US3582580A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic cycle timer with manual defeat feature
Assignee: MH Rhodes Inc
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Filing: 1968-11-13
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1988-11-13
Abstract
Abstract An automatic cycle timer has a switch for controlling an external appliance. The switch is opened and closed automatically at predetermined times by a drive mechanism powered by an electric motor which has its own energizing circuit not controlled by the switch for the external appliance. The drive mechanism includes a reduction gear train which revolves a pair of cams, one for closing and the other for opening the switch. The cams do not engage the switch button directly, but instead move an actuator element which rides toggle fashion in an Lshaped slot formed in a mode selector element. When the mode selector is in a neutral position, the actuator determines the condition of the switch and the operation of the cycle timer is fully automatic; i.e. under the control of the motor-driven mechanism. But when the mode selector element is manually switched to another position it closes the switch, and in still another position it opens the switch, in either case without regard to the position of the actuator or the motor-driven mechanism. Thus manual manipulation of the mode selector takes precedence over automatic operation, but the operation of the motor is not thereby interrupted.
Inventors
- 👤 James A Drachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:27
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C23/00; G04C23/14; G04C23/18; G04C23/22; G04C23/24; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/11; Y10T74/114; Y10T74/116
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
331 words
A manually overridable automatic cycle timer comprising: a switch, a motor, means for supplying energy to said motor independently of the condition of said switch, a switch actuator, a mode selector mounting said actuator for movement relative to said mode selector between a first position in which said actuator operates said switch and a second position in which said actuator does not operate said switch, means driven cyclically by said motor for automatically moving said actuator at least from one of said positions to the other of said positions relative to said mode selector at a predetermined phase of the cycle thereof, and means mounting said mode selector to be manually moveable from a first position in which said actuator is so engaged by said automatic means to at least a second position in which said actuator is not so engaged by said automatic means, whereby manually to override the effect of said automatic means on said switch, said actuator being moveable with said mode selector to said second position to operate said switch whether said actuator is in its first or second position relative to said mode selector, said mode selector being further moveable to a third position in which said actuator does not operate said switch whether said actuator is in its first or second position relative to said mode selector, said mode selector comprising an L-shaped slot, said actuator being pivoted on said mode selector and comprising a pin disposed within said slot for movement in response to pivotal movement of said actuator in one angular direction in said slot when said actuator is pivoted toward its first position and in the other angular direction in said slot when said actuator pivots toward its second position, and further comprising an overcentering spring connected between said actuator and said mode selector for biasing said actuator respectively toward said two positions, and means for mounting said actuator on said mode selector for translational motion in addition to said pivotal motion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
331 words
A manually overridable automatic cycle timer comprising: a switch, a motor, means for supplying energy to said motor independently of the condition of said switch, a switch actuator, a mode selector mounting said actuator for movement relative to said mode selector between a first position in which said actuator operates said switch and a second position in which said actuator does not operate said switch, means driven cyclically by said motor for automatically moving said actuator at least from one of said positions to the other of said positions relative to said mode selector at a predetermined phase of the cycle thereof, and means mounting said mode selector to be manually moveable from a first position in which said actuator is so engaged by said automatic means to at least a second position in which said actuator is not so engaged by said automatic means, whereby manually to override the effect of said automatic means on said switch, said actuator being moveable with said mode selector to said second position to operate said switch whether said actuator is in its first or second position relative to said mode selector, said mode selector being further moveable to a third position in which said actuator does not operate said switch whether said actuator is in its first or second position relative to said mode selector, said mode selector comprising an L-shaped slot, said actuator being pivoted on said mode selector and comprising a pin disposed within said slot for movement in response to pivotal movement of said actuator in one angular direction in said slot when said actuator is pivoted toward its first position and in the other angular direction in said slot when said actuator pivots toward its second position, and further comprising an overcentering spring connected between said actuator and said mode selector for biasing said actuator respectively toward said two positions, and means for mounting said actuator on said mode selector for translational motion in addition to said pivotal motion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
108 words
A timer as in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a projection, said automatic means comprises a pair of cams operatively connected to said motor for cyclical rotation thereby along different paths, one of said cams being arranged to engage said projection when said pin is in one leg of said L and to drive said projection in a direction to snap said actuator overcenter in one direction and the other of said cams being arranged to engage said projection when said pin is in the other leg of said L, and to drive said projection in the direction to snap said actuator overcenter in the opposite direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
127 words
A timer as in claim 1 wherein said actuator comprises a projection, said automatic means comprises a pair of cams, and further comprising a rotatable disc operatively connected to said motor for rotation thereby, means for mounting said cams on said disc for movement with said disc along paths at different radial distances from said disc center, one of said cams being shaped to drive said projection in the direction to move said pin first along a first leg of said L to the vertex of said L- and then along a second leg of said L away from said vertex, the other cam being shaped to drive said projection in the direction to move said pin along said second leg of the L to said vertex.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
52 words
A timer as in claim 3, wherein the means mounting said actuator on said mode selector for translational and pivotal motion relative thereto comprise a second pin extending from said actuator and riding in said slot, said second pin being formed with an enlarged head to prevent its withdrawal from said slot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
A timer as in claim 4, wherein said switch comprises an operating button, said actuator has an operating tab projecting therefrom for Depressing said operating button whenever said mode selector is in its second position and for depressing said operating button when said mode selector and said actuator are both in their respective first positions, said operating tab being spaced from said operating button when said mode selector is in its third position or when said actuator is in its second position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A timer as in claim 5 further comprising means for detenting said mode selector in each of said three positions thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
74 words
A timer as in claim 6 further comprising: a mounting plate, means rotatably mounting said mode selector upon said plate, and wherein said detenting means comprises interengaging male and female elements for detaining said mode selector in each of its positions relative to said mounting plate, said timer further comprising resilient biasing means for yieldably urging said mode selector toward said plate, whereby said mode selector can be transferred from one position to another.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |