Retarded Patents (Class 200/33R)
  • Patent number: 5828018
    Abstract: A light switch cover plate with a mechanical timer mechanism that includes a linear rack member for engaging the existing light switch actuator and that includes a cover plate member defining a timer mechanism cavity wherein the linear rack member is slidably installed within the timer mechanism cavity and guided along a predetermined path between a fully upward position and a fully downward position by an upper rack guide and a left and right lower rack guide, the linear rack member being biased toward the fully downward position by a helical spring attached between the linear rack member and the cover plate member, the linear rack having gear teeth formed along a side edge thereof in meshing relationship with a spring loaded mechanical drive mechanism including a spring drive assembly, a spring drive gear, a reduction gear assembly and an anchor escapement gear, the spring loaded mechanical drive mechanism providing a resistance against movement of the linear rack toward the fully downward position under th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Inventor: Edward M. Cooper
  • Patent number: 5734139
    Abstract: A device for shutting off the rotary movement of a shaft driven by an electric motor via a reducing gear, after an adjustably predetermined number of revolutions, particularly a shaft for activating a window covering such as a blind with individual slats, with several ring-shaped switching disks arranged next to one another in their axial direction, each having a notch on its outside, which disks can be rotated about their common axis when the shaft is driven, with a rocker switch pressed against the switching disks by a spring and resting against the outside of the disks, which rocker shuts off the drive of the shaft when it simultaneously drops into the notches of all the switching disks, and on the inside of which disks inside gear teeth are provided, with the number of teeth being different from the number of teeth of the other switching disks in each instance, where the switching disks can be driven on their inside gear teeth by means of a gear wheel driven by the shaft, where the gear wheel is arranged
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Inventor: Walter Hugin
  • Patent number: 5464953
    Abstract: A timing apparatus including a timer, a solenoid, a toggle switch, and an adapter plate for mounting to the valve control knob of a pizza oven, the adapter plate being provided with a detent at a given point on the periphery thereof. The knob is spring biased in a rotational direction toward the "on" position on the knob. An electrical timer is provided to energize a solenoid at a preset time duration, with the solenoid rod being physically coupled to a pivotable actuating arm, the free end of which is positioned for engagement with the detent of the knob with the knob in the "off" position, the plate being retained at that position against the force of the coil spring. A toggle switch is in electrical circuit relation with the timer, with the toggle thereof physically positioned in operative relation a member projecting from the actuating arm, such that actuation of the toggle from a first position to the second under force of the projection deenergizes the circuit between the timer and the solenoid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Inventor: Chang E. Kim
  • Patent number: 5306957
    Abstract: For operating a switch which has a switch lever, such as a toggle switch lever, The invention provides a device which fits over the switch with the switch lever engaged by a slide on the device. Manual operation of the slide moves the switch lever from OFF to ON. The same operation of the slide starts a timer and sets a return mechanism which is retained at its set position by a latch until the timer at the end of a preset time interval actuates a release mechanism which retracts the latch. The return mechanism then returns the slide to turn the switch lever OFF. All of the operating parts, including a self-contained power source are within a housing that fits over the switch. In preferred embodiments the timer is a microcomputer chip. An optional time interval selector is described for presetting a selected time interval for the timer. A single manual movement of the slide causes the device to automatically execute the rest of its cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1994
    Assignee: Ofer Nissim
    Inventors: Donald B. Ellingham, Ofer Nissim
  • Patent number: 4948927
    Abstract: A visco-elastic delayed actuator and system are provided, including a visco-elastic delayed actuator which includes a restorable and collapsible structure having at least two confronting surfaces and a resilient member interconnecting the surfaces. A visco-elastic delay member including visco-elastic adhesive on at least one of the confronting surfaces of the structure provides a visco-elastic holding force when the confronting surfaces come into mutual contact with the visco-elastic adhesive. The delayed actuator system also includes a support section and an operator member mounted in the support section. A resilient member in the structure biases the operator member in a first state while permitting the operator member to be selectively switched to a second state, thereby initiating a visco-elastic delay period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: Piezo Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Vic Pajak
  • Patent number: 4794213
    Abstract: A delayed action switch actuator includes a spring attached to one corner of a face plate, a suction cup and a ring-like toggle engaging member, sized to surround the toggle passing through the face plate, connecting the spring to the suction cup. The spring is sized to be in tension when the toggle-engaging member is in a toggle-engaging position. The suction cup is affixable to a roughened surface area on the face plate. The suction cup forms an imperfect seal with the roughened surface area, which results in the suction cup releasing after a period of time, such as a minute or two. The toggle is located between the point of attachment of the spring on one side of the face plate and the roughened area on the other side of the face plate. When the suction cup releases, the spring, which is in tension, pulls on the toggle-engaging member which subsequently trips the toggle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: December 27, 1988
    Inventor: D. Gregory Wood
  • Patent number: 4791251
    Abstract: A delayed actuator mechanism with visco-elastic timer is provided including a support section and an actuator section mounted to the support section. A compression spring biases the actuator section in a first state and permits the actuator section to be selectively switched to a second state. In that state a cocked torsion spring urges a detent carried by the actuator into engagement with a shoulder of the support section to restrain the actuator section in the second state. A visco-elastic delay mechanism gradually relaxes the torsion spring until the compression spring overcomes the detent shoulder restraint to abruptly switch the actuator section to the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1988
    Assignee: Piezo Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Carter, Porter Stone
  • Patent number: 4788520
    Abstract: A switch operator has a low friction ratchet wheel driven by a low power time programmed clock to operate the switch in one position or another depending upon the position of the ratchet wheel to operate the ratchet wheel independent of the time programmed clock. A pawl resiliently held and biased away from the ratchet wheel engages the ratchet wheel when moving in a forward direction to move it a predetermined amount. A cam member mounted adjacent the ratch wheel is engaged by the pawl to bias the pawl against a projection on the ratchet wheel when the pawl is moved forward and to bias the pawl away from the ratchet wheel upon its return movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1988
    Assignee: Honeywell Inc.
    Inventor: Rolf L. Strand
  • Patent number: 4742189
    Abstract: A visco-elastic actuator mechanism including a support section and an actuator section. A visco-elastic adhesive is mounted to one of the sections and is engageable by the other of the sections to hold the actuator in a first state. A spring urges apart one of the sections relative to the other until the actuator is abruptly switched to a second state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Piezo Electric Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Carter, W. Porter Stone
  • Patent number: 4672229
    Abstract: An improved touch control switch is adapted to be a direct replacement for a standard toggle switch in a standard single-gang or multi-gang switch box. The touch control switch includes a touch panel mountable on the outside of a standard wall plate and a touch control circuit mountable in the switch box on the inside of the wall plate. An electrically conductive path is provided through the standard rectangular opening in the wall plate to communicate an electrical signal from the touch plate to the touch control circuit. The touch panel is also movable in either of two vertical directions. The vertical movement of the touch panel is mechanically communicated through the opening in the wall plate to actuate an air-gap switch to provide positive disconnection of the electrical power from the a.c. source to the touch control circuit. An illuminated display device is provided to indicate when power is applied to the touch control circuitry and to indicate the location of the touch panel in a darkened room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1987
    Assignee: Southwest Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Skarman, Todd W. Milby
  • Patent number: 4639561
    Abstract: A mechanical time delay mechanism is shown which provides a predetermined time delay between the movement of the moving contact blade on a circuit breaker and the activation of a switch. The control circuit design of the circuit breaker provides for tripping at one level when the breaker is in the closed position and at a second lower fault level when the circuit breaker is closing and for a predetermined number of cycles thereafter. The subject time delay mechanism activates a switch to change the tripping level from the second level to the first level at the appropriate time. The mechanism includes a pivot link assembly connected directly to the moving contact arm, a ratchet assembly, and a pivot link connecting the two. The pivot link assembly includes a set of springs to delay the movement of the link with respect to the movement of the pivot link in response to an opposing pull on the link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1987
    Assignee: Square D Company
    Inventor: Aymon A. Maulandi
  • Patent number: 4638128
    Abstract: A delay switch comprising a delay element provided in the center of a body to produce a delayed output, a delay cam unit provided on one side of the delay element to start its actuation always from an identical position in response to the delayed output, and switching contact members electrically connected to terminals on other opposing sides of the delay element through the delay cam unit, realizing thus concurrently a constant delay time and a compact assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1987
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideo Kuwabara, Takao Ohta
  • Patent number: 4551588
    Abstract: A timer device includes a housing for containing a timer circuit and a time unit setting switch to select one of plural time units in the timer circuit. At least two scale plates each have a through-hole for the insertion of a timer circuit knob, engaging projections provided on the edge of each plate, and an engagement releasing recess provided at an edge of each plate. Engaging recesses provided on the housing are engageable with the projections when a selected plate is attached to the housing, and an escaping recess provided on the housing and overlapping the releasing recess, when the plate is attached to the housing, enables access to be attained from outside to the underside of the plate through the recesses. A depression is formed on the plate into which a button of the time unit setting switch is insertable when the button is located at that position which sets in the timer circuit a time unit corresponding to the scale on the plate, and the plate is thus enabled to be attached to the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1984
    Date of Patent: November 5, 1985
    Assignee: Tokyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiromi Kubota, Toshiyuki Kambe
  • Patent number: 4524250
    Abstract: An adjustable stop member is disclosed for establishing a presettable period of runout for an interval timer. The stop member includes a series of openings formed at a common radial distance from a timer setting shaft receiving aperture and a protruding stop. A face plate is provided for the timer with a time scale on the face plate which corresponds with the series of openings in the stop member. The stop member is mounted in adjusted overlying relation to the face plate with a preselected opening of the stop member receiving the face plate stud which cooperates with the timer setting shaft in maintaining the stop member and its protrusion in adjusted position whereby a knob on the timer setting shaft may be rotated into engagement with the stop member protrusion for setting the interval timer to a predetermined period of runout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1983
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1985
    Assignee: M. H. Rhodes, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Laviana
  • Patent number: 4508943
    Abstract: A wall command switch (10) comprising a main frame (9) insertable over a conventional switch plate (50) and having a base portion (20) and an essentially planar pressure plate (15) rockably mounted within the base portion and substantially co-extensive therewith. An electrical switch (28) is mounted on the bottom surface of the main frame and a switch operator (35) is attached to the pressure plate in alignment with operable portions of the electrical switch so that rocking of the pressure plate moves the operator into engagement with the electrical switch. Structure in contact with the pressure plate to return the pressure plate to an unrocked position is provided. The base portion (20) also mounts a vertically moving override switch operator (55) which in turn moves through an actuator (70) an inwardly located position switch (77) which can allow automatic-manual or off functions of a light electrically connected to the command switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Security Switch, Ltd.
    Inventors: James W. Pfeiffer, Thomas E. Corder
  • Patent number: 4464548
    Abstract: An automatically controlled electric circuit interrupting device for controlling electric power supplied to the heating elements of kiln furnaces responsive to parallel input stimuli.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Assignee: W. P. Dawson, Inc.
    Inventor: Lewis H. Burmeister
  • Patent number: 4348564
    Abstract: Disclosed is a slide switch in which a slide is slidable between a first position and a second position. A holding arrangement holds the slide in the second position when the slide has moved into the second position and permits the slide to return from the second position to the first position after a given lapse of time. A manually operable lever covering the slide serves to operate the slide. The lever is held at least at one position and forms a recess sufficiently large to enable the slide to return from the second position to the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1982
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shohei Ohtaki, Masanori Yamada
  • Patent number: 4346270
    Abstract: A digital clock is coupled to a cam means of a timing mechanism so that the clock can indicate the time remaining of a cycle provided by the cam means. One of the display wheels of the clock is intermittently rotated through the stored energy of a torsion spring, the energy being stored when the wheel is prevented from rotating by a slider which engages the wheel. A second display wheel is intermittently rotated as the first wheel is rotated through a geneva gear system which couples the two wheels together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Assignee: Emhart Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Garry A. Stout, Donald L. Ray
  • Patent number: 4287395
    Abstract: A timer comprising a non-directional synchronous clock motor, an operating arm projecting radially from the motor shaft, a motor control switch controlling power supplied to the motor and engaged and opened by the arm when said arm is in a normal position, stop means spaced radially from the shaft and circumferentially from the control switch to limit turning of the arm in a direction away from the control switch and to cause the motor to rotate in the opposite direction and the arm to turn back to said normal position, a service switch in a power line to related timed means and positioned relative to the control switch, stop means and arm to be engaged and operated by the arm when said arm is in a predetermined position within its travel between said control switch and stop means and starter means connected with said power supply to energize the motor and initiate turning of the arm away from said normal position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1981
    Inventor: Ernest N. Martin
  • Patent number: 4209675
    Abstract: A variable duration clock timer unit which may be adjustably set to energize an electrical circuit for a selected duration for each period of clock operation includes a momentary contact, normally open, switch frictionally mounted at a selected location in a concentric annular groove in a circular clock face below a rotatable clock arm driven by an electric clock motor. The clock arm is adjustable in length and has a free end in the shape of a triangle overlying the annular groove. The switch actuator may be depressed by engagement with the free end of the clock arm to close the switch for the period of time that the free end is in engagement with the switch actuator. Adjustment of the length of the clock arm changes the width of the free end portion of the clock arm engageable with the switch actuator and thus determines the duration of switch closing. The timer unit may be used to automatically control the operation of an electric defrosting circuit of a motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Inventor: Andrew P. Vitale
  • Patent number: 4206327
    Abstract: A switching arrangement comprises a spring-loaded clockwork movement and a switch to control a device, the movement of the spring itself, as it is tensioned or becomes substantially de-tensioned, being utilized to operate the switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventor: Herbert L. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 4198551
    Abstract: To turn off a television set for a selected period of time during a commercial and have it automatically turned on after that time, a timer includes a telephone-type dial outside of the front panel which turns a ratchet-cam wheel inside the housing of the timer. The ratchet-cam wheel includes a plurality of notches in its rim and a plurality of posts corresponding to the openings in the telephone dial and to periods of time, with a push-button switch being closed when the telephone dial is in its initial position by a large notch in the rim of the ratchet-cam wheel and opened when it is displaced from that position. To disconnect the television set, a timer motor drives a spring-biased ratchet wheel so that turning the dial moves the posts past the teeth of the ratchet and opens the switch and the timer motor turns the teeth of the ratchet to slowly move the dial back into position where the switch is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Inventor: Roy E. Peterson
  • Patent number: 4189628
    Abstract: A time delay switch has a hollow housing forming a liquid reservoir and having slidably disposed thereon an actuator movable between a switch open position and a switch closed position. The actuator is biased as by a suitable spring toward one of the switch open position and the switch closed position so that the actuator can be preset to one position so as to permit movement of the actuator toward the other position through the liquid reservoir under the bias of the spring in a predetermined period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Inventor: Everett D. Bitner
  • Patent number: 4181829
    Abstract: A time delay type of switch actuating mechanism is shown that can be assembled for either an "on delay" or "off delay" operation. A pair of contact carriers are mounted for linear motion, and a pivoted rocker member is joined between them for coordinating their movements. The rocker member has a lost motion connection with each contact carrier, and a catch is provided to restrain movement of the rocker and contact carriers until a timer performs a timing function. At the end of the timing interval the catch is released to permit a loaded spring to move the contact carriers and rocker to complete a switching function that is time delayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Allen-Bradley Company
    Inventor: George J. Selas
  • Patent number: 4164635
    Abstract: The timer is adapted to be attached to a toggle light switch and comprises a body having a trip slide mounted in the body, with the slide having means for receiving and engaging the switch handle for tripping same to operate the lights. Spring means is provided in the body engageable with the slide for urging the slide to turn the lights off. When the slide is moved to compress the spring the lights are turned on. With the lights on, a latch carried by the slide engages the body to maintain the slide latched with the spring compressed. Fluid responsive timing means, located within the body, is engageable with the latch to operate and release the latch from engagement with the body after expiration of a predetermined time interval. Thereafter the compressed spring means moves the slide in a direction to trip the switch handle, thus turning the lights off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1979
    Assignee: Time Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: David A. Finch, Charles M. Smillie, III
  • Patent number: 4144420
    Abstract: An automatic light switching system including a receptacle for an automatic timer whereby the circuit including the receptacle will be operated in response to predetermined settings of the timer. A manual on-off switch is also included so that the circuit can be operated independently of the timer. The light switching system specifically comprises a modification for the circuit's wiring and an adapter whereby standard, commercially-available timers may be utilized to regulate the circuit's operation in predetermined fashion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1979
    Inventor: Raymond N. Phillips
  • Patent number: 4117282
    Abstract: A timing mechanism for controlling actuation of a switch in a toy gun in order to produce a burst of light of a predetermined duration includes a housing and a switch actuating member movably mounted in the housing for movement between first and second positions. The switch actuating member is located to engage the switch during a portion of its movement and it is biased to its first position by a spring or the like. An impeller arrangement is provided for driving the switch control member from its first towards its second position against the bias of the spring; and an inertia element, such as a flywheel, operatively engaged with the switch control member, is driven by the switch control member as it moves from its first position towards its second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1978
    Assignee: Ideal Toy Corporation
    Inventor: Michael Ieda
  • Patent number: 4048630
    Abstract: A door operator is disclosed which has a motor connected to open and close a door; for example, a garage door and a lamp is provided to illuminate the interior of the garage. Motor and lamp energization circuits are provided as controlled by switches; for example, a push button switch or a radio controlled switch. An alarm circuit is provided which may be a security alarm; for example, a burglar alarm or fire alarm. The alarm circuit is enabled when the door operator is not being used and the alarm circuit is disabled automatically whenever the door operator is being used. A time delay means is provided to maintain the lamp energized for a time delay period after the door has closed, and while the lamp is energized the alarm circuit is disabled, but as soon as the lamp is extinguished then the alarm circuit is enabled or armed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1977
    Assignee: The Alliance Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew F. Deming, Alvin J. Carli
  • Patent number: 4021626
    Abstract: A switch articulating device in combination with a modified conventional timer, the device including a bistable auxiliary switch lever connected to a switch engaging shuttle bracket, the switch lever and the bracket being retained in a housing adapted for installation over a wall switch. The conventional mechanical timer is mounted on the exterior of the housing and is modified to provide a timer shaft attached to a cam and extending into the interior of the housing. The cam is aligned to oppose one end of rocker arm, which at the other end articulates, through a push plate, a bellcrank attached to the switch lever. In this manner the switch lever can be either articulated by the timer or can be manually controlled to operate the circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1977
    Inventor: Robert R. Becker
  • Patent number: 4015139
    Abstract: Switches of the kind formed by a controller with an actuator which is automatically restored to its "off" position at the end of a prescribed time interval and provides an indication shortly before the end of the interval. The controller may be manually energized or motor driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1977
    Inventors: John M. Cleary, John P. Mohrhauser
  • Patent number: 4001527
    Abstract: An electrical timer-switch has a clock motor which closes and opens a switch, the two contact points of the switch being wired to external contacts which can be plugged into a wall switch receptacle to establish a shunt around the latter switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1975
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1977
    Inventor: Stephen Joseph Hulshizer
  • Patent number: 3985982
    Abstract: This is an actuating device to be attached to a wall-mounted switch plate for actuating a light switch in a room or other place at a pre-determined time interval and/or for deactivating such light switch or a combination of the two. The device is particularly characterized and it may mount onto the wall place and does not require disconnection thereof from the wall or alternatively may replace the wall plate. It is further characterized by a simple, manual, override switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1973
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1976
    Inventor: Carl Schneidinger
  • Patent number: 3984700
    Abstract: An electrical switch timer device is used to turn off an electrical light, wherein the light switch timer device communicates with a conventional wall toggle switch. The electrical timing device comprises an electrical circuit consisting of a combination of a toggle switch wired in series to a parallel circuit of an electrical timer clock motor and an electrical light, wherein the combination is wired in parallel to a series circuit of a timer clock switch and an electromagnet. The electromagnet communicates with the toggle switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1976
    Assignee: Lawrence Peska Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Sheridan
  • Patent number: RE30295
    Abstract: Switches of the kind formed by a controller with an actuator which is automatically restored to its "off" position at the end of a prescribed time interval and provides an indication shortly before the end of the interval. The controller may be manually energized or motor driven.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 3, 1980
    Inventors: John M. Cleary, John P. Mohrhuaser