Claims
- 1. A programmed electrical control unit for controlling the operation of associated electrically energized equipment, said control unit including: a support chassis; program storage member means mounted on the chassis, and including a first storage element in the form of a drum having a plurality of channels thereon with electrically conductive and non-conductive segments in each of said channels representative of morning and afternoon for each of a predetermined number of days, and a second storage element in the form of a belt having a plurality of channels thereon with electrically conductive and non-conductive segments in each of said last-named channels representative of hours and minutes on a 24 hour basis; sensing member means coupled to said program storage member means and generating electric signals upon relative movement therewith, said sensing member means including a first plurality of pairs of electrically conductive stylii positioned for selective contact with said segments in said channels of said first storage element, and a second plurality of pairs of electrically conductive stylii positioned for selective contact with said segments in said channels of said second storage element upon relative movement between said sensing means and said storage member means, an electrical connection being established across the stylii of each of the aforesaid pairs when a conductive segment is encountered thereby, said electrical signals generated by said sensing member means being indicative of predetermined programs stored on said storage member means; clock motor drive means for producing relative movements at different rates between the aforesaid storage elements and their associated stylii at timed speeds so that the belt makes a complete revolution for each 24 hour period and so that the drum makes a complete revolution once for every period representing said predetermined number of days; and a plurality of electronic switching circuits respectively connected to said sensing member means in a series electric circuit connection with corresponding pairs of stylii of said sensing member means in said first and second pluralities, and responsive to the electrical signals generated thereby for producig electrical switching signals for the associated equipment.
- 2. The combination defined in claim 1, in which said plurality of electronic switching circuits are respectively connected to said stylii in series electrical circuit with corresponding pairs thereof contacting the aforesaid segments on said drum and belt to be triggered from one operative state to another by the aforesaid electrical signals for producing said electrical switching signals.
- 3. The combination defined in claim 1, in which one stylus of each of said pairs is adjustable longitudinally, and which includes fastening means for holding the stylus in any set longitudinal position.
- 4. The combination defined in claim 1, and which includes spring clutch means interposed between said drive means and said program storage member means for permitting said drum and belt to be preset to any desired operative position.
- 5. The combination defined in claim 2, and which includes a plurality of terminal strips mounted on said support chassis in side-by-side relationship and extending across said drum and said belt to support the respective electronic switching circuits, and the stylii respectively connected thereto.
- 6. The combination defined in claim 1, and which includes latch means coupled to the support chassis for removably mounting the drum and the belt on the support chassis.
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
Ser. No. 825,768 -- filed May 19, 1969 in the name of the present inventors, now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (8)