Patent ID: 6747375
Filing Date: 2004-06-08
Classification: G04F,G04G

Abstract:
A timer for controlling the activation of a load during repeating cycles, the timer including:a control unit having an internal timer; a relay unit connected between the control unit and the load, wherein the control unit activates the relay unit to supply power to the load; a time base dial coupled to the control unit, the time base dial movable between a plurality of discrete time base settings to set the duration of the repeating cycle in the control unit, wherein the time base settings increase non-linearly from a minimum setting to a maximum setting; and a duty cycle dial coupled to the control unit, the duty cycle dial movable between a plurality of discrete duty cycle settings to set the percentage of actuation time of the load during each cycle in the control unit, wherein duty cycle settings increase non-linearly from a minimum setting of 0% and a maximum setting of 100%, and wherein the amount of increase in the percentage between successive duty cycle settings is smaller near both the minimum setting and the maximum setting and larger near a midpoint between the minimum and maximum settings such that the duty cycle dial has greater resolution near the minimum and maximum settings.