US3747432A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmer
Assignee: Cole Instrument Corp
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Filing: 1972-03-08
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1992-03-08
Abstract
Abstract A drum programmer includes a plurality of individual cylindrical drum segments. Each drum segment is adapted to selectively engage an actuating device as a preplanned function of the rotated position of the segment. For this purpose each segment has a plurality of spaced grooves formed in the peripheral surface of the segment parallel to the axis of the cylinder. Each groove has an actuating tab rotatively positioned therein. The tab is adapted to engage an actuating device when its peripheral surface portion is proximate the device in a first stable rotated tab position. Means are also provided for supporting each tab in its respective groove in a second non-engaging stable rotated position. Any number of individual drum segments may be mounted in a coaxial manner to provide a programmer adapted to activate any desired number of actuating devices.
Inventors
- 👤 F Cole
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 17:27
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H43/00; H01H43/02; H01H43/04; H01H43/06; H01H43/065; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2101; Y10T74/2102; Y10T74/2105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A programmer drum structure adapted to engage an associated sensor as a function of the rotated position of the drum, comprising: a cylinderical drum segment having a plurality of spaced transverse grooves and a circumferential groove formed in the peripheral surface thereof; a plurality of sensor actuator tabs positionable one each in each transverse drum groove, each tab being configured to assume at least first and second stable rotated positions, each tab having an aperture therethrough alignable with said circumferential groove; and means for rotatively supporting said tabs in said grooves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A programmer drum structure adapted to engage an associated sensor as a function of the rotated position of the drum, comprising: a cylinderical drum segment having a plurality of spaced transverse grooves and a circumferential groove formed in the peripheral surface thereof; a plurality of sensor actuator tabs positionable one each in each transverse drum groove, each tab being configured to assume at least first and second stable rotated positions, each tab having an aperture therethrough alignable with said circumferential groove; and means for rotatively supporting said tabs in said grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said supporting means comprises: a force exerting member positioned within said circumferential groove and threaded through said tab apertures, said member applying a force to each tab in a radial direction toward the center of the drum segment whereby the force exerting member will retain each rotatable tab within its respective transverse groove.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein said force exerting member is a garter spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 2 wherein each tab is configured so that in said first rotated position it remains substantially wholly within its transverse Groove and in said second rotated position it has a portion extending sufficiently beyond the peripheral surface of the drum segment to engage the associated sensor when the tab is proximate the sensor.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
71 words
The structure of claim 4 wherein each tab is further configured so that in said first rotated position a lift notch portion of the tab extends beyond the peripheral surface of the drum segment sufficient to allow manually applied torsional forces to be applied to the tab to cause rotation thereof, said lift notch portion remaining out of engagement with the sensor when said tab is in its first rotated position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The structure of claim 5 wherein said drum segment has an aperture passing through the center thereof, said programmer further comprisng a rotatable shaft passing through said drum segment aperture and adapted to rotate the drum segment in association therewith.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
130 words
A programming device including a plurality of coaxial drum segments for selectively engaging associated actuating devices as a preplanned function of the rotated position of the segments, said device comprising: a plurality of cylindrical drum segments each having a plurality of spaced transverse grooves and a circumferential groove formed in the peripheral surface thereof; a plurality of actuator tabs, one each rotatably positionable in each transverse groove in first and second stable rotated positions, each actuator tab adapted in said first rotated position to engage its associated actuating device when its peripheral surface portion is proximate the actuating device, each actuator tab having an aperture therethrough alignable with said circumferential drum groove; and means for rotatively supporting said tabs in said grooves in said first and second stable rotated positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
130 words
A programming device including a plurality of coaxial drum segments for selectively engaging associated actuating devices as a preplanned function of the rotated position of the segments, said device comprising: a plurality of cylindrical drum segments each having a plurality of spaced transverse grooves and a circumferential groove formed in the peripheral surface thereof; a plurality of actuator tabs, one each rotatably positionable in each transverse groove in first and second stable rotated positions, each actuator tab adapted in said first rotated position to engage its associated actuating device when its peripheral surface portion is proximate the actuating device, each actuator tab having an aperture therethrough alignable with said circumferential drum groove; and means for rotatively supporting said tabs in said grooves in said first and second stable rotated positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said supporting means comprises a force exerting means positioned in the circumferential groove and passing through each tab aperture for exerting a radial force on said tabs in the direction towards the center of the drum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
The device of claim 8 wherein each drum segment has a central aperture passing therethrough, said device further comprising a rotatable shaft passing through each drum segment central aperture and engaging each segment in a non-relative rotatable relationship whereby each segment will rotate with said shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 9 further comprising: a plurality of spacers positioned on said shaft between each pair of drum segments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
The device of claim 10 further comprising: a support assembly including end plates and at least one support member interconnecting said end plates; means for rotatively mounting opposite ends of said shaft between said end plates; means for mounting the actuating devices proximate the drum segments on the support assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 11 wherein each transverse groove on each drum segment is aligned with corresponding transverse grooves on adjacent drum segments to form rows of aligned transverse grooves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The device of claim 12 further comprising: a face plate mounted between said end plates and having a longitudinal aperture therethrough of width sufficient to display at least one row of transverse drum grooves; and means attached to said shaft for rotating said shaft to display consecutive rows of transverse drum grooves at said face plate aperture.
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) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |