US3227821A

US3227821A - Timing device with rotating cam operated micro-switch

Info

Publication number: US3227821A
Authority: US
Inventors: Hauser Fred
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-04-06
Filing date: 1962-04-06
Publication date: 1966-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 1983-01-04

Description

Jan. 4, 1966 H us 3,227,821

TIMING DEVICE WITH ROTATING CAM OPERATED MICRO-SWITCH Filed April 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 I NVENTOR.

250 .IJHUSEQ 1966 F. HAUSER 3,227,821

TIMING DEVICE WITH ROTATING CAM OPERATED MICRO-SWITCH Filed April 6. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 E00 50 3 #34 31 39 30 32 35 Z35 a7 4a 7a I06 75 2 Y I NVENTOR,

United States Patent 3,227,821 TIMING DEVECE WITH ROTATING CAM OPERATED MICRO-SWITCH Fred Hauser, 1544 Midvale Ave, Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Apr. 6, 1962, Ser. No. 185,637 12 Claims. (Cl. 200-11) This invention relates generally to timing devices employed in automatic lawn sprinkling equipment, laundry equipment, and in various phases of automation wherein electrical switches or pilot valves are operated in a preselected sequence, the time intervals of separate operations in the sequence being independently selected without afiecting the timing interval of any of the other operations in the sequence. More specifically, the invention relates to an improvement in such timing devices wherein fewer mechanical mechanisms and linkages are required and more advantageous results are obtained through the use of printed electrical circuits and sliding electrical switch means in novel combination with an orbitally moving timing cam and a plurality of individually adjustable timing units. This application is a continuation-impart of my co-pending application Serial No. 6,482, filed Oct. 14, 1959, now Patent No. 3,040,227, for Timing Devices.

Timing devices of the general nature in which I have made an improvement may be employed for sequentially timing multiple station control apparatus, one such device being disclosed in my co-pending application Serial No. 6,482, filed Oct. 14, 1959, for Timing Devices. The timing device disclosed in my co-pending application is provided with a plurality of stationary timing units disposed in a generally circular orbital array, one for each station of the control apparatus being operated. Means are provided to orbitally move an indexing part or timing cam to register successively with the various orbitally disposed stationary timing units. Driving means propel the timing cam between the stations at selectable rates of speed. Each timing unit is provided with a projectable timing part and means associated therewith for adjusting the part to selected positions of projection into the path of the indexing part or timing cam, which is periodically brought into register with each unit. A timing period duration is determined by the length of time required for the timing cam to contact and pass a projected timing part of an individual timing unit. The further the timing part is projected into the path of the cam, the longer the corresponding timing period continues. Upon the timing cams contacting or interfering with the timing part, the driving means are made to operate to move the timing cam at a preselected relatively slow orbital advance past the timing unit. The timing period is ended when the cam passes the timing unit, losing contact with the projected timing part. Then, the driving means is made to advance the timing cam at a more rapid rate to the next station. An indicator scale calibrated in units of time is normally provided on each timing unit to show the setting of the projectable timing part and indicate the duration of the timing period thereby established.

This application is directed to improvements in the construction and mode of operation of the device disclosed in my earlier filed co-pending application. Specifically, it is intended to disclose and provide such a timing device wherein the timing linkages and mechanisms heretofore employed are in large part eliminated, the construction of the timing units is improved so that they operate more eiiectively with fewer parts and wherein the maximum use is made of electrical rather than mechanical means.

It is, therefore, an object of my invention to disclose and provide novel moving electrical switch means and cooperating stationary circuit plate means adapted to transmit electrical impulses in pre-selected manner in response to interfering movement of a timing cam with respect to a plurality of timing units in a timing device of the character hereinbefore described.

It is another object of my invention to disclose and provide novel timing unit retaining assembly means adapted to restrict rotation of portions of each timing unit employed in such a timing device in order to effectively retain each timing unit in any given setting of a timing period duration for its corresponding station.

Further objects and various advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of an improved timing device according to my invention. Reference will be made to the appended sheets of drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal elevation, partially cut away, of a timing device employing the improvements according to my invention;

FIG. 2 is a vertical section of the timing device of FIG. 1 along the plane II-Il;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of the timing lever of the timing device of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of the timing unit retaining plate means of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the timing unit retaining plate means of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 in an undeformed state.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the timing unit retaining plate means of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 shown in deformed state as assembled in the timing device, according to the invention, taken in the plane VIVI of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the top surface of the printing circuit plate 3 of the timing device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the bottom surface of the printed circuit plate of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of the electrical wiring system of the improved timing device according to the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, particularly FIGS. 1 and 2, the surface plate 1 of an exemplary embodiment of a mechanism for sequentially timing a multiple station control apparatus is shown with the markings 1 through 6 to indicate the various stations to be controlled by the timing device as well as an oil station. A plurality of individual stationary timing units 20 are disposed in a generally orbital array about the surface plate 1, each timing unit Zil being associated with one of the stations 1 through 6. A pointer knob 6 indicates the station in operation. Each of the timing units shows the duration of a timing period for a setting of the timing unit by the reference of a zero line on each knob 21 with the engraved numerals, representing units of time, on the front plate 1.

As best seen in FIG. 2, each of the timing units 20 is provided with a screw or timing stem 22 mounted through an aperture in the top plate 1. A timing part 23, having a generally conical tip in the embodiment shown, is provided on the lower end of the timing stem 22 and may be selectively projected below surface plate 1 by turning the timing stem 22. To prevent the inadvertent removal of a timing stem'by unscrewing it, a retaining ring 24 is provided in a groove on each stem 22 to prevent such removal.

Timing unit retaining plate assembly means, indicated generally at 30, as best seen in FIG. 2 and shown in detail in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, are provided to maintain each timing unit 20 in its selected position of adjustment. The timing unit stem 22 of each timing unit 20 is frictionally engaged by portions of the assembly, indicated generally at 30, resisting the free rotational movement of the knobs 21. The timing unit retaining plate assembly includes an upper or outer timing unit retaining plate 31, a lower or inner timing unit retaining plate 32 and a pressed-in bushing 33. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, the outer retaining plate 31 is provided with a central aperture 34. The inner or lower retaining plate 32 is provided with a recessed or dish-shaped central portion 35 having a centrally located aperture 36. Retaining plate 32 is provided with a plurality of individual segments 37 off-set and extending from the central portion 35. The two

retaining plates

31 and 32 are assembled together as shown in FIG. 5 and bushing 33, as shown in FIG. 2, is pressfitted into the

central apertures

34 and 36 respectively. The assembly may be held in assembled form by the provision of a pair of bolts 38, as seen in FIG. 4. A tapped hole 33 extends through each segment 37 as well as through the outer retaining plate 31. Each segment 37 is deformed after tapping into the bent configuration of FIG. 6 wherein the segments are bent toward the upper or outer plate 31. Upon inserting and screwing the individual timing unit stems 22 through the timing unit retaining the plate assembly, indicated at 30, the timing stems 22 threadably engage the tapped holes 39 and because of the deformation of each segment tend to bind within the tapped holes. A frictionally binding fit is thereby affected and free rotation of each timing unit 'knob is prevented.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it may be seen that the timing device mechanism is generally disposed between three generally parallel plates: the front plate or surface plate 1, a back plate 2, and an intermediate plate 3. Spacer bars 4 are disposed between the front plate 1 and intermediate plate 3 while short spacer bars 4 are disposed between the intermediate plate 3 and black plate 2. The various plates and spacer bars co-act to form a frame within which the timing mechanisms operate. A main shaft 5 is journaled within the bushing 33 on top plate 1 and extends through the intermediate plate 3 and back plate 2 to join with a motor 8. Shaft 5 is adapted to be rotated upon its bushing by the motor 8 and its position at any given moment is indicated by the indicator knob 6 disposed on the top of the main shaft 5.

A timing lever, indicated generally at 40 in FIG. 2 and shown in detail in FIG. 3, is provided to cooperate with the timing units 26 to actuate the flow of electrical current in a predetermined manner as subsequently described. The timing lever is provided with a channel-shaped central portion 41 having ported

side flanges

42 and 42 and a web 43. Web 43 is ported to allow the timing lever to fit freely about the main shaft 5. A pivot pin 44, extending through the

side flanges

42 and 42 pivotally supports the timing lever, indicated generally at 40 upon the main shaft 5 and cause the lever to rotate along with shaft 5 when motor 8 is actuated.

Retainer arm means are provided on main shaft 5 below the timing lever to retain the lever in position to abut the timing unit parts 23. As shown in FIG. 2, the timing lever may pivot upon pin 44 in a limited arc since downward movement of the cam portion 45 of the lever below a horizontal position is restricted by the retaining arm 46. A timing lever tensioning spring 47 is provided between the retaining arm 46 and timing lever, indicated generally at 40, to bias the cam portion 45 of the lever toward the top plate 1 and the timing units 20 disposed therein. The timing lever may therefore pivot upon pin 44 in a limited arc with a bias toward the timing units izngto interfering contact with the respective timing parts The timing lever, indicated generally at 40, further includes an oft-set portion 48, at the end opposite cam portion 45, adapted to frictionally hold and retain a set screw or contact pin 49. Pin 49 is adapted to actuate a self-closing switch means provided on retaining arm 46 as hereinafter described. The main shaft 5 may be axially aligned between the front plate 1 and back plate 2 by means of a main spring 50. Main spring 50 abuts against the timing unit retaining means, indicated generally at 30, at one end, passes freely through timing lever 4-6 and abuts on the retaining arm 46 at its other end. A Washer, preferably made of a low friction material such as Teflon may be fixed within the retaining arm 46 to provide a rotating bearing surface for the spring 50. Since retaining arm 46 is fixedly mounted on shaft 5, pin 44 extending through both, the main spring 56 serves to hold the main shaft 5 from moving axially between the plates 1 and 2 within the bushing 33 and thus gives it an axial alignment.

Moving electrical switch means, indicated generally at 60, are provided upon the retaining arm 46 to cooperate with the electrical contact-making or off-set portion 48 of the timing lever, indicated generally at 46, and a stationary printed circuit in plate 3. Such moving electrical switch means, indicated generally at 60, may include a micro switch 61, having a contact button 62 adapted to be actuated by set screw or contact pin 49 upon pivotal movement of the timing lever, and a leaf spring assembly, indicated generally at 63. Micro switch 61 is a selfclosing switch which is maintained open when said pin 49 contacts switch button 62 and is allowed to close when interfering motion of cam 45 with a timing part 23 causes pivotal movement of the timing lever and the removal of said contact pin 49 from contact with the switch button 62. The leaf spring assembly, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally at 63, includes a one-armed leaf spring 64, depending from one side of the bottom surface of micro switch 61, and a double-armed leaf spring 65 depending in an opposite direction from the bottom surface of micro switch 61. The leaf spring assembly slides upon a printed circuit in plate 3, shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, making sliding contact therewith to complete electrical circuits in a pre-determined manner through the cooperation of the circuit in plate 3; moving switch means, indicated generally at 60; timing lever, indicated generally at 40; cam portion 45 and the various timing units 20.

Electrical circuit means are provided on the intermediate or circuit plate 3. An exemplary circuit is shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 and a schematic representation of the electrical wiring, circuit means and mechanical construction of a device according to my invention is shown in FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 7, the top surface of circuit plate 7 is provided with a circuit path for each of the stations 101 through 106. Leaf spring 65, through its outside arm portion 66, is adapted to slide successively over the circuit paths which are usually provided by printing copper strips onto an epoxy glass material employed for the plate 3.

Circuit paths

1841, 105 and 106 are connected directly to the printed circuit connector 10 by extending thereto along the top of plate 3.

Circuit paths

102, 103 and 164 are connected to the circuit connector 10 by circuit paths 162', 163' and 1114' printed on the bottom of plate 3 and as shown in FIG. 8. Connector 10 may be joined to a second connector 11 having lead lines to the solenoid operated valves for each station in the system, such a water valve 12 with solenoid 13 being shown in the schematic representation of FIG. 9. Valve 12 is connected with printed circuit path 101 by lead line 201 and printed circuit path 161'. Thus, valve 12 represents the valve controlling water to the station number 1 in the system. Each of the other paths of circuit paths 161 through 106 are similarly connected to the connector 16 and an associated solenoid operated valve.

The solenoid of each station, as solenoid 13 of station 1, is also connected by second lead line or common line 210 which leads through the connectors 10 and 11 to the transformer 9 by printed path 216 on the back of plate 3. An intermediate circuit path 116 is slidably engaged at all times by the inside-arm portion 67 of leaf spring 65. Leaf spring arm 67 constantly engages the pump motor circuit path 110, arm 66 successively engages the circuit paths 101 through 106, respectively, and both are connected to switch 61 at 68 as shown in FIG. 9. The water supply pump motor 14, interconnected in line 210 and circuit 110 is always operated when micro switch 61 closes, to supply water to the operated station. Such pump and related circuit path 110 may be eliminated where sufiicient water pressures are available. The successive station valves, as valve 12, are operated when leaf arm 66 engages the related circuit path, of paths 101 through 106, and micro switch 61 is closed.

Closing of the normally closed or self closing switch 61, held open by the pressure of pin 49 under the influence of spring 47 against button 62, is accomplished by pivoting of the timing lever, indicated generally at 48, upon interference between the cam portion 45 and the timing part 23 of a timing unit which removes pin 49 from button 62. Leaf spring 64-, connected to the micro switch 61, is adapted to slidably engage the inner printed circuit path 120 which has a lead line 220 returning to the transformer 9. Thus, when micro switch 61 is closed, during interference between the cam and a timing unit 21), the circuit through the water pump motor, comprising: lead 220, path 120, leaf spring 64, switch 61, leaf spring 67,v motor circuit path 110, lead 210 (in which motor 14 is electrically inserted) running back to transformer 9, is closed. Similarly the circuit for each successive station is closed depending on the positioning of leaf spring 66, such as the circuit for station number 1 comprising: lead 220 from transformer 9, inner circuit path 120, leaf spring 64, switch 61, leaf spring 66, circuit path 101, circuit path 101 through connectors 10 and 11, lead 261, solenoid 13, common lead line 210 and back to transformer 9.

Thus, the solenoid valve 13 or other electrical apparatus at each station being controlled is operated in response to defiective movement of cam portion 45 when passing a timing part 23 of the timing unit 20, for each corresponding station. The moving electrical switch means, indicated generally at and printed circuit plate means 3 cooperate to transmit electrical impulses between transformer 9 and the lead lines to the various electrical devices 13 and pump motor 14 in response to the pivotal movement of the timing lever, indicated generally at 41 the duration of a timing period being determined by the extent of projection of a timing part 23 and the speed of rotation of the timing lever. When cam portion 45 contacts a timing part 23, it pivots about pin 4-4 and allows switch 61 to close to its normally closed position. When interfering or defiective move ment of cam portion 45 past a timing part 23 ends, the switch 61 is opened by pin 49 abutting button 62 under the influence of spring 47, The station, of the stations represented by 1 through 6 on the surface plate and exemplified by solenoid 13 and water valve 12, operated is determined by the positioning of the leaf spring 66 with respect to the plurality of circuit paths 101 through 106.

Motor 8 may be provided to operate at one half r.p.m. and be controlled by a 24 hour timer 70, being motor driven at one revolution per day and a 7 day timer 71, operating at one revolution every 7 days.

Appropriate switches

72 and 73, respectively, are provided to make and break the circuit to motor 8 as indicated in FIG. 9. In addition, a manual switch 74 may be provided. An on-off position is provided on surface plate 1 and a switch 75 operated by the tip of cam portion 45 may be employed. Thus, when the timing lever, indicated at 413, has completed a revolution, the duration of a revolution varying according to the settings of the various timing units, it will turn itself off until the circuit is closed by

switches

72 and 73. Then, though switch 72 is opened as dial continues to turn, the by-pass line 76 is closed until the timing lever completes its full revolution.

As is readily apparent from the foregoing detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the improvement in timing devices according to my invention, the

timing linkages and mechanisms heretofore employed have been in large part eliminated due to the novel construction and mode of operation of the device. The moving electric switch means and stationary circuit plate means cooperate with the timing lever and stations controlled to provide selectable timing periods for various electrically operated controlled apparatus in response to deflective movement of the cam portion experienced by the cam portion in passing a projected timing part. Further, the maintenance of an exact positioning of each of said timing parts is facilitated by the provision of the timing unit retaining assembly means according to my invention.

It should be understood that the foregoing detailed description is of an exemplary embodiment only and that other embodiments, adaptations and modifications may be made within the invention. While only a single driving motor 8, for the timing lever, is provided in this embodiment, operating the timing lever at a constant speed, additional motors may be employed to propel the timing lever at selectable rates of rotation during indexing between timing units and deflective movement past a unit. The electrical devices operated by the timing device of the invention may be any electrical device and the provision of solenoid 13 in the description is for exemplification only.

I claim:

1. A multiple station control timing device, comprisa plurality of timing units, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said timing units including an adjustable timing part;

means for mounting said timing units in spaced stationary array;

a pivotally mounted timing lever having a cam portion;

means for moving said timing lever to bring said cam portion into register with each of said units, the stationary timing lever being pivoted upon interfering contact between said cam portion and an adjustable timing part positioned in the path of travel of said cam portion;

electrical circuit means presenting a plurality of exposed circuit paths; and

means associated with said timing lever to slidably en gage said exposed circuit paths during movement of said timing lever and to convey electrical impulses to said circuit means in response to pivotal movement of said timing lever.

2. A mechanism as in claim 1 wherein:

said timing units are disposed in orbital array about a front surface plate and each of said timing parts is projectable below said surface plate;

said timing lever is rotatable beneath said front surface plate and pivotable under projected timing parts;

said electrical circuit means includes a plurality of printed circuit paths printed upon a generally fiat circuit plate disposed below said timing lever; and

said means associated with said timing lever to slidably engage said exposed circuit paths include a leaf spring assembly having leaf springs to slidably engage said circuit paths printed on said circuit plate and a micro switch to make and break an electrical connection between said leaf spring assembly and a source of electrical potential upon pivotal movement of said timing lever.

3. A multiple station control timing device, comprisa plurality of stationary timing units, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said timing units including an adjustable timing part;

a timing unit retaining plate assembly to frictionally engage portions of each of said timing units, said assembly including a ported upper retaining plate to threadably receive portions of said timing units therethrough and a ported lower retaining portion having a recessed center portion and a plurality of off-set segments, each of said segments being tapped to threadably engage portions of said timing units and bent at an angle to said upper retaining plate;

a pivotally mounted timing lever having a cam portion;

means for moving said timing lever to bring said cam portion into register with each of said units, said timing lever being pivoted upon interfering contact between said cam portion and an adjustable timing part positioned in the path of travel of said cam portion;

electrical circuit means presenting a plurality of exposed circuit paths; and

means associated with said timing lever to slidably engage said exposed circuit paths during movement of said timing lever and to convey electrical impulses to said circuit means in response to pivotal movement of said timing lever.

4. A mechanism for sequentially timing a multiple station control apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of 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 toselected positions determinative of corresponding durations of a timing period for each timing unit without affecting the timing period duration of any other station;

means for mounting said timing units in spaced stationary positions;

a rotatable member having a cam portion to successively register with the timing parts at said successive stations;

means for moving said rotatable member to bring said cam portion into successive register with each of said timing parts; and

moving switch means movable with said rotatable member responsive to the interference of said cam part with successive timing parts to actuate timing periods in accordance with the position of adjustment of the respective timing parts.

5. An improvement in timing devices of the character employing an orbitally moving cam and at least one stationary mounted timing unit having a projectable timing part to be selectively projected into the path of said cam to determine a timing period for a controlled electrical device, said improvement comprising the provision of:

-a rotatable timing lever cam for rotation relative to and interference with projecta-ble timing parts of a plurality of stationary timing units, said timing lever cam being pivoted to deflect about a projected timing part on interference therewith;

electrical switch means rotated with said cam and actuated by deflective movement of said cam;

stationary electric circuit means including electrically conductive circuit paths lying in a generally flat plane, certain paths of said circuit paths being connected to an electrically operated apparatus to be controlled by the timing device, other paths of said circuit paths being connected to a source of electric potential;

sliding electrical contact means mounted on said switch means to convey electrical impulses from said source of electric potential to said switch and to convey such impulses from said switch to said certain paths of said circuit paths when said switch is actuated by deflection of said cam moving about said timing part.

6. A timing device comprising:

a frame includin a surface plate and a printed electrical circuit plate in spaced, generally parallel relation;

a plurality of timing units mounted in said surface plate, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said units including a projectible timing part and t5: means for selectively projecting said part beneath said surface plate;

a main shaft extending through said plates and motor means to rotate said shaft within said frame;

a biased timing lever pivotally mounted on said main shaft to rotate beneath said surface plate upon rotation of said shaft and pivot against its bias under projected timing parts upon interference therewith;

moving electrical switch means to rotate with said shaft and be actuated by pivotal movement of said timing lever;

a plurality of electric circuit paths disposed upon a surface of said circuit plate; and

sliding electrical contact means associated with said moving electrical switch means to slidably engage said electric circuit paths on said circuit plate, said contact means conveying electrical impulses from said switch to said circuit paths when said switch is operated by said timing lever.

7. A device as in claim 6 wherein said circuit plate is provided with a separate circuit path for each station to be controlled by said mechanism and said sliding electrical contact means includes a leaf spring member to engage each of said separate circuit paths successively upon rotation of said switch means.

8. A timing device comprising:

a frame including a surface plate and a printed electrical circuit plate in spaced, generally parallel relation;

a plurality of timing units mounted in said surface plate, one for each station of said apparatus, each of said units including a projectible timing part and means for selectively projecting said part beneath said surface plate;

moving electrical switch means rotated with said shaft and actuated by pivotal movement of said timing lever;

a plurality of electrical circuit paths disposed upon a surface of said circuit plate;

sliding electrical contact means associated with said moving electrical switch means to slidably engage said electrical circuit paths on said circuit plate, said contact means conveying electrical impulses from said switch to said circuit paths when said switch is operated by said timing lever; and wherein said timing lever includes a ported channel-shaped body portion loosely fitting about said shaft and pivoted thereon, a cam portion at one end adapted to register successively with each of said timing units and a contact pin at an opposite end to normally abut a portion of said moving electrical switch means and be removed therefrom by pivotal movement of said lever due to interference of said cam portion with a projected timing part of a timing unit in register with said cam portion.

9. In the timing device of claim 8, the provision of a retaining arm fixedly mounted on said main shaft beneath said timing lever and a timing lever tensioning spring on said retainer arm biasing said cam portion of said timing lever toward said surface plate, said moving electrical switch means being disposed on said retaining arm beneath said lever.

10. In a multiple station control timing device employing a timing cam moving in an orbital path relative to a plurality of stationary timing units, each unit having projectable portions adjustable into various positions of projection into the path of said cam to cause selectable amounts of deflection of said cam when passing said portions, the duration of a timing period being determined by the extent of projection of a projectable portion, the valves, comprising: a frame including a front plate, an provision of: intermediate plate and a back plate, said plate being asa rotatable timing lever cam including means for sembled in spaced generally parallel relation;

mounting said cam for rotation relative to a plurality of stationary timing units and for pivotal movement to deflect about a projected timing part of the timing units projected into the path of rotation of said cam;

moving electrical switch means rotated with said timing cam, said switch means being responsive to tact means conveying electrical impulses to said cir-- cuit paths in response to deflective movement of said cam past said timing parts.

12. A timing control device for sequentially timing multiple stations including solenoid operated water a plurality of timing units disposed in said front plate, each of said units having an adjustable timing part and means for adjusting said part to selected positions of projection behind said front plate;

a main shaft extending through said plate;

motor means on said rear plate to rotate said main shaft within said frame;

pivotal movement of said cam about a projected 10 a timing lever pivotally mounted on said shaft between portion of a timing unit; said front and intermediate plates, said lever being printed electrical circuit means including a plurality rotated about an axis generally perpendicular to said of circuit patths to convey electrical impulses to front plate and pivoted about an axis generally paraleach of the stations being controlled; and lel to said front plate;

sliding electrical contact means associated with said a timing cam portion on one end of said timing lever electrical switch means to convey electrical impulses to register with each of said timing units in succesfrom said switch means to said circuit means in resion and to interfere with projected timing parts of sponse to deflective movement of said cam past said units causing pivotal movement of said lever said projectable portion. and a contact pin on an opposite end;

11. A timing control device for sequentially timing means mounted on said main shaft to bias said cam multiple stations including solenoid operated water valves, portion of said timing lever toward said front plate comprising: and said timing units;

a frame including a front plate, an intermediate plate moving electrical switch means carried by said shaft and a back plate, said plates being assembled in to rotate with said timing lever, said switch means inspaced generally parallel relation; eluding a switch control button disposed below said a plurality of timing units disposed in said front plate, contact pin on said timing lever, said switch being each of said units having an adjustable timing part normally closed when said button is not contacted and means for adjusting said part to selected posiby said contact pin; tions of projection behind said front plate; 3 electrical circuit means on said intermediate plate ina main shaft extending through said plates; eluding a plurality of electrical conductive circuit motor means on said rear plate to rotate said main paths exposed towards said switch means;

shaft within said frame; sliding electrical contact means attached to said switch a timing lever pivotally mounted on said shaft between means to slidably engage said circuit paths, said consaid front and intermediate plates, said lever being tact means conveying electrical impulses to said cirrotatable about an axis generally perpendicular to cuit paths in response to deflective movement of said said front plate and to pivot about an axis generally cam by said timing parts; and parallel to said front plate; means to frictionally restrict rotation of adjustable pora timing cam portion on one end of said timing lever tions of each of said timing units including a pair of to register with each of said timing units in successpaced, ported retainer plates disposed below said sion and to interfere with projected timing parts of surface plate, said plates being disposed to provide said units causing pivotal movement of said lever aligned ports to receive adjustable portions of said and a contact pin on an opposite end; timing units therethrough, one of said plates having means mounted on said main shaft to bias said cam ported portions thereof disposed at an angle to the portion of said timing lever toward said front plate other of aid plates, and said timing units;

moving electrical switch means carried by said shaft References Cited by the Examiner to rotate with said timing lever, said switch means UNITED STATES PATENTS including a switch control button disposed below said contact pin on said timing lever, said switch be- 5%? 11/1940 Johnson 307*141 0,919 7/1941 Skelly 307-141 mg normally closed when said button 18 not con- 2,585,018 2/1952 Kreitchman et al. 20033 X tacted by said contact pin, 2 637 835 5/1953 D 318 443 electrical circuit means on said intermediate plate in- Son ,874,248 2/1959 Tondat et al. 200-158 X eluding a plurality of electrically conductive circuit 2 896 033 7/1959 H T 200 11 paths exposed toward said switch means; and a1 Z ,995,143 8/1961 Strathearn et al.

sliding electiical contact means attached to said switch 3 040 227 6/1962 Hauser 318 443 means to slidably engage said circuit paths, said con- 6/1962 Hauser KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Primary Examiner.

LLOYD MCCOLLUM, BERNARD A. GILHEANY,

Examiners.

Claims

1. A MULTIPLE STATION CONTROL TIMING DEVICE, COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF TIMING UNITS, ONE FOR EACH STATION OF SAID APPARATUS, EACH OF SAID TIMING UNITS INCLUDING AN ADJUSTABLE TIMING PART; MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID TIMING UNITS IN SPACED STATIONARY ARRAY; A PIVOTALLY MOUNTED TIMING LEVER HAVING A CAM PORTION; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID TIMING LEVER TO BRING SAID CAM PORTION INTO REGISTER WITH EACH OF SAID UNITS, THE STATIONARY TIMING LEVER BEING PIVOTED UPON INTERFERING CONTACT BETWEEN SAID CAM PORTION AND AN ADJUSTABLE TIMING PART POSITIONED IN THE PATH OF TRAVEL OF SAID CAM PORTION; ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT MEANS PRESENTING A PLURALITY OF EXPOSED CIRCUIT PATHS; AND MEANS ASSOCIATED WITH SAID TIMING LEVER TO SLIDABLY ENGAGE SAID EXPOSED CIRCUIT PATHS DURING MOVEMENT OF SAID TIMING LEVER AND TO CONVEY ELECTRICAL IMPULSES TO SAID CIRCUIT MEANS IN RESPONSE TO PIVOTAL MOVEMENT OF SAID TIMING LEVER.