Timing apparatus

Claim 2

A timing apparatus comprising: a motor; a switch for controlling the motor, the switch having a standby condition wherein the motor does not operate and an actuated condition wherein the motor does operate; a shaft rotated by the motor; switch actuating means rotated in one direction away from an initial position for causing the switch to change from its standby condition to its actuated condition and for thereafter permitting the switch to change back to its standby condition, the switch actuating means being rotatable independently of the shaft in said one direction and also rotatable by the shaft in said one direction; an abutment fixed rigidly with respect to the shaft and engageable with the switch actuating means for enabling the shaft to rotate the switch actuating means when the abutment is engaged therewith; and starting means for rotating the switch actuating means a limited amount in said one direction to change the switch from its standby to its actuated condition, whereby the motor will be energized and will propel the switch actuating means back toward its initial position wherein the switch may again be in its standby condition.

Claim 3

A timing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the switch actuating means is a cam against which the abutment bears.

Claim 4

A timing apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the starting means includes a solenoid which initially turns the switch actuating means away from the position in which the abutment is engaged with the switch actuating means.

Claim 5

A timing apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the starting means comprises a solenoid, a spring element interconnecting the solenoid and the cam at a location offset from the axis of rotation for the cam so that when the solenoid is energized the cam rotates, and another cam for also operating the switch when the spring rotates the first cam.

Claim 6

A timing apparatus comprising: a motor; a switch for controlling the motor, the switch having a standby condition wherein the motor does not operate and an actuated condition wherein the motor does operate; a shaft rotated by the motor; an abutment fixed in position with respect to and rotated by the shaft; a cam rotatable in one direction away from an initial position for causing the switch to change from its standby condition to its actuated condition and for thereafter permitting the switch to change back to its standby condition, the cam being positioned such that the abutment will bear against it as the shaft rotates, the cam being rotatable independently of the shaft in said one direction and further being rotatable with the shaft in said one direction when the abutment bears against the cam; and starting means for rotating the cam a limited amount in said one direction to change the sWitch from its standby to its actuated condition, whereby the motor will be energized and will rotate the cam back toward its initial position wherein the switch may again be in its standby condition.

Claim 7

A timing apparatus comprising: a motor; a switch for controlling the motor, the switch having a standby condition wherein the motor does not operate and an actuated condition wherein the motor does operate; a shaft rotated by the motor; an abutment fixed in position with respect to and rotated by the shaft; a cam rotatable in one direction away from an initial position for causing the switch to change from its standby condition to its actuated condition and for thereafter permitting the switch to change back to its standby condition, the cam being positioned such that the abutment will bear against it as the shaft rotates, the cam being rotatable independently of the shaft in said one direction and further being rotatable with the shaft in said one direction when the abutment bears against the cam; and starting means for rotating the cam a limited amount in said one direction to change the sWitch from its standby to its actuated condition, whereby the motor will be energized and will rotate the cam back toward its initial position wherein the switch may again be in its standby condition.

Claim 8

A timing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the starting means comprises a solenoid which when energized rotates the cam relative to the shaft in the direction which causes the abutment to be positioned away from the position in which it will propel the cam, whereby the switch is changed from its standby to its actuated condition and the motor is energized to bring the abutment again to a position in which it will propel the cam.

Claim 9

A timing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the abutment is a pin extending in the direction of the axis of rotation for the shaft but offset radially therefrom and wherein the cam has an arcuated groove which os concentric about the azis of rotation and receives the pin, whereby the cam can rotate a limited amount independently of the shaft.

Claim 10

A timing apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the abutment projects in the radial direction relative to the axis of rotation and the cam has an axially extending member which is offset from the axis of rotation and is engaged by the abutment.

Claim 11

A timing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the starting means also engages the axially extending member.

Claim 12

A timing apparatus according to claim 8 wherein the starting means includes an elongated element extended across the cam and pivoted at one end, the element being positioned to engage the axial member and rotate the cam when moved about its pivot, and a solenoid connected to the elongated element for moving it about its pivot.

Claim 13

A timing apparatus comprising a motor, a control shaft coupled with and propelled by the motor, a cam rotatable relative to the control shaft about the axis of rotation for the control shaft, drive means carried by the control shaft for engaging the cam and rotating it as the control shaft rotates, a switch moved from a standby condition to an actuating condition and then back to the standby condition by the cam as the cam rotates, the switch being connected to the motor for controlling the operation thereof, and a solenoid connected to the cam such that it will turn the cam when momentarily energized, whereby the motor will be energized and will cause the control shaft to drive the cam back to the position in which the switch is in its standby condition.

Claim 14

A timing apparatus comprising a motor, a control shaft coupled with and propelled by the motor, a cam rotatable relative to the control shaft about the axis of rotation for the control shaft, drive means carried by the control shaft for engaging the cam and rotating it as the control shaft rotates, a switch moved from a standby condition to an actuating condition and then back to the standby condition by the cam as the cam rotates, the switch being connected to the motor for controlling the operation thereof, and a solenoid connected to the cam such that it will turn the cam when momentarily energized, whereby the motor will be energized and will cause the control shaft to drive the cam back to the position in which the switch is in its standby condition.

Claim 15

A timing apparatus comprising: a motor; switch means for controlling the motor, the switch means having a standby condition wherein the motor does not operate and an actuated condition wherein the motor does operate; a control shaft coupled with and rotated by the motor in one direction; a first cam mounted rigidly on the control shaft for rotation therewith in said one direction; a second cam rotatable relative to the first cam for movement in said one direction away from an engaged position wherein rotation of the first cam in said one direction is transmitted to the second cam to enable the cams to rotate in unison; the first cam being at an initial position and the second cam being substantially at its engaged position when the switch means is in its standby condition, the first cam being configured to operate the switch means to change it to its actuated condition when rotated away from the intitial position, the second cam being configured to operate the switch means to change it to its actuated condition when rotated in said one direction away from its engaged position when the first cam is in its initial position; and starting means connected to the second cam for rotating the second cam in said one direction away from its engaged position when the first cam is in its initial position, whereby the switch means will change to its actuated condition and the motor will be energized to rotate the first cam in said one direction, thus causing the second cam to again assume its engaged position relative the first cam so that the two cams will rotate in unison toward the initial position for the first cam.

Claim 16

A timing apparatus comprising: a motor; switch means for controlling the motor, the switch means having a standby condition wherein the motor does not operate and an actuated condition wherein the motor does operate; a control shaft coupled with and rotated by the motor in one direction; a first cam mounted rigidly on the control shaft for rotation therewith in said one direction; a second cam rotatable relative to the first cam for movement in said one direction away from an engaged position wherein rotation of the first cam in said one direction is transmitted to the second cam to enable the cams to rotate in unison; the first cam being at an initial position and the second cam being substantially at its engaged position when the switch means is in its standby condition, the first cam being configured to operate the switch means to change it to its actuated condition when rotated away from the intitial position, the second cam being configured to operate the switch means to change it to its actuated condition when rotated in said one direction away from its engaged position when the first cam is in its initial position; and starting means connected to the second cam for rotating the second cam in said one direction away from its engaged position when the first cam is in its initial position, whereby the switch means will change to its actuated condition and the motor will be energized to rotate the first cam in said one direction, thus causing the second cam to again assume its engaged position relative the first cam so that the two cams will rotate in unison toward the initial position for the first cam.

Claim 17

A timing apparatus according to claim 12 wherein the starting means comprises a movable element which moves toward and away from the axis of rotation for the shaft, and a spring means coupling the movable element with the second cam, whereby when the movable element maintains the spring means in a distorted condition, the second cam will move away from its engaged position as the first cam approaches its initial position so that the control shaft will continue to rotate and will move the first cam through its initial position without stopping the control shaft.

Claim 18

A timing apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the movable element is an armature which is moved by a solenoid coil.