Time switch mechanism with automatic and/or manual actuating assembly

Claim 2

Time switch mechanism adapted to actuate a switch either automatically by means of a clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time or manually at a desired time, wherein the improvement comprises a timer cam actuated by said clock mechanism at a manually set, predetermined time, a timer lever coupled with said timer cam so as to be actuated by the actuation of said timer cam, a switch lever coupled with said timer lever and said switch for actuating said switch by the actuation of said timer lever, and a manually operable switching cam engageable with said timer lever as well as said switch lever by the operation thereof, said switching cam being so configured that, when moved to its first position, it is disengaged from said timer lever as well as said switch lever so as to permit said timer lever to be actuated by said timer cam thereby allowing said switch to be automatically actuated by said clock mechanism through said switch lever and, When moved to its second position, engages and arrests said timer lever so as to prevent the same from being actuated by said timer cam thereby disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism, while, when moved to its third position, it engages both said timer lever and said switch lever thereby preventing said timer lever from being actuated by said timer cam for disabling the automatic actuation of said switch by said clock mechanism while it permits said switch to be actuated manually by the actuation of said switch lever to said third position.

Claim 3

Time switch mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said timer cam comprises a disc rotated at a predetermined speed and mounted axially shiftably, said disc having an axially projecting cam section which resiliently abuts against a manually rotatable but axially non-shiftable time setting dial coaxially mounted with said timer cam by the action of a first spring, said dial having a recess formed in a surface thereof facing against said cam section so as to receive the same therein when they are brought into registered relationship with each other during the rotation of said timer cam thereby permitting said timer cam to be axially shifted by the action of said first spring at a predetermined time manually set by said time setting dial, said timer layer having a first and a second portion, said first portion being adapted to resiliently abut against said timer cam by a second spring so that, when said timer cam is axially shifted, said timer lever is actuated by said second spring, said switch lever being urged to a predetermined position with respect to said timer lever by a third spring so as to be urged against said switch, so that, when said timer lever is actuated, said switch lever is disengaged from said switch thereby actuating the same, said manually operable switching cam having a first and a second portion, said first portion being brought into abutting relationship against said second portion of said timer lever when the same is in said second and third positions thereby arresting said timer lever irrespective of the actuation of said timer cam so as to maintain said switch lever urged against said switch while said second portion of said manually operable switching cam is brought into abutting relationship against said switch lever against the action of said third spring when said switching cam is in said third position thereby urging said switch lever apart from said switch thereby permitting the same to be actuated manually.