[1]Patented Nov. 26, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,411,780 PRESELECTOR APPARATUS Harold F. Elliott, BeImont, Mass. Appliication February 20, 1943, Serial No. 476,563 10 Claims. (Cl. 200-37) 2 This il-ivention relates in general to control apparatus operating to set up a predetermined Drogram for performing predeterr@lined operations at desired time intervals over a period of twentyfour hours, or a greater or lesser period, as de- 5 sired. More particularly, this invention relates to a program preselector operatirg to effect desired operations at fifteen minute intervals over a twenty-folir hour period of time. This application is a continuation in part of application Serial 10 No. 391,873, filed May 5, 1941. An object of the present invention is to provide an irriproved program or function preselector adapted to set into operation a plurality of functions at predetermined intervals over a pe15 riod of time. A further object of my invention is to provide a pro.-ram or function preselector having a simplified and im-oroved mechanism for initiating and routing an electric circuit or circuits through 20 the preselector. A still further object of my invention is to provide a preselector device for setting up electrical circu:lts at predetermined times, ivhich device is adapted to operate with complete safety and satis25 faction over a range of voltages as low as 6 volts or lower, and as high as 110 volts or higher. These specific voltages mentioned, however, represent merely the low and the high of a voltage range for many standard electrical control units which 30 might be operated by the device, and are not to be considered as limiting. Anotber object of iny invention is to provide a preselector device adapted to ouickly and simply set up a comprehensive prograri of operations @.5 over as iruch as wenty-four holir period, and yet be cornpact in size, and simple in structure for low-cost, higli-quality production. One of the features of my invention is the provisio@-i of erergizable circuit routing mechanism @0 for a preselector device adapl@-ed to operate over a wide range of voltages. Anoti-ier feature of my inve,-qtior is the provision of -, preselector device having a plurality of die-cast r.,ietal, or riolded i-.isulating parts, or 45 both, w'@iich normally reduce the riumber of parts in the devi-ce and simplify the assembly ar@d operali-on '@-hereof while providing a sturdy ai,id efficient mechanism. I A further feature of the present invention is 50 the prov,@'sion of simplified and efiective brush, contact, and program timing means in a preselector device for completii-ig electrical circuits to ope@-ate and control apparatus electrically conneefed to such device. 56 A still further feature of the invention is the provision of circuit routin.- means which include yi-eldable switch means and a plurality of settable pro.-ram preselectors wh-'-- ch rneclaanically operate the switch means to provide an electric circuit control pattern having a plurality of functions at a plurality of different intervals of tirne. Other objects, features and advaiitages of the i-nvention vjill be apparent froln the following description taken iT7ith the drawings, in which: Mg. I is a front elevation of the preselector device; Mg. 2 is a cross-sectional view substantially along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows indicated on such line; Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, and partly in full of the finger or index dial and connecting means therefor, together ivith retarding mechanism to retard the return movement of such dial. Tlfis,@ligure is taken along the hne 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing various parts of the manually operated automatic setting means in section, in full, and in a fragmentary illustration; Fig. 5 is a detailed elevational view of the cast metal conductor ri_ngs when joined together before being incorporated into the molded insulating plate for the rings; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the rotary switch assembly and its cooperating distributor plate embodied in the device of Figs. 1 and 2; F-ig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the stationary instilating plate having the conducting rings r@iolded therein, and showing the rings joined together by an integral piece of metal which is .liachir).ed out before use of the complete unit; Flg. 8 is an elevational view of the rotary contact un@it of Fig. 2 with a portio'-q of the unit broken away; Fig, 9 is a sect-loiial viev@ along the line 14-14 of Fig. 8; @vig, 10 is a fragme--fitary perspective view of tl-ie rotary unit showing particularly the constriictioli of the switch means thereon; Fig. 11 -is a diaarar(imatic illustration of the circuit of the preselector device of the invention; rig. 12 is a rear elevational view of the device of F-igs. I and 2 wi-th a portion thc-reof broken away; Fig. 13 is a detailed view of the cortrol switch of Fig, 12 showing the contacts in clos6d position; 14 is an illustrat-lon of the sa,-ne switch
[2]3 and associated cam with the switch in open position; Fig. 15 is an elevational view with a portion broken away to show a modification of the switch mear@s itself of the rotary unit of F4@g. 8; Fig' 16 is an enlarged sectiona-1 view of one of the s,,vitch elerie-nts in the rc)tary unit of I@,lg. 15. In practicin,@ my invention I provide mechanically operated elec'Lrical circuit rot@.ting mechanism in a complete time control.led preselector device adapted for electrical connection to co-@qtrollable apparatus. Thp- device includes a plurality of members which are automatically movable by manually operat-,d mep,.rs to predeta-r-, mined radial positions in a frame. After the movable members a@,e set lip in a prede@uermined pattern corresponding to desired bperations in the controllable adparatus and corresponding to a predetermined time pattern, coiitrol eircuil@s are routed I through the preselector device at lyfedetermined tii-es by means including movable members and stationary and movable circuit completii,ig mechanism. The circui-t routing mechariism includes a stotionary part and o rotary part, with one of said parts coip-oi-is-in,a a inolded insulatip-g meriber havizig a plurality of conductor ri-@l-gs and iritegral terniiiial or contact portions fixedly molded therein, wliile the other part includes yieldable contac, meaiis. The radially mo,7able --rnembers adapted to be s--t up in a predeterniined progrgm operate in the device of my invention in a purely rnecha-n'Lcal capacity. The manually operated ineans for automatically setting the sliders or keys of the present preselector device to predetermined radial positions forms no part of the - oresent inveiition. This is taken directly from mv copending ap.-,olication Serial No. 391,873, filed May 5, 1941. However for a com-olete understanding of the present inventiop it is being illuqtrated and viill be described to show a complete device. As can be understood from Fig. 2, particularly, substantially the et-itire mechan-ism illustrated therein comprises -imple staimped or possibly cas,t, and molded parts. These parts include a principal metal frame mernb--r IC preferably cast in a form to provide P. c,@ntral hub I I ia-ooli which, and abo-Lit -,vhich, associated el-aments are mounted. The fro,rne membc-r ID also includes an anni.ilar portion 12 which includt-.s a rim 13 visible at the face of the device as shown in Fig. 1, and a portion within the riria inclurling a plurality of radially extendin- grooves 14, each groove correspoiidiii,@ to a @-Ifte@-,n minute it-iterval of I.-ime ii, the t-@venfy-four (24) hour period as,will be here-'@nafter more specii'lcally descri@oed. A mltal slider ISO is provided for each groove 14 and is slidably carried iq a correspor-diii.@ recess defined by front and bn@ck ed.@es 139 and 141 respectively in the frame nie@-nber 18. Each slider 138 corilprises an ear 142 at one end thereof which is engaged by the pusher SS o-j.1 the automatic slider setting mechanism. The body portion is split longitudinally to provide ,i pair of legs 143 --iid 141 which may be cor-qp-cessec3, sufficiently to perniit the iiitrcduct;on of the slider in a correspondin.- frarne membpr recass, and therea@ter will exert a pressure agaii-isl@ '-uhe edges 139 ard 141 sufficient to maintaii the slider in a set or pr(,determined positio7-i, A cam or projectipg porl@ion i'@16 extends at iight angles from the leg 144 and ride3 i-(@ the groove i4 in the frame plate. As will b-- expla,'@ned i@@@ greater detail, the cam or projecting portion 146 2,411,780 4 has merely a mechanical function so far as circuit routing is concerned and serves to operate a corresponding yieldable switch in extendiy-ig an electrical circuit through the preselector device. The metal sliders 138 are not electrically connected into the control circuit. The slider acts merely as a mechanical key or cam to mechar-ically operate a corresponding yieldable swite-@i i-neans to route a circuit through the preselector 10 device. As a result there is no exposed Dortiol-i at the front of the device which is electi-ically e-@iergized and consequently this embodiment is readily adapted to 110 volt operation. The hub or central portioii I I of the rnember 15 10 is cup-shaped and is apertured at 19 to receive the rotatable mechanism for the hands of a clock, and acts to support the frame 21 for the clock dial 22 thereon. A twelve-hour face is provided for the dial 22, and a minute hand 20 23, an hour hand 24, a twenty-four hour hand 25, and a second hand 28 move over the dial face. The preselector device, as illustrated herein, is adapl-led for twenty-four hour operation, and the two twelve hour periods indicated 25 on the face edge of an index dial 32 can be read in coiaiunction with the movable hand 25. Different colors can be employed in these figures to indicate whether the particular hour is in the day-time period or night peri6d. The timing, 30 ei-rcuit routing, and switch mechaiiism which will be described is adapted for twenty-four hour operation, and as is evident frorq F@g. I there are 96 sliders 138 corresponding to the 96 fifteen-minute intervals over a twenty-four hour 35 per od. It is un erstoo , of course, at the Preselector device of the Dresent invention may be adapted for operation over other periods of time. The presert mechanism provides all ol' the ad40 vantages of a visual program set"up, and in addition provides simple apparatus for automatically and selectively moving each of the sliders to the precise point of electrical interconnection with a conductor to route a circuit. Mech,,,,nism 4,,) for accomplishing this iiieludes a stationary stamped gear 27 secured intermediate the dial frame 21 and the hito portion I I (Fig. 2). A-yl integral lug 28 (Fig. 3) on the gear 27 acts as a stop for the moving connecti@@ig mechanism 50 including a bell crank lever 29 ivhich serves with associated elements to connect the finger or index dial 32, and a slider settin.@ mem-ber 33 which ma-Y be designated as a mover or a p,,isher (Fig. 4). 65 The dial 32 is Drovided as a molded p.,astic cr the like rqember, and includes a plurality of fi-nger holds F corresponding ir- numbAr to the functions desired to be controlled by the apparatus. For purposes of illustration the present 60 device is described as connected into a radio receiver system, and co,-isequently seveli of the inger holds F carry broadcasting station ir-dicia, and the eighth hole F' is used to index the "off" position of the radio receiver systeri when a 65 finger is inserted in this hold and the dial moved to a stop position, as will be explained. The stop for the finger dial cornprises a fixed apron, or the like 34, secured to the dial frarne 2 1. The finger dial 32 is secured to a metal 70 plate 36 (Fig. 3) rotatably mounted within, and o-ovable relative to., the cup-shaped metal member 37 which is journolled on the projecting portiol't I i of the f rar@ie member IO. The cup-shaped member 37 serves as a mount75 iiag member for a movable rotary unit which in-
[3]5 cludes a toothed cam member 38 rotatably secured to an inner annular flanae 39 of the member 37, and such toothed mernber 38 includes a cam groove with an eccentric surfac,- 42 thereon. The groove and surface 42 guides a follower 43 5 (Mg. 4) which is mounted on the body portion 44 of the pusher 33. The body portion 44 of the pusher 33 in turn is mounted for slidable radial movement i@n a channelled guide x-,lember 46 rigidly secured to the base or bottoin 47 of 10 the cup-shaped member 37 (Fig. 2). In preparing to set up a program or at leasl@ move a slider 16 radially to a des,.red predetermined position, the plunger or pusher 33 is flrst moved angularly iilto alignment with the 15 desired slider. This is accomplished by grasping with the fingers the outside rim R of the member 37, and simply moving or rotating the member 37 and its associated elerrents just described to a position such that the pointer 48 20 (Fig. 1) on the rim of such member is opposite the desired slider. As is understood fron the above explanation, the toothed member 38, and the plunger 33 end mounting 48 therefor, will move with the member 37 as a. unit. 25 In order to set in operation a particular function, which might be operatin., a fur-vlace, turning a valve, or as in the present instance, closing an electric control circuit for tuning the radio receiver to a station correspoiiding to Iuhe 30 desired station indicated i-n a finger hole P, circuit routing mechanism is provided for functions corresponding in number to fin.@er holes P. Included in the circuit routin., mechapisirare the metal sliders 138. 35 The sliders 138 in grooves 14 at tlie left a,@ld right of Fig. 2 are both shown in "ofi"' or rest position and out of position to irake an electrical connection but it is obvious th,@it they may be moved outwardly by the pusher 33 to a desired 40 predetermined position. The slider and slider supporting and gliidin.@ mechanism, as well as the plupger or uLisher mechanism have been fvlly described, and the method of positioning, that is rotatin.-@ the pusher assembly to align the plisher with reference to a slider has likewise been described. The operati6n of the p@lunger or pusher 33 in a radial direction to in turn move a slider 138 ougwardly from a starting position to a set - oosition wiil 1-io now be clescribed. As previously r@ientioned , a bell-craiik lever 29 is pivotally mounted by means of a Pivot 64 (Fig. 3) secured to the plate 36 mounting the finger dial 32. In a position of rest for the finger dial 32, c-ne end 60 of the 63 bell-crank lever is in engagemet-lt wil@@h the lu.@ 28 on the stationary gear 27, whiie the other end having a pawl or inte.aral Itig 67 thereon is in position within the aperture 83 i-n the plate 36 for engaoement with a tooth in the cam 60 plate 30. In operating the setting inechanism the operator places his finger i-n a hole P and the dial 32 is rotated clockwise unti! the L-inger engages the stop 34. Upon the first nioveme-qt of the dial 32, as the pivot 64 for the lever 29 65 moves with it, the spring 60 actin.@ on the bellcrank lever pivots it iiito a position so that the pawl 67 engap,,es a too*Llh 72 in the toothed member 30. Thereafter, as the dial is rotated clockwise, the lever 29 n,-oves the toothed mer-qber 70 38 therewith, and the cam groove with the -ccentric surface 42 causes the follower @3 therein to roll and move radially w-'tth the arcuate or angular movement of the groove, and coiisequently move the pusher body 44 and tip T 75 2,411,780 therewith in a straight-Iine radial direction. Flanges within the guide member 46 maintain the pusher in a straight-line direction as can be understood from Fig. 4. In the meantirne, the cup 37 to the base 47 of which the guid,- member 46 is secured is maintai-ned stationary relative to the r-qovable dial 32 by means of holding or iy-ldex inechaiiis-m illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4. This ircludes a bellcrank lever 74 pivotally - mounted intermediate its ends on the bottom 47 of the mer@iber 37, having a roller 76 at one end, and a tensioii spring 77 at the other end. The roller 76 and spring 77 are both positioned in corresponding apertures within the base 47, as shown in Fig. 2. The roller 76 rides in notches 78 formed in the iiiside o-f the rim @!g of the staluio-nary plate portion -12 of the frame 10 os previously described. The spring 77 maintains suffic3ent tension on the lever 71.7 so that the uiait including the cup 37 is maintained stati-orary at a-@i adjusted position, but yet will perinit ready matiual movement of the unit to originally set the pusher or r@lover 33, as described. As the tip T of the moving pusher engages the ear 53 of the sele@-ted slider 138 the latter is inoited radially olit@vardly a distance corresponding to the radial movement o-f the follower 43 orl the eccentric surface in the cam groove. For insl@-ance, if the dial 32 was operated from the finger hole F with 'Uhe indicia KRE, the member 38 would be rotated a distance substantially ecual to the arcuate length of the cam groove causi@,ig the tip T to move outwardly to its maximum positi-on and place the slider on the outside eircui@u routing position as cLn be understood from Fi-g. 2. The dial 32 and associated mechanism is returned from an operated position to a position of rest, as shown in Figs. I and 3, by means of coiled return spriilgs. A co'led sprin., 80 is supported on the plate 36 for the L-i-n,,@er dial within lugs 62 s'uamped out at inlervals 4@n a circular path around the ce-ntral portion of such plate. One end of the sprin.- -'O i-s connected to ore of the 32, while the other eid is connected to a lu.- o-n the statiop-?,ry htib portior@ II. A coiled spri-ng e-4 (Fig, 4) rests i--(l an an-Tiilar cavity (Flig. 2@) at the i-nside portion 47 of the di@J cup 37, is secured at one e@-id to a cutoi:tt portion 86 in the xi-in of the a,.a-@aular cavity, at-id 4@s secured at the other eild to a lug 87 turned ilwardly from 'Lhe cam pln@t-a 38. These sprin,,s are tensi-oned when the dial 32 is rotated clockwise, a-lid act to return both the dial and the cam plate to a pos-ition of res'Ll. At this position the end t,,C of the lever 29 engages the lug 23, as here'bofore expla-liled, ond the lug 88 on the di-@l plate 24' enggges the other side of such l@,,v,,r end 06 to stop the dial. Th@, cam groove in the plate 30 is so propor'Llioned in length that the follower 43 will be in engage-rient with the end of it, as shown in 4, when the lug 83 e.,igages the bell-cralk Ic-ve.- at 66, so that the pawl 67 is throvin otit of engagement with a too'uh 72 iii the plate 3P. ,vhen the lever hits the lug 23. Retardiri.- mechanism is shov-i.@, ip, 3 for slowirl-g the movei7r@e-Ti'. of the dial @12 and cam pate 3 on the returri n,.ovements under the forces of the sp,@ings @09 and Sci. This @nechanisr-q includes a geor traiia i-ncltiding ,ears 09 and 92, with the latter e,,lgagitig a cor@,espci-iding pinion gear 93 rgtatablysuD7)orted o--,-i the dial plat-@ 36. A rair of friction pawls or shoes 94
[4]7 and 941 are each pivotally mounted at one end on supporti-ng means movable with the pinion gear 93. As the pinion gear 93 is rotated the pawls are thrown outwardly by centrifu.aal force and frictionally engage a stationary cap 96 secured to the plate 36. By this frictioy-ial engagement the r-qovement of t@-ie gear train and hence the dial ari-d associated dial plate 36 are retarded. By virtue of the pawl 67 of bell-crank lever 29 conne,.ti.,ig the dial plate 36 a-nd cam plate 38 these move together. Hence the retarding mechanism in effect ,lcts on the eiitire counter-clockwise moving struc'@ure. As can be unders@l-ood from the precedin.- descriptio.,i the present device provides a means for setting u-,o a pro,-ram o-ver a 24-hour period which wi-11 initiate a, p,.trticular predeterrqined function in each 15 minute interval of time over the entire 2,1-hour period. For purposes of illustration only the device is connected -,liith 'control apparatus which in turn tunes a radio receiver to at least 7 different sI.at4@ons as can be seen from the 7 statio-.q indications in th,, index dial 82 of l@'ig. 1. The e-ighth operation to be initiated is turning off the receiver eireiil@t which is eifected when a sider 138 is in the radial positi-on corresponding to th-- position ol the finger hole F' in the slider settin.a mechanism. O'aviously it is not necessary to set up a different program for each 15 i-rinute iiiterval, and assurning that the radio receivcr has bee-fi tu-ned to a parti.ciilar station in some i7iterval of time in the 2,1-hour period, that station setting will remain the saine until the rout,'@n,@mechanisrn engages a slider 138 set radially in a groove 14 at a position corresponding to some other station setting. The stationary portion of the electric c-ircuitrouting mechaiiism includes a molded inslilating frarae plate or unil. 101. As to the up-it IC 1, this comprises the rnolded insulating plate 104 and a plurality of conductor rings t@9 molded iherein. The conductor rings each cemprise an annular iing portion v@ith a co,-qductor surface 1, substp,,,,itiallY flush with the face of the inslilating plate, the material of which seiaaiates the p,urality of rings from one another as shoxn in Fig. 2. Each ring likewise ccmprises a "single proj--@ctioTi or contact portion II 2 which extends at right angles frorn the body portion pro-lj--r of the ri_ng 109, and exteiids through th., instilati-Tig material @o the ol,3posite face of pla'u-, 104 bein.- expos,-d in a small terminal portion 149 to wh;@ch a conductor is secured, as shc@vvp in r@lig. 12. The positi.on of the respec@ive terrqinai portio,-is 1,49 on the integral projections 112 can b@, unders'@ood from Fig. 12. Therefore, the unio 101 provildes a molded insulating P',ate or frarqe with a rlijrality of conducting members 109 embedded or molded therein, with a continuous annular co@-iducting surface II I at one face (the frot-it) of the,plate, a-nd a singlie restricted proi-,ct"r@g contact portion expose-,i at the opposite -',ice (back) thereof. The insulating plate and conducting member unit is preferabl@y man,,,,factured by first prov,'@ding a plurali+.y of concentric die-cast annular rings 109 v,7ith a single projection 112 extending transversely at one point on each ring. The rirlgs are secured in spaced relation by a plitrality of straps M cast integrally vtith r'.n,,s 105 as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. The insicle f,,),ce of each strap has depressions corresporiding to e spaces P between adjacent rings, and these de214111780 8 pressions appear abo-ve the dotted, line in Fig.7. The die-cast metal unit is then embedded in moldable insulating material and the entire plate 104 is molded with the ring asseimbly maintained therein. After the molding operation is complete the straps M are n@ achined off down to the dotted line of Fig. 7, thus 'providing the indi'vidual rings insulatingly separated from one another and having a continuous smooth conduct10 ing surface II I over the entire annular faces thereof. Inasmuch as the projections 112 extend through the insulation over a very small crosssectional area it is apparent that a large mass of molded insulating material is provided 15 for supporting the conducting means to in turn provide a ri,-id and well insula'Led unit. T-he molded plate unit 101 likewise serves is the back frame member for the preselector device, and is provided -with a rim or flange 151 through 20 ivhich bolts 1 1.@2 extend to secure the unit 147 and a cover plate 153, all as an assembly, upon the fram,, m,,mber 1-3. Likewise the top shaft anO, gear driving mechanism are all supported in apertures 154 at various places over the entire 25 area of the unit. T'Lie back cover plate 153 in co--Iibination w;@th the molded plate unit provides a cavity at the back of tlie devic-@ for housing gear trains and related elements, as well as 9. earn coiitrol switch, while the clock motor C 3( is mounted on the back of the cover plate. Control circuits vvi@thin the preselector device @ire ex@tended through the conductor ring formation by mcans of yieldable switches on a rotary u,-ii-t @56 (Figs. 2 and 8). The unit is supported 35 ui:)on a hub portion 157 which in turn is secured to the shaft 102 for the twenty-four hour hand 25 of the clock. The shaft and rotary unit 153 are rotqted by a driven gear 103' which in turii is driven by a pi-nion gear 103 connected with 40 the clock motor C as previously described. Co-qsequently, the switch portIon of the unit 156 rotates throligh one complete cycle each 24-hours ,tnd con@brol circuits are completed at 15-minuLe iyltervals depending upon whethe,r sliders 133 are 45 set up at each such interval. The switch means generally on the rotary unit 156 is illustrated detail in Figs. 8, 9. and 10, and 1-ikewise showl-i in Figs. 6 and 2 in operating pos.,',tions relative to the sliders and conductor rings. The yield50 able switches are all in a rest position i?.i Fig. 2, and the sliders are iii a nonoperatino., positioii. In Fig. 6 the slider 133 is in a preset positioii, and one of the svvitches is in an operating position. The switch means comprises a stacked assembly 55 having a plurality of stamped-out plates arranged as shown partic,.ilarly in Fig. 9. Ea,@h o-@ie-piece plate IS I has a flat rim at each side for securing it into the stack and a central slotted and formed portion which includes a plurality of independ60 ently movable straps 162. Each strap has a stiff, rounded central fin@,,er or contact portion 161 which in itself is non-yieldable, but the stra-o 162 as a whole is yieldable in a direction et right angles to the plane of the u--(iit 15fj because of 65 the corrugated portion 164 to each side thereof ayidinteyrqediate the outer secured rims and the fipger portion 163. The three metal plates 161 including the straps and illustrated in cross-section in Fi@@r. 9, are identified as T, I, and L respec70 tively, from top to bottom, Although they are substantially identical in construction they have different functiolis as will be described. The plate T straps have purely a mechanic@@l 15 function in the corresponding switches. This
[5]2,411,780 9 plate T is insulated from the p a es I and y the finger Therefore, when a complete means of a yieldable insulating plate ICS - slotted switch unit is depressed as sholvn in F-ig. 6 the in a manner corresponding to plates 161. It is circuit is extended through the plates L and I likewise insulated from the remainder of the and the corresponding depressed engaging finger structure in the rotary unit 156 by means of 5 163 to the co-nducting surface III of @bhe correinsulating bushiilgs 167. ActLally, the bushin,@s sponding conductor ring 109. 'rhis iii turn ex167 and the insulating plate 106 are adapted to tends the circuit through the correscond,@'ng tei,- completely insulate the energizable conductor mir@al 149 to a conductor iii the electric cable portions as represented by the plates I and L i@,i going to a motor or the like to effect the desired the complete switch aser@ibly. The entire stack 10 corresponding function. is secured together and mounted on the unit 150 Referring P-ow to the switch 174, this is illusby means of rivets or the like 168 iln the insulatin@.- trated in Figs. 12, 13, and 14, and diagrammatibushings 167, Apertured guide members 169 and cally in the circuit dia,@ram of Fig. 11. This inI I I at the top and bottom respectively of the stack cludes a pair of yieldable arr@is 1.18 and 179 with have apertures 172 whi-ch permit the protrusion 15 corresponding egntact points 181 on the inside of the fingers 163 on the individual straps, wWl,- face thereof. The arm 179 is continuously enthe adjacent body portions of these gui-de memergized by virtue of 4@ts cont-iectio-n w-ith the conbers confine and generally guide the movemeni.- ductor 132 in the energized portign of the comof the corresponding straps as they are depressed plete electrical system. The contact points 181 ivhen engaged by the cam or projecting portion 20 are normally separated. Hov,@ever, during one 146 of a slider. TI-ie height of the finger portons portion of every 15-minute in@erval both arms i63 on each strap, and the length of the cam are flexed to the positio,-Ti sh,D@vn in Fiig. 14 by or projection 146 of the slider are such that means of a rotary cam plate 183 ,@f insulating rnacoupled with the rotary path of movemeiit of terial. This cam plate is L-ixedly mounted on the the unit 156, a finger portion 160 of the plate T 25 shaft 184 connected to t.'Lie clock motor C by is depressed by the cam 146 when it ppsses '6heregears which cause it to rotate 360' in each 15- under. mini-ite Period. The cam plate 183 is - slibstanIn order to extend a. circuit through the switch tially rectangular in shape, and the leading edge means of the unit I 5 5, plates I and L are provided while rotating in the direction of the arrow in slightly longer than the plate T to in turn - provide 30 Fig. 12 raises the arrns so that they ride on the an extra strap, and conseqiiently an extra finger outside surface thereof. A straight trailing edge portion 163' as shown in Fig. 6. This extra s'@rap 186 causes the shorter switch arrq 178 to drop assembly is positioned under the body portio-,l from the plate 183 first, and then until the seeof the insulativig plate 166 which in turn abuts ciad ariii I'WO has dropped from the plate, the a, block or tlie like 173 beneath the body portion 35 contacts 181 are in engagement. Then the arm of the guide plate 169. By means of a corre179 drops from the trailing edge, the contact sponding block or the like 173' below the ins-,ilat- points separate a-rid the control circuit is broken. ing plate, the corresponding finger portions 163' Although the op-.rat-lon of this embodinient will are continuously depressed, and the portion 163' undoubtedly be apparent from the preceding deat the right as viewed in Figs. 2 and 6 rides con40 scriptioii, an entire cycle of op,-rations will be tinuotisly upon the corresponding conductor surdescribed for a more complete understanding of face I I 1'. The corresponding conductor rii-ig inthe invention, Referring to the circuit diagram cILides the projection with a terminal -oortion 143' of Fig. 11, the operation Gf the preselector device (Mg. 12) extending through the plate 148 to the will be again described with reference io the conrear thereof. As will be explained the coiiductor 45 trol or tuning of a radio receiver. It i-s assumed, ring corresponding to the terminal 149' is ener,-lrst of all, that the rnaster swil@-ch 107 in the gized raomentarily or for any desired period at complete electrical system is closed, and that the each 15-mi,.iute interval as a result of - closing clock C is operating, thereby also rotating the the switch 174. uiiit 156 therewith. Furthermore, one or more However, as to each individually depressible 5( of the preselector sliders have been set by the switch in the complete switch means in the unit means heretofore described to % predetermined 156, as a finger 163 on an individual strap of the plate T engaiges the cam 146 of a slider 138, the portions 164 yield and the base of the finger 163 depresses corresponding portion of a strap 176 (Fig. 6) of the insulating plate 166. This in turn depresses the Gppositely disposed finger portions 163 of the corresponding straps in the plates I and L, and the finger portion 163 of the plate L engages a corresponding conductor stirface I I I of a conductor ring 109. As is evident from Fig. 9, particularly, the contour and dimensions of the outermost part of the finger 163 which evigages the cam 146 on each individual slider, are such that it is mechanically depressed for a short space of time while the unit 156 is slowly rotating over its annular path. The time for this passage corresponds generally with the time that the switch 174 is closed to complete the control circuit. It is assumed that the switch 174 is clc)sed. This energizes a conductor ring with the conducting surface I I 1, and plates, L and I in the switch means are both energized by virtue of the sliding contact with the conductor surface by radial posi-tion corresponding to the station setting for the radio receiver. This station setting or function corresponds to a particular conducting r,@ng I 09 and its associated circuits. With the switch 174 closed through the contact points 181, a circuit is completed froil the switch arm 173 through termiiial 149' and corresponding conductgr surface I I 1, throu.-h the rotary vnit switch including the finger portions 163', the switch plates I and L, and throiigh a depressed swltch unit including a fin.,er portion 163 as shovvn in Fig. 10, back through the corresponding conductor I I i and the integral terminal portion 149. From that point the circuit is ext6nded through a corresponding egnductor 189, through the tuning motc)r 191 and back to the other side of the line including the switch arm 179. The rnotor 191 mojes the tuning mechanism for the radio set 192 while the control circliit is energized and the receiver is tuned to the desired predetermined station during the time that the switch 174 is closed by movemelit of the cam plate 183, and the switch at the con75 ductor ring surface I I I" is closed during the
