Television timer to regulate television viewing time

Claim 1

Apparatus for absolute control of potential operation time for an electrical appliance having an input power cord terminating in an electrical plug adapted for connection to an electrical receptacle, comprising a container defined by top, bottom and side walls, one of said walls having at least a movable portion adapted for openIng to provide access to the interior of said container, hinge means for movably securing said movable portion to said container, the other of said walls being integrally connected, a notch formed in an edge of a wall adjacent said movable portion, said notch having an open end located with respect to said movable portion to be closed thereby when the latter is in a closed position, means for locking said movable portion of said one of said walls in such closed position to prevent access to the interior of said container, an electrical receptacle positioned in the interior of said container, an electrical cord extending from the interior of said container to the exterior thereof, said electrical cord being adapted for connection to a source of electric energy, timer means located in said container for providing an electrical connection between said electrical cord and said electrical receptacle, the length and time of the duration of said electrical connection being adjustably controlled by setting of said timer means, whereby when said timer means is set for a duration of a specific length to occur at a specific time, the electrical cord from the container is coupled to a source of electric energy and the power cord of the electrical appliance is connected to said electrical receptacle in said container and prevented from removal by closure of the open end of said notch by said movable portion and operation of said means for locking, the electrical appliance then is potentially operable only for the duration which the timer provides a connection between said electrical cord and said electrical receptacle.