US3728500A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Adjustable on-off timer with improved manual control means
Assignee: Toastmaster Inc
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Filing: 1972-01-07
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Granted: 1973-04-17
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Expires: 1992-01-07
Abstract
Abstract An one-off timer having a time drive dial and on and off members adjustably carried thereon, a switch controlling output power from the timer, a switch operator, trip members between the dial members and switch effective to actuate the switch responsive to movement of the dial members, and a manual selector control element for shifting and/or holding the switch in the power off or on conditions and/or allowing automatic on-off cycling of the timer. An on-off timer in essence provides for adjustably programmed on and off power outputs over some definite period, such as over a 24-hour period. Such automatically controlled power outputs during each of these time periods can be used for the operation of lights, appliances, etc., and the consumer has rapidly accepted such a timer. When it is desired to discontinue the automatic repeating cycle, there typically is provided a manual control to shift to the constant power ''''on'''' or power ''''off'''' condition.
Inventors
- 👤 L Ingram
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:59
CPC Classifications
G; G04; G04C; G04C23/00; G04C23/14; G04C23/18; G04C23/22; G04C23/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
406 words
In a timer, the combination of a time driven dial mounted for rotation about a first axis, on and off members carried on said dial and rotated therewith, a switch operator mounted for rotation about a second axis disposed transverse to the first axis and the switch operator lying adjacent said dial, a switch having an actuator engaged and displaced by the switch operator to shift the switch between on and off conditions at least once each full rotation of said operator, on and off trip elements carried on and keyed against rotation relative to the switch operator and said trip elements being axially movable on the switch operator, a manual control element supported to move in a direction transverse to the axis of the switch operator and to the displacement of the switch actuator between ''''automatic'''', ''''off'''', and ''''on'''' control positions, said control element having first faces extended generally in the direction of movement of the control element but spaced apart in the direction of the switch operator axis and having cam faces connecting certain of these faces all adapted to engage the trip elements for moving them to and maintaining them in certain axial positions on the switch operator as the control element is moved to and remains in the different control positions, where specifically in the ''''automatic'''' position, the on and off trip elements are axially positioned to be engaged by the dial on and off members respectively upon dial rotation effective for automatically periodically shifting the switch operator and also where specifically in the ''''off'''' position and in the ''''on'''' position the on and off trip elements are in an axially shifted position whereat the dial on and off members pass without interference, the control element further having a second face disposed laterally offset from the switch operator axis and adapted upon movement of the control element from the ''''automatic'''' position to the ''''off'''' position to shift the switch operator from the switch on condition to the switch off condition, the control element having a third face extended generally in the direction of and also at an camming angle relative to the movement of the control element and to the switch actuator displacement and being adjacent the switch actuator effective during movement of the control element from the ''''off'''' position to the ''''on'''' position to engage the switch actuator and shift the switch to and hold the same in the on condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
406 words
In a timer, the combination of a time driven dial mounted for rotation about a first axis, on and off members carried on said dial and rotated therewith, a switch operator mounted for rotation about a second axis disposed transverse to the first axis and the switch operator lying adjacent said dial, a switch having an actuator engaged and displaced by the switch operator to shift the switch between on and off conditions at least once each full rotation of said operator, on and off trip elements carried on and keyed against rotation relative to the switch operator and said trip elements being axially movable on the switch operator, a manual control element supported to move in a direction transverse to the axis of the switch operator and to the displacement of the switch actuator between ''''automatic'''', ''''off'''', and ''''on'''' control positions, said control element having first faces extended generally in the direction of movement of the control element but spaced apart in the direction of the switch operator axis and having cam faces connecting certain of these faces all adapted to engage the trip elements for moving them to and maintaining them in certain axial positions on the switch operator as the control element is moved to and remains in the different control positions, where specifically in the ''''automatic'''' position, the on and off trip elements are axially positioned to be engaged by the dial on and off members respectively upon dial rotation effective for automatically periodically shifting the switch operator and also where specifically in the ''''off'''' position and in the ''''on'''' position the on and off trip elements are in an axially shifted position whereat the dial on and off members pass without interference, the control element further having a second face disposed laterally offset from the switch operator axis and adapted upon movement of the control element from the ''''automatic'''' position to the ''''off'''' position to shift the switch operator from the switch on condition to the switch off condition, the control element having a third face extended generally in the direction of and also at an camming angle relative to the movement of the control element and to the switch actuator displacement and being adjacent the switch actuator effective during movement of the control element from the ''''off'''' position to the ''''on'''' position to engage the switch actuator and shift the switch to and hold the same in the on condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A timer combination according to claim 1, wherein a spring is disposed between the switch operator and the on and off trip elements operable to bias them continuously against the first faces of the control element.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
485 words
In a timer, the combination of a case having a dial wall, a time driven dial mounted from the dial wall for rotation about a first axis normal to the dial wall, on and off members carried on said dial and rotated therewith, a switch operator mounted from the case for rotation about a second axis disposed parallel to the dial wall and radially normal from the first axis and the switch operator having a stem lying adjacent said dial and cam sections lying radially beyond said dial, a switch having an actuator movable radially of the switch operator axis and displaced by the switch operator cam sections to shift the switch between on and off conditions upon rotation of said operator, on and off trip elements carried on and keyed against rotation relative to the switch operator stem and said trip elements being axially movable on the switch operator, a manual control element supported by the case to move along the dial wall in a direction transverse to the axis of the switch operator and to the movement of the switch actuator between ''''automatic,'''' ''''off'''', ''''on'''' control positions, said control element having first faces extended generally in the direction of movement of the control element but spaced apart in the direction of the switch operator axix and having cam faces connecting certain of these faces all adapted to engage the trip elements and a spring disposed between the switch operator and the on and off trip elements operable to bias them continuously against the first faces for moving them to and maintaining them in certain axial positions on the switch operator stem as the control element is moved to and remains in the different control positions, where specifically in the ''''automatic'''' position, the on and off trip elements are axially positioned to be engaged by the dial on and off members respectively upon dial rotation effective for automatically periodically shifting the switch operator and also where specifically in the ''''off'''' position and in the ''''on'''' position the on and off trip elements are in an axially shifted position whereat the dial on and off members pass without interference, the control element further having a second face disposed laterally offset from the switch operator axis and adapted upon movement of the control element from the ''''automatic'''' position to the ''''off'''' position to engage one of the switch operator cam sections to shift the switch operator from the switch on condition to the switch off condition, the control element having a third face extended generally in the direction of and also at an camming angle relative to the movement of the control element and the switch actuator and being adjacent the switch actuator effective during movement of the control element from the ''''off'''' position to the ''''on'''' position to engage the switch actuator and shift the switch to and hold the same in the on condition.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
485 words
In a timer, the combination of a case having a dial wall, a time driven dial mounted from the dial wall for rotation about a first axis normal to the dial wall, on and off members carried on said dial and rotated therewith, a switch operator mounted from the case for rotation about a second axis disposed parallel to the dial wall and radially normal from the first axis and the switch operator having a stem lying adjacent said dial and cam sections lying radially beyond said dial, a switch having an actuator movable radially of the switch operator axis and displaced by the switch operator cam sections to shift the switch between on and off conditions upon rotation of said operator, on and off trip elements carried on and keyed against rotation relative to the switch operator stem and said trip elements being axially movable on the switch operator, a manual control element supported by the case to move along the dial wall in a direction transverse to the axis of the switch operator and to the movement of the switch actuator between ''''automatic,'''' ''''off'''', ''''on'''' control positions, said control element having first faces extended generally in the direction of movement of the control element but spaced apart in the direction of the switch operator axix and having cam faces connecting certain of these faces all adapted to engage the trip elements and a spring disposed between the switch operator and the on and off trip elements operable to bias them continuously against the first faces for moving them to and maintaining them in certain axial positions on the switch operator stem as the control element is moved to and remains in the different control positions, where specifically in the ''''automatic'''' position, the on and off trip elements are axially positioned to be engaged by the dial on and off members respectively upon dial rotation effective for automatically periodically shifting the switch operator and also where specifically in the ''''off'''' position and in the ''''on'''' position the on and off trip elements are in an axially shifted position whereat the dial on and off members pass without interference, the control element further having a second face disposed laterally offset from the switch operator axis and adapted upon movement of the control element from the ''''automatic'''' position to the ''''off'''' position to engage one of the switch operator cam sections to shift the switch operator from the switch on condition to the switch off condition, the control element having a third face extended generally in the direction of and also at an camming angle relative to the movement of the control element and the switch actuator and being adjacent the switch actuator effective during movement of the control element from the ''''off'''' position to the ''''on'''' position to engage the switch actuator and shift the switch to and hold the same in the on condition.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-04-16 | 1976-10-16 | 1977-04-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-16 | 1980-10-16 | 1981-04-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-16 | 1984-10-16 | 1985-04-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |