US3040227A - Timing devices - Google Patents

Description

June 19, 1962 F. HAUSER 3,040,227

TIMING DEVICES Filed Oct. 14, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

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fir flausfir F. HAUSER TIMING DEVICES June 19, 1962 Filed Oct. 14, 1959 INVENTOR.

3 Sheets-Sheet 3 -,4 TTOK/VE Y- nite:

This application contains subject matter disclosed in my abandoned application Serial No. 752,845 filed August 4, 1958, for Timing Device.

This specification relates to timing devices, and specifically to such devices as are used in automatic lawn sprinkling equipment, laundry equipment, and in various phases of automation.

In such, or similar applications, electric switches or pilot valves have to be operated in some preselected timed sequence, and frequently the time intervals have to be independently changed without affecting the timing of any other preselected operations.

One purpose of the present invention is to provide a suitable timing device in which the various individual timing cycle durations may be readily adjusted to any desired value without affecting any other timing durations in the unit.

Another purpose of the invention is to provide means whereby a timing knob may be advanced manually to any desired position without affecting its normal automatic operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide means whereby complete synchronism is maintained at all times between the various timing cycles and the stations with which they are associated.

it is another object of my invention to disclose and provide a multiple station controltiming device wherein each timing station ha adjustable means for determining a re spective timing period, which means may be uniformly and regularly adjusted through an infinite number of positions determinative of timing periods between finite end limits of adjustment of the means.

Various features and advantages of the invention will appear from the detailed description and claims when taken with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of the timers;

FIG. 2 is a section taken on lines 2-2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a section taken on lines 33 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a section taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a section taken on lines 55 of FIG. 2;

PEG. 6 is a section taken on lines 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram illustrating how the various electrical equipments are connected; I

FIG. 8 is a partial vertical cross section illustrating a modified form;

FIG. 9 is a view taken on lines 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram similar to FIG. 7 showing the modified form but omitting the time clock.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, I have shown in FIGS. 1-7 inclusive, as an example of one form in which the invention may be embodied, a timer wherein the several components of mechanism are largely mounted upon and between a series of three parallel vertical support plates, namely, a front plate 1, an intermediate plate 4, and a back plate 5, the three plates being joined by spacers 2 and 3. An indexing shaft 6 is rotatably mounted in the front plate 1 and intermediate plate 4. Mounted on shaft 6 are an overrunning clutch assembly 7, a notched switch actuator disc 8, a bevel gear 9, a switch actuating sleeve 10 and a knob 11. The sleeve 10 is loosely mounted on shaft 6 sothat the shaft can rotate freely within the sleeve during operation of the apparatus. On the back plate 5 are mounted an indexing motor 12 and a timing motor 13. On the shafts of the two motors are mounted respective drive gear pinions 14 and 15.

States atent O "ice Motors 12 and 13 are adapted to alternately transmit rotation to shaft 6 through the overrunning clutch unit 7. Shaft drives the actuator disc 8 and the bevel gear 9, both secured thereto as indicated. Motor 12 intermittently delivers a relatively rapid drive for indexing the timing actuator mechanism between successive timing stations distributed circumferentially around the shaft 6, while the timing motor 13 delivers relatively slow rotation which is intermittently imparted to the actuating mechanism at the respective timing stations.

Pressed onto the hub of the bevel gear 9 is a driving arm 16. A timing control or indexing member in the form of an arm 17 is flexibly attached to one end of the driving arm, by means of a flexible drive member 1S which is adapted to transmit drive from arm 16 to arm 17 while flexing like a hinge. The other end of the timing arm 17 is thus permitted to swing in a direction parallel to shaft 6, while being driven by a driving pin or coupling part 20 which is riveted into the driving arm 16 and which protrudes through an elongated opening 19 in arm 17.

Mounted to the swinging end of the timing arm 17 is a timing cam 21, through which swinging, switch actuating timing movement is imparted to arm 17. The timing cam 21 is provided with two inclined cam faces 43. A round head rivet 22, pressed into the timing arm 17, bears against a flange 23 of the switch actuating sleeve 10. Another flange 24- of this sleeve is adapted to contact and thereby actuate a timing switch 25 which is mounted to the front plate 1. A stop pin 26 restrains the actuating sleeve 10 from rotating while permitting it to slide axially on shaft 6, following the swinging movements of arm 17 in response to constant yielding pressure of a coil spring 17' encircling shaft 6 and engaged under compression between bevel gear 9 and sleeve 10.

A mating bevel gear 26' and a radially extending shaft 27 transfer the motion of the shaft 6 to an arm 28 secured on the outer end of shaft 27. Arm 28, by means of a pin 29, drives a multiple contact rotary switch 30.

Shaft 27 is rotatably mounted in a bracket secured to intermediate support plate 4. V

A self-opening switch 31 is mounted to the plate 4 in position to be closed by the disc 8 at all times except when its actuatorfinger 31', riding on the periphery of the disc, drops into the notch in said periphery. Switch 31 is a limit switch for ending a cycle of operation.

Timing movement is imparted to arm 17 by a series of timing units 32, mounted to the front plate 1 in circular array concentrically around the shaft 6, and uniformly spaced in relation to each other. Units 32 are numbered by engraved numerals 33 on front plate 1, corresponding to the contact positions on the rotary switch 30 whose opening and closing functions are controlled by the timing units. Each timing unit -32( see FIG. 4) consists of a nut body 34 mounted to the front plate 1 by means of a retainer nut 35 and provided with an internal high-pitch thread 36. A screw 37 engages thread 36. Adjustably mounted to one end of the screw 37 is a timing knob 38. The other end of screw 37 is formed with a conical tip 39 constituting a timing part or cam actuating part. A set screw iii-secures the timing knob to screw 37. A retaining ring 41, engaging a groove in the screw 37, limits the axial travel thereof. The periphery of the timing knob 3-8 is imprinted with indicator lines and numerals 42 (see FIG. 2). The body 34 is provided with a zero line, not shown.

The clutch assembly 7 (FIG. 2) include-s the two ring gears 44 and 45, (the former meshing with the motor pinion '14 and the latter the motor pinion 15), a clutch hub 46, retaining rings 4-7 and a pair of clutch springs 48 (see also FIG. 6). Each spring 48 has a hooked end anchored in a radial slot 49 in its respective ring gear.

ed at any time.

The clutch spring 48 is formed in such a way that the coils snugly embrace the clutch body 46. The cylindrical inside walls. of the gears 44 and 45 are fitted to the peripheries of the clutch springs with minimum clearance such as to allow the slight expansion of a spring 48 required for relaxing its driving grip on the clutch body 46.

A manual shut off switch 50 is mounted on the front panel.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram in which the various mechanical and electrical components are clearly identified. In the diagram, numeral 51 represents a conventional time clock provided with a switch 52 which is actuated by a pin 58 secured in a timing disc 54.

The operation of the device illustrated in FIGS. 1-7 is as follows:

When the timing device is not operating the knob 11 is at the Off position as shown in FIG. 1. The limit switch 31 is open (FIG. 7) and neither motor is running.

Whenever the knob 11 is manually turned in clockwise direction a small distance towards position 1 (MG. 1) or whenever a pin 53 in the time clock (FIG. 7) causes the switch 52 to close, both motors 12. and '13 start to run. Since both motors are driving through the overrunning clutches represented in general by the numeral 7, the shaft 6 will be driven by the motor of the greater speed, namely the indexing motor 12, while the clutch driven by the slower timing motor is overrunning. The shaft 6 will drive the driving arm 16 through bevel gear 9 to which it is fixed. Ann 16 will drive the arm 17 through drive pin 20, causing the arm 17 to rotate, and the timing cam 21 carried thereby (FIG. 2) to move in a circular orbit about the axis of shaft '6.

As soon as the leading inclined face 43 of the timing cam 21 contacts the conical tip 39 of the first timing unit 32 (FIG. 4) the timing arm 17 is deflected, moving the flange 24 or" the sleeve away from the timing switch 25, and causing the latter to open. This causes the indexing motor 12 to stop. The rotation of the shaft 6 is then controlled by the timing motor '13.

As the timing cam 21 moves past the tip 3% of the timing knob the timing arm 1'7 undergoes an oscillating motion. On its return swing the timing arm 17 reaches a position where the timing switch 25 is again contacted and closed by flange 24. This causes the indexing motor,

to run again. It is obvious that the timing period required for the timing cam to pass a timing unit depends on the axial position of the screw 37 of the timing unit.

Since the knobs 38 of the timing units 32 are graduated, the timing period (duration) may be manually preselect- Any alteration in the setting of one timing unit does not affect the timing period of any other pre-selected timing unit in the series. Because of the smooth, uniform slopes of the inclined cam faces 43 of cam 21, and the screw type adjustment of timing parts 39, the timing period durations are uniformly variable to any desired duration within the limits prescribed by the speed of motors employed and the spacing and positioning of the timing units.

If any timing units are set to zero, then the indexing motor is not stopped as the timing cam 21 passes said timing units without deflection of arm 17. The timing units may be graduated in hours,'minutes or seconds, depending on requirements. This requires however that the speed of the timing motor be selected accordingly. As

the knob reaches the Off position both motors are stopped by virtue of the switch 31 being actuated by the notch in the disc 8 (FIG. 5).

. It is possible at any time to advance the mechanism manually (throughfknob 11) to any selected position in a cycle of operation, without affecting the timing in subsequent cycles, and without losing synchronism. During such advancing operation, clutch hub 46 will overrun both of the ring gears 44,

Whenever the manual switch 50 is set to the Off position the shaft 6 remains stationary until said switch is turned to On again. 7 g

The rotary switch 30, driven by the timer is so constructed that the distance between succeeding Off and On positions is very small or non-existant as desired.-

While the timer is illustrated for use with a rotary switch, other electrical, mechanical or hydraulic control I Mounted on the shaft 6a are a multiplicity of over running clutches, four in this illustration. The clutch gears 55, 56, 57 and 58, the construction of which is identical to those illustrated in FIG. 2, engage the drive gears of the four drivingmotors 59, 60, 61 and 62. One of these motors (59) is the indexing motor. It has the highest operating speed of the four motors. The other three are timing motors.

Driven by the left end of the shaft 6a is a rotary switch 63 with the same numberof positions .as shown on the front plate FIG. 1. This switch may also take the form of a multiplicity of individual switches, or of a commutator.

FIG. 10 is a schematic wiring diagram showing the various components of the apparatus of FIGS. 8 and 9, and their electrical connections. 7

The speed of the timing motor may be selected according to the time intervals desired. As an illustration one motor speed may be chosen so that it takes the timing cam 21 (see FIG. 4) one hour to pass a fullyadvanced timing unit tip 39. Another may cause the timing cam to pass the timing unit in thirty minutes and still another in one minute. The timing units 32 are graduated accordingly.

. The rotary switch 63 serves to connect the desired tim 111g motor to the power supply, as the timing cam passes a certain timing unit tip 39;

It is therefore possible to impart to the timing cam 21, selectively any of the available (three in the case illustrated) motor speeds. g

One of the timing motors is always. running, and when the indexing motor 59 is disconnected from the power supply by the switch, this timing motor determines the speed of the shaft 69, and thereby the elapsed time required for the timing cam 21 to pass the respective timing knob.

I claim:

1. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, 1n combination: multiple electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and at least one relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing shaft; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing shaft; a timing cam; means supporting said timing cam for movement generally parallel to the axis of said indexing shaft; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator device for actuating said timing switch; means spring loading said timing cam and switch actuator device in a direction for actuation of said timing I switch to its closed position and for disposing said cam in a projected position; a plurality of timing units supported in circumferential array about the axis of said indexing shaft and having respective cam actuator parts projecting into the path of movement of said cam when the latter is in its projected position, said cam being adapted to coact with a respective cam actuator part for retractingsaid cam and switch actuator device to effect opening of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for a timing period the duration of which is determined by the extent of projection of the respective cam actuator part.

2. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism,-in combination: multiple electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and at least one relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing shaft; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing shaft; a driving member carried and driven by said indexing shaft and having at one end an axially projecting coupling part; a timing member having at one end a flexible connection to the other end of said driving member and having its other end engaged by said coupling part while free to swing generally parallel to the axis of said indexing shaft; a timing cam carried by said other end of said timing member and thereby adapted to move in orbital fashion about the axis of said indexing shaft as said shaft rotates; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator device for actuating said timing switch and for transmitting axial movement to said timing member in the direction to move said cam towarda projected position; means spring loading said timing member and cam and switch actuator device in a direction for actuation of said timing switch to its open position and for disposing said cam in said projected position; a plurality of timing units supported in circumferential array about the axis of said indexing shaft and having respective cam actuator parts and means for adjusting said parts parallel to the axis of said indexing shaft so that they are disposed projecting into the path of orbital movement ofsaid cam when the latter is in its projected position, said cam being adapted to coact with a respective actuator part for retracting said timing member and switch actuator device to effect opening of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for a timing period the duration of which is determined by the extent of projection of the respective cam actuator part.

3. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing shaft; front and back end plates in which said shaft is rotatably mounted; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing shaft; a driving arm carried and driven by said indexing shaft and having at one end an axially projecting driving part; a timing arm having at one end a flexible connection to said driving arm and having its other end drivingly engaged by said driving part while free to swing generally parallel to the axis of said indexing shaft; a timing cam carried by said other end of the timing arm; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator device for actuating said timing switch and for transmitting axial movement to said timing arm in the direction to move said cam toward a projected position; means spring loading said timing arm and cam and switch actuator device in a direction for actuation of said timing switch to its closed position and for disposing said cam in said projected position; a plurality of timing units supported by said front end plate in circumferential array about the axis of said indexing shaft and having respective cam actuator parts and means for adjusting said partsparallel to the axis of said indexing shaft so that they are disposed projecting into' the path of movement of said' cam when the latter is in its projected position, said cam having-an inclined cam face to coact with a respective actuator part for retracting said'timing arm and switch actuator device to effect opening of said timing switch,

thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for a timing period the duration of which is determined by the extent of projection of the respective cam actuator part.

4. Timing mechanism as defined in claim 3, wherein said timing units each comprise a nut secured in said end plate, a screw threaded through said nut and having at one end a projecting tip constituting said actuator part, and a knob secured to the other end of said screw and having a cylindrical skirt provided with indicator markings cooperating with said nut to indicate the position of projection of said cam actuator part.

5. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing shaft; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing shaft; a

driving member carried and driven by said indexing shaft; an indexing member carried by said driving member and movable with reference thereto between retracted and projected positions; a timing switch constituted a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator part linked to said indexingmember and controlled thereby for actuating said timing switch; a timing part carried by said indexing member for indexing movement in an orbit around the axis of said indexing shaft; a plurality of timing units supported in circumferential array around said axis and having respective timing actuator parts projecting for successive engagement with said timing part to impart movement through the latter to said indexing member and from said indexing member to said switch actuator part to effect opening of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for a timing period the duration of which is determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

6. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; a driving member; overrunning clutch means providing respective ovcrrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said driving member; an indexing member carried by said driving member and movable with reference thereto between retracted and projected positions; means spring loading said indexing member toward its projected position; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator part having a lost motion connection with said indexing member, for actuating said timing switch; a timing part carried by said indexing member for indexing movement in an orbit around the axis of said indexing shaft; a plurality of timing units supported in circumferential array around said axis and having respective timing actuator parts and means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected positions of projection for successive engagement with said timing part to impart movements through the latter to said indexing member for retracting the same and from said indexing member to said switch actuator part to effect successive openings of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for timing periods the durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

7. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in'combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; anindexing shaft; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing shaft; an indexing member driven by said indexing shaft and movable between retracted and projected positions; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator part actuated by said indexing member for actuating said timing switch; a timing part carried by said indexing member for indexing movement in an orbit around the axis of said indexing shaft; a plurality oftiming units supported in circumferential array around said axis and having respective timing actuator parts and means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected positions of projection for successive engagement with said timing part to impart movements through the latter to said indexing member for retracting the same and from said indexing memberto said switch actuator part to effect successive openings of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for timingperiods the durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

8. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; a driving member; overrunning clutch-means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said driving member; an indexing member driven by said driving member and movable with reference thereto between retracted and projected positions; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator part actuated by said indexing member; means spring loading said switch actuator part into actuating engagement with said timing switch to effect closing thereof; a timing part carried by said indexing member for indexing movement in an orbit around the axis of said driving member; a plurality of timing units supported in circumferential array around said axis and having respective timing actuator parts and means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected positions of projection for successive engagement with said timing part to impart movements through the latter to said indexing member for retracting the same and from said indexing member to said switch actuator part to effect successive openings of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said driving member for timing periods the durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

'9. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing member mounted for orbital movement about an axis; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing member; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator part for said timing switch; a timing part carried by said indexing member for movement between retracted and projected positions while moving in an orbital path; and a plurality of timing units supported in stationary positions in a circumferential arrayof stations around said axis and having respective timing'actuator parts and means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected fixed positions of projection for successive engagement with said timing part to impart movements through the latter to said switch actuator part to 7 effect successive openings of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor'to drive said indexing shaft for timing periods the durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

10. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combinationi dual drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing member mounted for movement retracted and projected positions while moving in an orbital path; and a plurality of timing units supported in stationary positions in a circumferential array of stations, around said axis and having respective timing actuator parts and means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected fixed positions of projection for successive engagement with said timing part to impart movements;

through the latter to said actuator part to effect successive actua-tions of said timing control device, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for'timing periods the durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

11. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; a timing part mounted for movement between retracted and projected positions while moving in a closed-circuit indexing path; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said timing part; a timing control device for controlling said indexing, motor; and a plurality of timing units supported in stationary positions in an array of stations along said closed-circuit path and having respective timing actuator parts and;

means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected fixed positions of projection for successive engagement with said indexing timing part to eifect successive actuations of said timing control device, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor to drive said indexing shaft for timing periods for durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

12. Mechanism for sequentially timing a multiple station control apparatus, comprising, in combination: an

adjustable stationary timing unit for each station of said apparatus, said units being arranged in orbital array;

.orbitally moving indexing means having a part adapted, while moving in orbit, to register successively with said stationary timing units; means for driving said indexing;

means at a relatively fast rate for orbitally indexing said part between stations; each of said timing units including a projectible timing part and means for adjusting said timing part to selected'positions of projection in the path of orbital movement of said indexing part for engagement therewith to temporarily render said fast driving means inoperative for the duration of a timing perioddetermined by the adjusted position of'projection of said timing parts; and slow driving means to effect slow orbital advance of said indexing part past said timing; part during said timing period and for disengaging said;' indexing part from said timing part at the end of said.

timing period and to thereby render said. fast driving means again operative to index said indexing part to the next station.

13. Mechanism for sequentially timing a multiple sta tion control apparatus, comprising, in combination: a seriesof stationary timing units, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said timing units including an adjustably projectible timing part and means for adjusting the same to selected positions of projection determinative I of'corresponding durations of a timing period for each such timing; unit without affecting the timing period durationof any other station; an indexing member movable in a closed-circuit path and having a part arranged to successively register with the timing parts at the successive sta tions and to be engaged by those timing parts which are 9 adjusted to projected positions; relatively fast driving means for moving said indexing member in said closed circuit path whereby to index said indexing parts successively between stations; means for rendering said reiatively fast driving means inoperative for the durations of timing periods in which said indexing part is in contact with the timing part of a respective timing station; and relatively slow driving means for advancing said indexing member slowly whereby to move said indexing part past a respective timing part to determine the duration of a timing period in accordance with the position of adjusted projection of said timing part.

14. Mechanism for sequentially timing a multiple station control apparatus, comprising, in combination: a series of stationary timing units, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said timing units including an adjustable timing part and means for adjusting the same to selected positions of adjustment determinative of correspouding durations of a timing period for each such timing unit without affecting the timing period duration of any other station; an indexing member movable in a closedcircuit path and having an indexing part arranged to successively register with the timing parts at the successive stations; relatively fast driving means for moving said indexing member in said closed circuit path whereby to index said indexing part successively between stations, said indexing part cooperating with said timing parts for rendering said relatively fast driving means inoperative for the durations of timing periods in which said indexing part is in operative association with the timing part of a respective timing station; and relatively slow driving means for advancing said indexing member slowly whereby to move said indexing part past a respective timing part to determine the duration of a timing period in accordance with the position of adjusted projection of said timing art.

15. Mechanism for sequentially timing a multiple station control apparatus, comprising, in combination: a series of stationary timing units, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said timing units including an adjustable timing part and means for adjusting the same to selected positions determinative of corresponding durations of a timing period for each such timing unit without affect ing the timing period duration of any other station; an indexing member movable in a closed-circuit path and having an indexing part arranged to successively register with the timing parts at the successive stations; means for moving said indexing member in said closed circuit path whereby to index said indexing part successively between stations; and means responsive to registration of said in dexing part with a respective timing part to determine the duration of a timing period in accordance with the position of adjustment of the respective timing part.

16. In an indexing multiple period timing mechanism, in combination: dual electric drive means comprising a relatively fast drive indexing motor and a relatively slow drive timing motor; an indexing member; a fixed support member; overrunning clutch means providing respective overrunning drive connections between the respective motors and said indexing member for indexing movement around an orbital axis thereof; a control element carried by one of said members and movable withreference thereto between retracted and projected positions; a timing switch constituting a connection in an electrical circuit for energizing said indexing motor; a switch actuator part actuated by said control element; means spring loading said switch actuator part into actuating engagement with said timing switch to effect opening thereof; a timing part carried by said control element; a plurality of timing units supported in circtun'ferential array around said orbital axis and having respective timing actuator parts and means for adjusting said timing actuator parts to selected positions of projection for successive engagement with said timing part as the result of relative onbital movement between said actuator parts and said timing part when said indexing member is driven by said indexing motor, thereby to impart movements through said timing part to said control element and from said control element to said switch actuator part for retracting the same to effect successive openings of said timing switch, thereby to arrest the operation of said indexing motor and cause said timing motor-to drive said indexing member for timing periods the durations of which are determined by the extent of projection of the respective timing actuator parts.

17. Timing mechanism as defined in claim 16, including a shaft receiving drive from said overrunning clutch means, said timing part and said timing actuator part, when in registering relation, being in end-abutting engagernent in alignment on an axis parallel to said shaft, said indexing member and control element comprising respective indexing and control arms mounted on said shaft in diametral positions and flexibly connected to one another at their one ends, for swinging movements of said control arm longitudinally of said shaft in response to the movements imparted to said timing part by said timing actuator parts, and an axially slidable linking connection between the other ends of said arms, said switch actuator part comprising a sleeve slidable axially on said shaft and linked to said control arm, and said spring loading means comprising a coil spring encircling said shaft andvunder compression between said arms.

18. In a timing device employing a timing cam moving in an orbital path relative to a plurality of stationary timing units, each stationary timing unit having portions adjustable into various positions of projection into the path of said cam, the provision of: a plurality of timing and indexing motors adapted to selectively propel the timing cam, each of said motors being operable at an output speed differing from each of the others of said motors; and means for selectively operating said motors in accordance with the positioning of said timing units and the adjustment of said portions relative to the path of the cam.

19. In a multiple station timing device for imparting variably timed rotary motion to a timing shaft the combination of: a timing shaft: a plurality of timing and.

indexing motors operably associated with said shaft to selectively drive said shaft at various speeds, each of said motors being operable, at an output sped differing from each of the others of said motors; a plurality of stationary timing units arranged in orbital fashion around the axis of said timing shaft, each of said units having portions adjustable into various positions of projection relative to its associated timing unit; cam means mounted on said timing shaft to move past each of said timing units as said shaft rotates, said cam contacting those portions of said projectable portions that are in a projected position; and

means for selectively operating said timing and indexing motors to control the rotation of said shaft in accordance with the positioning of said units about said shaft and the adjustment of said portions relative tosaid timing units.

References Cited in the file of this patent V UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,637,835

Davidson May 5, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 O40 227 June 19, 1962 Fred Hauser It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 6 line 23, for "constituted" read constituting column 10,

line 51, for "sped" read speed Signed and sealed this 4th day of December 1962.

iSEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SWIDER DAVID LADD Lttesting Officer Commissioner of Patents

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