically contacting the terminals.

Abstract: An electromechanical timer includes a motor-driven cam and electrical switches responsive to the cam supported in a housing. An array of rows and columns of electrical terminals are connected to the switches and extend from one end of the housing. First electrical busses of corrugated form fit into similarly shaped channels parallel to each row or column of terminals the corrugations being arranged so that the portions of the busses between the terminals is closer to a line passing through the row or column of terminals than the portion adjacent the terminals. Second C-shaped second busses fit into similarly shaped channels between the first busses and the terminals to connect the terminals to each other. The corrugated shape of the first channels and the C-shape of the second channels result in the air paths between a first bus and an adjacent terminal is not connected to it being three or more times as long as the straight-line distance between them.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor-driven cam, a plurality of electrical switches responsive to the cam, and a plurality of electrical terminals electrically connected to the switches, all of which are supported in a housing. The terminals are arranged on one end of the housing in n rows, and bussing between the terminals is provided so that all terminals to which external electrical connection is to be made are in one of m rows, with m being less than n. An insulating maze structure is provided in the housing within which the terminals are mounted so that the air path distance between terminals connected to differing electrical polarities is greater than the straight line path. The terminals to be connected to are longer than the other terminals. A terminal cover is snapped onto the housing and covers all of the terminals in the rows other than the m rows while leaving the longer terminals in the m rows exposed for connection to an external connector.

Abstract: A timer includes a motor-driven cam, switches responsive to the cam, and terminals connected to the switches, all supported in a housing. The housing includes slots to receive the terminal blades and cavities communicating with the slots. The blades of the terminals include a notch with one side perpendicular to the axis of the blade to form a stop and the other side forming a first ramp at an acute angle to the perpendicular. The first ramp is bent out of the plane of the blade to form a second ramp. As a blade is inserted into a slot, the second ramp forces the first ramp into the plane of the blade as it passes through the slot. After passing through the slot, the first ramp snaps into the cavity along a scissoring intersection until the stop engages the housing, at which point the housing is gripped between the first ramp and the stop, thus securing the blade in the housing.

Abstract: An electromechanical programmer having a user push-push reset action on the shaft of a rotary cam drum for actuating plural appliance function switches. Successive user push movements alternately latch and release the shaft between first and second axial positions. In the first axial position the shaft moves an auxiliary cam to close a line power switch for energizing a motorized cam drum advance and powering the program switches; and, the shaft is free-rotating with respect to the cam drum. In the second axial position the shaft moves an auxiliary cam to open the line power switch; and, the shaft is clutched to the drum to enable user rotation of the drum for appliance program interval selection.

Abstract: A combination programmer and line switch for an appliance having a rotary program cam and a timing motor connected for advancing the cam. An upper line power contact blade is moved between high and low positions by a manual actuator. A lower contact blade is maintained stationary and is adapted for connection to certain appliance load functions. An intermediate program contact blade series connected to the timing motor has a follower biased against the program cam and is adapted for connection to all appliance functions. With the upper contact in the high position, the motor circuit is open for all positions of the program and in the low position the timing motor is energized. Alternatively, the program cam may include a line contact switch override to maintain the intermedaite blade in contact with the upper blade for both positions of the manual actuator.