U.S. patent number 3,584,166 [Application Number 04/812,595] was granted by the patent office on 1971-06-08 for clock-operated switch timing device with improved manual operating means.
This patent grant is currently assigned to McGraw-Edison Company. Invention is credited to James J. Halicho.
United States Patent |
3,584,166 |
Halicho |
June 8, 1971 |
CLOCK-OPERATED SWITCH TIMING DEVICE WITH IMPROVED MANUAL OPERATING
MEANS
Abstract
A clock-operated switch timing device has a dial settable to the
time of day and has "on" and "off" pointer arms which when
depressed can be shifted to any desired setting on the dial to
cause a toggle switch to be operated to "on" and "off" positions at
the time settings of the respective arms. The switch is movable
bodily out of and back into driving relationship with the pointer
arms by manually shifting a selector panel at the side of the
device to "manual" and "automatic" positions. An on-off control
button is inset in the selector panel and is manually shiftable
relative to the panel to operate the switch manually to on and off
positions as desired.
Inventors: |
Halicho; James J. (Southington,
CT) |
Assignee: |
McGraw-Edison Company (Elgin,
IL)
|
Family
ID: |
25210068 |
Appl.
No.: |
04/812,595 |
Filed: |
April 2, 1969 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
200/38FB;
200/329; 968/613 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H
43/028 (20130101); G04C 23/16 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01H
43/00 (20060101); H01H 43/02 (20060101); G04C
23/16 (20060101); G04C 23/00 (20060101); H01h
043/10 (); H01h 003/02 () |
Field of
Search: |
;200/38,39,172 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Scott; J. R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A clock-operated timing device comprising a case, a settable
dial on a wall of said case having a center shaft journaled for
rotary movement, means for driving said dial at a fixed rate to
indicate the time of day by the positioning of the dial relative to
the case, an on-off toggle switch having an actuating arm shiftable
overcenter to place said switch in on and off positions, said
actuating arm having a cam member on the free end portion thereof
positioned adjacent to said dial, two switch operating members on
said shaft carried with said dial independently manually adjustable
to selected time settings relative to the dial, means on said
respective switch operating members to engage said cam member at
the respective time settings of said switch operating members for
operating the switch to on and off positions at said respective
time settings, manual means on said case for shifting said switch
bodily out of and back into driving relationship with said switch
operating members at will, a frame for said switch slidably mounted
on a sidewall of said case and having an exterior finger piece for
shifting the switch into and out of driving relationship with said
switch operating members, said finger piece having a central
opening, and a manual button slidably mounted in said opening and
coupled with said actuating arm for manually shifting said switch
between on and off positions by movement of the button relative to
said finger piece.
2. The switch timing device set forth in claim 1 including a frame
for said switch slidably mounted on a sidewall of said case and
having an exterior finger piece for shifting the switch into and
out of driving relationship with said switch operating members,
said finger piece having the shape of a panel provided with a
central opening, and a manual button slidably mounted in said
opening and coupled with said actuating arm for manually shifting
said switch between on and off positions by movement of the button
relative to said panel.
3. A clock-operated timing device comprising a case, a settable
dial on a wall of said case having a center shaft journaled for
rotary movement, means for driving said dial at a fixed rate to
indicate the time of day by the positioning of the dial relative to
the case, an on-off toggle switch having an actuating arm shiftable
overcenter to place said switch in on and off positions, said
actuating arm having a cam member on the free end portion thereof
positioned adjacent to said dial, two switch operating members on
said shaft carried with said dial independently manually adjustable
to selected time settings relative to the dial, means on said
respective switch operating members to engage said cam member at
the respective time settings of said switch operating members for
operating the switch to on and off positions at said respective
time settings, manual means on a sidewall of said case for shifting
said switch bodily out of and back into driving relationship with
said switch operating members at will. Said sidewall having a slot
parallel with said shaft running out of the back of the sidewall,
and said switch having an integral frame provided with inner
flanges and an outer selector panel slidably embracing respectively
the inner and outer faces of said sidewall lengthwise of said slot,
said selector panel constituting a finger piece for bodily shifting
said switch.
4. The switch timing device set forth in claim 3 wherein said
sidewall has a tongue of lesser width than said slot inset from the
outer face of said sidewall and running from the closed end of the
slot to a distance short of the back end of said panel, and a
detent between said tongue and said frame for releasably retaining
the switch in its respective positions wherein it is in and out of
driving relationship with said switch operating members.
5. The switch timing device set forth in claim 3 including a filler
piece in the outer end of said slot to close the portion of the
slot which is exposed when said selector panel is in its forward
position, and means on the back side of said case retaining said
filler member in said slot.
6. The switch timing device set forth in claim 3 wherein said
sidewall has a tongue of lesser width than said slot inset from the
outer face of said sidewall and extending from the closed end of
said slot towards the open end of the slot, and said selector panel
has a central rectangular opening, including a slide member
interposed between said selector panel and said tongue and having a
central button in said opening having a width less than the length
of said opening and forming a finger piece whereby said slide
member can be manually shifted lengthwise of said slot, said slide
member having top and bottom flanges embracing said tongue and top
and bottom lugs extending from said flanges and embracing the inner
face of said sidewall, and a side finger on said actuating arm
having a portion engaging one of said lugs for causing said
actuating arm to be shifted to open and close said switch as the
slide member is shifted manually relative to said selector panel.
Description
The present timing device is adapted especially for controlling
appliances such as coffee pots, electric heaters, radios,
television receivers and other similar devices which are to be
turned on and off automatically at preselected times and which are
also desirably turned on and off manually at other times. It is
only necessary to plug the timing device into a receptacle and plug
the appliance into the timing device, and then set the dial at the
time of day and set the on and off pointer arms when the appliance
is to be turned on and off.
An object of the invention is to provide a clock-operated timing
device which can be set conveniently for automatic or manual
operation, and which regardless of its manual or automatic setting
can be manually operated to on and off positions at will.
Another object is to provide such timing device with a novel
control mechanism including a shiftable selector panel on the side
of the case for shifting the switch bodily between positions for
automatic and manual operation, and an on-off button carried with
the selector panel but movable relative thereto to operate the
switch manually into on and off positions at will.
Another object is to provide such clock-operated switch timing
device which is of a simple, durable and economical
construction.
These and other objects and features of the invention will be
apparent from the following description and the appended
claims.
In the description of my invention reference is had to the
accompanying drawings, of which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the present switch timing
device;
FIG. 2 is a right-hand side elevation of this device;
FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view with the back cover removed;
FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 5 is a fractional horizontal section taken on the line 5-5 of
FIG. 2 showing the switch in open position;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing the switch in closed
position;
FIG. 7 is a fractional view as seen from the line 7-7 of FIG.
6;
FIG. 8 is a fractional sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIG.
7; and
FIG. 9 is a fractional exploded view of the switch activating arm,
switch blade and cooperating support arms.
The present clock-operated switch timing device has a molded
plastic case 10 of a rectangular shape with an open back. The case
has a circular recess 11 in its front wall 12. A dial 13 is set in
the recess with clearance around its periphery and with the front
portion of the dial projecting beyond the front wall of the case.
This dial has a shaft 14 journaled in the case at the center of the
recess and coupled by reduction gearing 15 to a small synchronous
motor 16 mounted on the back side of the front wall 12. The motor
is connected to an electric cord 18 terminating in a male plug 19
to be connected in a suitable receptacle of a 110 volt AC source
not shown.
The dial 13 has two time scales on its front face each running from
1 to 12 preferably with one-half face 13S of the dial from 6 AM to
6 PM provided with a silver background and with numbers in black
and the other half face 13B of the dial from 6 PM to 6 AM provided
with a black background and with numbers in silver. A pointer 21 on
the front wall registers with the dial to indicate the time of day.
In order that the dial can e set readily to the time of day it has
a friction slip coupling with the shaft 14. A toothed peripheral
surface 22 on the dial enables it to be gripped firmly so that it
can be turned readily by hand.
Pivoted on the shaft 14 at the back side of the dial are two arms
23 and 24 made of spring metal. These arms have outer end portions
bent over to extend forwardly past the periphery of the dial
through the space 25 between the dial and the peripheral wall of
the recess 11, and have pointers 23a and 24a as of plastic molded
on the tips thereof. These pointers register with the rim of the
dial so that the time setting of the arms relative to the dial is
readily visible. The pointers 23a and 24a are marked "on" and "off"
to indicate the function of the respective arms is to shift a
switch 26 of the timing device to on and off positions when the
time of day reaches the setting of the arms. The arms are biased
into latching engagement with a notched edge 27 at the back side of
the dial corresponding to the peripheral teeth 22. However, upon
depressing the pointers the arms are unlatched from the toothed
edge 27 to permit the arms to be shifted to any desired time
setting relative to the dial. External connection to the switch is
made via a plug socket S.
The toggle switch 26 has a molded plastic frame 28 comprising a
base 29 from which extends a post 30 rectangular in cross section.
The post has a wing at right angles thereto intermediate the length
thereof which forms a terminal board 31. On the outer end of the
post is a lug 32 which forms a stop at a spacing from the terminal
board. Secured to the outer side of the terminal board 31 by two
rivets 33 is a terminal strip 34 having a connector lug 35 at one
end and having a switch contact 36 mounted at the center thereof.
On the inner side of the terminal board 31 is a metal bar 48 and a
terminal strip 37 secured by the same rivets 33 but insulated
therefrom by insulating sleeves 33a. The terminal strip 37 has a
connector lug 38 (FIG. 3) at one end. The metal bar 48 has two
spaced support arms 39 extending from the intermediate portion
thereof which are bent over at right angles to extend past the back
side of the terminal board 31 (FIGS. 5, 6, 7 and 9). The tip
portions 40 of the support arms 39 are notched at both sides. A
switch actuating arm 41 of a U-shape has two legs with notched end
portions 42 pivotally engaging the outer tip portions 40 of the
support arms. Similarly, a U-shaped switch blade 43 has two legs
with notched end portions 44 pivotally engaging the inner tip
portions of the two support arms. The switch blade carries a switch
contact 45 engageable with the contact 36. The actuating arm 41 has
a finger 46 at one side passing with clearance through a slotted
lug 47 extending from the metal bar 48 (FIGS. 5, 6 and 7). This
engagement of the side finger 46 with the slotted lug 47 provides a
stop to limit the actuating arm to a definite overcenter movement.
A tension spring 49 passing through the space between the tip
portions 40 of the support arms 39 is connected at its ends
respectively to the central portions of the U-shaped actuating arm
41 and the U-shaped switch blade 43. This spring biases the
actuating arm 41 overcenter and biases also the switch blade 43
overcenter against either the stop lug 32 in one direction or the
switch contact 36 in the other direction.
The actuating arm 41 has a forwardly extending finger 50 on which
is mounted a molded cylindrical cam member 51 having two
diametrically opposite tapered ridges 52. This cam member extends
through a clearance opening 53 in the front wall 12 of the case and
is located with the ridges 52 positioned on a radius line of the
dial 13. The on and off pointer arms 23 and 24 have pins 23b and
24b staked respectively thereto at intermediate and outer end
portions thereof at a radial spacing of less distance than the
diameter from tip to tip of the cam member 51 so that upon movement
of the "on" pointer arm 23 past the cam member 51 the actuating arm
41 is cammed outwardly to throw the toggle switch 26 to closed
position, and so that when the "off" pointer arm 24 is subsequently
moved past the cam member 51 the actuating arm 41 is cammed
inwardly to throw the toggle switch to open position.
The base 29 of the switch frame 28 is joined integrally by two
spaced tie bars 54 (FIGS. 3 and 8) to a selector panel 55 parallel
with the base. In a sidewall of the case is a slot 56 running from
near the front wall 12 of the case through the back edge of the
sidewall. This sidewall has inner reinforcing ribs 57 along the
side edges and closed end of the slot 56. Extending lengthwise of
the slot from the rib 57 at the inner end thereof is a tongue 58
which is inset from the sidewall and flush with the inner side of
the rib 57. This tongue has a lesser width than the slot leaving
clearance spaces at each side thereof for the tie bars 54. The
switch frame 28 is slidably mounted in the slot 56 with the base 29
and selector panel 55 slidably engaging the rib 57 and the outer
face of the sidewall respectively, and with the tie bars 54
slidably engaging the edges of the lot 56 and the tongue 58
extending slidably through the space between the two tie bars. The
selector panel 55 serves as a finger piece for shifting the toggle
switch 26 from its automatic position wherein the switch is
operable by the on and off pointer arms 23 and 24 to a manual
position wherein the switch is operable only by an on-off control
button 59. The selector panel has a length less than the width of
the sidewall preferably by approximately the distance of its
movement between automatic and manual positions. The end portion of
the slot 56 not covered by the selector panel 55 when the panel is
in its forward automatic position is closed by a filler strip 60
having a tongue and groove engagement with the ribs 57. This filler
strip is secured in place by a back panel P closing the back of the
case.
The on-off button 59 is positioned in a central rectangular opening
61 (FIG. 2) provided in the selector panel 55. This button is a
projecting part of a slide plate 62 mounted in the slot 56 between
the selector panel 55 and the tongue 58. This slide plate has guide
flanges 63 and 63a (FIGS. 7 and 8) along its upper and lower edges
which extend slidably through the spaces between the tongue 58 and
ribs 57 beyond the tie bars 54. On the upper flange 63 beyond the
rib 57 are two vertical lugs 64 embracing an end portion of the
side finger 46 on the actuating arm 41 to couple the manual on-off
button 59 to the toggle switch. Thus, when the control button 59 is
in a forward position relative to the selector panel the actuating
arm is tilted to open the switch contacts, and when the control
button is in a rearward position the actuating arm is reversely
tilted to close the switch contacts. These positions of the button
are marked by "off" and "on" legends at the sides of the button 59
which are visible respectively when the button is in its forward
and rearward positions relative to the selector panel (FIG. 2).
Since the control button is carried with the selector panel the
switch is not thrown as the selector panel is shifted between
automatic and manual positions; vice versa, the switch can be
thrown to on and off positions when the selector panel is in either
of its automatic or manual positions except when in the automatic
position the manual shifting of the switch would be prevented when
the pointer arms are engaging the cam member 51.
On the inner face of the middle portion of the tongue 58 are two
spaced notches 65 (FIGS. 5 and 6) and on the confronting face of
the base 29 is a ridge 66 which registers with the respective
notches as the selector panel is moved to automatic and manual
positions to detent the selector panel in these positions.
* * * * *