Abstract: A wall-mountable electrical timer for controlling the delivery of power from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as a lamp or a fan motor, includes: a timer adjustment actuator for selecting a predetermined time period of operation for the load; a toggle actuator for starting the timer, turning off the timer, and placing the timer in a bypass mode of operation; a vertical linear array of light-emitting diode visual indicators for indicating the length of a predetermined time period, the time remaining, and whether the timer is in the bypass mode; a controllably conductive device for regulating the delivery of power from the AC source to the load; and a controller for receiving inputs from the timer adjustment actuator and the toggle actuator, and for transmitting outputs to the visual indicators and the controllably conductive device.

Abstract: A multiple location electronic timer system comprises an electronic timer and one or more accessory timers. The electronic timer is adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load. The electronic timer is operable to enable the delivery of power to the load and to subsequently discontinue the delivery of power to the load automatically after a preset timeout period has elapsed. In response to controls signals received from the accessory timer, the electronic timer is operable to adjust the preset timeout period, enable the delivery of power to the load, discontinue the delivery of power to the load, and to enter a bypass mode in which the load is turned on for an indefinite amount of time. The accessory timer may be coupled to the electronic timer via a single conductor, a wired digital communication link, a radio frequency communication link, an infrared communication link, or a power line carrier communication link.

Abstract: A wall-mountable electrical timer for controlling the delivery of power from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as a lamp or a fan motor, includes: a timer adjustment actuator for selecting a predetermined time period of operation for the load; a toggle actuator for starting the timer, turning off the timer, and placing the timer in a bypass mode of operation; a vertical linear array of light-emitting diode visual indicators for indicating the length of a predetermined time period, the time remaining, and whether the timer is in the bypass mode; a controllably conductive device for regulating the delivery of power from the AC source to the load; and a controller for receiving inputs from the timer adjustment actuator and the toggle actuator, and for transmitting outputs to the visual indicators and the controllably conductive device.

Abstract: A wall-mountable electrical timer for controlling the delivery of power from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as a lamp or a fan motor, includes: a timer adjustment actuator for selecting a predetermined time period of operation for the load; a toggle actuator for starting the timer, turning off the timer, and placing the timer in a bypass mode of operation; a vertical linear array of light-emitting diode visual indicators for indicating the length of a predetermined time period, the time remaining, and whether the timer is in the bypass mode; a controllably conductive device for regulating the delivery of power from the AC source to the load; and a controller for receiving inputs from the timer adjustment actuator and the toggle actuator, and for transmitting outputs to the visual indicators and the controllably conductive device.

Abstract: A faceplate structure for a load control device comprises a bezel, an operating knob extending through an elongated rectangular opening of the bezel, and a sliding cover plate disposed behind the bezel. The bezel defines side walls and is adapted to be fixed to the load control device. The elongated rectangular opening extends along a vertical axis of the bezel. The operating knob is operable to vertically move along the length of the elongated opening. The cover plate is slidably coupled to the side walls of the bezel. The shaft of the operating knob is coupled to the cover plate, such that the cover plate is vertically movable with respect to the bezel. The cover plate covers the rear of the opening in all positions to which the cover plate can be moved by the operating knob.

Abstract: A multiple location electronic timer system comprises an electronic timer and one or more accessory timers. The electronic timer is adapted to be coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load. The electronic timer is operable to enable the delivery of power to the load and to subsequently discontinue the delivery of power to the load automatically after a preset timeout period has elapsed. In response to controls signals received from the accessory timer, the electronic timer is operable to adjust the preset timeout period, enable the delivery of power to the load, discontinue the delivery of power to the load, and to enter a bypass mode in which the load is turned on for an indefinite amount of time. The accessory timer may be coupled to the electronic timer via a single conductor, a wired digital communication link, a radio frequency communication link, an infrared communication link, or a power line carrier communication link.

Abstract: A wall-mountable electrical timer for controlling the delivery of power from an AC power source to an electrical load, such as a lamp or a fan motor, includes: a timer adjustment actuator for selecting a predetermined time period of operation for the load; a toggle actuator for starting the timer, turning off the timer, and placing the timer in a bypass mode of operation; a vertical linear array of light-emitting diode visual indicators for indicating the length of a predetermined time period, the time remaining, and whether the timer is in the bypass mode; a controllably conductive device for regulating the delivery of power from the AC source to the load; and a controller for receiving inputs from the timer adjustment actuator and the toggle actuator, and for transmitting outputs to the visual indicators and the controllably conductive device.

Abstract: A faceplate structure for a load control device comprises a bezel, an operating knob extending through an elongated rectangular opening of the bezel, and a sliding cover plate disposed behind the bezel. The bezel defines side walls and is adapted to be fixed to the load control device. The elongated rectangular opening extends along a vertical axis of the bezel. The operating knob is operable to vertically move along the length of the elongated opening. The cover plate is slidably coupled to the side walls of the bezel. The shaft of the operating knob is coupled to the cover plate, such that the cover plate is vertically movable with respect to the bezel. The cover plate covers the rear of the opening in all positions to which the cover plate can be moved by the operating knob.

Abstract: A switch assembly includes an actuator assembly having a slidably supported pushbutton and a switch mechanism switchable between alternate positions. The pushbutton is biased by a return spring between the pushbutton and a retainer. A pin is received within the return spring coils and engages a pivot member through an elongated opening in the retainer that allows lateral pin movement. A switch plate moves between alternate positions by contact with the pivot member and is maintained in one of the positions by a contact spring between the pivot member and plate. A spring damper in the contact spring coils limits resonating vibration. The switch assembly provides a multiple segment force input profile having first and second segments leading to the switching force with slopes according to a preferred ratio. Third and fourth segments of the input profile following the switching force define a V-shape.