US 6,486,416 B2Granted

Appliance timer having an auxiliary switching assembly

AssigneeEmerson Electric Co.

InventorDaniel K. Amonett

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Abstract

A timer for controlling an appliance includes a housing. The timer also includes a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein. The plurality of cam surfaces are positioned within the housing. The timer further includes a switch block which cooperates with the plurality of cam surfaces to provide switching operations for the appliance. Moreover, the timer includes an auxiliary member having a circuit pattern positioned on a side thereof. Rotation of the camstack causes rotation of the auxiliary member. The auxiliary member is positioned outside of the housing. The timer yet further includes a first switch arm positioned in contact with the side of the auxiliary member. Rotation of the auxiliary member causes the circuit pattern to be advanced into contact with the first switch arm. A method of controlling an appliance is also disclosed.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A timer for controlling an appliance, comprising:

a camstack having a plurality of cam surfaces defined therein, said camstack further having (i) a blade support portion configured to define a hub space, and (ii) a hub having a central bore defined therein;
a control shaft received within said central bore;
a switch block that cooperates with said plurality of cam surfaces to provide switching operations for the appliance;
an auxiliary member having a circuit pattern positioned on a side thereof, wherein rotation of said camstack causes rotation of said auxiliary member;
and
a plurality of auxiliary switch arms each having (i) a first terminal end spaced apart from said auxiliary member, and (ii) a second contact end that is positioned in contact with said side of said auxiliary member,
wherein rotation of said auxiliary member causes a first pair of auxiliary switch arms of said plurality of auxiliary switch arms to be switched between (i) an electrically isolated state in which said first pair of auxiliary switch arms are electrically isolated from each other, and (ii) an electrically coupled state in which said first pair of auxiliary switch arms are electrically coupled to each other,
wherein said hub includes a first hub portion that is located within said hub space and a second hub portion that is located outside of said hub space, and
wherein said auxiliary member is secured to said second hub portion.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/955,386Filed 18 Sep 2001 · continuation
Priority: 10 Oct 1997
Published: US 2002/0056616 A116 May 2002
Granted: 26 Nov 2002
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

H01H 43/124
Stopping automatically after a single cycle of operation: using a disc
H01H 43/026
Details: contact arrangements
H01H 43/121
Stopping automatically after a single cycle of operation: using a drum
H01H
Electric switches

Family

Application08/949,157Parent of this continuation · filed 10 Oct 1997
Application09/526,236Parent of this continuation · filed 15 Mar 2000
US 2002/0056616 A1Pre-grant publication · published 16 May 2002
US 6,064,011 AParent of this continuation
US 6,486,416 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.