US1800666A - Mechanism for timing mixing and other operations - Google Patents

Description

April 14, 1931. s. SHAFER. JR

MECHANISM EOR'TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April 50, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet l April 14, 1931. s. SHAFER. JR

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April 50, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 April 14, 1931. s. SHAFER. JR

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April 30, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 S. SHAFER. JR

April 14, 1931.

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 30 l IIH lllllllllll gnuenf o1,

April 1931- s. SHAFER. JR 1,800,666

MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Filed April so, 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 0,8 kw/a4 Fatented Apr. 14, 193i UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAMUEL SHAFER, 53., F MILWAUKEE, JTISGON'SIhT, ASSIGNOR T0 CHAIN BELT COM- IPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATIQN OF WISCONSIN MECHANISM FOR TIMING MIXING AND OTHER OPERATIONS Application filed April 30,

This invention relates generally to mecha: nism for timing mechanical operations; althoughthe embodiment thereof herein illustrated and described has been devised particularly for use in connection with concrete mixing apparatus.

.The restrictions placed upon users of concrete mixing machinery are becoming more and more severe, as investigation proves that the time element. in mixing concrete is an exceedingly important factor.

This invention has for one of its objects to produce an improved timing mechanism, or batch meter, as itis called when used in connectinn with concrete mixing machinery, that shall not commence its measuring operation until certain preliminaries are completed; although the mechanism may be set for operationior an indeterminate length of time pro liminary to its beginning its timing or measuringi'unction. Thus, applied to a concrete mixing machine, the timing mechanism or batch. meter may be set when the operation of charging the mixing drum begins. But thetimingoif the mixing period does not com mence until all of the aggregates have entered into the mixing drum, or, which is prac tically the. same thing, mtil the loading device, whatever its character, begins its return movement.

Another object of the present invention is to produce a. batch meter or timing mechanism that operates accurately under all con ditions, thatlmaybe adjustedior a longer or shorter period of timing, and whose functions and, operations are not aiiected by the position of the mechanism relative to the horizontal.

A further object of the invention is to produce a timing mechanism orbatch meter that gives a signal or alarm the instant it begins to operate as a timing device, and anothersignal or alarm at. the end of the timed period, when it completes its operation.

Further objects ot the invention are'to improve the apparatus in its various details and features of construction, inatter pointed out.

In the drawings- Figure 1 is aside view, largely diagram which will be here- 1926. Serial No. 105,798.

matic, of a concrete paving machine, showing one way of adapting the present invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view in side elevation illustrating another manner of applying the invention to a concrete mixing apparatus.

Fig. 3 is an end view of a batch meter embodying the present invention, parts of the end wall of the enclosing casing being broken away to expose to view the apparatus within.

Fig. 4: is a front view of thetiming apparatus, the parts being represented in normal position, that is, the position which they should occupy when the material is not being mixed.

Fig. 5 is a front view of the timing apparatus showing the parts in set position but before the timing operation has begun.

Figs, 6, 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views all taken on the line VIVI, of Fig. 9, and parts beingomitted for the sake of clearness; Fig. 6 showing the parts in normal position, Fig. 7 in the position they occupy when the apparatus isset, and Fig. 8 representing the position of the parts at the completion of the mixing operation.

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IXIX of Fig. 4.

Fig. 10 is a detail horizontal sectional view, many parts being not shown, taken on the line XX of Fig. 3.

Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of the control cylinder element of the mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view on the line XIIXII of Fig. 11.

Fig. 13. is a sectional view on the line XIIL-XIII of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a side view of the cylinder element of the mechanism and some of its associated parts.

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view on the line XV-XV of Fig, 14. a

Fig. 16 is an endview of the cylinder'element.

Fig. 17 is a detail view of the restricting valve 24.

Fig. 18. is a' plan view of the piston element working in the control cylinder.

. Fig; 19 is a sectional view on the line XIXXIX of Fig. 18. j Fig. 2 0 is'a' detail Sectional view taken on the line XX.XX Fig. 10.

Many of the parts of the pavingmachine to Whichthe invention is'a pplied have been omitted from the drawings, which are largely diagrammatic as to such machine. Referring tothecdrawings, A indicates a rotating mixing drum suitably mounted upon a movable support, B the charging skiptherefor,

pivotally supported at b, and Cthe discharge chute. The latter is of the power-driven type, the mechanism for controlling andmoving the discharge chute being mounted w thin a casing This mechanism may be like 7 that illustrated in Patent 1,415,411 of May 9,

19-22, .to Samuel Shafer, Jr, and-thereforeis not illustrated in detaiLit'being deemed sufficient to show] only the exposed handle F by which theoperating mechanism for. the discharge chute is controlled and put into c onnection with. the power shaft that operates it. N E represents the, casing within which is mounted the .batch timing mechanism constituting the present invention. 7 r

a This mechanism is arranged tobe inter mittently operated, being set when the charging of the mix-ingdrum takes place but not started into operationuntil such charging operation has been fully completed. 7 Thus,

as illustrated in Fig.1, when the loading" skip B comes to position to deliver its charge into the 'm'ixing drum, as represented in sented in Fig. 5,.

A spring 3, referablylocated withintheV casing E,,is connected withthearm 2 and tends to moveit and 'its associatedparts into normal'position ,7 I

The arm 2 is supported upon alshaft314. The connection 1 ofthe arin with the batch timing mechanism, which it directly moves,

' is not rigid orffixed, but rather is through a v spring, in a manner. and for aj'plurpose that will be presently" described. As, the skip comes-to loading-position and theame and the shaft. with-which itisjconnected are moved, .thebatch timing mechanism is ,set, but it does not'beginito operate until the 7 skip has completely 1 discharged, andthe entire batch of materials to be mixed has been delivered intothe mixing drum, which completed operation is: evidenced by the attendant starting the skip upon. its return or downward movement, whereupon the batch timing mechanism starts, and an alarm or signal is'givento notify that the timing of the mixing has begun. 1 V

The connection between thearm 2 and the mechanismsiit controls isthrougha spring 7 16 (Fig. 10)located in a cylindrical spring box '38, that is mounted, so as to. be free to turn,iin a bearing 40, shown'as being integral with the rear wall of the casing E. The spring box has also bearing upon the shaft 34, relativeto whichlitiszifreely rotatable.

One end of the spring 16 is secured to the V casing orbox38, and the other end to a sleeve 3 5 surrounding the shaft 34, and also free to turn thereon, The sleeve has bearing "in a face plate 39 that covers the spring box 38, and is provided exteriorly ,of said face plate with a head 36 that is'peripherally'notched. I

The arm 2 is mounted upon'a disc 28 keyed to, the shaft 34, being secured thereto frictionally so as to permiteasy angular adjustment. The disc carries a pawl 37, (Fig. 20)" the free end of which is adapted to enter the notches of the head'36 of the sleeve 35, this arrangement providing for adjusting the tension of the spring, whose office is to permit an overrunning ofthe arm 2 afterthe cylindrical box 38,'a-nd the disc 4"which'it carries, 7

have been arrested; without liability of straining or breakage of 'partspdThe disc 4 just referred to is located within the casing E, is supported concentrically upon the shaft 34, and is turned by the spring box 38 of which it is preferably an integralpart, constituting theinner end thereof, and being of greater-diameter than the portion of the box mounted in the bearing 40. I Theperipheral edge of the disc 4 has formed in it. two notches or recesses, 6 and 31, 6 to 8) and is formed with orilcarries two projec- V tions 32 and 33; It also carries an inwardly pivotal connection for a link' fif'uniting the springB with the disc.

the timing mechanism is s'etu'pon the movementof the armQ from the position shown 7 I will next describe thema'nner inwhich iIIFigs. l7 andf4 to" that represented inFig. 5,

and I may herestate that'suchtiming mecha struction. Y

nism f includes ,dashpot of peculiar con extending pin 8 and apin'th'atserves asthe 7 1O designates. a shaft suitably supported andTi-n axial alignmentwi-th the shaft 34',

carries an arm 9, whichis keyed thereto and is located in position to be acted upon by the pinS projecting fromthe disc, the pin engaging with the arm when the disc' is being turned 'from normal position to the set posisee Fig.10, At its end toward thedisc 4 it tion, but separating fromthe arm and travel-- ing at amuch more rapid rate as the parts return to normal positions. Thejshaft 10,

at theend oppositethe arms, carries a large disoll, (F igs. 4, 5 and 9) a portion "ofthe batch timing mechanism when the loading skip comes to discharging position, and is then freed from connection with the latter whenit is lowered. The gear 11 is connected, by a link 23, with abatch counter G; so that F at each operation of' the timing mechanism the counter registers that a batch ofconcrete has. been mixed.

65. indicates the cylinder of the timing mechanism suitably supported within the we ing E and formed with a lon itudinal bore in which operates a piston 67, (Figs. 12, 18 and 19') the cylinder containing a suitable liquid such as oilor glycerine, that circulates as the piston is reciprocated, flowing freely from one side of the piston tothe other when it moves in one direction, but the flow being restricted when the-movement of the piston is in the opposite direction. Plugs 73 at the opposite ends ofthe cylinder close the bore in which the piston operates. There is a longitudinal passage 68 through the piston, permitting free fiow of the liquid from one side of the piston to the other when it is moved in one direction. A stop valve 15 preferably of spherical shape serves to prevent flow of liquid through the passage 68 when the piston is moved in the opposite direction, this valve being held to itsseat by a. spring 69; A bypass 70 within the body of the cylinder conducts the fluid around the piston. In this by-pass is arranged a valve 24 through which is a restricted opening 75. Upon the stem of this valve is mounted an arin 25, (Figs. 14 and15) the free end of which is movable over the face of a segment 26 attached to the cylinder 65. Bymoving the arm the valve is adjusted to vary the size of theexposed area of the opening through the valve 24. The arm may beset in the posit-ion to which it may be moved by aset screw 27. There is a transverse opening 29 between the bypass 7 O and the central bore of the cylinder 65, and a radial opening 71 through the piston 67 communicating with thelongitudinal passage 68 therein. These two openings, 29 and 71, are so related that they register as the piston is terminating its return movement, and just as the timed mixing period is completed, thus forming a cut-off or shunt passage between the opposite ends of the piston, short-circuiting the valve 24. The opening into the bypass through the end of the cylinder. is closed by a plug 72.

The piston 67 is provided with a stem or rod formed into a rack 14 with which engages a pinion 13 on the shaft 64. The forward end of the stem of the piston is provided with a head 74 that serves as a guide therefor, such headv being perforated to permit easy passage of the liquid confined within the cylinder as the piston ismoved.

Thecylinder 65-is exteriorly provided with a pair of lugs-66 through which extends the shaft 10 carrying the gear 11 and between which is located a coiled spring 76 (Fig. 13) that operates to move the piston in one direction. One end of thisspring is connected with the cylinder 65 or with the lugs 66, as may be most convenient, and the other end with a sleeve 77 mounted on and adjustable circumferentially about the shaft 10. This sleeve is supported so as to turn freely in one of the lugs 66, which may serve as a bearing therefor, and is formed with a notched head 81 with which engages a pawl 82 carried by the gear 11, which arrangement serves as a connection between the sleeve and the pinion, that is rigid for working conditions but permitting adjustment of the sleevein order to vary the tension of the spring 76, as may be required. The adjusting means for this spring are similar to those which have already been described in detail for the spring 16 connected with shaft 34, and hence need not be further described in detail. hen the shaft 10 is turned by the coming of the skip to loading position, through the train of mechanism including the arm 2 and the shaft 34, as has been described, the piston is quickly moved back, through the train of gearing including gear wheels 11 and 12, the shaft 64, and the pinion 13 that engages with the rack 14 on the stem or rod of the piston. lVhen the skip returns to its loading position to be again charged with aggregates, the connection between the shafts 34 and 10 is broken by recession of the pin 8, whereupon the spring 76 acts to turn the shaft and return the piston to its forward position, this causing circulation of the liquid within the cylinder 65 through theby-passTO which is restricted by the valve 24 so that the movement of the piston is relatively slow, depending upon the size of the available opening through the valve24 and upon the force of the spring 76.

78, 78 (Figs. 11, 13 and 16) are lugs projecting from the cylinder 65. These are internally screw-threaded to receive bolts or screws by which the cylinder is supported within the casing E. 7 9 is another lug in which is supported a stud shaft (Figs. 4, 5 and 9-) on which is mounted a locking latch or trigger 18.

I will now describe the mechanism for giving the signals to indicate, first, when the batch timer begins to operate, and, second, when it completes its operation, the first signal notifying the attendant that the mixing of the batch has commenced, and the latter that it has been completed, or rather, has continued for the length of time measured by the batch meter;

7 Referring to Figs. 3 to 8, 41 indicates a bell, which is typical of a device for giving r the signals justreferredto, It is showiias. supported below the casing E enclosing the batch meter. The mechanism for operating the bell nay befvariously:,constructed, that which I illustrate, comprising a reciprocate.

ing striker niechanism42that is-acted upon byan angular bell lever'43. ,A lever '44, here%. in termed'; the trigger. lever, is supported uponthe same shaft asthe bell-operating.

lever 43 and carries at its forwardend the -trigger', the'head cream-shaped end 58 of which bears upon the peripheral edge of the disc 4and=is adapted to enter the recesses, 6- "and 31, when these come j opposite to the head; A spring 56; is interposed between the trigger 5 andthe trigger lever 44, and tends the periphery of the disc 4, hence being under to force the head end of the trigger against greater tension when the head end of the trigger is moved away from the centerofthe disc than when it is allowed to approach such center, as when the cam-shaped portion of the head enters one of the'recesses, 6 or 31.

:"The normal positionsof the parts being described, that is, thepositionstheyoccupy when the loading skip is down, and the batch meter is at .rest,-is ,representedin Fig. 6.. Re- "ferring to this view'it 1 will be seen that the head of thetriggerb lies Within the recess '31 of the disc 4, and hence the spring 56 is" under little tension, that thestriking mechanism. 42jiS elevated, and that the pin 8 is in engagement With the arm 9 on the shaft 10,.

As the disc 4 is turned in the direction of the arrow,.by the skip engaging with the I push rod 1,'the spring 3 is put'under tension, and the arm 9 is rotated, setting the timing mechanism. During the first part of its movement the arm 9. passes the head of the trigger 5,-moving the latter out of its path,

to be immediately restored to engagement withthe periphery of the disc4 by the spring 56; e The pivotal connection ofthe link 57 with the disc 4 has an angular. movement correspondingwith,thatiof the'disc, but toward the *end} of the. movement of the latter an olfsetportion of the projectiong32'of; the disc comes into engagement with the link 57 and turns it upon its pivot, as indicated in Fig. 7 thus causing the end of the link to which the spring 3 is connected tohave' jan spondin ly rapid increase in thetensionof The extent offthe angular accelerated movement during the latter part of the rotation of the disc. 4, with a correthe spring 8. movement given to the disc 4 is. determined by the positions of'the projections {Rand-33.-

A stationary pin 59 located between and in the paths of movement. of these projections serves as an abutment against which they respectively bear, the projection 33 engaging with the pin when the parts, arein normal position,.Fig. 6, and the projection engaging therewith when the parts are, in

position to setthe ti ning mechanism."

mod-tee:

parts remain in the position represented in Fig. 7 so longasthe skip is raised, but when,

after it has delivered its complete charge into the mixer, it is lowered the spring 8 rapidlyjrestores'thedisc .4 town'ormal p osi tion; As it'does so the pin Sleaves thearm 9, which follows} slowly as the timing. mechanism operates. The head of the trigger 5, as has :beenfnoted,liesjwithingthe recess 6 when thelparts are inset position,Fig.' so

that as the disc begins its reverse movement it carries with it the trigger, and the trigger lever 44 and the belllever 43. arej noved, setting the striking mechanism'f42. of the bell in position tosound a signal. After a short movement of'the trigger, sufficient to set the striking mechanism as just described, the cam surfaceof the trigger head: 58 comes into engagement with a fixed'pin 'Z, whichjcauses the trigger to rock upon its pivot, putting the spring 56 under tension and at the same time withdrawinggthe projecting end of the head from the 'recess' 6. 'This movement causes the bell striking mechanism; to .be operated, and a signal is given, indicating that the timed mixing operation has begun.

As soon as the signal has been given, and the recess 6 in the disc 4 passes beyond the head'58 of the trigger,,the bell striking mechanism 42 rises, but remains in set position until-the recess 31' comes'opposite the head when the partsof the bell striking mechanism assume thepositionsindicatedlin F ig. 6 where they'remainuntilthe' arm 9- approaches the completion of its movement,

indicating that tlie'tinied mixing. operation is about completed. v The arm is arranged to i Y engage'with the head of the'bell trigger and move it in a downward direction andtowardthe pin 7, Fig.8, when. the striking operations thatl have been described are repeated, the signal taking pl'aceatthemoment the timed mixing operatioiiis completed, and notifying the attendantthatthe batch of concrete within the drui nfmaybe discharged, i Y a r Itis a requirementliii inixing machines that the delivery chute shall be locked in inactive or non-delivery position duringthe entire mixing period, and have provided means for effecting such. locking controlled by thebatc 'ftiming mechanism that I" have described.

rod,.with which the latch 18 that has been 7 referred to is adapted to engage; and, when u "s s emsetfialss ream r ,17 i

held rigidly in looking position. A spring 20 connected with the latch 18 tends to move it into position to engage :the collar 19. The latch is provided with a pin21 with which engages a cam 30 mounted upon the shaft 64 17 freeto be moved, and hence unlocking the discharge chute; but when the parts are moved to set the timing mechanism, Fig. 5, the cam is disengaged from the pin and the latch 18 is freed and is immediately moved by the spring. 20 into position to engage with the locking collar 19. If the discharge chuteat this instance be in inactive, non-delivery, position, it is immediately locked in that position. If, however, the .chute C should happen to be in position to deliver material from the mixing drum the rod 17 will be raised with the collar 19 above the latch or trigger18 and not engaged thereby, although the latter had moved into locking position. However, the trigger will not interfere with the movement of the delivery chute to non-deliveryposition and the movement of the rod 17 downwardly under the driving force of the spring 22, as the pivoted-latch 18 will yield topermit the collar '19 to pass its free end, and when this has taken place the spring 20 will immediately restore the latch to its locking position, now above or in engagement with the collar.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the locking bolt or bar lTconnected with an extension rod 85 that is connected with a bell crank lever 84:, which in turn is connected,by a link 83. with thecontrol arm F of the'power driven mechanism that moves the delivery chute arranged within the casing I). When the rod 17 is looked, as has been described, the arm F cannot be shifted,and hence the delivery chute cannot be moved from its inactive to its delivery position.

In Fig. 2 is shown another arrangement by which the delivery chute is locked. In this view the batch timing mechanism is representedas being mounted in close proximity to the casing D enclosing the power driven mechanism for operating the delivery chute so that the locking rod 17 may extend directly from the casingE into the casing D and engage with an arm60, connected with the control arm or handle F. In this instance the rod 17 is shown as provided with a tappet arm 63, located without the casing D and arranged to be acted upon by a pin 62 carried by an eccentric cream 61 that is supported upon the shaft 71. of the power driven mechanism foroperating the discharge chute. .This shafth is a part of the power driven gearing that operates the discharge chute and when such mechanism is moved to put the chute into delivery position the rotating cam 61 occupies the position indicated in full lines, lifting the tappet arm 63 and the locking rod 1?. But when the parts of the power driven mechanism are moved to shift the delivery chute into its inactive or nondelivery position, the cam 61 occupies the position shown in dotted lines, and then the rod 1? is free to fall and be locked as soon as the latch .18 is freed.

Still referring to Fig. 2, indicates an thatoperates theclutch controlling the movements of the loading skip, and 46 an arm operatingthe brake that controls the downward movement of the loading skip. As

representechthe arm 45 carries a contact piece 55 that is adapted to engage with an adjustable collar or nut 50 upon a rod 49 that is connected with a hell crank lever d8 which in turn is connected by a link or connecting rod d7 with the lever 2 of the batch timing mechanism. It will be seen that this arrangement of linkage between the'levcr 4.5 and the arm 2 takes the place of the push rod 1 operated directly by the loading skip and illustrated in Fig. 1.

In the illustration of my invention in Fig. 2 the batch timing mechanism is set as soon as the clutch lever 45 is moved and the loading skip commences its upward movement, while in the form of invention shown in Fig. 1 the setting ofthe batch timing mechanism dcesnot take place until the skip has reached the end of its upward movement, and is in position to deliver its charge.

Referring again to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the brake control arm46 is connected by a link 54 with a bell crank lever 52, the free end of which controls a latch 51 upon which acts a spring 53. The latch is in the path of the adjustable nut or collar 50 and is adapted to engage therewith and hold the linkage that is connected with the setting arm 2 of the batch timing mechanism in the position to which it may be moved by the lever 45 that controls the lifting ofthe loading skip, that is to say, holds the batch timer in its set position. When, however, thebrake control arm 46 is moved the latch is retracted so as to disengage the collar 50, thus freeing the batch timing mechanism and allowing it to go through its movements. It will be seen that in both illustrations of invention, as represented in Figs. 1 and 2 the batch timing mechanism is set when the mixing drum is being charged, and is released so as to begin its timing movement when the full charge from the loading skip has been delivered into the mixing drum, that is, when the loading skip begins its downward movement.

It will be seen that the mechanism employed to set the timing device comprises two r itsassociated parts, and the shaft with z 7 its connectionsf and that the two parts move j together when the timing device is being set,

7 but independently during their reversemovements; and also that one of'the parts is arranged to opera'te the alarm or, signal device at the startinggof the timing operation, and {the other. part operates the alarm or signal at the closeof the timing operation.

' 1. The combination with mechanism whose operations areto be timed and an element operating preliminary to thejcommencement ing-fdeviceset until "the preliminary opera of the timing operation, of a timing device,

and means for settingt-he timing device, comprising two'parts, one connected withthe timing device and the other operated by the preliminarily operating element, the latter part moving the former to set the timing device as the preliminary operation is taking place,

and operating to positively maintain the'tim-' i, f tionis'fully completed and then separating [froman'd leaving it free after such prelimitiming device and the'operating part connected withit which is set when the timing naryvopei'ation, and ameans formoving the device is set, andoperating thelatter' when jitisfreed.

2. The combination withmechanism whose operations are to'be timed and-an element operating'preliminary to the commencement of the tuning operation, ofaftimmg device and means for setting it, comprising a shaft that operates the timing device, anothershaft operated by the preliminarilyoperating element, thesecond shaft moving the first as the "preliminaryoperation is taking place, and operating to maintainthe timing device in set position until the preliminary operation is ,fully, completed, but being disconnected therefrom and leaving it free after the pref limin'ary operation is completed, and means.

for moving the said first shaft and timing device when the shaftsfare disconnected. Y 3.1 The combination with mechanism whose operations are to; betimed and an element operatingpreliminary to'the commencement 'off the timing operation, of a timing-device iand'means for setting'it, comprising ashaft that operates the timing device, another shaft operatedby the preliminary operating element, the second shaft moving the first as to I the first mentioned shaft arranged toqbe' put "under tension whenthe timing device'is'set [and serving to move the timing deviceiupon {the shafts being disconnected and the timing device released, and another spring connected the, preliminary operation istaking place,

- v andi positively maintaining the timing device inset condition andjagainst movement until the.- preliminary operation has been completed,but beingldisconnec'ted therefrom" and leavingjit free after the preliminary operatlon is completed, a spring connected with 1,'soo,eee v operating to operate it, means between the two shafts by which the first turns the second whenmoving in'one direction, and positively maintains the timing device inset condition until its movement in sa1d one d rection s completedand the reverse movement begun, but disconnects therefrom on its reversemovement, and an operating spring connected with the second shaft put under tensionwhen the said shaft: is driven by the first'and operating the tim ing device when the shafts are disconnected. 5'. The combination with mechanism whose operations are'to be timed, and anelement operating preliminary to the commencement of the timing operation, of a timing device,-

as'haft arranged to be moved through a lim ited range by the preliminarily operating element, a second shaft connected with the timing device to operate it, means between the said shafts'by whichthe second is driven by the first when moved in one direction, to set'it and maintain it set during the full'said movement ofthe shaft in one direction, but

separating ongthe return movement of the first shaft, and means'for returning the second shaft and thereby'f driving the timing device, ata'relatively slow speed as compared with the return movement of the first shaft.

" 6. The combination with mechanism whose operations areto be timed, and an element operating preliminary to the commencement of the timing operation," of a timing device, means for setting it comprising two parts, one connected withfthetimingdevice and the other operated by the preliminarily operating eIementQthelatter moving the former to set the timing device when the preliminary operation takes place, and separating therefrom, leavingthe timing device free to function,

after suchpreliminary operation, a "signal,

and means arranged to be operated by the means for-setting the timing devicelfor causing the signal to function, first when the two parts vthereof separate, and again upon the completion of the timing.operation;'

17. The combination stated in claim 6, in-

eluding a signal, arranged to be operated by the first named shaft on'its reverse movement,-indicating-that the timing device has begun to function, and again operated from operation of the timin 1 i V 8JA mechanism foritimingthe operations the second shaft'upon the completion of the of .anapparatus, such as a mixing machine, comprising a shaft carrying a contact projection, a second shaft in line with the first, carrying an arm adapted to be engagedby the said contact projection to cause rotation of the second shaft, a cylinder containing a confined body of liquid and a piston moving in the cylinder and causing circulation of the liquid around the piston, gearing between the second shaft and the piston, a spring to move the second shaft and piston in one direction, and means for moving the first shaft rapidly to cause it to rotate the second shaft and for returning it, leaving the second shaft free to be moved more slowly by the spring.

9. The combination stated in claim 8, including also a signal device, and means for operating the signal arranged to be operated to give a signal upon the return movement of the first shaft, and also upon the completion of the movement of the timing mechanism.

10. The combination with a device for timing the operations of mechanism, of a disc arranged to have a limited rotative movement, the disc carrying a projecting pin, a shaft coaxial with the disc carrying an arm lying adjacent to the disc and arranged to be acted upon by the pin projecting from the disc whereby the shaft is turned in one direction, a spring acting upon the shaft and arranged to be put under tension when the shaft is turned by the movement of the disc, a timing mechanism geared with the shaft and arranged to be moved relatively slowly by the spring when free, and means for oscillating the disc at relatively high speed.

11. The combination with a device for timing the operations of mechanism, of a disc arranged to have a limited rotative movement, the disc carryim a projecting pin, a shaft coaxial with the disc carrying an arm lying adjacent to the disc and arranged to be acted upon by the pin projecting from the disc whereby the shaft is turned in one direction, a spring acting upon the shaft and arranged to be put under tension when the shaft is turned by the movement of the disc, a timing mechanism geared with the shaft and arranged to be moved relatively slowly by the spring when free, means for oscillating the disc at relatively high speed, and signal operating mechanism having a part in engagement with the disc and actuated thereby on its return movement after it has moved the shaft and put the spring under tension, and arranged also to be actuated by the arm of the shaft upon the completion of the timing operation. i

12. The combination with mechanism whose operations are to be timed, of a timing device, a shaft that operates the timing de vice, a spring connected with said shaft, a second shaft arranged to move the first when turned in one direction, means for oscillating the second shaft in one direction to turn the first shaft and put the spring thereof under tension, a spring connected with the second shaft and put under tension when it is oscillated as described, and means for shifting the connection of the said spring with its shaft as it is oscillated to put increased tension upon the spring, the latter spring serving to rapidly move the second shaft on its return oscillation, andcause disconnection between the two shafts,leaving the first shaft freeto be turned slowly by its spring to cause the timing device to function.

13. The combination of a timingdevice for a concrete mixing machine or other apparatus, a spring for moving the timing device, gearing through which the spring acts to operate the timing device, means for setting 'thetimingdevice and putting the spring under tenslon, a casing in WlllCl'l theenumera'ted devices are supported, a rod mounted within the casing and extending to the exterior thereof and arranged to function during the operation of the timing device, a pivoted latch arranged to act upon the rod and hold it against movement, a spring tendingto movethe latch into position engaging the rod and means carried by the gearing for acting on the latch to move it into position to release the rod when the timing device completes its movement.

14. A batch meter comprising a cylinder in which is confined a body of liquid, having a longitudinal bore, a piston working in the bore of the cylinder, a bypass between the opposite ends of the piston, a valve in the bypass for restricting the flow of liquid through it, there being a valve controlled passage through the piston permitting free flow of the fluid in one direction but obstructing the flow in the opposite direction, and there being a radial opening through the piston communicating with the passage through it, and another opening, in the cylinder, connecting the by-pass with the longitudinal bore of the cylinder, these openings being arranged to register with each other as the piston approaches the limit of its movement in the direction opposed by the liquid having to pass through the restricted by-pass, whereby when they register the restricted portion of the by-pass is cut out and the circulation of liquid is free, permitting the piston to finish its movement rapidly, and a spring acting on the piston to move it in the direction herein referred to.

15. In a timing device adapted for use on concrete mixers, a dash pot, a coiled torsion spring, a gear train between said spring and the piston of the dash pot, means to put the spring under tension and to set the timing device and means to release the spring to permit it to operate the timing device.

16. A timing device adapted for use on concrete mixers comprising a dashpot with a cylinder and a piston working therein to circulate a confined body of fluid, a train of gearing mounted on the dashpot, a coiled S ring supported on the cylinderiand eonnected into the gear train, and means for placing the spring under tension, the spring when under tension "operating through the gear trainto retractthe pistonol the dashpot and when released to move it against .the

I fluid Within the ldashpot that opposes the i movemen-tsof the piston.

1 l7; The combination of a device for timing apparatus arranged to beset and When released to run for a determined period,- oomprising a dash pot, atorsion spring, a gear i trainhetween the spring and the piston of the dash pot a spring-actuated rod, 'alateh for V engaging with the rod and preventing its movement, means to put the said torsion spring under tension and set the timing mechanism, means to release the timing mechanism to permitv itto function, and

means operated from the saidgear train to move. the latch into operative engagement with the rod while the timing device is functioning.

" v SAMUELSHAFER, JR.

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