US3874412A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timing motor drive mechanism for water softener valves
Assignee: Fleckenstein A J
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Filing: 1974-04-29
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Granted: 1975-04-01
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Expires: 1994-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A water softener valve timing mechanism utilizing a timing motor to shift the valve through the various operating and softening stages. A linkage is operated periodically to shift a drive gear for the valve into engagement with a pinion of the timing motor. An adjustable cam controls a brine line valve for variably controlling the amount of water filled in the brine tank of the system to thereby control salt usage.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew J Fleckenstein
- 👤 Herman C Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 21:27
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/42; F; F16; F16K; F16K31/00; F16K31/44; F16K31/48; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/86389; Y10T137/86405; Y10T137/86445; Y10T137/86493; Y10T137/86718; Y10T137/86726; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/11; Y10T74/114; Y10T74/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
233 words
A timing motor timing and actuating mechanism for water softener valves including a water softener valve having a movable control element for controlling various stages of normal softening operation and regeneration in a water softener system, a timing motor adapted to run continuously and a drive gear adapted to be operatively rotated thereby, means providing a driving connection between said drive gear and said control element for translating rotation of said gear into movement of said element, said drive gear having a gap in the periphery thereof, said gap being adapted to be moved into opposition to a drive pinion of said timing motor to prevent engagement between said pinion and said gear, said pinion being adapted to drive said drive gear when said gap is moved away from said pinion, resilient means interconnected with said drive gear so as to bias said drive gear away from a position wherein said gap is opposed to said pinion, and a latching plate movably mounted on a support and having means engageable with said drive gear to hold the gap in said drive gear opposed to said pinion, mechanism for disengaging said latching plate from said gear to allow said resilient means to move said drive gear, said gear and pinion being movably mounted on a support independently of said latching plate, and means biasing said pinion toward an engaged position with said drive gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
233 words
A timing motor timing and actuating mechanism for water softener valves including a water softener valve having a movable control element for controlling various stages of normal softening operation and regeneration in a water softener system, a timing motor adapted to run continuously and a drive gear adapted to be operatively rotated thereby, means providing a driving connection between said drive gear and said control element for translating rotation of said gear into movement of said element, said drive gear having a gap in the periphery thereof, said gap being adapted to be moved into opposition to a drive pinion of said timing motor to prevent engagement between said pinion and said gear, said pinion being adapted to drive said drive gear when said gap is moved away from said pinion, resilient means interconnected with said drive gear so as to bias said drive gear away from a position wherein said gap is opposed to said pinion, and a latching plate movably mounted on a support and having means engageable with said drive gear to hold the gap in said drive gear opposed to said pinion, mechanism for disengaging said latching plate from said gear to allow said resilient means to move said drive gear, said gear and pinion being movably mounted on a support independently of said latching plate, and means biasing said pinion toward an engaged position with said drive gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
The structure of claim 1 wherein said pinion and timing motor are pivotally mounted on a support and said latching plate is pivotally mounted on the same support, said motor and pinion being carried by a plate, and separate springs bias said latching plate toward the latched position and said motor plate toward a gear engaging position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3616820A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-03-31 | 1978-09-30 | 1979-04-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-03-31 | 1982-09-30 | 1983-04-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-03-31 | 1986-09-30 | 1987-04-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |