1. An interval timer comprising the combination of: a case having a pair of parallel external walls which include first and second magnetic portions; a gear train; interval timing means connected to said gear train to be driven thereby through a path of preset extent, defining a timing interval; a magnetic rotor rotatably mounted on a first axis and connected to said gear train for driving said train by rotating; two pole pieces disposed adjacent to said rotor, each said pole piece being connected by magnetic material to a separate one of said magnetic portions of said case; a motor field coil disposed about a second axis displaced from said first axis, said first and second magnetic portions of said case being connected by magnetic material to first and second spaced points, respectively, immediately adjacent and magnetically coupled to opposite ends of said field coil so that when said field coil is energized by A.C. power the alternating magnetic field created thereby is coupled by said magnetic portions of said case to said pole pieces so as to rotate said rotor; said gear train, said interval timing means, said rotor, said pole pieces, and said field coil all being mounted upon and substantially within said case and between said walls, whereby said case serves to mount and enclose the component parts of the timer and also functions as a portion of the electromagnEtic motor.

4. A timer comprising in combination: two spaced parallel walls, at least one of said walls having a portion of magnetic material; a timing mechanism mounted upon and substantially between said walls; a field coil mounted upon and between said walls; an armature mounted upon and between said walls in a position spaced substantially from said field coil, and adapted to be actuated by a magnetic field in its immediate vicinity so as to provide mechanical power for said timing mechanism; first magnetic means disposed between said walls and connecting a point immediately adjacent said field coil with a first point on said wall portion of magnetic material; second magnetic means disposed between said walls and connecting a point in the immediate vicinity of said armature with a second point on said wall portion of magnetic material spaced from said first point; whereby, when said field coil is energized, the magnetic field thereby created is coupled via said first and second magnetic means and said wall portion of magnetic material to the immediate vicinity of said armature, thereby actuating said armature.

5. A timer comprising in combination: two spaced parallel walls, each of said walls having a portion of magnetic material; a timing mechanism mounted upon and substantially between said walls; a magnetic core mounted upon and between said walls with its axis perpendicular to said walls, each end of said magnetic core being magnetically connected to said portion of magnetic material of a separate one of said walls; a field coil mounted upon and coaxial with said core to provide a solenoid; an armature mounted upon and between said walls and being spaced substantially from said solenoid, and adapted to be actuated by a magnetic field in its immediate vicinity so as to provide mechanical power for said timing mechanism; magnetic means connecting each of two spaced points immediately adjacent said armature to said portion of magnetic material of a separate one of said walls, each point of connection of said magnetic means to said portion of magnetic material being spaced a substantial distance from the point of connection of the corresponding end of said magnetic core to said portion of magnetic material; whereby, when said field coil is energized, the magnetic field thereby created is coupled via said core, said portions of magnetic material of said walls, and said magnetic means, to the immediate vicinity of said armature and thereby actuates said armature.

6. An interval timer comprising in combination: two spaced parallel walls, each of said walls having a portion of magnetic material; a gear train; interval timing means connected to said gear train to be driven thereby through a path of preset extent, defining a timing interval; a magnetic rotor rotatably mounted on a first axis and operatively connected to said gear train for driving said train by rotating; two pole pieces disposed adjacent to said rotor, each said pole piece being conneCted by magnetic material to said magnetic portion of a separate one of said walls; a field coil disposed about a second axis displaced from said first axis, each said wall portion of magnetic material being connected by magnetic material to a separate one of two spaced points immediately adjacent and magnetically coupled to opposite ends of said field coil so that when said field coil is energized with A.C. power the alternating magnetic field thereby created is coupled by said wall portions of magnetic material to said pole pieces so as to rotate said rotor; said gear train, said interval timing means, said rotor, said pole pieces, and said field coil all being mounted upon and substantially between said walls, whereby said walls serve to mount and contain the component parts of the timer and also function as a portion of the electromagnetic motor.

7. An interval timer comprising in combination: two spaced parallel walls, each of said walls having a portion of magnetic material; a gear train; interval timing means connected to said gear train to be driven thereby through a path of preset extent, defining a timing interval; a magnetic rotor connected to said gear train and rotatably mounted on an axis perpendicular to said walls for driving said gear train by rotation; two pole pieces disposed adjacent to said rotor, each said pole piece being connected by magnetic material to said magnetic portion of a separate one of said walls; a magnetic core disposed between said walls, parallel to and displaced laterally from said axis of rotation of said rotor, each end of said core being connected to said portion of magnetic material of a separate one of said walls; a field coil disposed upon said magnetic core; said gear train, said interval timing means, said rotor, and said pole pieces being mounted upon and substantially between said walls; whereby, when said field coil is energized with A.C. power the alternating magnetic field thereby created is coupled by said core and said wall portions of magnetic material to said pole pieces so as to rotate said rotor, said walls thereby serving to mount and contain the component parts of the timer therebetween and also functioning as a portion of the electromagnetic motor.

8. A compact high torque self-starting synchronous motor comprising a stator assembly including a pair of opposite side plates of magnetic material, a coil former and field coil between said plates, inwardly projecting pole pieces pressed from each of said plates for intermeshed relationship defining a circular stator cage remote from said field coil; a permanent magnet rotor, having peripheral, alternate magnetic polarity, means journaling said rotor between said plates for rotation within said stator cage, a gear train between said plates driven by said rotor and means coupled with said gear train for preventing movement of said gear train in one direction.