Built-in television timer and locking mechanism

Claim 1

In a television including a cabinet housing operational circuitry responsive to electric power supplied on an input power cord from an external source and a viewing screen on which a pictorial display is normally produced by said operational circuitry, the improvement comprising: means for absolute control of such television to determine the length and time of the duration of potential television operation, including timer means for providing an electrical connection between said operational circuitry and said input power cord for energization of the former when the latter is connected to such external source to effect normally production of such pictorial display on said viewing screen, the length and time of the duration of such energization being adjustably controlled by setting of said timer means; means for mounting said timer means in a relatively fixed position with respect to said cabinet to provide readily for accessability to said timer means for setting thereof, and adjustable means for locking said timer means to preclude setting thereof, said adjustable means including a lock capable of selective adjustment to a first condition precluding setting of said timer means and a second condition permitting 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 and locked and the input power cord is coupled to a source of electric energy, the television is potentially operable only for the duration which the timer means provides said connection for energization of said operational circuitry.