US3553483A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programing mechanism
Assignee: Cook Machinery Co Inc
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Filing: 1968-12-09
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Granted: 1971-01-05
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Expires: 1988-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A programming mechanism is disclosed for controlling the application of power to apparatus performing successive steps in a process. The mechanism includes an electronic timer for controlling the time period of each step. The timer includes an R-C timing circuit, the R-C constant of which may be adjusted to any suitable value for each different step of the process by connecting into the circuit a different R-C circuit element, such as a variable resistor for each step in the process that the circuit controls. For this purpose, a multisection, multiposition stepping switch is connected to the R-C timing circuit and a different variable resistor is connected to one or more of the terminals of the stepping switch so that as the switch is stepped to the next position a different R-C timing constant may be provided to control the time period of the electronic timer.
Inventors
- 👤 John R Jarvis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 10:32
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J23/00; H01J23/005; D; D06; D06F; D06F34/00; D06F34/06; D06F34/08; G; G05; G05B; G05B19/00; G05B19/02; G05B19/04; G05B19/07; G05B19/075
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
338 words
A programming mechanism for controlling the order in which a machine performs the steps of a process and the time duration of each step, comprising in combination: a timer including a timing circuit and a stepper switch, said timing circuit including a first relatively long timing period timing oscillator having a plurality of elements that can be adjusted to vary the time period of the circuit, and a second relatively short timing period timing oscillator having at least one adjustable timing circuit element, said stepper switch having a first switch section with a plurality of terminals each connected to one of the adjustable timing circuit elements, and a wiper arm for connection sequentially to the terminals as the switch is stepped to connect the adjustable timing circuit elements and associated timing oscillator into the timing circuit sequentially, said stepper switch further having at least one second switch section having a plurality of terminals and a wiper arm for connection sequentially to their terminals as the stepper switch is stepped to connect one or more components of the machine to a source of power in the order desired to cause the apparatus to perform the steps of a process, the time for each step being determined by the particular adjustable element connected in the timing circuit by said first switch section of the stepper switch; means for stepping said second switch section with the first whereby one of the adjustable elements and associated timing oscillator is connected into the timing circuit for each step performed by the machine to permit the time that the machine performs each step to be adjusted independently of the other steps of the process and selection between relatively long and short timing periods; means for actuating the stepper switch to move the wiper arms of the switch sections into contact with another terminal at the end of each time cycle to start another step in the process; and means for deactuating the timer after all of the steps in the process have been completed.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
338 words
A programming mechanism for controlling the order in which a machine performs the steps of a process and the time duration of each step, comprising in combination: a timer including a timing circuit and a stepper switch, said timing circuit including a first relatively long timing period timing oscillator having a plurality of elements that can be adjusted to vary the time period of the circuit, and a second relatively short timing period timing oscillator having at least one adjustable timing circuit element, said stepper switch having a first switch section with a plurality of terminals each connected to one of the adjustable timing circuit elements, and a wiper arm for connection sequentially to the terminals as the switch is stepped to connect the adjustable timing circuit elements and associated timing oscillator into the timing circuit sequentially, said stepper switch further having at least one second switch section having a plurality of terminals and a wiper arm for connection sequentially to their terminals as the stepper switch is stepped to connect one or more components of the machine to a source of power in the order desired to cause the apparatus to perform the steps of a process, the time for each step being determined by the particular adjustable element connected in the timing circuit by said first switch section of the stepper switch; means for stepping said second switch section with the first whereby one of the adjustable elements and associated timing oscillator is connected into the timing circuit for each step performed by the machine to permit the time that the machine performs each step to be adjusted independently of the other steps of the process and selection between relatively long and short timing periods; means for actuating the stepper switch to move the wiper arms of the switch sections into contact with another terminal at the end of each time cycle to start another step in the process; and means for deactuating the timer after all of the steps in the process have been completed.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein each of said adjustable elements is a variable resistor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The mechanism of claim 1 wherein one of said adjustable elements is connected to every second terminal of said first rotary switch section so that the timer period for every second step in said process is the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 1, including means connected to at least one of the terminals of said second switch section and to said penultimate means and causing said stepper switch to switch from said at least one terminal to the next adjacent terminal when switched to said at least one terminal to thereby skip said at least terminal and the step of the process controlled thereby.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
236 words
A programming mechanism for controlling the application of power to a washing machine performing sequential wash, rinse and drain steps in a wash cycle, comprising in combination means for connecting said mechanism to a source of power; a multiposition stepping switch having a plurality of sections each including a wiper arm and a plurality of terminals sequentially connected to said wiper arm as the stepping switch is stepped between positions; the wiper arm one each section being switched to successive terminals to initiate in sequence said wash, drain and rinse periods; an electronic timer including a variable time constant timing circuit connected to the wiper arm of one of said sections, said timing circuit including a first relatively long timing period relaxation oscillator having a plurality of first adjustable timing circuit elements each connected to wash and rinse terminals on said one of said sections for controlling the time of said wash and rinse periods, and a second relatively short timing period relaxation oscillator having a second adjustable timing circuit element connected to the drain terminal on said one section for controlling the time of each drain cycle; means for connecting said timing circuit to said power source connecting means to start a timing period; and means for actuating Said stepping switch to move the wiper arms into contact with the next adjacent terminals on the sections in response to the end of each timing period.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
236 words
A programming mechanism for controlling the application of power to a washing machine performing sequential wash, rinse and drain steps in a wash cycle, comprising in combination means for connecting said mechanism to a source of power; a multiposition stepping switch having a plurality of sections each including a wiper arm and a plurality of terminals sequentially connected to said wiper arm as the stepping switch is stepped between positions; the wiper arm one each section being switched to successive terminals to initiate in sequence said wash, drain and rinse periods; an electronic timer including a variable time constant timing circuit connected to the wiper arm of one of said sections, said timing circuit including a first relatively long timing period relaxation oscillator having a plurality of first adjustable timing circuit elements each connected to wash and rinse terminals on said one of said sections for controlling the time of said wash and rinse periods, and a second relatively short timing period relaxation oscillator having a second adjustable timing circuit element connected to the drain terminal on said one section for controlling the time of each drain cycle; means for connecting said timing circuit to said power source connecting means to start a timing period; and means for actuating Said stepping switch to move the wiper arms into contact with the next adjacent terminals on the sections in response to the end of each timing period.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The mechanism of claim 5 wherein each of the adjustable elements is a variable resistor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism of claim 5 further including a means for inhibiting the operation of said timer at the start of each wash and rinse cycle until the water in the washing machine reaches a predetermined level.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
76 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which the means for inhibiting the operation of said timer includes a relay having contacts interposed between the longer period relaxation oscillator and the plurality of terminals, the relay coil being connected to a tub water level switch and a source of current so that the coil is activated when water reaches an appropriate level thereby closing the contacts to allow the wash or rinse cycle timing periods to begin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the water level switch includes a plurality of solenoids and a toggle switch allowing the selection of low, medium or high tub water levels for each wash or rinse cycle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
219 words
An electronic timer for use in a programming mechanism providing a plurality of different on-off timing periods for controlling apparatus performing one or more steps in a process, including periods of relatively long duration and periods of relatively short duration, said timer comprising, in combination: a timing circuit responsive to the application of an electrical voltage and current to begin a preselected timing period and providing a timing period stop signal upon completion of said preselected period, said timing circuit including a first relaxation oscillator for providing said stop signal after passage of a relatively long period of time; and a second relaxation oscillator for providing said stop signal after passage of a relatively short period of time; a switching control means connected to said timing circuit and stopping said preselected timing period responsive to receipts of a stop signal, and means including a stepping switch for alternatively connecting said first oscillator and said second oscillator in said timing circuit upon beginning of a preselected timing period so that said first and second oscillators alternatively provide said stop signal; the first oscillator including a unijunction transistor and means to transmit pulses to a base of said unijunction whereby the peak point current at the gate of said unijunction transistor necessary to cause firing of said unijunction is substantially reduced.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
219 words
An electronic timer for use in a programming mechanism providing a plurality of different on-off timing periods for controlling apparatus performing one or more steps in a process, including periods of relatively long duration and periods of relatively short duration, said timer comprising, in combination: a timing circuit responsive to the application of an electrical voltage and current to begin a preselected timing period and providing a timing period stop signal upon completion of said preselected period, said timing circuit including a first relaxation oscillator for providing said stop signal after passage of a relatively long period of time; and a second relaxation oscillator for providing said stop signal after passage of a relatively short period of time; a switching control means connected to said timing circuit and stopping said preselected timing period responsive to receipts of a stop signal, and means including a stepping switch for alternatively connecting said first oscillator and said second oscillator in said timing circuit upon beginning of a preselected timing period so that said first and second oscillators alternatively provide said stop signal; the first oscillator including a unijunction transistor and means to transmit pulses to a base of said unijunction whereby the peak point current at the gate of said unijunction transistor necessary to cause firing of said unijunction is substantially reduced.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The timer of claim 10 wherein said first oscillator includes a timing capacitor and means for shunting said timing capacitor when said second oscillator is connected to said switching control means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
The timer of claim 10 wherein said first oscillator includes a plurality of adjustable timing circuit elements each for adjusting the time period that elapses before said stop signal is generated by said first oscillator.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The timer of claim 10 wherein each of said adjustable timing circuit elements are variable resistors.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-01-04 | 1974-07-06 | 1975-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-01-04 | 1978-07-06 | 1979-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-01-04 | 1982-07-06 | 1983-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |