Switching device for operating a plurality of switches in sequence with ambient temperature compensation

Claim 2

A switching device comprising: at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is applied to operate said switch means, thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energized, and ambient temperature responsive means connecting said output member of said thermal operator means to said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence, said ambient temperature responsive means comprises a bimetal to which said force of said output member of said operator means is applied at a point of contact between the points of contact on said bimetal of said operators of said switch means to operate said switch means.

Claim 3

A switching device comprising: at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is applied to operate said switch means, thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energized, and ambient temperature responsive means connecting said output member of said thermal operator means to said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence, said two switch means are spaced apart to have said operators a first predetermined distance apart, said thermal operator means being a heated bimetal supported at both ends and having said output member attached near the center of said bimetal, said ambient temperature responsive means being a second bimetal member for engaging said operators near the extremities of said second bimetal member, and said output member engaging said second bimetal member at a position within said predetermined distance whereby with a predetermined force needed on each of said operators to operate each of said switch means, a timed sequential operation of said switch means is obtained as a force at said output member increases.

Claim 4

A switching device comprising: at least two switch means each having an operator to which a force is applied to operate said switch means, thermal operator means having an output member for providing a force when said operator means is energized, and ambient temperature responsive means connecting said output member of said thermal operator means to said operators of the switch means for applying a force to each of said operators for operating said switch means in sequence, said two switch means are spaced apart to have said operators a first predetermined distance apart, said thermal operator means being a heated bimetal supported at both ends and having said output member attached near the center of said bimetal, said ambient temperature responsive means being a second bimetal member for engaging said operators near the extremities of said second bimetal member, and said output member engaging said second bimetal member at a position within said predetermined distance whereby with a predetermined force needed on each of said operators to operate each of said switch means, a timed sequential operation of said switch means is obtained as a force at said output member increases.

Claim 5

A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and temperature responsive wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means and being responsive to ambient temperature wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence regardless of any changes in ambient temperature.

Claim 6

A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and temperature responsive wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means and being responsive to ambient temperature wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence regardless of any changes in ambient temperature.

Claim 7

The invention of claim 4 wherein said output member has a high point for engaging said wobble plate means whereby said force is applied to a predetermined point on said wobble plate throughout the operation of said switch means.

Claim 8

A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence, said switch means are snap acting switches mounted in a base member with said three operators protruding from one side of said base member, said operating means comprising a heated bimetal attached at its extremities to said base member, said output member being a drive pin passing through a hole in a heat barrier separating said operating member from said switch means to engage said wobble plate means, said wobble plate means comprising a temperature responsive bimetal member substantially uneffected by the heat applied to said operating means to only respond to changes in ambient temperature for changing the distance between an end of said drive pin and the ends of said operators whereby upon said temperature responsive member being engaged by said drive pin and said operators a predetermined sequence of operation of said switch means is obtained uneffected by changes in ambient temperature.

Claim 9

A switching device comprising at least three switch means each having an operator to which force is applied to operate said switch means, said operators being spaced triangularly, and operating means for providing a force on an output member, and wobble plate means connecting said operating means and said switch means wherein said wobble plate means engages said operators and said output member applies a force to said plate means to be distributed to said operators for operating said switch means in a selected sequence, said switch means are snap acting switches mounted in a base member with said three operators protruding from one side of said base member, said operating means comprising a heated bimetal attached at its extremities to said base member, said output member being a drive pin passing through a hole in a heat barrier separating said operating member from said switch means to engage said wobble plate means, said wobble plate means comprising a temperature responsive bimetal member substantially uneffected by the heat applied to said operating means to only respond to changes in ambient temperature for changing the distance between an end of said drive pin and the ends of said operators whereby upon said temperature responsive member being engaged by said drive pin and said operators a predetermined sequence of operation of said switch means is obtained uneffected by changes in ambient temperature.

Claim 10

The invention of claim 5 wherein said drive pin is piloted at one extremity in a hole in said base member and engages said heated bimetal between its extremities, said drive pin has a shoulder between in extremities, and said wobble plate having a hole therethrough for receiving said drive pin whereby said shoulder engages said wobble plate to apply said force to said wobble plate at a predetermined point on said wobble plate throughout the operation of said switch means.

Claim 11

The invention of claim 7 wherein said temperature responsive member of said wobble plate means comprises at least two sheets of bimetal whereby upon each of said sheets of bimetal bending with changes in ambient temperature said sheets slip with respect to each other.