Abstract: The drive train of an appliance timer includes a slip clutch formed of a triangular spring meshing with the outer flat surfaces of a hexagonal drive shaft. The slip clutch is incorporated into a drive pinion in the appliance timer drive train. Excessive torque causes the walls of the triangular spring to resiliently bend outward under rotational pressure from the drive shaft, permitting the drive shaft to rotate without rotating the drive pinion. When used in an icemaker, the slip provided by the clutch alleviates the need for an expensive, stallable motor.

Abstract: An appliance timer includes a motor, a first gear assembly which is mechanically coupled to the motor, and a second gear assembly which is also mechanically coupled to the motor. The appliance timer further includes a cam which is driven by (1) the first gear assembly during a first period of time, and (2) the second gear assembly during a second period of time. The cam is decoupled from the first and second gear assemblies during a third period of time. The cam is rotated at a first speed during the first period of time, at a second speed during the second period of time, and is stopped during the third period of time. A method of operating an appliance timer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cam switch mechanism comprises a drive source, such as a motor, a cam driven by the drive source, a switching device responsive to contacting the cam surface of the cam for switching its electrically conducting state and a control unit, such as a microcomputer, for controlling the drive source. Control of the drive source by the control unit makes it possible to set positions of the cam as desired and permits the electrically conducting state of the switching means to be freely set. The control unit controls the drive direction, stopping and drive speed of the drive source.

Abstract: An electrical timer having scales for setting switching times and time-of-day. A window exposes only a portion of one of the scales thereby helping a user to set the time-of-day of the timer. In one aspect, the window is located in a cover that hides all but a portion of the time-of-day scale. According to a further aspect, the switching-times scale and the time-of-day scale are located on a dial rotatably mounted on a timer housing that includes a suitable electrical plug, an electrical receptacle, and an electrical switch operable with the scales.

Abstract: A programmer/timer for appliances having cam actuated switches with a cam drum advanced by a motor driven four-stage speed-reducing gear train with a missing teeth type intermittent device. The third step gear is readily interchangeable for changing the rate of cam advance. An auxiliary housing with auxiliary cam drum and switches may be added without altering the basic configuration of switches and advance mechanism.

Abstract: A switch button assembly includes a casing having a front, a rear wall and a side wall interconnecting the front and rear walls. The side wall has an opening through it. The rear wall has a protrusion extending perpendicularly into the casing adjacent to the opening of the side wall. A first plate has a central hole, an arched notch along the periphery and a plurality of claw-like member extending from the periphery of a bottom face. A second plate has a central shaft with a latch at its free end and latched into the claw-like members through the central hole of the first plate. The second plate further includes a projection that extends movably into the arched notch of the first plate. The second plate can rotate with respect to the first plate where the projection of the second plate engages with the protrusion of the rear wall.

Abstract: An incremental drive mechanism for a switch operating timing cam is disclosed. The mechanism includes a camshaft having a radially extending cam and a cooperating slide which is adapted to reciprocate along a rectilinear path. The slide has first and second cam surfaces which are engaged during a major portion of a single revolution of the camshaft to reciprocate the slide in a positive manner. The slide has a cantilever spring arm which carries a pawl tooth at its end to engage successive teeth provided on the periphery of a switch operating cam drum or disc. A cantilever leaf spring is provided which bears against the slide to urge the pawl tooth into engagement with the cam disc or drum in the event the cantilever spring arm becomes permanently displaced toward the slide.

Abstract: A defrosting circuit switch unit for an electronic range comprises: a frame of said unit, said frame being provided with a shaft; a defrosting circuit switch lever provided in a case in which a time switch is incorporated; a connecting rod having its lower end portion connected with a free end portion of said lever, said connecting rod being slidably moved up and down; a rotary plate rotatably mounted on said frame through said shaft and provided with a stopper extending in a projecting manner, said stopper being received in an elongated hole of an upper portion of said connecting rod, said rotary plate being integrally formed with a projection and a sector cam, said projection abutting on a leaf spring mounted on said frame; and a tension spring mounted between said rotary plate and said frame so as to resiliently biasing said rotary plate, said tension spring being engaged with said rotary plate through an engaging hole provided in said rotary plate.

Abstract: An automatic controller for a master gas switch includes a timer for keeping the switch opened for a selectable time. The controller includes an electrical motor for rapidly closing the switch. The motor is responsive to two conditions: When the timer reaches the end of a selectable time, it energizes the motor to cause the gas switch to close. Secondly, a flame induction rod monitors a gas burner flame, and when the flame stops, such rod causes a relay to close and energize the motor for gas switch closure.

Abstract: An incremental drive mechanism for a switch operating timing cam is disclosed. The mechanism includes a camshaft having a radially extending cam and a cooperating slide which is adapted to reciprocate along a rectilinear path. The slide has first and second cam surfaces which are engaged during a major portion of a single revolution of the camshaft to reciprocate the slide in a positive manner. The slide has a cantilever spring arm which carries a pawl tooth at its end to engage successive teeth provided on the periphery of a switch operating cam drum or disc.

Abstract: A electrical programmer (10, 120) is provided that features a first gear (18) that is rotated at a uniform rate by a drive source (16) and operative to rotate a driven gear (30) and an intermediate member (20) which, in turn, respectively operate to rotate a second cam (38) uniformally and a first cam (52) intermittently to open and close a first switch as a function of its uniform rotation; and, cam (52) is operative to open and close a second switch as a function of its intermittent rotation. Programmer (10, 120) preferably includes a rotary drum (110) operable to engage a plurality of electrical contacts in conjunction with the operation of the first and second sub-interval switches.

Abstract: A timer assembly automatically turns off an appliance to which it is connected within a predetermined time period after the appliance has been automatically, or manually, turned on. The timer assembly includes a three-position selector mechanism with rotating cams that activate a plunger to control the operation of an electrical switch which, in turn, activates or deactivates the appliance. Rotation of the selector mechanism is controlled by a clockwork assembly which rotates the selector into a position to turn on the appliance at a predetermined set-time. When the selector is rotated into its "on" position, a gear connected to the selector engages a drive gear which is, in turn, connected to the clockwork assembly. The drive gear continues the rotation of the selector so that after a predetermined time interval, the appliance is turned off.

Abstract: A timing control system and timer sub-assembly for microwave cooking source parallel connected with a timer and series connected with an interval time switch and a defrost cycle switch and a power level selector. The timer is operable to cycle the defrost switch at a fast rate for selected operating timer intervals of a given value or greater and a slow rate for selected interval less than the given value. The timer provides progressively decreasing "on" time of the defrost cycle switch for each cycle. The timer sub-assembly has a pawl-driven ratchet wheel having a toothed sector of lesser pitch diameter and a masking ratchet wheel having periodic deep notches spaced thereabout for permitting the drive pawl to periodically engage the teeth of lesser pitch diameter for slower advance of the driven ratchet wheel for indexing a plurality of rotary cam tracks for microwave source switch actuation.

Abstract: A single timing motor (26) drives a gear box (54) having an output shaft (56) for indexing a ratchet wheel (62) for turning a cam drum (68). One cam track (72) operates a line switch (22) for controlling the program interval "ON" time of the appliance. A second cam track (70) operates a second line switch (40) for controlling the timing motor. A toothless space (66) in the ratchet wheel stalls cam drum advance upon program interval time-out to maintain the timer switch (40) closed to keep the motor running. Output shaft 56 drives a sub-interval cam (80) which cycles a switch (48) for effecting intermittent appliance "ON" time for a minor portion of the sub-interval period to provide a "KEEP-WARM" mode of operation. An alarm bell (100) is sounded by a striker (98) actuated by the sub-interval cam. The operator manually advances the cam drum (68) for de-actuating the timer motor switch (40).

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a program timer of the type having a rotating member advanced in a step-by-step manner by a drive pawl includes a drive cam having a camming surface defining the drive stroke of the drive pawl. In order to shorten the switching time, the drive cam is intermittently rotated by an angle sufficient to drive the pawl to advance the rotating member during a single intermittent movement of the drive cam. Sub-interval switching is accomplished by the cooperation between a pivotable sub-interval switching lever and a sub-interval camming surface on the drive cam, with the lever actuated by the camming surface to control the movement of a sub-interval switch blade.

Abstract: An arrangement for the support of a program plate, preferably for a timer, including a bottom plate with a support sleeve fastened thereto and which is preferably integrally formed with the bottom plate; in which the outer surface of the support sleeve forms a rotary bearing for a hub of the program plate. The bottom plate includes a hole breakthrough which forms a guide for a drive take-off pinion of a driving mechanism for the program plate which is located below the bottom plate, and wherein the bottom plate is so recessed in the region of the support sleeve in a direction towards the driving mechanism, as to form a hollow depression. The support sleeve is constructed as a guide conduit whose outer surface, in connection with an inner surface of a tubular hub of the program plate which is open towards both sides thereof, forms a rotary bearing; wherein an inner surface of the guide conduit is provided for the receipt of a locking bolt.

Abstract: A programmer timer (10) having motor driven cams (61, 64, 62, 66) for operating electrical switching mechanisms (102, 116, 144, 138, 126). The motor comprises a pair of spaced stator plates (24, 26) with a coil (34) and permanent magnet rotor (36) therebetween, received in a walled chamber (28) in the timer housing. Motor reduction gears (44) drive a shaft (48) for driving the ratchet wheels (72, 68) and rotary cams. The motor, gear train cams and electrical switching mechanisms are contained in a single integral housing (12). Separate concentric fast and slow ratchet wheels (72, 68) are driven by a single eccentric driven pawl (14). The center of rotation of the eccentric is positioned so that drive pawl contacts the ratchet wheel at an angle at least 10.degree. greater than a tangent at the contact point, for all eccentric positions, to provide ratchet wheel advance in the event of reverse rotation of the eccentric.

Abstract: A multi-range timer switch device has a rotatable switching disc or drum carrying a number of programmable switch actuators for actuating a stationary switch and has a dial face with two scale divisions thereon for designating elapsed time, and has a coupling device interconnected between the time disc or barrel and at least two drive trains for respectively rotating the disc or barrel at different speeds. When said coupling is shifted from one drive speed to the other, the corresponding dial face having appropriate scale divisions is made visible. The scale divisions of the dial face can assume only one position relative to the switching disc or drum so that the divisions can be unambiguously and easily set to the appropriate time when a shift is made from one drive speed to the other.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a timer includes a drive pawl having a pin which is trapped between two camming surfaces of a continuously driven drive cam. The drive pawl is slidably mounted in the timer frame so that it is linearly reciprocated when the drive cam is rotated. A spring biases the drive pawl against the ratchet track.

Abstract: An expanded interval drive mechanism for a program timer includes two ratchet rings. One of the ratchet rings is fixed to the monoblock and at certain regions thereon it is missing teeth over a portion of its width. Thus, the first ratchet ring has regions of narrow teeth. The other ratchet ring is arranged for free relative rotational movement in a first direction with respect to the monoblock. All of the teeth of the two ratchet rings have substantially the same major and minor diameters. However, the second ratchet ring is formed with at least one deep notch. In the region where the first ratchet ring has missing teeth, the toothless region is at substantially the same level as the notch. A single drive pawl extends over both ratchet rings and its driving surface is formed at a plurality of levels so that the drive pawl engages the first ratchet ring in the arc length corresponding to the toothless region only when the drive pawl engages the notch of the second ratchet ring.

Abstract: A timing control system and timer sub-assembly for microwave cooking source parallel connected with a timer and series connected with an interval time switch and a defrost cycle switch and a power level selector. The timer is operable to cycle the defrost switch at a fast rate for selected operating timer intervals of a given value or greater and a slow rate for selected interval less than the given value. The timer provides progressively decreasing "on" time of the defrost cycle switch for each cycle. The timer sub-assembly has a pawl-driven ratchet wheel having a toothed sector of lesser pitch diameter and a masking ratchet wheel having periodic deep notches spaced thereabout for permitting the drive pawl to periodically engage the teeth lesser pitch diameter for slower advance of the driven ratchet wheel for indexing a plurality of rotary cam tracks for microwave sources switch actuation.

Abstract: A sprinkler controller includes a station timing dial having a front and back plate with an intermediate plate positioned therebetween. A plurality of switch plates having a tripper arm attached thereto are positioned around the periphery of the dial with each switch plate positioned between the front and back plates. Adjacent switch plates are positioned on opposite sides of the intermediate plates for movement circumferentially about the dial. The switch plates move such that one plate overlies an adjacent plate, thereby permitting the reduction in size of the station timing dial. The controller includes a clock and calendar dial using a plurality of sliders having a toggle portion and a cam portion. The toggle portion and cam portion are connected by a flexible arm which permits the movement of the toggle portion toward the cam portion to facilitate sliding of the slider switches relative to the clock and calendar dials. The sliders engage control switches for operating the controller.

Abstract: An escapement or directional latching mechanism for a timer which actuates a timing switch component through the intermediary of a driving member, which is manually settable relative to the driving member against a larger moment of resistance in one direction of rotation as in the other direction of rotation.

Abstract: The electric motor drives high and low speed drive pinions through reduction gearing. A low torque capacity clutch is located in the reduction gear train to the low speed pinion to permit the user to turn the manual shift to position the timer. The various program cams are driven by a drive member carried by an arbor on which the cams are mounted. The cams are independently spaced relative to the arbor and housing so any may be omitted as desired. The pulsing cam is mounted on the arbor and driven by the high speed pinion. The switch blades are essentially straight, the only forming being at the contact end where contact position or pressure will not be affected.

Abstract: The present invention demonstrates apparatus to initiate the timing cycle of a cam operated timer which is durable and works in a smooth, even fashion. The apparatus includes a first electric motor having a rotatable shaft, said shaft being joined to a clutch or ratchet assembly. A second electric motor drives the cam operated timer during the timing cycle while the clutch or ratchet assembly allows the first motor to disengage.

Abstract: A two-speed timer in which both long and short timing periods can be set with only a moderate force imposed upon a time set shaft. The time set shaft is engageably coupled to a reduction gear train which is coupled to be rotated by an electric motor. A disc having a single engagement tooth portion at a predetermined position on the circumferential portion thereof is mounted on the time set shaft. A driven gear cooperating with the engagement structure has a change-over surface formed at an upper end thereof. A speed change gear is positioned on the same shaft upon which the driven gear is rotatably mounted and is urged into contact with the change-over surface. The speed change gear engages with a selected gear portion of the reduction gear train in dependence upon the rotational position of the driven gear so as to vary the rotational speed of the set shaft.

Abstract: The timing (program) cam is driven at timing speed through a gear train which includes a clutch. When a delayed start is desired the timing cam must be positioned at the start of a cycle so a lever sensing the cam position will move a tiltable jackshaft to an active position in which the worm gear on the shaft can be engaged by a manually set ratchet segment while a cam moving with the segment de-clutches the timing speed drive. The worm gear rotation drives the ratchet back to zero at which time the clutch is engaged and normal timing begins. The number of ratchet teeth engaged with the worm gear determines the length of the time delay.

Abstract: Upon insertion of a coin into a receiver of a timing mechanism, an actuator rotates a ratchet which in turn rotates a cam. The cam and a disc each have a tab extending therefrom. When the ratchet and cam are rotated, the tabs separate from each other providing a desired timing cycle and the cam is set to close electrical switches. When the timer is operative, the disc rotates causing its tab to engage the tab of the cam to rotate the cam and open the electrical switches.

Abstract: The motor drives the timing drum continuously at low speed through a gear train having a one-way clutch. The motor also drives the input of a second one-way clutch having a drive on its output engageable with the spaced teeth on the interrupted gear formed on the hub of the drum. When the low speed drive rotates the drum to a position in which a tooth on the hub can be engaged by the drive gear the drum is rapidly advanced until contact with the tooth is lost. Switches operated by the cams on the drum are sequenced rapidly during rapid advance. When the drum is manually advanced both clutches are overridden.

Abstract: A switching device for variable speed gears in machine tools having an assembly which includes a plurality of axially disposed, rotatably-driven cam discs, each of which is associated with an electric microswitch. Non-rotatable spacers serve to position the cam discs. A spherical key bed clamp axially clamps the cam discs together while permitting rotation of individual ones thereof. A non-rotating indicating disc displays the present RPM or respective gear stage. A shock absorber in the individual gear trains between switching bars and their respective electric motors provides sufficient damping and cushioning to prevent a hard start-up impact when the motor is switched on or when a sliding gear block is engaged. The shock absorber may include an elastic linkage or an elastic spur gear in a toothed wheel gear reduction unit located between the motor drive shaft and the link shaft.

Abstract: This control device for electric motor-reduction units comprises two cams rotating at different speeds about a common shaft, each cam having only one notch formed in its outer periphery, the cam notches being adapted to cooperate with catch-forming portions of a rocker controlling the motor switch. The first cam is rigid and coaxial with a toothed wheel meshing with a driving toothed pinion pivoted on a shaft parallel to the cam shaft, and comprises two drive teeth adapted, during each revolution, to mesh with a reversing pinion pivoted to the driving pinion shaft and rigid with another pinion meshing with a second toothed wheel rigid with the second cam.

Abstract: This invention relates to a control system for regeneration of a water treatment system in which a water meter monitors water usage and mechanically drives a water volume wheel to an operative position to call for regeneration when a predetermined volume of water has been treated and then automatically resets itself. A timer wheel driven by a motor is included within the control system such that the timer wheel and the water volume wheel coact to activate the regeneration cycle mechanism at a predetermined time after a predetermined volume of water has passed through the water meter. The mechanism is adjustable relative to the water treating capacity of the treatment system and the condition of the water being treated so as to be able to vary the predetermined volume of water treated which will call for regeneration.

Abstract: A gear train is connected to a motor carried in a housing and has an output member extending into another housing, the output member having at least one cam lobe. Electrical switch means carried in the second housing are responsive to the cam lobe.

Abstract: A control device for a coin operated mechanism wherein the device includes a ratchet wheel formed having a plurality of teeth each having a front and a back face defining a tooth apex. The back face of each tooth and the front face of the next adjacent tooth define a well therebetween. The front face of each tooth is formed having a step which receives a ratchet follower to displace a normally open switch to its closed state at the end of each stepping operation of the ratchet wheel to operate the mechanism. A star wheel is operatively driven by a timing mechanism when the switch is in its closed state and is disposed to engage the ratchet wheel to cause rotation of the ratchet wheel conjointly upon rotation of the star wheel.

Abstract: In a battery powered alarm clock, an alarm switching device comprises at least one detecting wheel whose phase is set in accordance with the desired alarm time, at least one detecting switch which is closed when the phase of the time wheel of the clock corresponds to that of the detecting wheel and a printed circuit board having alarm circuitry mounted thereon with at least one land for connecting the alarm circuitry to one pole of the battery. The alarm switching device construction provides solderless connection by at least two battery contact plates for contacting the two poles of the battery. One of the plates provides three electrical contacts including a first contact with one pole of the battery, a second contact with the land on the printed circuit board and a third contact with the detecting switch, whereby the assembly and construction of the clock is greatly simplified.

Abstract: A random timer including a drive motor, an output means, and a power circuit connecting a power supply to the drive motor and output means and where two dissimilar timing elements are controlled by the drive motor, and the power circuit includes a multi-contact switch having a normally closed terminal position and a normally open second terminal position, a control member associated with the switch to move it from its normally closed position to its second position, and a control means individually engageable with the two different timing elements for moving the control member to its actuated second position and interrupt power flow to the output means on an irregular basis.

Abstract: The rotary control timer for an automatic appliance, e.g., a washing machine, is driven by connecting a saddle pawl through a cable or equivalent connector to an element in the appliance that continually oscillates or makes other repeated cycles of movement of substantially constant time duration during operation of the appliance. Prongs on the pawl engage a plurality of peripherally toothed wheels, one of which is connected to the timer cam drum and another of which is free to rotate relative to the cam drum in such manner that a pawl prong continually engages the free rotation wheel while a second pawl prong engages the drum connected wheel only intermittently.

Abstract: A timing device comprises a contact assembly, an acting switch and a centrifugal mechanism rotated by a synchronous motor, and a rotatable resiliently biased timing wheel. The acting switch, upon energization of the motor, is moved axially in a direction parallel to the rotary axis of the timing wheel by the centrifugal mechanism to a first position for rotating the said timing wheel and opening a contact between a movable contact plate and a first fixed contact plate of the contact assembly. The acting switch is maintained in the first position by the timing wheel, and is moved to a second position for maintaining the timing wheel in position and closing a contact between the movable contact plate and a second fixed contact plate of the contact assembly, whereby, upon deenergization of the motor, the switch is moved axially in the reverse direction to its normally inoperative state and said timing wheel is rotated back under the action of its biasing means.

Abstract: Two separate cam means are fixedly and freely rotatably carried on a shaft. Each cam means are simultaneously rotated by a motor at different speeds through a gear train having two separate outputs. Cam lobes are carried on each cam means and engage switch means to open and close same as the cam means are rotated.

Abstract: A timer clock of the type having a time-of-day recording mechanism, a switch electrically connectible to an electric device, an adjustable timer wheel for controlling the switch, and a power source operably connected to drive said time-of-day recording mechanism and the timer wheel. The wheel has a first set of teeth defining a second timing period which is more extended than the first timing period. The power source includes a motor and a drive shaft driven by the motor. The drive shaft carries a first gear adjacent one end thereof for actuating the second set of teeth. The first gear is engageable with the second set of teeth to drive the timer wheel during the second timing period. The timer wheel carries gearing for actuating the switch at the end of a timing cycle. The drive shaft carries a pinion engageable with a second gear, the latter comprising part of the time-of-day recording mechanism.

Abstract: A digital time indicating clock with minutes, tens of minutes and hours numeral indicating drums arranged in an array, in which intermittent rotations of the minutes drum as driven by a clock mechanism are transmitted sequentially intermittently to the tens of minutes and hours drums through time numeral shifting-up mechanism which comprising a first pinion being rotatable about a shaft borne in proximity and parallelly to peripheries of the resepctive drums and meshing with gear teeth on a peripheral edge of the minutes drum and first gear teeth on a peripheral edge of the tens of minutes drum and a second pinion being rotatable about the shaft and meshing with second gear teeth on the other peripheral edge of the tens of minutes drum and gear teeth on a peripheral edge of the hours drum.

Abstract: An escapement mechanism for an appliance timer includes a cylindrically shaped driving member which is concentric with the axis of the appliance timer program wheel. One or more cam lobes providing camming surfaces are formed on an interior cylindrical wall of the driving member. A ratchet wheel is disposed for rotation within the driving member. The ratchet wheel is drivingly connected to the program wheel. A pawl having a ratchet wheel engaging tooth at one end and a cam follower at the other end is actuated by the camming surfaces on the driving member to cause the pawl to move a predetermined distance in a first direction, engage the ratchet wheel, and then return the same distance in the opposite direction to advance the ratchet wheel and the program wheel in response to rotation of the driving member.

Abstract: An add-on device for automatically adjusting the setting of a control mechanism, such as, a thermostat, which includes a separate, independent timer which is mounted adjacent the existing control mechanism and controls the same by means of a mechanically driven member which engages the manual adjuster of the control mechanism; the device further including a suitable coupler for coupling the driven member to the timer for moving the driven member at selected times to change the position of the adjuster.

Abstract: A first shaft of two concentric rotatable shafts is axially displaceable with respect to the other. Switch opening and closing means is responsive to the axial displacement of the first shaft, the axial displacement being responsive to the rotational output of the second shaft. A cam means is carried by the second shaft.

Abstract: An automatic timer switch includes a time-of-day indicating means, a means for determining and indicating the cessation of a timed switching function, and a means for determining and indicating the duration of a timed switching function.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a timing device for an intravenous feeding pump, whereby the pump can be set to operate at its regular rate for a predetermined period (preferably up to about 4 hours) and thereafter at a reduced rate just sufficient to keep the needle open. The apparatus comprises a gear train driven by the main drive shaft of the intravenous feeding pump actuator, which drives a setting dial at a considerably reduced speed back to a "0" position. The setting dial is clutched to a final gear of the gear train through a spring slip clutch, so that the setting dial can be set to a desired position without driving the gear train or the gear train continue to drive even though the setting dial is latched in its 0 position.

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.

Abstract: A time switch mechanism for automatically as well as manually operating a switch incorporated therein for the purpose of controlling the operation of a device such as a television or a radio, as well as a sleep timer. The time switch mechanism comprises a timing cam, a time setting member, a normally closed microswitch for operating the television or radio, a switch lever for operating the microswitch and cooperable with the timing cam and a switching cam, wherein the switching cam is operably secured to a sector gear which is rotatable at a predetermined speed.

Abstract: A multi-purpose timer comprising a control member, a first and second slide plates which can be operated by the control member, a microswitch which is operated by the first slide plate, a "snooze" actuating member connected to the second slide plate, a "snooze" operating member which is engageable with the second slide plate, a switch operating lever which is engageable with the first and second slide plates, and a timer setting drum, the timer mechanism, "sleep" mechanism and "snooze" mechanism being selectively used by change-over operation of the control member.

Abstract: A timer operative by means of a clock mechanism and having a variable operation period, wherein a main cam plate and a subsidiary cam plate are mounted coaxially on a common shaft so that they are rotatable relative to each other, each of said main and subsidiary cam plates having recessed peripheral portions and protruded peripheral portions. A single operation lever pressingly bears against the peripheral portions of said main and subsidiary cam plates so that, when the recessed peripheral portions of said main and subsidiary cam plates are brought into alignment with each other, the operation lever can drop into said aligned recessed peripheral portions.