Timer with resettable alarm and automatic turn-off

• US 6,323,777 B1
• Filed: 05/10/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/10/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Andrew Albert Durston, Richard Vereker Durston
• Original Assignee: Andrew Albert Durston, Richard Vereker Durston
• Inventors: Durston, Andrew Albert, Durston, Richard Vereker
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): TANG, SON M
• Application Number:
  US09/554,173
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.13, 340/825.11, 340/825.12, 340/679
• US Class Current: 340/679
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 36/32 Time-controlled igniting mechanisms or alarm devices
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 15/003 acting only at one preselected time or during one adjustable time interval

Abstract

A method of safely operating an electrical appliance or equipment in which the appliance or equipment is powered from a source of electrical supply so as to ensure that the said appliance or equipment does not remain energized indefinitely through neglect, omission, oversight or distraction, said method including: timing or disconnecting means for automatically switching off power to said electrical appliance or equipment after a set or selected period of time, and audible and/or visual alerting means to warn of an impending disconnection of power to the said electrical appliance or equipment through the action of the first said timing and disconnecting means as the set or selected period of time is approached and/or reached, and resetting means to re-start the sequence of operation of the said timing, disconnecting and alerting means if said electrical appliance or equipment is required to operate or remain in use for a period of time exceeding the timing and disconnecting means set or selected period, and silencing means to mute the emitted audible and/or visual warning if the said electrical appliance or equipment is required to continue to operate or remain in use for the set or selected period of time without interference by or inconvenience from the emitted warning.

Claims

1. A timing apparatus for controlling an electrical appliance comprising;

a primary timer and a primary manual resetter, where the primary timer energizes the appliance for a preset interval of time beginning either when the primary timer is energized or when the primary manual resetter is manually activated, and where the primary timer automatically de-energizes the appliance upon expiration of the predetermined interval of time;

a secondary timer and a secondary manual resetter, where the secondary timer measures a preset interval of time shorter than the interval of time of the primary timer, the preset interval of time for the secondary timer beginning when the secondary timer is energized or when the secondary timer is manually reset by manual activation of either the secondary resetter or the primary resetter,

an alarm indication that indicates an alarm upon expiration of the interval of time of the secondary timer, and indicates no alarm during the interval of time of the secondary timer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the appliance comprises a main switch that energizes the primary timer, and the secondary timer when in an on position, and de-energizes the appliance and stops the indication of the alarm from the alarm indication when in an off position.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the primary timer, primary resetter, secondary timer, the secondary resetter, and the alarm indication form part of the appliance.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the primary timer, primary resetter, secondary timer, the secondary resetter, and the alarm indication are constructed as separate unit from the appliance.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the primary timer, primary resetter, secondary timer, the secondary resetter, and the alarm indication are constructed as a plug-in module that can be connected to an electrical outlet and to which the electrical appliance can be connected by an electrical plug.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the primary timer, and the secondary timer are energized by switching an appliance on/off switch to an on position and the method further comprises deactivating the alarm indication and de-energizing the appliance by switching the appliance on/off switch to an off position.

6. A method for controlling an electrical appliance comprising,

energizing the appliance at the beginning of a first interval of time determined by a first timer

de-energizing the appliance at the end of the first interval of time, the first interval of time begun by energizing the first timer or by manually resetting the first timer,

activating an alarm indication at the end of a second interval of time during which there is no alarm indication, the second interval of time beginning when the first timer is energized or reset, or when the second time is manually reset.