U.S. patent number 3,828,200 [Application Number 05/374,111] was granted by the patent office on 1974-08-06 for programming timer with series connected switches.
Invention is credited to Martin E. Gerry.
United States Patent |
3,828,200 |
Gerry |
August 6, 1974 |
PROGRAMMING TIMER WITH SERIES CONNECTED SWITCHES
Abstract
A programming timer for periodically controlling external
devices which are connected thereto. This timer includes two
commutators and indicators for selection of the period during the
day, and the day of the week, during which the external devices are
to be periodically activated. The timer and day indicators are
driven by a synchronous motor and these indicators also act as
contactors to provide power to the external devices for activating
same.
Inventors: |
Gerry; Martin E. (Santa Ana,
CA) |
Family
ID: |
23475329 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/374,111 |
Filed: |
June 27, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
307/141.8;
200/35R; 200/36; 200/37R; 968/622 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G04C
23/34 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G04C
23/34 (20060101); G04C 23/00 (20060101); H01h
043/20 () |
Field of
Search: |
;200/27R,35R,36,37R,38R,38A,38F,38FA,38FB,38B,38BA,38C,38CA,38D
;307/141.8 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Scott; James R.
Claims
I claim:
1. A timer for periodically activating external means, comprising
in combination:
an electrically insulating substrate;
first timing means supported by said substrate comprising a first
plurality of metallic segments in closed loop configuration
electrically insulated from each other and a driven first metallic
contactor in periodic cooperation with each of the first plurality
of segments for a first time period;
second timing means supported by said substrate comprising a second
plurality of metallic segments in closed loop configuration
electrically insulated from each other and a driven second metallic
contactor in periodic cooperation with each of the second plurality
of segments for a second time period different from the first time
period, said first and second timing means being serially
electrically interconnected; and
motive drive means, said first and second metallic contactors being
mechanically coupled to each other and to the motive drive
means.
2. The invention as stated in claim 1, including presettable
contactors, supported by said substrate and circumferentially
positioned about the second plurality of segments, for providing
cooperation with at least one of said second plurality of metallic
segments.
3. The invention as stated in claim 1, including insulating means
attached to an exposed surface of each of the plurality of metallic
segments in a plane parallel to the plane of rotation of the
metallic contactors.
4. The invention as stated in claim 1, wherein the motive drive
means is an electrically energizable synchronous motor.
5. The invention as stated in claim 1, wherein the first and second
timing means are electrically connected to said external means.
6. The invention as stated in claim 1, including switch means
electrically connected directly to the external means for
by-passing the timing means.
7. The invention as stated in claim 1, wherein said at least one of
the first plurality of metallic segments is electrically connected
to said external means.
8. The invention as stated in claim 1, wherein each of the first
and second metallic contactors comprises:
an elongated member, one end of said elongated member being in said
driven periodic cooperation; and
a tubular member, the elongated member being coaxial with the
tubular member and partially extending from one end of the tubular
member, said elongated member having resilient means circumjacent a
portion thereof internal the tubular member for maintaining said
driven periodic cooperation.
9. The invention as stated in claim 8, wherein said tubular member
includes:
interlock means attached to the other end of said tubular member so
as to enable driving the metallic contactors; and
means frictionally coupled to said other end and to the interlock
means for providing positioning capability of the metallic
contactors with respect to their respective metallic segments.
10. The invention as stated in claim 9, including drivable means
comprising a gear train coupled to the motive drive means, and
means coupled to the interlock means and to the drivable means for
providing driving capability of said first and second metallic
contactors.
11. The invention as stated in claim 9, including drivable means
comprising a wheel train coupled to the motive drive means, and
means coupled to the interlock means and to the drivable means for
providing driving capability to said first and second metallic
contactors.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
This invention relates to the field of timers wherein it is desired
to control electrical devices external to these timers by these
timers for given periods of time and during predetermined days.
Although there are timers for controlling such devices as
solenoids, light bulbs and the like, there are no timers existing
which provide reliable activation of these devices not only for
predetermined periods but for any and a variety of different days
during which such periods are repetitive.
There is also no prior art in the area of reliable timers that are
simple in construction and wherein the time indicator also acts as
means for selecting these devices, or days during which these
devices are selected or days during which these devices are
rejected.
There is further no known art where commutators are used to provide
such selection of these time periods as well as days during which
the time periods are programmed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, a programming timer for periodically controlling
external means connected thereto is provided. There are present
commutation means comprising a plurality of electrically conductive
segments having electrical insulation between any two of the
segments. Included are time indicating means in cooperation with
the commutation means in accordance with the programmed time period
selection of at least one of the segments of the commutation means
for any day which these external means are programmed to be
activated.
The indicating means comprises two coaxial members, one extending
out of another, the inner member being spring loaded for urging an
end thereof against the commutation segments.
Means are provided for driving the indicating means including
interlock means attached to the other end of the external coaxial
member for providing positive interface with the driving means.
Means are attached to the other end of the outer coaxial member and
the interlock means for providing frictional coupling with the
driving member of the indicating means in accordance with the clock
timer at which this timer is made operative.
Other commutators and coaxial indicating members similar in
structure to those above described, but varied in segment lengths
as to the commutator are provided for controlling the particular
day or day of the week when the external devices are desired to be
activated. Various combinations of days and repetition thereof are
possible with individual day selectors electrically optionally
connected to the segments of the day commutator. Still other
commutators with fixed segments provide improved reliability of
operation but fix the particular day or period of repetition,
whereas one timer without the day commutation assembly provides
repetition of periods during the day when the external device is
activated, on a daily basis.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an elevation view of the timer capable of being adjusted
for operation for any period of time.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view, partially cut away and in cross
section of the timer of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an unassembled perspective view of an indicator, its
shaft, coupling member and time setting knob, wherein the indicator
is shown partially cut-away for details of internal structure.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view, partially in cross-section taken at
plane 4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view, partially in cross-section taken at
plane 5--5 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially in cross section showing
the commutators of either FIGS. 4 or 5 having an insulating ring
thereon for assuring constant cooperation of the indicator with the
inner peripheral surface of the commutator.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the manner in which the
components of FIG. 1 are interconnected, and their interconnection
to solenoids.
FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a simplified version of the
timer of FIG. 1, wherein the timer is set for activation every
third day by virtue of a three-segment commutator instead of the
seven-segment selective commutator shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing a more simplified version of the
timer of FIG. 1 wherein the repetition commutator is deleted making
this timer operative and repeat activation of solenoids connected
thereto every day.
FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing one manner in which solenoids
might be connected to the timer of FIG. 1, to avail oneself of the
capability of activating the several solenoids on different days,
and each solenoid for a different time duration during any one day,
as well as for different time durations for each solenoid.
FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing a second way in which solenoids
might be connected to the timer of FIG. 1, wherein the solenoids
are activated on different days but at the same time during each
day and for the same timer periods for any one day.
FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing a third way in which solenoids
might be connected to the timer of FIG. 1, wherein the solenoids
are activated on different days but at the same time during each
day for the same time periods for any one day, but wherein several
commutation segments are used to lengthen the periods of solenoid
activation, over the manner of connection shown in FIG. 11.
EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 which represent embodiment
of the inventive device shown with the timer set to begin operation
on Sunday at 4 P.M.
This timer has faceplate 110 on which is attached commutator 111
having forty-eight electrically conductive commutation segments, of
twenty or twenty-five minute duration each and insulation members
109 between each pair of segments 108, which insulation members
occupy in terms of time about 5 minutes each, depending upon their
thickness. Thus one segment 108 and one insulation member 109
occupy one-forty-eighth of a circle.
An indicating member 112 comprises a partially hollow body 13 and a
member 14 partially slidable within member 13. Member 13 has a
cavity 15 internal to and along its length with opening 16 at one
end and aperture 17 near the other end of member 13. Contacting
member 14, having a stop member 18 affixed thereto and a spring 19
circumjacent a portion of contacting member 14, is inserted
generally at one end 20 of body 13 so that the contacting member
14, together with stop member 18 and spring 19 are inserted as a
unit into the body 13, through end 20 so that end 21 of member 14
is slidably inserted into aperture 17. Circular member 22 having
aperture 16 at its center is the slid over member 14 and welded to
body 13 at location 20. Indicator member 14 can now be slidably
moved along the longitudinal axis common to it and to body 13 so
that end 21 is displaced in aperture 17, bottoming that aperture
when end 23 of member 14 is pushed in direction of arrow 24,
compressing spring 19 somewhat. Hence in operation, end 23 being in
cooperation with a face of each of the commutation segments 108 and
the insulating members 109, member 14 will be urged by spring 19
against commutator 111 to make good electrical contact therewith.
Stop member 18 is used to prevent contacting member 14 from
completely jumping out from body 13 when partially disassembled.
Member 13 has a flattered portion 25 at end 26 thereof and an
opening 27 therein for mounting same. Attached to one surface of
flattered portion 25 is a cylindrical member 28 with one end 29
thereof being knurled, the other end thereof 30 being smooth, and
having an aperture 31 at its center. Member 28 is shown in FIG. 3
as being disassembled, but when assembled end 30 is attached to the
flattered portion 25 by welding or soldering so that aperture 27 is
in registration with aperture 31, and hence member 28 is made an
integral part of body 13.
A timing shaft is provided at 32 having an aperture 33 through part
thereof along its longitudinal axis and a knurled end 34 for
cooperation and engagement of knurled end 29. Shaft 32 extends
through an opening 33' and through a sleeve bearing (not shown) in
faceplate 110 so that its knurled end 34 extends out of opening 33'
as well. The other end of shaft 32 is rotatably inserted in
bushing-bearing 34 mounted in backplate 35, so that bushing-bearing
34 extending outward to the rear of backplate 35 has attached
thereto solder lug 36 for making electrical connection thereto. It
follows, that shaft 32, member 28, body 13 and member 14 are
necessarily metallic in order to provide an electrically conductive
path between a power source and segments 108 of commutator 111.
Metallic adjusting knob 37 comprises a wide diameter portion 38 and
a narrower diameter portion 39. The wide diameter portion at its
free end may be optionally capped with rubber or other insulating
material (not shown) to prevent electrical shock while resetting
the timer. The other end of knob 37 may optionally be made of
spring-type material such as banana test lead probe for providing
flexibility thereto when inserting same in aperture 33, so that
portion 39 will make frictional and electrical contact with the
inner surface of aperture 33. Although FIG. 3 shows knob 37
disassembled, it actually is welded to body 13 at 26 with end
portion 39 extending through apertures 27 and 31, thereby making
members 13, 14, 28 and 37 one integral component, all
simultaneously removable from aperture 33' when resetting the
timing control means. Commutator 111 is circularly arranged like a
clock and divided in half for the AM and PM settings. Consequently
one revolution of indicating member 112 constitutes the passing of
twenty-four hours, or one day. When setting the timer in operation,
knob 37 is pulled-out in direction of arrow 40, disengaging the
knurled portions 29 and 34 and permitting the rotation of knob 37
in the direction of the proper time of day when the setting occurs,
and knob 37 is then pressed back in opposite direction of arrow 40
reengaging knurled portions 29 and 34. Rotation of indicator 112 is
clockwise as shown by arrow 41 to conform to normal clock
motion.
Shaft 32 also has mounted thereon, gear or wheel 42 with a knurled
edge by means of set screw 43 in a flange 44. Gear or wheel 42
cooperates with another gear or wheel 45 of like make, but of half
the diameter compared to gear 42. Gear or wheel 45 is mounted on
shaft 46 of a conventional synchronous clock motor 47 which
provides one shaft revolution every twelve hours. Motor 47 is
attached to backplate 35, and drives its shaft 46 counterclockwise.
In cooperation of gears or wheels 42 and 45, two revolutions of
gear 45 will therefore provide one revolution of gear 42 thereby
converting the conventional clock motor drive to one that provides
24 hours per one revolution of indicating member 112.
Gear or wheel 42 is coupled or engages another similar gear or
wheel of knurled-edge 48, which is similarly mounted to that of
gear or wheel 42, on shaft 49. One end of shaft 49 is inserted in a
sleeve bearing 50, while the other end, also inserted in a similar
sleeve bearing in faceplate 110 (not shown) for support of shaft
49. Due to the direction of drive of gears 45 and 42, gear or wheel
48 will be driven counterclockwise.
Shaft 51 has one end 52 thereof inserted in sleeve bearing 53
mounted in backplate 35. Bearing 53 has attached thereto solder lug
54 for making electrical connection. The other end of shaft 51 has
a sleeve bearing in faceplate 110 for retaining the shaft.
Shaft 51 is identically structured as shaft 32 and indicating
member assembly 112' including knob 37' is identically structured
as indicating member 112 and knob 37, so that FIG. 3 is
representative of both indicator assemblies 112 and 112', knobs 37
and 37' and shafts 32 and 51, and operates and is reset in an
identical manner.
Shaft 51 has mounted thereon gear or wheel 55 which has for the
present configuration a ratio of seven-to-one in diameter as
compared to diameters of gears 42 or 48, which are of identical
diameters. Gear 55 is attached to shaft 51 in identical way as gear
42 is attached to its shaft. Due to drive motion provided by gear
or wheel train 45-42-48, gear or wheel 55 is driven clockwise so as
to provide the same clockwise motion to the day selection portion
of the timer.
It is obvious, that the day portion and the hour selection portion
of the timer, having a common drive, that without any special
synchronizing devices, these two portions will always be
synchronized.
There is also a requirement that there be electrical continuity
between indicating member 112' comprising body 13', of identical
construction to body 13, and member 14' and of identical
construction to member 14, and knob 37' of same construction as
knob 37, with the commutation segments of commutators 111 and 111'
providing continuity therethrough. Therefore commutator 111' of
same form as commutator 111 but having seven segments, will each
have an insulation member 109' between each of the segments 108'.
Consequently all gears or wheels except gear or wheel 45 have to be
metallic, shafts 32 and 51 must be metallic, indicators 112 and
112' must be metallic and knobs 37 and 37' must be metallic. As
above stated, the ends of knobs 37 may be fitted with an insulation
cap to each, to prevent electrical shock. Faceplate 110 and
backplate 35 are insulating plates, such as nylon, fiberglass,
bakelite or the like.
Movable setters for seven day operation are provided at 60, one for
each day of the week. Each setter 60 is comprised of slidable
member 61 that has snap-in projections 62, which engage in
receivers 63 in stationary block 64 affixed to the front of
faceplate 110. Slidable member 61 is held against block 64 by means
of bracket 65 which is attached to faceplate 110. Calibration
points 66 at the center of each of the seven day segments provide
midday (noon) calibration of the timer; other calibration points
may be engraved on each commutator segment, but insulation portions
109' provide natural calibration points at the midnight points.
Therefore, it is possible to set the timer accurately at both
midnight and noon points of each day by setting indicators 112 and
112' whenever the time is actually midnight or noon, to either
midnight or noon points, at the respective commutator segments, for
both the hour and the day commutators.
FIG. 4 shows the manner in which indicator member 14 cooperates
with commutator 111, whereas FIG. 5, the manner in which indicator
member 14' cooperates with commutator 111' , and FIG. 6,
representative of either commutators 111 or 111' shows an
insulating ring attached thereto and extending peripherally inward
with respect to either of these commutators, provides a lip over
these commutators for preventing slidable member 14 or 14' of
indicators 112 or 112' from jumping away from these indicators and
ceasing cooperation therewith.
Consequently, when any one specific slidable member 61, or more of
them, are moved so that they snap into their particular stationary
block 62, and cooperate with their respective segments so that
electrical contact is made therebetween, and when devices, such as
solenoids which are desired to be controlled by this timer are
connected to one or more of the commutator segments 108, and power
is applied at 200 to the stationary blocks 64 and to the power
return of the side of the solenoid at 300, then the particular
solenoid will be activated on the particular day of the week of
which commutator segment 108 and member 61 cooperate, and for the
particular period of time represented by commutator segments 108 of
commutator 111, to which segment or segments the solenoid or
solenoids are connected, automatically deactivating the solenoids
as soon as the particular time period set-up for, and/or day, has
elapsed.
One method of interconnecting solenoids or other devices such as
lamps that are desired to be controlled by the timer of
configuration FIGS. 1-6, is depicted in the schematic of FIG. 7.
Therein, the commutators are shown in unfolded manner, that is as
if the circular commutators would be cut at one place and spread
out to show the segments thereof linearly. Electrical power is
provided at 200-300; input power at 200, and return at 300
designated as a common ground return. Slidable member 61 is shown
cooperating with the Sunday segment of commutator 111', while the
slidable member 61 relating to the Monday segment is shown not
cooperating with it. Commutator 111 has the 4-4:30 PM segment
connected to one terminal of solenoid 209 while power return 300 is
connected to the other terminal thereof. Power is provided by means
of the high side of power input at 200 to all contact blocks 64 of
each of setters 60 of which member 61 is the movable portion. Since
indicating member 112' is in cooperation with the Sunday segment
108' of commutator 111' and solder lug 54 makes electrical contact
though a shaft and through indicating member 112' with the Sunday
segment 108', and since lug 54 is connected to lug 36 which
provides continuity of connection through corresponding shafts,
aforesaid, to indicating member 112, the slidable end thereof
cooperating with the 4-4:30 PM segment of commutator 111, there
will be established a complete electrical path to solenoid 209,
activating solenoid 209 on Sunday at 4 PM, staying activated until
4:30 PM, at which time indicator 112 has been rotated by its drive
means the requisite number of degrees to where it faces the
insulating member 109 located between the 4:30 PM and 5 PM segments
of commutator 111, thereby breaking the circuit continuity as to
solenoid 209 and removing power therefrom, deactivating it. In the
meantime, indicator 112' will have been driven a comparable number
of degrees over the Sunday segment 108', but will still be in
cooperation therewith for such other solenoids as are connected to
other segments of commutator 111 for activation thereof. But even
if there is no electrical continuity through commutators 111-111'
to activate solenoid 209, this solenoid may nonetheless be
activated, by a program by-pass switch. Power input 200 being
connected to stationary member 205 of the by-pass switch that has
movable member 206 connected to the high side of solenoid 209, and
provides power to that solenoid for as long as that switch is
manually closed by causing contacts 205 and 206 to cooperate. The
4:30-5 PM segments 108 of commutator 111 are connected together and
to the high side of the coil of solenoid 207, the return side of
that coil connected to power return 300. The high side of the coil
of solenoid 207 is also connected to movable contact 202 of a
switch that has contact 201 thereof connected to blocks 64. The
5:30-7 PM segments of commutator 111 are electrically connected to
the high side of solenoid 208 and to the movable contact 204 of the
switch that has stationary contact 203, which stationary contact is
electrically connected to blocks 64. As in the case of activation
of solenoid 209, solenoid 207 will be activated on Sunday when
indicator 112 will have been driven to cooperation with the 4:30 PM
segment 108 and will stay activated until 5:30 PM at which time
indicator 112 will have ceased to cooperate with the segments by
being driven to the 5:30 segment at which time solenoid 208 will be
activated and stay activated until 7:30 PM. By-pass of the
programmed timing of the solenoids can be accomplished if desired
by manually operating switch 201-202 for coil of solenoid 207 to be
activated for as long as those switch contacts cooperate, or by
manually operating switch 203-204 to cause solenoid 208 to be
activated for as long as those switch contacts cooperate, any time
it is desired to do so.
The configuration of FIGS. 1-7 give extremely great flexibility and
more illustrations of such flexibility of use will be discussed
below in connection with FIGS. 10-12.
The same concept of using the rotatable indicator to select
commutator segments which have solenoids or other devices to be
activated connected thereto is used in the configuration of FIG. 8
wherein a little less flexibility of usage and variance of
connections are possible. Here, commutator 111 and indicators 112
and 112', drive means 42 and 48, and the clock motor with its drive
means 45 (not shown in this figure) are all identical as
heretofore. However, a gear or wheel with knurled edge 155 is used
instead of gear or wheel 55. Gear or wheel 55 has a diameter which
is three times the diameter of either gears or wheels 42 or 48.
This is necessary in that commutator 130 is comprised of three
segments. Segment 131 being of electrically conductive material,
while segments 132 and 133 are of electrically insulative material.
Of course segments 132-133 in this instance could be one segment of
240 degrees in arc. When indicator 112' cooperates with segment 131
it provides an electrical path between that segment to which power
input 200 is provided, through lug 54 and its bearing connected to
the shaft on which indicator 112' is connected, and since terminal
54, is electrically connected to terminal 36 to which indicator 112
is electrically connected, an electrical path is provided from 200
through 131, 112', 54, 36, 112 and segments 108 of commutator 111,
solenoids 215 and 216 having one end of their respective coils
connected to certain segments of commutator 111 and the other ends
to power return 300, as in the configurations hereinabove
described, thereby providing power to solenoid 215 wherever
indicator 112 makes contact with the commutator segments of
commutator 111 to which this solenoid is connected and then
simultaneously indicator 112' makes contact with segment 131 of
commutator 130. Likewise, solenoid 216 will be activated when
indicator 112 has been driven to where it makes contact with such
segments of commutator 111 as solenoid 216 is connected to, also
when indicator arm 112' is in cooperation with segment 131 of
commutator 130. As in the aforesaid configuration, both indicator
112 and 112' being synchronized, for each degree of indicator 112'
rotation, three degrees of indicator 112 rotation will occur,
thereby providing a repeat activation of the solenoids 215 and 216
once every three days. Also, as in the above configuration,
solenoid 215 may be activated at any time when it is not
automatically programmed for activation by closing of switch
211-212, since power is provided by electrical connection from
power input means 200 to contact 211, and since contact 212 is
connected to the high side of the coil of solenoid 215, power will
be provided solenoid 215 wherein contacts of switch 211-212
cooperate by manual closing of that switch. Similarly, since power
input from means 200 is provided to contact 213 of the switch that
has its movable contact 214 connected to the high side of the coil
of solenoid 216, then by closing contacts 213-214 so that they
cooperate, solenoid 216 will be manually activated when it is
desired to by-pass the programmed timing of the solenoids. It is
therefore apparent that if one wanted every other day automatic
activation of the solenoids, that commutator 130 would have to have
only two segments each 180.degree. of arc, one conductive and one
insulative, and gear or wheel 155 would have to have a diameter
twice that of gear or wheel 36. It follows that if solenoid
activation is desired every fourth day, gear or wheel 130 would
have to have a diameter of four times the diameter of gear or wheel
36, and that commutator 130 would require one 90.degree. conductive
segment and one 270.degree. insulative segment, and so on for every
fourth, fifth or sixth day action.
Referring to FIG. 9, we find a still more simplified version of the
configuration of FIG. 8. The FIG. 9 configuration is usable where
only daily repetition of activation of the solenoids or other
devices are required. In this instance, commutator 130, indicator
112', gears or wheels 155 and 48 are not required. Instead, only
the clock motor with its drive gear or wheel 45 (not shown herein)
coupled to gear or wheel 42 is used, as well as commutator 111 and
indicator 112 in identical manner as heretofore described. The high
side of the coil of solenoid 225 is connected to the particular
segments 108 of commutator 111, while other segments 108. are
connected to the high side of the coil of solenoid 226. Power is
applied through power means 200, through terminal lug 36 connected
to the shaft, bearing gear or wheel 42, and to indicator 112 to
make connection with the particular commutator segments as
indicator 112 is driven. Power return 300 is connected to the other
sides of the coils of solenoids 225 and 226. Therefore, when
indicator 112 cooperates with the particular segment 108 of
commutator 111 that is connected to solenoid 225, solenoid 225 is
activated and remains activated for as long as indicator 112 is in
cooperation with that commutator segment. Similarly, when indicator
112 is driven a number of degrees to make contact with other
segments of commutator 111 that are connected to solenoid 226, then
solenoid 226 is activated. In this illustration, solenoid 225 will
remain activated for 25 minutes, (each segment plus each insulating
member between segments is approximately 30 minutes in duration).
Solenoid 226 will be activated for three 25 minute periods in
succession as three segments of the commutator are utilized.
Solenoids 225 and 226 may be operated out of sequence in view of
the fact that they have by-pass switches. In switch 221-222,
contact 221 is connected to power input 200 while contact 222 is
connected to the high side of the coil of solenoid 225 thereby
providing power to solenoid 225 when contacts 221 and 222 are in
cooperation. Similarly, in switch 223-224, contact 223 is connected
to power input 200, while contact 224 is connected to the high side
of the coil of solenoid 226. When contacts 223 and 224 cooperate,
by manual activation of switch, power is applied to solenoid 226 to
activate it thereby by-passing the programming of the timer. Since
indicator 112 will make one revolution every 24 hours (day), the
solenoids 225 and 226 will be respectively activated in sequence
for the periods indicated every single day.
Referring to FIGS. 10-12, we find the same configuration of FIGS.
1-6 are schematically shown for displaying different ways of
connecting devices thereto.
FIG. 10 shows three solenoids connected in a manner to be
activated, one on Sunday, one on Monday and one on Tuesday.
However, power from means 200 is provided to indicator 112' making
contact with the Sunday segment of commutator 111', while one of
the slidable members 61 in contact with block 64 is in cooperation
with the Sunday segment, and that particular block 64 is connected
to one side of the coil of solenoid 230, the other side thereof
connected to the 4 PM segment of commutator 111, the 4 PM segment
of commutator 111 being in contact with indicator 112 which is
connected to power return 300 to activate solenoid 230 for as long
as indicator 112 is in contact with the 4 PM segment of commutator
111, that is, between 4 - 4:30 PM normally. Actually it is only in
contact for 25 minutes, the other 5 minutes being the time duration
for passing over the insulating separation between commutator
segments. Connection is available for solenoid 231, it being
connected between the Monday segment of commutator 111' and 4:30-5
PM segments of commutator 111 to provide activation of solenoid 231
on Monday starting at 4:30 PM for two 25 minute periods in
succession. Similarly, connection is available for solenoid 232
between the Tuesday segment of commutator 111' and the 5:30-7 PM
segments of commutator 111 to provide activation during these
periods of time on Tuesday for solenoid 232.
FIG.11 has solenoids 233, 234, and 235, respectively connected to
the Sunday, Monday and Tuesday segments of commutator 111' with the
other sides of these solenoids, all commonly connected to the 4PM
segment of commutator 111. In this instance, all solenoids will be
activated at the same time of the day for the same duration, but
solenoid 233 will be activated on Sunday, solenoid 234 on Monday
and solenoid 235 on Tuesday.
FIG. 12 has solenoids 236, 237 and 238 respectively attached to the
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday segments of commutator 111', the other
sides of these solenoids commonly connected together and to the 4
PM and 7 PM segments of commutator 111. Hence, on Sunday, Monday
and Tuesday each solenoid 236, 237 and 238 respectively will be
activated for a 25 minute period beginning at 4 PM and for another
25 minute period beginning at 7 PM. This will occur as indicators
112 will be driven over the 4 PM segments followed by a span of no
activation, then resume activation at 7 PM, for each of the 3 days
in question by virtue of power provided at 200 and 300 to the
indicators.
It should be noted that in use of the configuration of FIGS. 1-7
and FIGS. 10-12, wherein the same configuration of timer is
differently connected to the various solenoids or other programmed
devices, that a seven day commutator 111' was illustrated. The
seven day commutator requires a gear ratio as between diameter of
the gear driving indicator 112' and that driving indicator 112, of
7, so that one revolution of indicator 112 will cause only
one-seventh of a revolution of indicator 112' (one day). It follows
that this may be extended to where several weeks are provided,
periods of one month or any period that is suitable for that
particular operation, wherein the change in the timer will amount
to a change in gear diameters, and a commutator 111' of appropriate
number of segments.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, two timers, each
comprising closed loop configuration of a plurality of insulated
metallic segments and a drivable metallic arm in electrical
cooperation with the metallic segments, wherein the two timers are
serially electrically interconnected with each other and with an
external device, whereby the timers control the day and hour of the
day when the external device is electrically energized.
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