GB2295924A - Timer - Google Patents

Abstract

A timer comprises an annular dial 1 which is transparent with time indicating marks 11 printed thereon, and a plurality of setting keys 3 which are mounted on an outward and downward inclined skirt 23 of a key mounting ring 2 such that the setting keys may be moved between "up" and "down" positions. A user may directly observe the time settings set by the downwardly pressed setting keys 3 through the transparent dial 1. A protective wall 7 is selectively provided around the timer to protect the setting keys 3. The key mounting ring 2 is connected to the dial 1 and a setting ring 4 by cooperable engaging elements 12, 21, 24, 41. The setting ring 4 has a toothed driving portion 44 and a flange 43 formed with grooves 42 for receiving a portion 34 of a setting key 3 when in the down position to hold it in place. A top cover 5 is connected to a base 6 by cooperable engaging elements 51, 61. <IMAGE>

Description

A TIME SETTING DEVICE FOR A TIMER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a time setting device for a timer, and more particularly to an improved time setting structure for a mechanically-driven timer, the improvement thereof lies in that the set time or times can be easily observed from a clear top dial thereof.

The time setting device for a conventional timer can be generally divided into two types, one of which presets the on or off of predetermined time periods by inserting pins into the pin holes defining different times, and the other by thumbing particular setting keys arranged around a disc on top surface thereof scales showing different times are provided. A user knows the set time period or periods by observing the position or positions where pin(s) or key(s) is (are) inserted or pressed, respectively. The present invention relates to an improved time setting device with setting keys.

When the above two types of conventional time setting device are used, the user must either insert/pull pins or thumb down/up keys to set desired times, and therefore, the pins and/or keys are conveniently arranged around an outer periphery of the time scale disc for easy access. However, pins or keys set in this manner are easily damaged or moved by an outcoming force and therefore lose their function of time setting. Recently, a protective wall has been developed and adopted by the above first type of time setting device to protect the pins inserted thereon. This protective wall is, however, inconvenient for the second type of time setting device because it prevents the user from easily observing the set times.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a key type time setting device in which a protective wall may be freely provided without interfering with the observation of set time periods by the user.

To achieve the above object, the time setting device of the present invention is mainly characterized in a transparent dial through which keys arranged around a key rest ring for being selectively pressed to a "down" position can be clearly and easily observed. From the keys in "down" position, the time(s) being set can be understood at once.

Other structures of the present invention are similar to those in a conventional time setting device and are therefore not further described herein.

If brief, the main improvement provided by the present invention lies in the time setting device which allows the direct observation of time period(s) being set and the freely provision of protective wall around the device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a disassembled sectional view of the time setting device according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is an assembled sectional view of the time setting device of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the key rest ring adopted by the present invention, a part of which being cut away to clearly show the cross-sectional structure thereof; Fig. 4 is a front view of the setting key adopted by the present invention; Fig. 5 is a right side view of the setting key of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on line A-A of Fig. 4; and Fig. 7 is a top view showing the assembled key rest ring and setting keys with some of the keys in "down" position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Please refer to Figs. 1 and 2. A time setting device of the present invention mainly includes a dial 1, a key rest ring 2, a plurality of setting keys 3, a setting ring 4, a top cover 5, and a base 6.

The dial 1 is a clear annular plate with time indicating marks 11 printed thereon. Downward extended legs 12 are integrally formed at a lower side of the dial 1 adjacent to an inner periphery thereof. Locating holes 21 are provided on a top edge of the key rest ring 2 at positions corresponding to the legs 12 of the dial 1, permitting the legs 12 to be retained therein and thereby joins the dial 1 with the key rest ring 2.

As shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the key rest ring 2 is substantially an annular hollow cylinder consisting of an inner ring 22 and an outer skirt 23. The above-mentioned locating holes 21 are actually provided in an inner wall of the inner ring 22 adjacent to the top edge thereof. A dent 24 is provided at a bottom edge of the inner ring 22 for engagement with a boss 41 provided on the setting ring 4.

The outer skirt 23 extends downward and outward from the top edge of the inner ring 22 to form a conically inclined periphery. Please also refer to Fig. 3 for the detailed structure of the key rest ring 2. Projections 25 and corresponding projections 26 are respectively formed side by side around a lower outer wall and a lower inner wall of the outer skirt 23. Each pair of adjacent projections 25, 26 respectively defines a groove 27, 28 between them. Setting keys 3 are guided by the grooves 27 and 28 to slidably move up or down.

Please now refer to Figs. 4, 5, and 6. The setting keys 3 each has a recess 31, of which an upper and a lower sides are provided with an inwardly projected rib 32, 33, respectively, extending along substantially full depth of the recess 31. The setting key 3 further has an insertion piece 34 formed at a lower end thereof, a back portion 35 at a lower right or outer side thereof, and a thumb portion 36 above the back portion 35. The recess 31 has a height which equals to a thickness of the outer skirt 23 measured from an outer surface of the projection 25 to that of the projection 26. The ribs 32, 33 have a width and a height respectively equal to those of the groove 27, 28, respectively.Setting keys 3 are disposed on the outer skirt 23 of the key rest ring 2 with a lower edge of the outer skirt 23 being inserted into the recess 31 of each setting key 3 and the grooves 27, 28 respectively engaging with the ribs 32, 33. With the above arrangements, the keys 3 may slidably move in the direction of grooves 27, 28. The setting key 3 may be made of plastic material, for example, to provide sufficient flexibility so that the key 3 may stay in place in a considerably stable manner after it is moved. When the setting key 3 is pressed downward or moved outward, the insertion piece 34 shall insert into and thereby engage with one of locating grooves 42 formed on the setting ring 4. The back portion 35 is the part where the setting key 3 contacts with a movable ON/OFF switch (not shown) to change the on or off of an output circuit of the timer.Since the movable ON/OFF switch is not in the claims of this invention, it is not described herein. The thumb portion 36 serves as a convenient point on the setting key 3 for a user to move the latter up or down. Of course, the user may also push the setting key 3 at its back portion 35 to change the up or down position of the setting key 3.

When any of the setting keys 3 is pushed down or outward, that is, a particular time is set by the depressed setting key 3, the contact of the projected back portion 35 thereof with the movable ON/OFF switch shall cause the output circuit of the timer to be switched on or off. Suppose a predefined numbers of setting keys 3 are used to form a time period setting disc such that the latter rotates one full turn every 24 hours, 12 hours, or 7 days, etc., then, each of the setting key 3 in a "down" position shall define a certain period of time during which the timer is on or off.

To set different time periods for the timer to be on of off, the setting keys 3 are thumbed to a down or up position.

Fig. 7 is a top view showing the assembled setting keys 3 and key rest ring 2. When a setting key 3 is thumbed outward to the "down" position, a distance P exists between it and the other keys 3 held in the "up" position as shown in Figs. 2 and 7. When viewing through the clear dial 1, this distance P can be easily observed to judge the time or time period having been set by the time setting device.

The setting ring 4 is an annular member and is joined with the key rest ring 2 by engagement of the boss 41 formed on the setting ring 4 with the dent 21 of the key rest ring 2.

The setting ring 4 has a circle of flange portion 43 and an externally toothed lower portion 44. The previously mentioned locating grooves 42 are radially formed on the flange portion 43 at an upper outer periphery thereof side by side. When a setting key 3 is pushed to its "down" position, the insertion piece 34 at its bottom side shall be received by a corresponding locating groove 42 on the setting ring 4 to stably hold the setting key in place. The externally toothed lower portion 44 shall mesh with a gear inside the timer to enable the setting ring 4 to rotate one circle within a specified time.

The top cover 5 includes a flat top on which various marks or symbols may be printed as necessary. The flat top may also serve to protect internal components of the timer.

Leg-like hooks 51 extend from a lower edge of the flat top 5 and can be engaged with dents 61 formed on the base 6 to firmly join the top cover 5 with the base 6 together.

A protective wall 7 and the like may be selectively and freely disposed on the base 6 at desired position in a suitable manner.

According to the above arrangements, the assembled dial 1, key rest ring 2, setting keys 3, and setting ring 4 may be simultaneously rotated relative to the top cover 5 and the base 6 while the two latter members are stationary.

During the operation of the timer, the setting keys 3 keep on moving around along the circumference of the top cover 5.

The user may easily observe the current positions of each setting keys 3 through the clear dial 1, particularly when the key rest ring 2 is in strong contrast with the setting keys in their colors.

Claims (4)

What is claimed is:

1. A time setting device for a timer, comprising a dial, a key rest ring below said dial, a plurality of setting keys disposed on said key rest ring, a setting ring engaged with said key rest ring at a lower portion of the latter, a top cover disposed on top of said dial, and a base forming a seat of said device and can be connected with said top cover by engagement of dents formed thereon with leg-like hooks formed on said top cover; said dial being a transparent annular plate with time indicating marks printed thereon and downward extended legs formed on a lower inner periphery thereof for connecting said dial with said key rest ring; said key rest ring being an annular hollow cylinder consisting of an inner ring and an outer skirt, said inner ring being formed with upper dents to engage with said downward extended legs of said dial and a lower dent to engage with a boss formed on said setting ring, and said outer skirt serving as a seat for said setting keys; said setting keys being mounted on said outer skirt of said key rest ring, each of said setting keys being movable between an "up" position and a "down" position generally separated from each other by a certain distance when said setting key is thumbed inward or outward relative to said key rest ring; said setting ring being an annular member having a circle of flange portion and an externally toothed lower portion, said flange portion being formed with a plurality of radial grooves for receiving therein corresponding insertion pieces formed on a lower end said setting keys when the latter are moved to said "down" posistion, said toothed portion meshing with a gear inside said timer so that said setting ring can be driven to rotate with said key rest ring, said setting keys, and said dial after they are assembled together; said top cover and said base being associated with each other to sandwich said dial, said key rest ring, said setting keys, and said setting ring between them; said base containing thereinside components of said timer, and, a protective wall being selectively provided around said base; said time setting device being characterized in that said transparent dial allows a user to observe directly through said dial the time or time period set by said setting keys which have been pushed to their "down" position and thereby form a distance between them and said other setting keys that are held in their "up" position.

2. A time setting device for a timer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said key rest ring has an outer skirt which extends downward and outward from a top edge of said inner ring, forming an inclined outer surface on a lower edge thereof said setting keys are mounted.

3. A time setting device for a timer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said protective wall is selectively provided on said base adjacent to an outer periphery of some of said setting keys.

4. A time setting device substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompenying drawings.