US3673413A

US3673413A - Time and light controlled switching circuit

Info

Publication number: US3673413A
Application number: US67899A
Authority: US
Inventors: Art Lee
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 1970-08-28
Filing date: 1970-08-28
Publication date: 1972-06-27
Anticipated expiration: 1989-06-27

Abstract

A control system comprising a device for turning ON and OFF a motor at set times each day, for turning ON lights during the ON period of the motor upon the onset of darkness, and for turning the lights OFF at the same time as the motor, the device including a timer and its contacts, a relay, a filter capacitor, a resistor, diode, and a photocell, the latter being mounted remotely, the motor of the timer and a series combination of the photocell and relay coil being connected across line voltage in parallel, the contacts of the timer for a predetermined period of time each day connecting line voltage to the rotator motor load and to the normally closed contacts of the photocell controlled relay which are held open during the day, the contacts of the timer also supplying electrical power to the lighting circuits when the relay is de-energized, and the normally closed relay contacts being open during the daylight hours when the resistance of the photocell is minimum thereby allowing maximum current flow to energize the relay coil thus keeping the relay contacts open.

Description

[451 June 27, 1972 [54] TIME AND LIGHT CONTROLLED SWITCHING CIRCUIT Art Lee, El Passo, Ill.

General Electric Company [72] lnventor:

[73] Assignee:

[22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 67,899

[52] US. Cl ..250/206, 40/33, 40/52 B,

3l5/l59, 3l7/l24 [51] Int. Cl ..G09f 11/10, H0lh 47/24, H05b 37/02 [58] Field of Search ..40/33, 52 B; 250/206; 317/124;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,538,536 l/l95l Ritchie etal ..315/l59X 2,900,463. 8/1959 Schultz et all ..200/38 Primary Examiner.lames W, Lawrence Assistant Examiner-T. N. Grigsby Attorney-Arthur E. Foumier, Jr., David M. Schiller, Frank L. Neuhauser, Oscar B. Waddell and Joseph B. Forman ABSTRACT A control system comprising a device for turning ON and OFF a motor at set times each day, for turning ON lights during the ON period of the motor upon the onset of darkness, and for turning the lights OFF at the same time as the motor, the device including a timer and its contacts, a relay, a filter capacitor, a resistor, diode, and a photocell, the latter being mounted remotely, the motor of the timer and a series combination of the photocell and relay coil being connected across line voltage in parallel, the contacts of the timer for a predetermined period of time each day connecting line voltage to the rotator motor load and to the normally closed contacts of the photocell controlled relay which are held open during the day, the contacts of the timer also supplying electrical power to the lighting circuits when the relay is de-energized, and the normally closed relay contacts being open during the daylight hours when the resistance of the photocell is minimum thereby allowing maximum current flow to energize the relay coil thus keeping the relay contacts open.

7 Clains, 2 Drawing figures PATENTEDJUIZI 1272 FIGI 36mm: 1 P

INVENTOR ART LEE BY 6% z? fl -c FIG 2 ATTORNEY TIME AND LIGHT CONTROLLED SWITCHING CIRCUIT BACKGROUND OF'THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention.

My invention relates to electrical circuit control devices, and more particularly to an improvement in control-devices of the type employed with illuminated advertising displays.

2. Description of the Prior Art.

It has been known in the priorart to provide devices for controlling the operation of outdoor advertising signs. Although such signs occur in various sizes and shapes,-.they'are classifiable generally as to' their manner of operation. Thus for example there are signs primarily intended to attract'ones attention solely during the daylight hours. Since such signs commonly remain stationary and do not themselves possess any means of illumination, they do not require the use therewith of any type of electrical circuit control device.

To enhance their eye-attracting ability, some outdoor advertising signs have been designed so as to be capable of rotation. Most often, such signs are provided with some form of electrical circuit control device whereby the sign is automatically made to begin rotating at a presettime of the day and is kept continuously rotating for the duration of a predetermined eriod of time whereupon the sign ceases to rotate, i.e., generally as dusk is occurring. Some such signsthough, rather than being automatically controlled are made to rotate in response to manualactuation by an operator of suitable control means. Regardless of the method of operation however either form of rotating sign necessitates the use therewith of some form of control device to initiate and thereafter stop the rotation of the sign.

There have of course also been designed signs which although they are intended to remain fixed, i.e., not rotate, are nevertheless provided with means whereby the signs may be illuminated to extend their advertising potential to at least a portion of the nighttime hours. The illumination of such signs may be controlled either automatically or manually by an operator. In ordertopermit either method of operation however the sign must be provided with some form of electrical circuit control device for initiating illumination of the sign at a desired time of day and for thereafter turning OFFthe lighted portion of the sign.

The most effective type of sign from an advertiser's standpoint though'appears to be the large outdoor illuminated advertising sign which possesses the capability of being rotated as well as illuminated. In accordance with conventional practice such signs generally function as follows. At some time during the day a rotating section of such an outdoor advertising sign is made to rotate to attract visual attention. This rotating element continues its rotation until the sign is to be turned OFF in its entirety. The illuminated portion of the sign is made to turn ON at about sundown. Finally at some preselected time during the night the sign is turned OFF such that the illuminated portion of the sign is extinguished and the rotating element of the sign ceases to rotate.

In the past various types of electrical circuit control devices have been devised for the purpose of controlling the rotation and/or illumination of outdoor advertising displays. However such devices have suffered by and large primarily from the disadvantage that they were relatively complex in nature and accordingly were susceptible to being more readily rendered inoperative because of a malfunction therein. This has led to a need for an electrical circuit control device which although simple in construction would nevertheless be capable of reliably controlling both the rotation and the illumination of large outdoor illuminated advertising signs, particularly signs of the type which are intended to be supported tens of feet in the air. A further feature desired to be possessed by such a device is that it be inherently capable of daily operation over extended periods of time with but very little maintenance thereof being required.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel and improved electrical circuit control device for con-.

trolling the rotation of advertising displays.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such an electrical circuit control device which is also capable of controlling the illumination of advertising displays.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical circuit control device wherein the controlling functions are accomplished automatically at preselected times of the day.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical circuit control device which although simple in construction is nevertheless capable of providing reliable service.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical circuit control device which is capable of providing daily operation over extended periods of time with but very little maintenance thereof being required.

Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical circuit control device wherein the display can only be illuminated when the display is rotating.

Yet a final object of the present invention is to provide such an electrical circuit control device for controlling the illumination of advertising displays which is capable of use with a variety of forms of different illuminating means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with a preferred form of the invention there is provided a novel and improved electrical circuit control device for controlling the rotation and illumination of an ad vertising display. The device functions to turn ON and OFF at set times each day a motor for rotating the display, to turn ON lights during the ON period of the rotator motor upon the onset of darkness, and to turn the lights OFF at the same time as the rotator motor. The device includes a timer and its contacts, a relay, a filter capacitor, a resistor, a diode, and a photocell, the latter preferably being mounted remotely. The motor of the timer and a series combination of the photocell and relay coil are connected across line voltage in parallel. The contacts of the timer for a predetermined period of time each day connect line voltage to the rotator motor load and to the normally closed contacts of the photocell controlled relay. The latter contacts are held open during the day. The contacts of the timer also supply electrical power to the lighting circuits when the relay is de-energized. Finally, the normally closed relay contacts are held open during the daylight hours when the resistance of the photocell is minimum thereby allowing maximum current flow to energize the relay coil thus keeping the relay contacts open. Alternatively, the photocell relay combination may be connected from the load side of the time switch contacts to the other side of the line. 1

The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the major components of an electrical circuit control device in accordance with the present invention illustrated housed in a suitable enclosure, the cover of the latter being omitted for purposes of clarity of illustration; and

FIG. 2 is a schematic wiring diagram of the circuitry of the electrical circuit control device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT This invention is disclosed in relation to a time switch of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,463, the latter patent being assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. However, it should be recognized that the subject matter of my invention is not limited to embodiment in time switches of the type disclosed in the aforementioned patent but is equally applicable to being employed as part of other and different types of time switches.

Referring now to FIG. I of the drawing, a novel and improved electrical circuit control device in accord with the present invention, generally designated by reference numeral is illustrated included in a housing 11 which contains the operating components of the control device 10. Although omitted in the interest of clarity of illustration, it is to be understood that the housing 11 is provided with a suitable cover (not shown). Further, it is to be understood that for certain installations it may be advisable to provide the housing 11 as well as the cover therefor with suitable protective means (not shown) whereby to render the enclosure for the control device 10 watertight.

With reference further to FIG. 1 of the drawing, mounting member 12 is preferably provided suitably fastened to the interior of housing 11. Calibrated dial 13 which is positioned in juxtaposed relation to the exposed front surface of mounting member 12 as viewed with reference to FIG. 1 is attached by suitable screw means 14 to one end of a rotatable shaft (not shown) so as to be rotatable therewith in a manner described in more detail in the aforereferenced patent. Timed operation of the calibrated dial 13 is obtained in a manner well known to those skilled in the art through the operation of a suitable constant speed drive including a synchronous electric motor 15, diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, having suitable conductor leads 16 for connecting the motor to terminal board 17 and therethrough to a suitable power source (not shown). The aforesaid constant speed drive further includes suitable reduction gearing (not shown) fixedly attached in conventional fashion to the opposite end of the rotatable shaft from that to which calibrated dial 13 is affixed.

Attached to the calibrated dial 13 in selectable position on the front face thereof as viewed in FIG. 1 are actuator elements l8 and 19 generally shaped to extend radially beyond the end of dial l3 and mounted for adjustment about the axis of dial 113. In addition, actuator elements 18 and 19 are preferably designed to have their extensions displaced in planes parallel to each other. In accordance with well known switch operations, actuator element 18 may be designated an "ON" actuator while actuator element 19 may be designated an OFF actuator. The time of day when such operations occur, of course, is determinable by setting of actuator elements 18 and 19 at calibrated positions on the face of dial 13 about the axis of the dial. For adjustable attachment of the actuator elements to dial l3 actuator elements 18 and 19 are designed to span the dial l3 and to have set screws 20 and 21, respectively, grip the dial 13. In a preferred manner, dial 13 may be provided with a groove 22 in the face thereof for receiving the end of set screws 20 and 21 thereby enhancing the gripping action to more firmly fix the actuator elements 18 and 19 in their set positions.

Mounted within the interior of housing 11 and extending along the rear surface thereof is a switch 23 in the form of a pair of parallel deflectable resilient

electroconductive blade members

24 and 25 having

suitable contacts

26 and 27, respectively, thereon. While any satisfactory technique or arrangement may be utilized for mounting

blade members

24 and 25, it is preferred that terminal board 17 be provided with suitable recesses (not shown) in which

blade members

24 and 25 may be individually anchored at corresponding ends. In accord for example with one practice,

blade members

24 and 25 are fabricated from suitable resilient material to have integral flanged portions on their ends designed to wrap around the end of and engage opposite sides of the terminal board 17 and to be anchored thereto by eyelet rivets (not sho n) which fasten the flanged portions of the

blade members

23 and 24 in place in a manner more fully described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,463. Terminals screws 28 are provided for attaching suitable electrical conductors directly to

blade members

24 and 25 thereby connecting the switch 23 into the electrical circuit to be controlled.

Direct operative connection between actuator elements 18 and 19 and

switch blade members

24 and 25 is obtained through a unitary switch operator 29 which is substantially cylindrical in shape and is mounted for rotation on a stationary shaft support (not shown) in the manner set forth more fully in U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,463. For purposes of an understanding of the present invention it is deemed sufficient merely to note that the switch operator 29 is supported in juxtaposed relation to the calibrated dial 13 so as to be in the path of movement of the actuator elements 18 and 19 carried by dial 13. In addition, it is to be understood that the switch operator 29 cooperates with the switch 23 whereby the rotational movement of the switch operator 29 transmitted thereto by the rotation of dial 13 is utilized to control the opening and closing of

blade members

24 and 25 as will be described more fully hereinbelow. A more complete description of the mechanical operation of calibrated dial 13, switch 23, and switch operator 29 is found in U.S. Pat. No. 2,900,463.

Briefly however the abovedescribed elements function as follows. Prior to initiation of operation, ON and OFF actuator elements 18 and 19 are adjustably set to suitable positions on dial 13 and switch operator 29 is rotated manually to properly align the latter relative to the actuator elements 18 and 19. Upon energization of motor 15 in a manner to be set forth below, motor 15 begins rotating at a fixed rate of speed. By means of the reduction gearing mentioned previously, the speed of the motor 15 is reduced in a predetermined ratio and this lower speed of rotation is transmitted therethrough to the calibrated dial 13. As dial 13 rotates, it carries actuator members 18 and 19 therewith in circular paths until they are alternately brought into engagement with suitable portions of the switch operator 29 causing the switch operator 29 to also move. The latter movement of switch operator 29 brings other portions thereof into engagement with

blade members

24 and 25 of switch 23 causing the latter blade members to either close or open depending upon whether movement is being transmitted to switch operator 29 by means of actuator member 18 or actuator member 19.

Referring again to FIG. 1 of the drawing, there is depicted therein a relay 30 suitably mounted by means (not shown) to an interior side wall of the housing 11. The relay 30 is connected by means of a pair of conductor leads 31 to suitable terminals of terminal board 17. The function of relay 30 will be more fully set forth hereinafter in connection with a description of the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 2. There is further illustrated in FIG. 1 a photocell 32 which is connected by conductor leads 33 to suitable terminals of terminal board 17. In accord with the preferred form of the invention, the photocell 32 is intended to be mounted remotely from the housing 11 but nevertheless yet be connected through leads 33 to terminal board 17.

With reference to the schematic wiring diagram illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawing there will now be set forth a description of the electrical circuit of the novel and improved electrical circuit control device 10 in accordance with the preferred form of the present invention. The electrical circuit generally designated in FIG. 2 by reference numeral 34 includes a pair of

power terminals

35 and 36 for connection to a suitable power source (not shown). Power is supplied to the control device 10 continuously through

terminals

35 and 36. One side of the internal relay coil 30a of 'relay 30 is connected to terminal 35 and the other side of the internal relay coil 30a is connected through resistor 37 and diode 38 to a terminal 39. The terminal 39 in turn is connected to one side of photocell 32 which as mentioned previously is intended to be mounted remotely from the other component elements comprising electrical circuit control device 10. The other side of photocell 32 is connected to terminal 40 which is to be noted is common to power terminal 36. Capacitor 41 properly polarized is connected across the internal coil 30a and timer motor 15 is connected through

terminals

42 and 43 to

power terminals

35 and 36, respectively. Also as illustrated in the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 2 the normally closed relay contacts 301) of relay 30 are connected in series with the normally

open contacts

26 and 27 of

switch blade members

24 and 25, the contact 26 being connected to terminal 44. Lead 45 is connected preferably to one side of a first load such as the motor utilized for providing motive power to the rotating element of the advertising display intended to be controlled by electrical circuit control device 10. Lead 46 connects preferably to one side of a second load such as for example a lighting contactor employed to initiate illumination of the light portion of the advertising display being controlled by electrical circuit control device 10. Alternatively, lead 46 may be connected directly to a light illumination load.

The manner in which the electrical circuit control device functions in accordance with the preferred form of the invention to control a typical large outdoor illuminated advertising display is best exemplified in the description which follows hereinafter. First, as referred to previously, the actuator elements l8 and 19 of dial 13 are preset, respectively, at positions thereon representing preselected times corresponding to the time of day at which it is desired that rotation of the rotating element of the advertising element be initiated and at the time of day at which it is desired that this rotation cease. For purposes of the following description, let it be assumed that the aforesaid rotation is to begin each day at 8:00 AM and is to cease at midnight. Accordingly, the actuator elements 18 and 19 are preset corresponding to the positions of 8:00 AM and midnight, respectively, on dial 13. Since power is applied continuously to control device 10 through the

power terminals

35 and 36, at 8:00 AM actuator element 18 on dial 13 will have been rotated into engagement with switch operator 29 causing sufficient movement to be imparted to the latter to cause

contacts

26 and 27 ofswitch 23 to close.

With reference to the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 2, it will be seen that upon closing of

contacts

26 and 27 power is applied through lead 45 to the motor utilized for providing motive power to the rotating element of the advertising display. Thus the rotating element begins to rotate and will continue to rotate until actuator element 19 of dial 13 at midnight engages switch operator 29 causing the latter to move a sufficient extent whereby

switch contacts

26 and 27 open thereby opening the circuit to the aforementioned motor providing the motive power to the rotating element of the advertising display.

With power being applied continuously to the control device 10, in accordance with the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 2 it can be seen that power would also be applied between line 1 and line 2 to the coil 30a of relay 30. The coil 30a of relay 30 is energized during daylight hours when photocell '32 due to the. inherent characteristic thereof exhibits a minimum resistance. During the daylight hours when coil 30a of relay 30 is energized, normally closed contacts 30b are held in the open condition. As such no power is applied through lead 46 to the lighting contactor previously referred to controlling the initiation and extinguishment of the illumination of the subject advertising display. However, as the light level sensed by photocell 32 diminishes and finally at approximately dusk reaches a light level of approximately 12 to foot candles, the resistance of photocell 32 increases to a sufficient extent to cause de-energization of the coil 30a of relay 30. When this occurs relay contacts 30b return to their normally closed condition and the circuit to the aforesaid lighting contactor is completed. Thus, illumination of the ad.- vertising display is initiated.

While the above is occurring, of course the circuit to the motor providing motive power to the rotating element of the advertising display has remained closed. Thus the advertising display assumes the condition wherein the display both rotates and is illuminated. In accordance with the electrical circuitry of control device 10 depicted in the schematic wiring diagram of FIG. 2, when the

switch contacts

26 and 27 of switch 23 are made to open at midnight through the movement of switch operator 29 caused by the engagement therewith of actuator element 19 of dial 13, the circuit to the rotator motor for the advertising display is opened as well as the circuit to the lighting contactor controlling illumination of the advertising display. Accordingly, the illuminated portion of the advertising display is extinguished and rotation of the advertising display ceases until the cycle is once again initiated at 8:00 AM of the next day in the same manner as that described hereinabove.

The use of the relay contacts 30b to operate a lighting contactor gives the system the most flexibility in that any type of lighting contactor whose coil is within the contact rating of the relay 30 may be used. Therefore a single form of the electrical circuit control device 10 is applicable to operate any combination of external contactors for essentially any possible application in which it may be desired to employ a control device in accordance with the present invention.

For utmost reliability, it is desirable that power to the photocell 32 and the coil 30a of relay 30 be applied at all times. If the power were applied to the photocell 32 and the coil 30a of relay 30 only upon the closure of

switch contacts

26 and 27, a short delay caused by the dropping resistor and charging characteristics of the filter capacitor 41 might result in an undesirable intermittent closure of the lighting contactor thereby permitting illumination of the advertising display to occur during the daylight hours.

Finally it is to be noted that since the load being fed through lead 46 is also associated with the load being fed through lead 45 and derives its power through the normally

open switch contacts

26 and 27 no power can be applied to the load being fed through conductor lead 46 unless

switch contacts

26 and 27 have been closed previously.

Thus, in accordance with the present invention there has been provided a novel and improved electrical circuit control device for controlling the rotation of advertising display. The subject control device is also capable of simultaneously controlling the illumination of advertising displays. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the aforesaid controlling functions are accomplished automatically at preselected times of the day. Further, the subject electrical circuit control device although simple in construction is nevertheless capable of providing reliable service. Thus the control device of the instant invention is capable of providing daily operation over extended periods of time with but very little maintenance thereof being required. Finally this control device possesses the capability of being used with a variety of forms of different illuminating means.

While only one embodiment of my invention has been shown, it will be appreciated that modifications thereof, some of which have been noted in the preceding description, may readily be made by those skilled in the art. I therefore intend by the appended claims to cover the modifications specifically referred to herein as well as all other modifications which fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electrical circuit control device for providing a first controlling function and a second controlling function to an advertising display, said electrical circuit control device including terminal means adapted to be connected to a power supply source, timer means including a calibrated dial having markings thereon and first and second actuator elements selectively positionable relative to said markings on said calibrated dial, switch means including a pair of switch contacts actuatable between a first condition by said first actuator element of said timer means to initiate said first controlling function of said advertising display and a second condition by said second actuator element of said timer means to terminate said first controlling function of said advertising display, and first electrical circuit means connecting said timer means and said switch means in circuit with said terminal means, the improvement comprising:

a. relay means including at least a pair of relay contacts actuatable between first and second conditions;

b. second electrical circuit means connecting said relay means in circuit with said timer means and said terminal means;

c. light sensing means having a sensitivity to a first condition of light and to a second condition of light;

d. third electrical circuit means connecting said light sensing means to said relay means to cause actuation of said relay contacts of said relay means to their first condition when said light sensing means senses said first condition of light, and to cause actuation of said relay contacts to their second condition when said light sensing means senses said second condition of light;

e. said relay contacts when actuated to their first condition subsequent to actuation of said switch contacts to their first condition initiating control of a second controlling function of said advertising display; and

. said second controlling function of said advertising display terminating upon said switch contacts being actuated to their second condition.

2. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 1, the improvement wherein:

a. said light sensing means comprises a photocell;

b. said first condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available at dusk; and

c. said second condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available during daylight hours.

3. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 1, the improvement wherein:

a. said first condition of said relay contacts comprises the normally closed condition of said relay contacts;

b. said second condition of said relay contacts comprises the open condition of said relay contacts; and

c. said control of said second controlling function of said advertising display is performed only when said switch contacts are in said first condition and said relay contacts are in said normally closed condition.

4. In an electrical circuit control device for controlling the rotation and illumination of an advertising display, said electrical circuit control device including terminal means adapted to be connected to a power supply source, timer means including a calibrated dial having markings thereon and first and second actuator elements selectively positionable relative to said markings on said calibrated dial, switch means including a pair of switch contacts actuatable between a closed circuit condition by said first actuator element of said timer means to initiate rotation of said advertising display and an open circuit condition by said second actuator element of said timer means to terminate said rotation of said advertising display, and first electrical circuit means connecting said timer means and said switch means in circuit with said terminal means, the improvement comprising:

a. a relay including a coil and a pair of relay contacts actuatable between a normally closed condition and an open condition in response to energization and deenergization of said coil;

b. second electrical circuit means connecting said relay in circuit with said timer means and said terminal means;

d. third electrical circuit means connecting said light sensing means in series circuit with said coil to cause actuation of said relay contacts to their open condition when said light sensing means senses said first condition of light and to cause said relay contacts to return to their normally closed condition when said light sensing means senses said second condition of light;

e. said relay contacts when actuated to their normally closed circuit condition subsequent to actuation of said switch contacts to their closed circuit condition initiating control of the illumination of said advertising display; and

f. said illumination of said advertising display terminating upon said switch contacts being actuated to their open circuit conditiom 5. in an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 4, the improvement wherein:

a. said light sensing means comprises a photocell;

b. said first condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available during daylight hours; and

c. said second condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available at dusk.

6. in an electrical circuit control device for controlling at least a pair of operations, said electrical circuit control device including terminal means adapted to be connected to a power supply source, timer means including a calibrated dial having markings thereon and first and second actuator elements selectively positionable relative to said markings on said calibrated dial, switch means including a pair of switch contacts actuatable between a closed circuit condition by said first actuator element of said timer means to initiate control of one of said pair of operations and an open circuit condition by said second actuator element of said timer means to terminate control of said one of said pair of operations, and first electrical circuit means connecting said timer means and said switch means in circuit with said terminal means, the improvement comprising:

a. a relay including a pair of relay contacts actuatable between a normally closed condition and an open condition;

c. a photocell having a sensitivity to a first condition of light and to a second condition of light; third electrical circuit means connecting said photocell in circuit with said relay to cause actuation of said relay contacts to their open condition when said photocell senses said first condition of light and to cause said relay contacts to return to their normally closed condition when said photocell senses said second condition of light;

said relay contacts when actuated to their normally closed circuit condition subsequent to actuation of said switch contacts to their closed circuit condition initiating control of the other of said pair of operations; and said other of said pair of operations terminating upon said switch contacts being actuated to their open circuit condition.

7. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 6, the improvement wherein:

a. said first condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available during daylight hours; and

b. said second condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available at dusk.

Claims

1. In an electrical circuit control device for providing a first controlling function and a second controlling function to an advertising display, said electrical circuit control device including terminal means adapted to be connected to a power supply source, timer means including a calibrated dial having markings thereon and first and second actuator elements selectively positionable relative to said markings on said calibrated dial, switch means including a pair of switch contacts actuatable between a first condition by said first actuator element of said timer means to initiate said first controlling function of said advertising display and a second condition by said second actuator element of said timer means to terminate said first controlling function of said advertising display, and first electrical circuit means connecting said timer means and said switch means in circuit with said terminal means, the improvement comprising: a. relay means including at least a pair of relay contacts actuatable between first and second conditions; b. second electrical circuit means connecting said relay means in circuit with said timer means and said terminal means; c. light sensing means having a sensitivity to a first condition of light and to a second condition of light; d. third electrical circuit means connecting said light sensing means to said relay means to cause actuation of said relay contacts of said relay means to their first condition when said light sensing means senses said first condition of light, and to cause actuation of said relay contacts to their second condition when said light sensing means senses said second condition of light; e. said relay contacts when actuated to their first condition subsequent to actuation of said switch contacts to their first condition initiating control of a second controlling function of said advertising display; and f. said second controlling function of said advertising display terminating upon said switch contacts being actuated to their second condition.

2. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 1, the improvement whErein: a. said light sensing means comprises a photocell; b. said first condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available at dusk; and c. said second condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available during daylight hours.

3. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 1, the improvement wherein: a. said first condition of said relay contacts comprises the normally closed condition of said relay contacts; b. said second condition of said relay contacts comprises the open condition of said relay contacts; and c. said control of said second controlling function of said advertising display is performed only when said switch contacts are in said first condition and said relay contacts are in said normally closed condition.

4. In an electrical circuit control device for controlling the rotation and illumination of an advertising display, said electrical circuit control device including terminal means adapted to be connected to a power supply source, timer means including a calibrated dial having markings thereon and first and second actuator elements selectively positionable relative to said markings on said calibrated dial, switch means including a pair of switch contacts actuatable between a closed circuit condition by said first actuator element of said timer means to initiate rotation of said advertising display and an open circuit condition by said second actuator element of said timer means to terminate said rotation of said advertising display, and first electrical circuit means connecting said timer means and said switch means in circuit with said terminal means, the improvement comprising: a. a relay including a coil and a pair of relay contacts actuatable between a normally closed condition and an open condition in response to energization and deenergization of said coil; b. second electrical circuit means connecting said relay in circuit with said timer means and said terminal means; c. light sensing means having a sensitivity to a first condition of light and to a second condition of light; d. third electrical circuit means connecting said light sensing means in series circuit with said coil to cause actuation of said relay contacts to their open condition when said light sensing means senses said first condition of light and to cause said relay contacts to return to their normally closed condition when said light sensing means senses said second condition of light; e. said relay contacts when actuated to their normally closed circuit condition subsequent to actuation of said switch contacts to their closed circuit condition initiating control of the illumination of said advertising display; and f. said illumination of said advertising display terminating upon said switch contacts being actuated to their open circuit condition.

5. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 4, the improvement wherein: a. said light sensing means comprises a photocell; b. said first condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available during daylight hours; and c. said second condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available at dusk.

6. In an electrical circuit control device for controlling at least a pair of operations, said electrical circuit control device including terminal means adapted to be connected to a power supply source, timer means including a calibrated dial having markings thereon and first and second actuator elements selectively positionable relative to said markings on said calibrated dial, switch means including a pair of switch contacts actuatable between a closed circuit condition by said first actuator element of said timer means to initiate control of one of said pair of operations and an open circuit condition by said second actuator element of said timer means to terminate control of said one of said pair of operations, and first electrical circuit means Connecting said timer means and said switch means in circuit with said terminal means, the improvement comprising: a. a relay including a pair of relay contacts actuatable between a normally closed condition and an open condition; b. second electrical circuit means connecting said relay in circuit with said timer means and said terminal means; c. a photocell having a sensitivity to a first condition of light and to a second condition of light; d. third electrical circuit means connecting said photocell in circuit with said relay to cause actuation of said relay contacts to their open condition when said photocell senses said first condition of light and to cause said relay contacts to return to their normally closed condition when said photocell senses said second condition of light; e. said relay contacts when actuated to their normally closed circuit condition subsequent to actuation of said switch contacts to their closed circuit condition initiating control of the other of said pair of operations; and f. said other of said pair of operations terminating upon said switch contacts being actuated to their open circuit condition.

7. In an electrical circuit control device as set forth in claim 6, the improvement wherein: a. said first condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available during daylight hours; and b. said second condition of light corresponds to the amount of light generally available at dusk.