US1705458A - Actuating timer with unified control - Google Patents

Description

March l2, 1929. n. D.V sMiTH l i AGTUATING TIMER WITH UNINED CONTROL rginal Filed- Dec. 15, 1917 3 Sheets-Sheet nllllllllllllllllllllllllul March 12, 1929. R. D. MHH 1,795,458

ACTUATING TIMER WITH UNIFIED CONTROL Original Filevd Dec. 15. 1917 3 sheetsheet 2 MarchY 12, 1929. `R D, s'Mn-H ACTUATING mma WITH UNIFIED connor,

Original Filed Dec. 15. 1917 3 sheetsheet ILL@ Patented Mar. 12, 1929i.

UNITEDr -*STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND D. SMITH, OF PLEASANTVILLE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY VIESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, T TREMONT'PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

ACTUATING TIMER WITH UNIFIED CONTROL.

Original application lecl December l5, 1917, Serial No. 207,303, Patent No. 1,493,771. Divided and this application filed May 12, 1924. Serial No. 712,739.

v This invention relates in general to timing mechanism for governing automatic actuation of electric switches, gas valves, etc., and particularly concerns timer mechanism of the type wherein the timer may be energized and set in operation by the same control handle that operates the switch contacts, or

gas valve.

The subject matter of this invention is divisional from that oi' my issued United States Patent, No. 1,493,771.

By this invention I ain'enabled to employ, say, a switch-preferably with spring actuated contacts voit comparatively large electrical capacity, an associated timing mechanism, and a common control handle or .i other operating agency by means ot which the switch may be directly opeiated by hand handles.

to control a circuit in the manner ot an ordinary. switch, and also operated automatically thru agency of the timing mechanism at a pre-determined time, whereas in the mechanism of my co-pending applica.- tion, the switch and the timer were designed to be operated by respectively different being wholly omitted better to .show the parts back of the panel.

F 4 shows in right elevation, and partially incentral section, the complete switch and timer mechanism. Fig.` 5 is a vertical section through a part ot the timer operating mechanism taken on the vertical plane 5 5`inl Fig. Il, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. G is a plan view/taken inv section on the horizontal planes 6-6 in Fig.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view siiiiilarto Fig. 5 but showing' the parts differently positioned, together with more or' the associated mechanism.

Fig. 8 is largely diagrammatic and shows a still diiierent operative position ot' the parts in Fig. 5.

Fig. 9, also diagrammatic, indicates these same parts in their normal position, or that position which they always tend to assume.

Fig. l0 is a sectional View on the plane l0-10 in Fig. l.

ln Figs. 1 and t, binding posts for the circuit lead wires 2 appear at rlhe conductive blades l or" usual construction are friction-pivoted respectively in lower terminal hinge clips 5 mounted on a vertical support panel 6, of slate or other suitable insulating' material, so as to swing into and out ot' circuit-closing engagement with upper terminal clips 7. A brace bar 8 oi insulating material bridges these blades at their tops, but in place of the usual control handle for operating the blades7 this brace bar carries ai bracket mounting 9 for a detent catch linger 11 pivoted at l2 land urged by a spring 13 to a position as shown in Fig. e, wherein a lower portion li of said linger abuts against the brace bar 8, and an upper portion 15 extends upwardly to a position for intercept-ive engagement with a detent 16 carried between, and at the eX- treinities of the double armed detent lever 18, which is pivoted at 19 to a bracket 2O mounted on the top edge ot the support panel 6.

The common control handle 22 for switch and timer is iixedly carried by a separately pivoted, actuating structure comprising a two-legged upright swinging arm 23 that in tui'n is carried rigidly by, and as part of, the horizontal straddle-bar 24, each end of the latter being pivoted at 25 to bracket terminals 26 extending forwardly from either side ot the panel base. The entire actuating structure above described will hereinafter be referred to as the actuator.

A powerful, coiled, spring 27 connects an anchorage projection 28 of the actuator and a corresponding anchorage projection 29 of the blade structure, this spring normally acting to hold the actuator and the blade structure together as shown in Fig. 4, where buffer lugs 30 formed as extensions of theV bracket 9 are shown as seated in spring buffer clips 31 carried by the actuatorfor shock-absorbing purpose. f

Itfshould be 'noted that the angle made by th'efor'ward engaging edge 32 of catch linger 11 relative to the path of travel of detent 16 as carried by detent lever 1,8l is such as to exert -pressure on this detent in a direction that will tend to displace said detent upwardly and out of the path ofsaid finger to permit switch-opening movement of the blade structure whenever the detent lever 18 is free to? yield. On the other hand, this angle` is not such as to set up reactive pressure on the pivoted catch finger 11 in a directionto cause thelatter yto yield downwardly to vpermit such switch-opening movement of the blade structure; although it will be evident from inspection of the mechanical relation of parts, as shown in Fig. 4, that movement of the blade structure to closefthe switch will always be permitted freely by such downward yielding of the catch finger'whenever the detent arm 18 is locked against upward yielding movement.

It isy thus apparent that the blade structure is normally free tov be moved to and from its switch-closing position, and that to locky the same therein, it is necessaryinerely to prevent upward yielding movement of the detent lever 18.- As one of the various possible ways *to` cause the timing mechanism to .effect automatic switch action when desired, I block, and lat a predetermined timewthereafter' release,the detent lever 18 (respectively to .prevent and to'permit such yielding movement thereof) by means of a simple timer mechanism hereinafter to be described. Y Y

lVhen the' detent arm 18 is blocked against yielding', swinging displacement of the actuator' from its broken line position shown inFig-4 will obviously separate the actuator" lfr'o'mrthe blade structure and tension the connecting spring 30. To establish the parts thus tensioned, a. locking strut arm 34 vis friction-pivoted at 35 to the actuator structure, said arm at its free end riding through an opening 36 in the panelr 6 and being. guided therein by a check pin 37 that horizontally spans said opening and passes through a longitudinal slot 38 in said strut a'rm'. Anotcli 39 at thefar end of this slot is adapted toengage with the check pin to hold-the actuator in its broken-line position in Fig. 4. The strut arm 34 may, however,Y

at any time disengage from the check pin 37 by pressing downwardly with the thumb on a plunger trip rod 40 that passes centrally through the handleand 'at its lower end is bent 'to-extend through, and to be' guided in, an elongated slot 42 in the side of the actuator structure, thereby to engage with atripping extension 43 of the strut arm. A plungerspringA/l .normally acts to hold the plunger rod 40 in.its uppermost position.

The timer mechanism before referred to, is contained, for the most part, in a closed chamber within a metallic mounting box "45 back of the vpanel'Gf VPivoted at 4,6"to the r'ear face ofY the support panel 6 is a bell y crank lever comprising a short arm 47 that extends horizontally to the left from said pivot, as shown in broken lines, Fig. 1, and terminates in a' shelf-lug 48 directly beneath and engaging the lower end of a universal presser coupling 50, that at its upper end similarly engages with a rearwardextension 51 of the detent lever 18 to receive presser impulses therefrom. The other, and longer',

or feeler arm52 of this bell crai'ilr lever is l angular and extends obliquely downwardly terminating in a rearwardly Vturned end 53. Mounted for rotation adjacent to this klower end of feelei" arm 52, is a timer cam 55 noi'- inally so positioned rotatively that a notch' 56 in the periphery thereof registers with said end 53 of the 4arm 5u to permit the movement thereof radially inwardly. of the cam, as would obviously be caused by the upward vyielding of detent arm` 18 heretofore mentioned. A light springl 57, however, acts yieldingly to'hold the said end of feeler arm 52 out of. said notch and vto retain lever 18 against stop 17 and the detent- 16 in its lower position for engagement with catchv finger 11. The tendency of nger 11 to displace detent 16 from its path, however, -is of such relative magnitude vas to overcome the laction of spring 57. Obviously, therefore, when the notch 56 in cam 55 registers 'with the end of feeler arm 52, yieldingof the detent lever to release the blade structure for. switch opening willbe permitted by entrance ofarm 52 into this notch.Y But Y if this notch 56, as shown in full linesi-n Fig. 1,1s displaced Vf-rom such registering position, yielding of the detent lever 18 will 'be positively blocked by engagement of feel'er tating cam 55 in one direction'is had by storing tension in,l the band spring. 60'. This spring at one end is connected to the winding spindle 58 and at the otherend 62 to` a frame stud 63. ri'ihe spindle 58 has bearings. infront and rear frame plates 64, 64 of the timing movement.

vthe front of thesupport panel 6. The band spring always tends to rotate the cam 55 clockwise to a stop-limited position wherein the peripheral notch 56 in the cam 55 is positioned as also indicated in broken lines to register with the end of feeler arm 52.

VFrom the foregoing, it will be clear that when the timer parts are normally de-en ergized and positioned, the blade Contact structure of the switch will promptly follow the actuator directly to open or close the switch in the usual manner. lVhen, however, itis desired to cause the switch to perform anA automatic action, as to break a circuit, say, for extinguishing the lights, the actuator isl swung to its locked position shown in full linesin Fig.l 4 against the tension ink spring 27 ,-corresponding movement ofthe lblade structure being prevented by the cam-locked detent 16 in a manner hereinafter described. Spring 27, uponr ktimed return of notch 56 in cam 55 to its position for registering with the end feeler arm 52, will then cause a quick movement of the blade structure to open the switch. As the impact between the blade structure and the actuato-r is considerable, the buffer lugs 30 and clips 31, or other suitable devices may be employed to absorb the shock.

l may vprovide as a means for winding and setting in operation the timer movement, a system of gearing that may receive operating impulse from a gear segment, such as shown at 711. This' gear segment is carriedat the rear end of an arm 75 that is formed to extend through a lateral opening 75 in the wall of the timer compartment. and is carried as a fixed part of the actuator straddle bar 24, thereby to 'swing in fixed relation to the actuator about the latters pivot.

In a rear corner of the timer compartment, I mayl conveniently mount, by means of screw studs, 77, 77, an angle-plate rack 78 having teeth en each of its longitudinal edges and constrained for vertical movement by a long slot 79 in one of its sides thatvengages with said screw studs.

This Vrack by one of its toothed edges is positively enmeshed with segment 7 l to slide iup and down correspondingly to swinging movement of the actuator, and by another toothed edge engages an idler gear 80 rotating on a .fixed stud v82 that is mounted in the rear wall of the timer box 45; This idler -gear is in turn enmeshed with a pinion 83 As shown in F ig. 10, the pinion 83 vis fixed to a common hub 87 with a winding disc 85 although between said pinion and disc, a timer gear 86 of greater diameter is also mounted freely to turn on, and relative to, said hub for purposes later to be explained. The ratio of gearing is such that a full swinging stroke of actuator in its direction to open the switch rotates the winding disc 85 substantially one complete turn in a counteiicloclwise direction, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9.

Also mounted on stud 8%, and adjacent to hub 87, is an escapement disc 90 having a bearing hub 89 and that carries two forwardly projecting prongs 91, engaging at diametrically opposite points, with correspondinp` openings in a winding plate 95 that is fixedly carried on the main winding spindle 58, Figs. # 1 and 6. The escapement disc 90 is also freely rotatable on stud 8st and has connection with t-he winding disc 85 only through releasable engagement in direction between a cam lug 93 carried on the winding disc S5 and a trippable latch 941 carried on the opposing face of the escapenient disc 90. This latch is normally positioned by a light spring 96 againsta stop pin 97 carried on the escapement dise as shown in Figs. 5 and 8 but may yield to the opposite limit of its swing as determined by another pin 98 also carried on the escape ment dise 90 as shown in Figs. 7 and 9. .Vhen in lits normal posit-ion, the rearwardly turned end 99 of the latch 94 is adajted to be engaged by an edge 100 of the cani lug 93, these parts, however, being capable of interference at no other points.

The timer setting gear 86, heretofore ineationed, carries on its forward face a trip pin 102 extending into the pat-h of a projecting portion 103 of the latch 9st, which ex tends forwardly beyond the periphei of escapement disc 90. Two idler pinions 101 afford gearing connection of said timer setting gear 86 with a similar gear 105 fixedly carried on an arbor 106 that has a bcai' vin the support panel 6, and c" ries rectly in front of the latter the pointer-h i 66 with theusual handles 67, 67, a d a rooperating time indication dial 70. This pointer-hand has no direct `connection with the timer cam 55 nor the spindle 58 but is held established and stationary in such position as it may be desired to adjust the same, by the detent plunger ball 107, adapted to seat in openings 108 circularly arranged in the gear 105. Obviously, the rotative position of the pointer-hand bears a em Y, n... relation to the rotative position of trip pin 102. and by means of the handles 67, 67, such io tative position may be varied at will.

The operation is as follows:

rlhe timer control parts are shown iu their normal positions in Fig. 9; Here the wardly the end 99 of latch 94 that normally is positioned to be engaged by the lug 93,

y and that the notch 56 in cani 55 registers ,undisturbed permitting the detent 'with the end 53 otteeler arm 52, so that upon' the switch-'opening stroke of the ac-y tuator (and consequent rotation ot the winding dise 85 in a counter-clockwise direction, (Fig. 9) no engagement will occur between said lug 93 and latch 94. The timer cam 55 and timer movement will remain, therefore, roller 16 to yield upwardly and permit passage of catch linger 11, and movement ot the blade structure to open the switch, in the usual manner. v

Assuming now that etere such switchopening stroke of the actuator, the pointerhand 66 is dis lacedfiroin its zero iosition u 1 7 and the trip pin 102 thereby revolved counter-clockwise to some position suoli as shown in Fig. 8, then latch 94 will be urged by spring 96 into the-path of lug 93, so that when the latter is moved with the winding disc 85 by said strokeV of the actuator, the escapement disc 90 will be picked up and rotated in a direction to wind the hand spring 60 of the timing movement. Such winding rotation of the escapement dise is, ofcourse, accompanied by corresponding` ro.y tation of the main spindle 58 and timer cam 55, and continues during the said stroke oi the actuator until projection portion 103 ci latch 94 is encountered by the 'trip pin 102. At this point the said latch will be disen gaged trom said lug and released for automatic timed return under the stored-up power in band spring 60, in the usual mannen-the lug 93 continuing through its full revolution corresponding to a iullstroke of the actuator after being thus relieved of the escapement plate at the point predetermined by the setting of the trip pin 102.

rTurning ot escapement .disc 90 to wind the movement spring 60 will not actuate the retarding train because a ratchet wheel 71,

that is friction mounted against a shoulder on the spindle 58 through the axially ex erted tension in spring 61, will slip under the n retarding pawl 72 carriedon the sideot the large retarding gear 59 in the Vwell knownv manner. The band spring V60 obviously will bewound to an extent proportional to the rotative displacement oiescapement disc 90 and will play itself out as it drives the time train and restores escapenient disc 90, and cani 55 to their stopped positions.Y Slow moveinento cam 55 results from the retarding action of the gear trainas transmitted to the spindle 58 through the'friction hold thereon of ratchet wheel 71 consuming an interval of time proportional `to the degreeV its stopped position. f

rlliere are several features of operation that should be noted. Although lug 93 will always pick up and carry the escapement disc 90 counter-clockwise to a point predetermined by the setting 'of trip pin 102,. yet operative interferenceV of said lug, with latch 94, when passing in 'the' opposite direction7 is always prevented hy the cam formation given to the lug 93-.which causes natural yielding ot' latch 94, as rshown in F ig. 5. Another point to be noted is that in order for the blade structure to be held in switchclosing position and tensioned for timed re-V lease, thetimer cam 55 must be moved to displace the notch 56 therein from register-l ing position with-'the end of eeler arm 52, before the bladey structure'encouiiters the-.detent roller 16,. lTo provide forl this, suitable operative lostk niotion,`or clearance, is arranged between tlie blade structure and the detenta-16 when the blade structure vis fully seated in the terminal clips 7. But in addition to this back-lash, introduced :tort-he purpose just described, a purely idle lost mo tion of greater extent is desirable to insure that even thougn the blade structure is not pushed entirely back to its switch-closed seat, the cam lug 93 will always-return r0- tativelyrto an extentsuiiicient to" Vpass into engaging relation with the latch 94,-ready, as shown .in Fie. 9, on subsequent switch opening sirolre' ot' the actuator, to wind. up and setfin operation the timing movement, in the manner before explained. p To malte allowance for this additional and purely idle back-lash, peripheral elongation oi the notch 56 in 55 is provided. It will he appreciatee that the need of such idleV lost motion is largely due to the Ytact that a smallangular movement ot the lactuator results in a mucli'greater angular movement of the timer cain. A positive stop for the springdriven timer movement is arovided b a in 11G-'f back to Zero which action will cause theV trip pin 102 to Vimpel the escapement disc through engagement with latch 94, until these part-s are returned to'tlieir positions as in 9, regardless oi what position the cani lug 93 may at the time occupy.

1t ,will be appreciated that whereas, for

simplicity, 1 have chosen to disclose my iniproved timer arrangement asapplied to an electric lnifeswitch, the scope et the'invention isby no means limited to such application. Thus I may as readily combine 4my lIO improved and simpliiied timer arrangement, with switch structui'es of radically diderent types, such as either rotary or push-button snap switches ofstandard and approved design; or my invention wherein all actuating control is concentrated in common main control handle, is as readily embodiable in timer mechanism for a gas-valve or other device, as for electric switches. As there is nothing generically diiferent in a mechanical sense between the movements of an electric contact toy malte and break an electric circuit and the movements 'of the port control menibcr of, for instance, a valve to open and close a conduit, it will clearly be understood that both are intended to be included by speciiic mention of either in any of the appended claims. Also I do not confine my invention to the manner of timer control whereby the timer holds back the switch contacts and later releasesthem for follow-up movement relative to the actuating handle. I could as well arrange the timer movement to operate the switch contacts by means of direct timer caused actuation of the switch actuator or in other ways if desired.

Therefore my invention will be understood as not confined to the specific embodiments thereof herein disclosed, but what I 1. In an electric time switch, the combination with a movable circuit-governing member; of resilient means vfor establishing tension tendingto shift said member automatically between operative positions thereof; a separately mounted detent movable to and from a position forinter'cepting said member to prevent tension-caused shifting thereof; normally idle timing mechanism operatively related to said detent to control ymember-governing movements thereof; and

a separate operating handle arranged by one movement to shift saidfmember directly from one to' another of its said operative positions independently of said timing mechanism and by another movement to subject said member to the operative tension of said resilient means; together with means for operatively connecting said actuator and said timing mechanism so that the former also energizes and sets in operation said timing mechanism. f

.2. In an electric switch, the combination with a movable contact member; of resilient moans for establishing tension tending to cause circuit-breaking movement of said member; an actuator adapted to operate said member and further arranged Von designed movement to energize said resilient means; a movable detent operatively related to said member .for governing the said circuit-breaking movement thereof; and noi'- mally idle timing mechanism connected to be energized and set in operation by the said actuator movement that energizes said sul resilient means, and adapted when so 'set in operation to control nieinber-goveriiing movement of said detent; together with an adjustable trip device, arranged to predetermine the operative setting of saidtimer mechanism and extent oi the energization thereof as caused by said movement of said actuator.

3. Mechanism for timing operative movement of a detent-controlled device embodying, in combination; a detcnt-governing timer element mounted to be spring-inipclled to a deinite stop-limited position, with means automatically active to retard said element when the latter is manually displaced from its said position and released for spring-impelled return thereto; an operating handle mounted for limited swinging travel and adapted by said travel to tension said device for operative movement; means for coupling said operating handle with said element so that the latter is displaced from its said position by said swinging travel of the former; and an adjustable trip device operatively related to said coupling means and arranged auotomatically to free said element from said handle at a selectable predetermined point in said travel of the latter.

4r. An electric switch response timer embodying, in combination with a movable switch contact member; a relatively movable switch actuator arranged by one movement to establish said member in circuitmaking position; means adapted automatically to displace said member from its said position to break the circuit; and a normally inactive timer mechanism including a locking element for preventing said displacement of the contact member; and a retarded springmotor adapted to drive said element to al position for operatively releasing said member; together with connections whereby niovement of said switch actuator additional to said circuit making movement sets in operation said `spring motor automatically to actuate said element and effect the release ot' the contact member after a predetermined time.

5,'An electric switch response timer einbodying, in combination with a movable rswitch contact member; a relatively movable switch actuator arranged by one movement to establish said member in circuit-making position; means adapted automatically to cause displacement of said member from its said position to break the circuit; and a normally inactive timer `mechanism including a locking element for preventin r said displacement of thc Contact member, and a retarded spring motor adapted to drive said element to a position for operatively releasing said member; `together with connections whereby another movement of said switch actuator winds and sets in operation said spring motor automatically to actua-te said element and Veffect the release ot the Contact member after a predetermined time.

6. Electric switch control. mechanism, embodying in combination with anoscillatory contact member; an oscillatory actuator mounted to swing with and positively to imvpel said member in one direction ot its oscillation and further arranged Jroi' swinging displacement relative to said member in the opposite direction of oscillation; a spring connecting said actuator and said member so that said displacement of the former relative to the latter 'tensions the latter for circuit-switching follow-up movement; a detent movable to a position to intercept said member thereby to prevent its said follow-up movement; means to hold said actuator when tension is established in said connecting spring; and normally idle timing mechanism including a retarded spring motor having operative connections with said actuator whereby member tensioning displacement ot the latter winds and sets in operation said motor, with a movable timer element for holding said; detent in ,itsV intercepting position ,-said velement being connected to said motor thereby to be impelled to a stop-limited position wherein sai'drdetent is released to free said member.k Y

7. A time limit switchembodying in combination, a circuit controlling Contact, a handle movable a designed distance to throw said contact'to close the circuit, a power spring tensionable `by said handle to throw said Contact to open the circuit, av

spring impelled timer mechanism, connections whereby a portion ot the movement of said handle conditions said timer mechanism to delay the circuit opening throw of said Contact, and means to vary and predetermine the portion of said handle movement which acts upon said timer thereby to predetermine the duration of said delay.

v8. A time limit switch embodying in comhina-tion, a circuit controllingl contact, a handle movable a designed distance to throw said contact to close the circuit, aV power spring tensionable by said handle to throw said Contact to open the circuit, a'timer,

operatively related to said contact means operated by a portion of the movement ot Y said handle to condition said timer tor a period of operation thereby to delay during said period theV opening throw ot said contact, and means to vary and predetermine the portion of said handle movement which acts upon said timer, thereby toA predetermine the saidperiod ot' timer operation.

V9. An electric switch operating response governor embodying in combination with a circuit-controlling member ot the switch; a relatively movable actuator therefor arranged by` one movement to establish said member in 'aV maintained operative position thereof; means adapted to be energized for automatically shitting said member fromv itsv said position; and a normally .inactive slowacting timer adapted to render said means operative to shift said member a substantial. interval of time `iter said timer is set in operation; together with connect-ions between said actuator and said timer whereby movement ot said actuator sets in operation said timer.

Y l0. In switch timing mechanism, in combination, a current switching contact reciprocating between open and Vclosed positions, a spring to tension said Contact for quick circuit switching action,a timer conditionable to edect said spring caused action of said contact, and a handle connected to operate said Contact, and to tension saidspring, and to be movable without movement ot' said contact for conditioning said timer.

l1. In switch timing mechanism, in combination, a current switching contact reciprocating between open and closed position, a. power spring to tension said contact tor quick currentswitching action, a timer normally stationed in limit position, a motor spring for impelling said timer to said position to effect actuation of said Contact .by said contact spring, and a handle connected to establish said contact selectively inr open or closed position without establishment of opposing bias in said power spring, and connections whereby saidhandle displaces said timer from said limit positional/1d energizes said motor spring.

l2. In switchv timing mechanism,` in combination, a timer, a motor spring to impel said timer, a switch contact governable by said timer, a power-spring to-actuate said contact, a handle-,connected to tension both said motor spring ,and said power spring, said handle further being connected to eect current switching movement ot' saidV contact after tensioning said motor spring and wit-hout varying 'the tension already estab-L lished in said motor spring.V

13. In a iowcontrol timing mechanism,

vin combination, a timer, a motor spring to impel said timer, a iow control governable by said timer, a power spring to' actuate said iiow control, a common handle connected to tension both said motor spring and said power spring, said handle being movable to operate said flow control subsequent to tensioning said motor spring and without further' varying the tensionrin said motor spring.

la. In combination with a switch and timing mechanism, a handle to throw said switch directly without intermediate action of said timing mechanism Vand connections whereby said handle is also operative to condition said timing mechansm to cause an automatic actuation of said switch.

15, In switch timing mechanism, in com bination, a spring impelled timer', a spring actuated reciprocating contact governable by said timer, a common handle connected to tension said timer spring and also to tension said contact spring', said handle being tinther connected to throw saidl contact in both directions without interference by said timer after tensioning said timer spring and without varying the tension in said timer spring.

16, In switch timing mechanism, in combination with a reciprocating switch contact, means to tension said contact l'or quick circuit switching acti-on, a spring' driven timer to govern said contact action, a handle having connections to throw said contact in both directions without interference by said timer and to energize said contact tensioning means by movement relative to said contact and further having connections to energize and set in operation said timer.

17. In combination with power means for actuating a device to be timed, a timer normally stationed at limit position and displafceable from said position for self returning travel to effect the actuation of said dew vice through said means, a common handle toroperating both said power means and for said timer, and connections whereby move! ment of said handle in onedirection both displaces said timer from limit position and energizes the power means to actnate said device. l

18. Timingl mechanism embodying, in combination with the device to be' timed, a spring 'driven time movement, a timer controlling the actuation of said device and impellable by said' movement to a limit position, a handle operable in one direction to displace said timer from said position and simultaneously wind the movement spring, and means permitting reverse movement of both said handle and said timer without unwinding saidspring.

19. In combination, timing mechanism, a device to be timed, a time setting handle, a time movement spring arranged to be energized by displacement of said handle from one position, said handle being manually returnable to said position without nnwinding said movement spring.

20. In combination, timing mechanism, a device to be timed, a time setting handle connected to operate selectively with and without time control the device to be timed, a time ymovement spring arranged to be en ergized by displacement ot saidV handle from one position when operating said device with time control, said handle being manually returnable toward its said position without nnwinding said movement spring.

21. A time limit switch embodying in combination, a circuit controlling Contact, a handle movable a full distance to throw said contact to close the circuit, a power spring tensionable by said handle to throw said contact to open the circuit, a spring impelled timer, mechanism whereby a portion ot the movement ot' said handle conditions said timer to delay the circuit openingl throw ot' said contact, and me. a 'y and predetermine the conditioning et' said timer as efi'ected by the movement et said handle through its said full distance.

Q2. Time control mechanism embodying in combination, a i'iow control, a handle to operate said tlow control, a timer to control the operation ot said flow control and also operated b v said ha"i and setting means to vary and predeteiAAA i e the action oi said handle upon said timer.

23. In combination with an electric switch, a handle actnatable for openii f and closing s* Yitch, a timer mechai ism eilective uring its running period to delay an action i said switch consequent to actuation ot raid handle, connections whereby said handle tarts the running period of said timer mechanism, and means separate from said handle to vary and prede-termine the duration of said running period prior to the starting thereole by said handle.

2st. In combination with an electric switch, handle actuatable for opening and closing said switch, a timer mechanism effective diiring its ruiming period to delay an action of sait-L witch consequent to actuation of said handle, connections whereby said handle starts the the running period of said timer mechanism, and means separate trom said handle and adjustable both prior to and slibsequent to the actuation ot' said handle which starts said running period thereby to vary and determine the duration oil said period.

25. Time control mechanism embodying in combination, a tlow control, a handle connected to operate said tlow control in detinite l mechanical relation thereto, and a timer tor controlling automatic operation of said flow control and connected to be operated by said handle in variable mechanical relation to said Jdow control.

26. In combination with a flow control, timing mechanism, handle to operate said control directly without intermediate action oi timing mechai'iism, and connections whereby said handle conditions said timing mechansm to cause an automatic actuation of said control.

27. A. time limit tlow control embodying in combination, a ilow controlling member, a handle movable to throw said member to atleet the flow, a power spring to throw said member bach te its original position, a time giving mechanism, connections whereby movement ot said handle conditions said time giving mechanism to govern the said throw-back of said member, and means settable separately from movement of said handle with connections to vary and predetermine thereby the time at which said time givbach ot said member, said means remaining so set and so operating on subsequent actuations of said member and conditioning of s d mechanism by said handle, thereby to repeat the same time determining function without further manipulation of said means.

QS. In a time limit switch, the combination with a movable contact member, of resilient means ,tor causing circuit breaking movement oi' said member, a common handle to operate said member and to energize said resilient means, normally idle timing mechanism connected to be set in operation by movement of said handle, and adapted to control the act-ion of said resilient means upon said member, together With an adjustabie trip device settable separately from said handle and operative thereafter to repeatedly determine the period of running oi' said `timing mechanism prior to its circuit brealringei'ect uponsaid member each time the timing mechanism is set in operation for that purpose by said handle.

29.7111 switch timing mechanism, in com- Vbination, a current switching contact, a

power spring for effecting quick current p sivitchii'ig action of said contact, a normally ingmechanism shall cause the said throW` idle time giving mechanism,r and conditionable to runt'or governing said spring caused action of said contact, and a handle connected to set said cont-act selectively both in open and closed positions, and connections whereby movement-of said handle conditions said time giving'. mechanism for running, together with a trip settable separately from said'handle, and means rendering said trip operable to determine the period otrunning of said mechanism and the time of action of Contact governed thereby.

30. 1n combination with a flow control and timing mechanism, a handle having a degree of movementto operate said control directly Without intermediate effect of said timing mechanism, connections whereby said handle is also operative to condition said timing mechanism to cause an automa-tic actuation of said control, and a trip member stationable in variable positions to determine the time of said automatic actuation yand to vary same disproportionately to said degree of movement of said handle. v i

Signed at Boston, h/lassachusetts, this 8th day of May, 1924.

RAYMOND D. SMITH.

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