Multiple station control timing device

Claim 2

In a multiple station control timing device employing a timing lever movable in an orbital path relative to a plurality of timing units, each unit having a face portion adjustable into various positions into the path of said lever to cause selectable durations of deflection of said lever, the duration of deflection of said lever controlling the duration of a timing period being controlled by said device, the improvement comprising the provision of: mounting means for movably mounting one or more of said adjustable face portions for movement in directions generally toward and away from the center of said orbital path, each face portion being of such shape that the duration of deflection of said lever by said face portion is selectively variable in predetermined manner through movement of such face portion generally toward and away from the center of said orbital path.

Claim 3

The improvement in timing device of claim 1 wherein: one or more of said face portions is provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of said face portions relative to said lever when said lever is engaging said face portion.

Claim 4

The improvement in timing device of claim 1 wherein: one or more of said face portions is provided with at least two distinct areas of different configurations to provide two different rates of lever deflection duration for the same incremental advancement of said face portions relative to said lever when said lever is engaging said face portion.

Claim 5

In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions of adjustment including: a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation: a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position of said controlled device; motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and a faster indexing speed of rotation; switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at the timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at the indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of: means for mounting one or more of said control timing units for radially adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means for varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit portion and said lever means through selectable radial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft.

Claim 6

In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions of adjustment including: a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation: a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position of said controlled device; motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and a faster indexing speed of rotation; switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at the timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at the indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of: means for mounting one or more of said control timing units for radially adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means for varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit portion and said lever means through selectable radial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft.

Claim 7

The improvement in timing device of claim 3 wherein: said face of varying lateral width has a first portion varying at a first linear rate and a second portion varying at a second linear rate to provide two differing timing zones thereon.

Claim 8

In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions including: a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation; a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position for said controlled device; motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and at a faster indexing speed of rotation; switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at a timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at said indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of: a bore in said drive shaft; switch actuating means including a rod member mounted concentrically within said drive shaft bore for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto, said rod member being biased toward a first position relative to said switch means wherein said switch means is switched into the mode of the indexing speed for the motor means; and lever engaging means on said switch actuating means for engaging said lever means, whereby deflection of said lever means upon engagement with a portion of any one of said plurality of timing units moves said switch actuating means axially of said drive shaft to operate said switch means to switch the motor means to the mode of the slower motor.

Claim 9

In a timing device for operating a controlled device through a sequence of timed positions including: a drive shaft and means for connecting said shaft to a controlled device in driving relation; a plurality of timing units, each of said units corresponding to a given position for said controlled device; motor means for selectively rotating said drive shaft at a timing speed and at a faster indexing speed of rotation; switch means for selectively switching said motor means between a timing speed mode and an indexing speed mode; lever means associated with said drive shaft and said switch means for rotation with said shaft past said plurality of timing units and for operating said switch means upon deflection of said lever means upon adjustable engagements with portions of said timing units in order to drive said drive shaft at a timing speed during engagements between said lever means and portions of said timing units and at said indexing speed between such engagements, the improvement comprising the provision of: a bore in said drive shaft; switch actuating means including a rod member mounted concentrically within said drive shaft bore for rotation therewith and for axial movement relative thereto, said rod member being biased toward a first position relative to said switch means wherein said switch means is switched into the mode of the indexing speed for the motor means; and lever engaging means on said switch actuating means for engaging said lever means, whereby deflection of said lever means upon engagement with a portion of any one of said plurality of timing units moves said switch actuating means axially of said drive shaft to operate said switch means to switch the motor means to the mode of the slower motor.

Claim 10

The timing device of claim 5 further including: means for mounting one or more of said timing unit portions for radial adjustable movement relative to said drive shaft in a plane generally perpendicular thereto; and wherein said one or more of said timing unit portions includes a body presenting a face of varying lateral width for engagement by said lever means varying the duration of engagement between such timing unit portion and said lever means through selectable radial adjustment of said portion relative to said drive shaft.