US3925630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Timer switch assembly having latch assembly for preventing contact engagement
Assignee: Deltrol Corp
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Filing: 1974-12-19
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Granted: 1975-12-09
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Expires: 1994-12-19
Abstract
Abstract An adjustable automatic reset pushbutton timer in which a knob is rotated to set the timing and is pushed to start the time cycles. The knob shaft carries a spring return timing cam and an adjustable stop which sets the starting point. At the end of the cycle a lobe on the cam raises a pair of switch blades with the contacts closed and then drops one while holding the other, opening the contacts. Pushing the knob in first releases a sliding gear type clutch and then moves the cam off the sides of the switch blades, allowing them to drop, and the cam to reset. Closure of the contacts is delayed until the pushbutton knob is released by an axial latch which moves under one blade when the knob is pushed.
Inventors
- 👤 John L Harris
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 21:34
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04F; G04F3/00; G04F3/02; G04F3/027; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/11; Y10T74/114; Y10T74/115
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
In a control device, reciprocating control member means biased in one direction and having latch engaging surface means facing in Said one direction, said surface means having first and second latch releasing edges facing in opposite directions, reciprocating latch means movable normal to the latch releasing edges, said latch means and latch engaging surface means being constructed and arranged to release the control member means from first and second latched levels against its bias, the latch means and releasing edges being so proportioned and arranged relative to each other to clear the first latch releasing edge on movement of the latch means in a first direction, allowing movement of the control member means from the first latched level to the second latched level, and to clear the second latch releasing edge on movement of the latch means in the opposite direction thereafter, to allow continued movement of the control member means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a control device, reciprocating control member means biased in one direction and having latch engaging surface means facing in Said one direction, said surface means having first and second latch releasing edges facing in opposite directions, reciprocating latch means movable normal to the latch releasing edges, said latch means and latch engaging surface means being constructed and arranged to release the control member means from first and second latched levels against its bias, the latch means and releasing edges being so proportioned and arranged relative to each other to clear the first latch releasing edge on movement of the latch means in a first direction, allowing movement of the control member means from the first latched level to the second latched level, and to clear the second latch releasing edge on movement of the latch means in the opposite direction thereafter, to allow continued movement of the control member means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination recited in claim 1 in which the latch means has a normal position in which control member means is latched at the first latching level and the latch means is clear of the second releasing edge, the latch means moving toward and beyond the second releasing edge into holding position for the second latching level before clearing the first releasing edge on movement of the latch means in the first direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
The combination recited in claim 1 in which the latch means is formed of first and second relatively movable latch members, the first latch member holding the control member means in its first latched level and the second latch member releasing the control member means from its second latched level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The combination recited in claim 1 including a reciprocating carrier for the latch means arranged to move the latch means in said first and second directions, the latch means being movably mounted on said carrier in a direction normal to the reciprocating movement of the carrier, and means for causing movement of said latch means on the carrier after it has been moved in said first direction to clear the first releasing edge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The combination recited in claim 3 including a reciprocating carrier for the latch members, the first latch member being rotatably mounted on the carrier and also acting as a lifting means for lifting the control member means to its first latching position, and means for rotating said first latch member on the carrier after it has been moved in said first direction to clear the first releasing edge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an automatic reset timer including a reciprocating timing element, means for driving the timing element in timing direction including a timing motor and a clutch, said clutch comprising a driving gear and a driven gear and clutch operating means arranged to selectively engage or disengage said gears, spring return means for returning the timing element to a starting position when the clutch is disengaged, holding means independent of the clutch for preventing the spring return means from driving the timing element, and control means for the clutch and holding means, said control means being arranged to disengage the clutch and release the holding means in sequence, first releasing the clutch and then releasing the holding means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
117 words
In an automatic reset timer including a reciprocating timing element, means for driving the timing element in timing direction including a timing motor and a clutch, said clutch comprising a driving gear and a driven gear and clutch operating means arranged to selectively engage or disengage said gears, spring return means for returning the timing element to a starting position when the clutch is disengaged, holding means independent of the clutch for preventing the spring return means from driving the timing element, and control means for the clutch and holding means, said control means being arranged to disengage the clutch and release the holding means in sequence, first releasing the clutch and then releasing the holding means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The combination recited in claim 6 in which the clutch gears are arranged with one gear axially movable relative to the other for selectively engaging and disengaging the clutch, the holding means including latch means movable in the same direction as said axially movable gear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The combination recited in claim 7 in which the control means is an axially movable pushbutton movable in the same direction as the axially movable gear and latch means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a push to start timer, a cam having a drop off lobe on its periphery, said cam including axially movable and rotatable mounting means, means including a timer motor for rotating the cam, and outer flexible switch blade having one end fixed and having a free end adapted for engagement with the cam lobe, an inner flexible switch blade having one end fixed and a free end adapted for engagement with the cam lobe, both of said bLades being biased toward the cam and the outer blade extending beyond the inner blade over the cam lobe causing the inner blade to move away from the outer blade when the cam rotates to the point where the cam lobe drops the inner blade, the cam and outer blade being arranged so that axial movement of the cam in one direction drops the outer blade from the side of the cam, causing the outer blade to move toward the inner blade in response to the axial movement.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a push to start timer, a cam having a drop off lobe on its periphery, said cam including axially movable and rotatable mounting means, means including a timer motor for rotating the cam, and outer flexible switch blade having one end fixed and having a free end adapted for engagement with the cam lobe, an inner flexible switch blade having one end fixed and a free end adapted for engagement with the cam lobe, both of said bLades being biased toward the cam and the outer blade extending beyond the inner blade over the cam lobe causing the inner blade to move away from the outer blade when the cam rotates to the point where the cam lobe drops the inner blade, the cam and outer blade being arranged so that axial movement of the cam in one direction drops the outer blade from the side of the cam, causing the outer blade to move toward the inner blade in response to the axial movement.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
57 words
The combination recited in claim 9 in which the cam is driven by the motor through a clutch and has a return spring for resetting the cam to a starting point when the clutch is disengaged, and means for disengaging the clutch when the cam is moved axially in said one direction for dropping the outer blade.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination recited in claim 10 in which the inner blade engaging the drop off of the cam lobe serves as a holding means for preventing reset of the timer on initial disengagement of the clutch, the parts being arranged so that the axial movement of the cam disengages the cam lobe from both blades.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination recited in claim 10 including holding means for preventing complete dropping of the outer blade when released by axial movement of the cam in said one direction, and means actuated by return axial movement of the cam for releasing the holding means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
49 words
The combination recited in claim 12 in which the holding means is an axially movable latch arranged to move in unison with the axial movement of the cam, said latch being arranged to move under the outer blade before it is released by the axial movement of the cam.
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) | 1978-12-08 | 1979-06-09 | 1979-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-08 | 1983-06-09 | 1983-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-08 | 1987-06-09 | 1987-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |