Time delay relay

Claim 2

A switch operating device comprising a motor, a gear train driven in a predetermined direction by the motor, a shaft rotated by the gear train, means for rotatably mounting the shaft, at least one cam mounted on the shaft, the cam having at least one lobe, at least one switch, means for mounting the switch in a spaced-apart relationship with the cam such that the switch is operated by the lobe of the cam, means for disengaging a first portion of the gear train from the remainder of the gear train, the first portion including a first gear and a second gear driven by the first gear, resilient means for resetting the first portion of the gear train by rotating the first portion of the gear train in the reverse of the predetermined direction while it is disengaged, a first lug protruding from the first gear, a second lug protruding from the second gear, the first and second lugs being arranged to contact each other when the gear teeth of the first and the second gears are in a predetermined alignment with each other to stop the resetting of the first portion of the gears by the resilient means.

Claim 3

A switch operating device as recited in claim 1 wherein the means for disengaging the first portion of the gear train comprises a solenoid, a clapper, means for pivotally mounting the clapper adjacent the solenoid such that when the solenoid is energized by the application of an electrical signal the clapper will be caused to pivot, an actuating arm, means for pivotally mounting the actuating arm, the actuating arm having a first portion adapted for rotatably supporting a select one of the gears of the gear train such that when the actuating arm is pivoted in a predetermined direction the select gear is withdrawn from engagement with at least one other gear of the gear train, means for transferring the force exerted by the clapper when it pivots to the actuating arm to cause the actuating arm to pivot.

Claim 4

A switch operating device as recited in claim 1 wherein thE resilient means comprises a coil spring, means for holding one end of the coil spring in a fixed position and means for holding the other end of the coil spring in a fixed relationship with the shaft such that when the motor rotates the shaft through the gear train the coil spring exerts a counter-torque upon the shaft.

Claim 5

A switch operating device as recited in claim 1 wherein the motor has a drive shaft and is capable of being stopped substantially instantaneously with the drive shaft in a predetermined rotational orientation.

Claim 6

A time delay relay comprising a substantially constant speed motor, a gear train driven by the motor including a first gear and a second gear driven by the first gear, a shaft rotated by the gear train, means for rotatably mounting the shaft, at least one cam mounted on the shaft, the cam having at least one lobe, at least one switch, means for mounting the switch in a spaced-apart relationship with the cam such that the switch is operated by the lobe of the cam as the cam is rotated by the shaft, an actuating arm, means for pivotally mounting the actuating arm, the actuating arm having a first portion, a second shaft for rotatably mounting the first gear, the second shaft being bearinged in the first portion of the actuating arm, electro-mechanical means for causing the actuating arm to pivot and disengage the first gear from that portion of the gear train which is driven by the motor upon the application of an electrical signal to the electro-mechanical means, resilient means for resetting the first and second gears by rotating the first and second gears backwards while the first gear is disengaged from the gear train, a first lug protruding from the first gear, a second lug protruding from the second gear, the first and second lugs being arranged on the surfaces of the gears so as to contact each other when the gear teeth of the first and second gears are in a predetermined alignment with each other as the first and second gears are rotated backward by the resilient means.

Claim 7

A time delay relay comprising a substantially constant speed motor, a gear train driven by the motor including a first gear and a second gear driven by the first gear, a shaft rotated by the gear train, means for rotatably mounting the shaft, at least one cam mounted on the shaft, the cam having at least one lobe, at least one switch, means for mounting the switch in a spaced-apart relationship with the cam such that the switch is operated by the lobe of the cam as the cam is rotated by the shaft, an actuating arm, means for pivotally mounting the actuating arm, the actuating arm having a first portion, a second shaft for rotatably mounting the first gear, the second shaft being bearinged in the first portion of the actuating arm, electro-mechanical means for causing the actuating arm to pivot and disengage the first gear from that portion of the gear train which is driven by the motor upon the application of an electrical signal to the electro-mechanical means, resilient means for resetting the first and second gears by rotating the first and second gears backwards while the first gear is disengaged from the gear train, a first lug protruding from the first gear, a second lug protruding from the second gear, the first and second lugs being arranged on the surfaces of the gears so as to contact each other when the gear teeth of the first and second gears are in a predetermined alignment with each other as the first and second gears are rotated backward by the resilient means.

Claim 8

A time delay relay as recited in claim 5 wherein the electro-mechanical means comprises a solenoid, an armature, means for movably mounting the armature adjacent the solenoid such that when the solenoid is energized by the application of an electrical signal the armature is caused to move, means for transferring a force exerted by the moving armature to the actuating arm to cause the actuating arm to pivot.

Claim 9

A time delay relay as recited in claim 6 wherein the electro-mechanical means comprises an armature in the form of a clapper, means for pivotally mounting the clapper, the clapper having a protruding leg which sweeps through an arc as the clapper is pivoted, and a lever arm, the lever arm having one end which is pivotally mounted to the actuating arm and another end which is fitted to the clapper leg such that when the solenoid is energized the clapper is pivoted and the lever arm is moved to exert a force on the actuating arm thereby causing it to pivot.

Claim 10

A switch operating timing device comprising a substantially constant speed motor, a gear train having a first and second portion, the first portion being driven in a predetermined direction by the motor, a cam shaft driven by the second portion of the gear train, means for rotatably mounting the cam shaft, at least one, lobed cam mounted on the cam shaft, a switch, means for mounting the switch in a spaced-apart relationship with the cam such that the switch is operated by the lobe of the cam as the cam is rotated by the cam shaft, electro-mechanical means for engaging and disengaging the first portion of the gear train with the second portion of the gear train upon the selective application of an electrical signal from an external source, resilient means for resetting the second portion of the gear train by rotating the gears within the second portion backwards while the first portion of the gear train is disengaged from the second portion of the gear train, the second portion of the gear train includiNg a first gear and a second gear opposite the first gear and driven by it, the first and second gears each having opposing, substantially flat surfaces, a first lug protruding from the opposed flat surface of the first gear, a second lug protruding from the opposed flat surface of the second gear, the first and second lugs being arranged to contact each other when the gear teeth of the first and the second gears are in a predetermined alignment with each other to stop the resetting operation of the second portion of the gear train.

Claim 11

A switch operating timing device comprising a substantially constant speed motor, a gear train having a first and second portion, the first portion being driven in a predetermined direction by the motor, a cam shaft driven by the second portion of the gear train, means for rotatably mounting the cam shaft, at least one, lobed cam mounted on the cam shaft, a switch, means for mounting the switch in a spaced-apart relationship with the cam such that the switch is operated by the lobe of the cam as the cam is rotated by the cam shaft, electro-mechanical means for engaging and disengaging the first portion of the gear train with the second portion of the gear train upon the selective application of an electrical signal from an external source, resilient means for resetting the second portion of the gear train by rotating the gears within the second portion backwards while the first portion of the gear train is disengaged from the second portion of the gear train, the second portion of the gear train includiNg a first gear and a second gear opposite the first gear and driven by it, the first and second gears each having opposing, substantially flat surfaces, a first lug protruding from the opposed flat surface of the first gear, a second lug protruding from the opposed flat surface of the second gear, the first and second lugs being arranged to contact each other when the gear teeth of the first and the second gears are in a predetermined alignment with each other to stop the resetting operation of the second portion of the gear train.

Claim 12

A switch operating timing device as recited in claim 8 wherein the electro-mechanical means comprises an actuating arm, means for pivotally mounting the actuating arm, the actuating arm having a first portion, a gear shaft for rotatably mounting a select gear of the first portion of the gear train, the gear shaft being bearinged in the first portion of the actuating arm, a solenoid, an armature, means for mounting the armature with respect to the solenoid such that when the solenoid is energized by the application of an electrical signal the armature is caused to move, means for transferring the force exerted by the armature when it moves to the actuating arm to cause the actuating arm to pivot and engage the select gear of the first portion of the gear train with the second portion of the gear train.