Ralph S Robinson

US Patent:

40313638, Jun 21, 1977

Filed:

May 17, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/686826

Inventors:

John D. Freeman - Westport CT
Ralph C. Robinson - Charlotte NC
Kenneth D. Swonger - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

General Time Corporation - Thomaston CT

International Classification:

G06F 1520

US Classification:

2351502

Abstract:

Apparatus capable normally of presentation of time in hours and minutes and upon command of other functions, such as miles before service is required and days before service is required. The apparatus includes at least one logic integrated circuit for providing required frequency division of various inputs, a storage for accumulating information received from the integrated circuit and for retaining the information over a period of time even though power to the circuit is interrupted, a power supply and a display for displaying information on demand.

US Patent:

41921364, Mar 11, 1980

Filed:

Mar 24, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/780842

Inventors:

Ralph C. Robinson - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

General Time Corporation - Thomaston CT

International Classification:

G04B 1902

US Classification:

368222

Abstract:

A digital readout apparatus includes a housing, a plurality of members providing, respectively, a presentation of units-of-minutes, tens-of-minutes, and hours, a shaft for supporting the members within the housing for movement in rotation imparted either by a timed or manual setting input to the member of lowest order. The digital readout apparatus also includes an endshake element received on the shaft between the hours member and the housing. The endshake element includes cam structure on a side surface which cooperates with cam structure similarly contoured on the housing thereby through selective rotational adjustment of the endshake element relative to the shaft, both the hours and tens-of-minutes members are moved axially along the shaft relative to the units-of-minutes member which is fixed to the shaft for varying clearance between the members. The apparatus also includes means for periodically drivingly connecting pairs of members whereby a member of lower order may drive the member of next higher order.

US Patent:

43084354, Dec 29, 1981

Filed:

May 31, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/044250

Inventors:

David Morrison - Atlanta GA
Ralph C. Robinson - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

General Time Corporation - Thomaston CT

International Classification:

H01H 300

US Classification:

200 17R

Abstract:

One or more switch apparatus for controlling a digital display of a changing function each include stationary and movable contacts and an actuator having a rest position and movable longitudinally in opposite directions to second and third positions. Cam structure is supported on each actuator to interact with a follower carried by each movable contact whereby different conditions of switch operation may be indicated by the position of the actuator relative to the movable contact. Biasing structure intercooperates between each actuator and a support for biasing the actuator toward the rest position from at least one of the second and third positions. A latch, also, intercooperates with each actuator to latch the actuator in one of the last-mentioned positions.

US Patent:

40836738, Apr 11, 1978

Filed:

May 11, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/685322

Inventors:

Ralph C. Robinson - Charlotte NC

Assignee:

General Time Corporation - Thomaston CT

International Classification:

F23N 522

US Classification:

431 87

Abstract:

A portable heating apparatus includes a catalytic bed, a fuel for the catalyst and an electrical circuit operative at a preset time and throughout a predetermined duration of time for igniting the fuel. The circuit includes a transducer in the form of a resistive heating element connected to a source of power and a pair of switches, all arranged in series with the power source. One switch comprises a motor driven time indicator and the other switch comprises a timer which is manually latched closed and automatically unlatched upon closure of the time indicator. The duration of time during which the latter switch remains closed after unlatching may be adjusted.