Electrical timer socket or electrical timer plug comprising an alarm clock

Abstract

A timer plug-alarm clock device housed in a single housing is provided that comprises a time plug module and an alarm plug module and a device male power connector configured to plug into an electrical socket. The timer plug module comprises at least one power receptacle configured to allow plugging in of an electrical appliance, and a plug control unit configured to set a time for switching on, and a time for switching off, at least one appliance that is plugged into the at least one power receptacle. The alarm plug module comprises an alarm generator configured to generate an alarm, and an alarm control unit configured to set a time duration of the alarm. Starting an alarm by the alarm generator is controlled by the plug control unit, resulting in an alarm starting at the time the at least one appliance is switched on.

Description

[0001] ELECTRICAL TIMER SOCKET OR ELECTRICAL TIMER PLUG COMPRISING

[0002] AN ALARM CLOCK

[0003] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0004]

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 553,163, filed February 14, 2024, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0005] FIELD

[0006]

[0002] The present subject matter relates to electrical timer plugs. More particularly, the present subject matter relates to electrical timer plugs further comprising an alarm clock.

[0007] BACKGROUND

[0008]

[0003] A timer plug is a portable, plug-in device that allows controlling of on / off schedules of an electrical appliance plugged into the timer plug. The timer plug is plugged into a wall outlet, and then the appliance is plugged into the timer plug. Timer plugs are generally small, compact devices that a placed between a wall socket and the appliance. The timer settings are normally controlled manually, either through a dial or a digital interface. Timer plugs are more flexible due to their potability. They can be easily unplugged and be moved to different outlets of locations as needed. Therefore, timer plugs are ideal for flexible use, especially when there is a need to control multiple appliances or move the plug timer between different locations. Timer plugs are often used for appliances like lamps, electric fans, or small household electronics.

[0009]

[0004] To summarize, timer plugs are versatile and portable devices, performing the basic function of automating the on / off control of appliances.

[0010]

[0005] An electrical alarm clock operates using electricity and is designed to start an alarm at a set time, for example to wake up an individual. The electrical alarm clock typically has a built-in alarm feature that sounds a beep, a ring, or other noise, or emits light, or a combination thereof, to alert an individual at pre-programmed times. Normally, after the alarm clock starts the alarm, the individual has to turn-off the alarm, for example in order to make sure that the individual indeed woke up.

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012]

[0006] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this subject matter belongs. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present subject matter, suitable methods and materials are described below. In case of conflict, the patent specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

[0013]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present subject matter, there is provided a timer plugalarm clock device comprising: a housing; a device male power connector configured to plug into an electrical socket; a timer plug module, comprising: at least one power receptacle configured to allow plugging in of an electrical appliance, and a plug control unit configured to set a time for switching on, and a time for switching off, at least one appliance that is plugged into the at least one power receptacle, and an alarm plug module, comprising: an alarm generator configured to generate an alarm, and an alarm control unit configured to set a time duration of the alarm, wherein a starting an alarm by the alarm generator is controlled by the plug control unit, resulting in an alarm starting at the time the at least one appliance is switched on.

[0014]

[0008] According to one embodiment, starting the alarm by the alarm generator is controlled by the alarm control unit instead of by the plug control unit.

[0015]

[0009] According to one embodiment, the alarm control unit is configured to set a time duration of the alarm in a range of substantially 10-600 seconds.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the alarm generator is configured to generate a sound alarm.

[0016] [Oi l] According to one embodiment, the alarm generator is configured to generate a light alarm.

[0017]

[0012] According to one embodiment, the alarm generator is configured to generate a combination of sound alarm and a light alarm.

[0018]

[0013] According to one embodiment, the device further comprising a power source configured to supply power to the alarm generator and the alarm control unit.

[0019]

[0014] According to one embodiment, the power source is further configured to supply power to the plug control unit.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]

[0015] Embodiments are herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments, and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how several forms may be embodied in practice.

[0022]

[0016] In the drawings:

[0023]

[0017] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a front view of a timer plug-alarm clock device.

[0024]

[0018] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates, according to an exemplary embodiment, a back perspective view of a timer plug-alarm clock device.

[0019] Fig. 3 schematically illustrates, according an exemplary embodiment, a diagram of an electrical circuit electrically connecting components of a timer plug-alarm clock device.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026]

[0020] Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The subject matter is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. In discussion of the various figures described herein below, like numbers refer to like parts. The drawings are generally not to scale.

[0027]

[0021] For clarity, non-essential elements were omitted from some of the drawings.

[0028]

[0022] The present subject matter provides a timer plug-alarm clock device. For the sake of simplicity only, the timer plug-alarm device is occasionally referred to hereinafter as device 1. According to one embodiment, the device 1 is a combination of a timer plug and an electrical timer clock. In other words, the device 1 comprises a timer plug module and an alarm clock module. According to another embodiment, the device 1 is configured to timely control an operation of an electrical appliance that is plugged into the timer plug module. According to yet another embodiment, the device 1 is configured to schedule an operation of an appliance that is plugged into the timer plug module. In other words, the device 1 is configured to set switching-on and switching-off times of the appliance along the day. Any type of electrical appliance is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example, but not limited to, a lamp, a heater, a fan, a coffee machine and the like. According to still another embodiment, the device 1 is designed for controlling the operation schedule of small appliances. In most cases, though not in all of them, the device would be plugged in an electrical outlet or electrical socket, that is near a user’s bed. Therefore, the appliance that would be also plugged into the timer plug module would be in most cases small. According to an additional embodiment, the alarm clock module is configured to start an alarm at a set time during the day and control the time duration of the operation of the alarm.

[0023] Referring now to Fig. 1 schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a front view of a timer plug-alarm clock device. According to one embodiment, the device 1 comprises a housing 16, a timer plug module 12 installed in the housing 16 and an alarm clock module 14 installed in the housing 16. One advantage of the device 1 is that both the timer plug module 12 and the alarm clock module 14 are installed in the same housing 16, thus facilitating easy operation of both modules.

[0029]

[0024] According to one embodiment, the timer plug module 12 comprises at least one power receptacle 122 configured to accept a male power connector of an appliance. According to another embodiment, the timer plug module 12 comprises one power receptacle 122. According to yet another embodiment, the time plug module 12 comprises a plurality of power receptacles 122, for example, two power receptacles 122, three power receptacle 122, four power receptacles 122 and the like. According to a further embodiment, the timer plug module 12 is configured to control the plurality of power receptacles 122 as one unit. In other words, the same switch on time and switch off time can be set for all the power receptacles 122. According to yet a further embodiment, the timer plug module 122 is configured to independently control at least part of the plurality of power receptacles 122. In other words, different switch on and switch off times can be set for different power receptacles 122.

[0030]

[0025] According to one embodiment, the timer plug module 12 comprises a plug control unit 124 configured to allow setting of the switch on times and switch off times for the at least one power receptacle 122. Any type of plug control unit 124 is under the scope of the present subject matter. For example, the plug control unit 124 is mechanical or digital.

[0031]

[0026] It should be noted that any feature of a timer plug as known in the art can be implemented to the timer plug module 12. For example, according to one embodiment, the timer plug module 12 is configured to set at least one time for switching on at least one appliance that is plugged into the at least one power receptacle 122 and is also configured to set at least one time for switching off the at least one appliance. The device 1 is also configured to set different switching on / switching off times in different days, by determining a date and a time for switching on, or switching off of the appliance that is plugged into the power receptacle 122.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the device 1 is configured to operate as an alarm clock, namely, to start an alarm at a predetermined time of day. This embodiment is performed by the alarm clock module 14. According to another embodiment, the alarm clock module 14 comprises an alarm generator 142 configured to generate an alarm.

[0032]

[0028] According to one embodiment, the alarm generator 142 is configured to generate a sound alarm, for example a beeper, a radio receiver, a combination thereof, and the like. According to another embodiment, the alarm generator 142 is configured to generate a light alarm, for example continuously or alternately activate a light source. According to yet another embodiment, the alarm generator 142 is configured to generate a combination of sound alarm and a light alarm.

[0033]

[0029] According to yet another embodiment, the plug control unit 124 is also configured to allow setting of at least one time for starting an alarm by the alarm generator 142. In other words, the plug control unit 124 is configured to allow setting of at least one time for switching on and at least one time for switching off at least one appliance that is plugged into the at least one power receptacle 122, and in addition, the plug control unit 124 is configured to allow setting of at least one time for starting an alarm. Consequently, according to this embodiment, the alarm starts at the same time in which the at least one appliance is receiving an instruction to be switched on. According to an additional embodiment, the alarm clock module 14 further comprises an alarm control unit 144 that is configured to allow setting of at least one duration of time of generating the alarm.

[0034]

[0030] According to one embodiment, the alarm control unit 144 is further configured to allow setting of at least one time for starting an alarm by the alarm generator 142, instead of the plug control unit 124.

[0035]

[0031] The combination of the timer plug module 12 and the alarm clock module 14 in the device 1 allow controlling of the operation of at least one appliance in combination with an operation of an alarm clock. This type of usage is much more convenient compared to the setting of a timer plug to switch on a lamp, for example, and set a separate alarm clock for the same time. The presence of both functionalities in one device - the device 1 of the present subject matter, is an advantage.

[0032] An exemplary usage of the device 1, according to the embodiment of the plug control unit 124 that controls both the time of switching on at least one appliance and the time of starting an alarm, involves setting the plug control unit 124 to start an alarm at a certain time, and setting the same time to switch on a lamp that is plugged into the power receptacle 122, for example in order to facilitate the waking up of an individual by starting an alarm and switching on the light at the same time. In another example, the alarm starts at a certain time in order to wake up an individual, and in parallel, at the same time a coffee machine is switched on. This ensures that once the individual wakes up, coffee is ready for him. In another example, making use of the embodiment of a plurality of power receptacles 122, the alarm is set to start at a certain time, a lamp that is plugged into one power receptacle 122 is set to switch on at the same time of the alarm, and a coffee machine plugged into another power receptacle 122 is set to start a coffee machine as well at the same time. In case there is no appliance connected, only the alarm is operable.

[0036]

[0033] Another exemplary usage of the device 1, according to the embodiment of the plug control unit 124 that controls only the time of switching on at least one appliance, and the alarm control unit 144 that controls the time of starting an alarm, involves setting the alarm control unit 144 to start an alarm at a certain time, and with the plug control unit 124 setting another time to switch on a lamp that is plugged into the power receptacle 122, for example in order to facilitate the waking up of an individual by starting an alarm and some time later switching on the light. In another example, the alarm starts at a certain time in order to wake up an individual, and later on, for example, a coffee machine is switched on. This ensures that once the individual wakes up, coffee is ready for him. In yet another example, making use of the embodiment of a plurality of power receptacles 122, the alarm is set to start at a certain time, a lamp that is plugged into one power receptacle 122 is set to switch on another time, and a coffee machine plugged into another power receptacle 122 is set to start a coffee machine yet in another time.

[0037]

[0034] According to one embodiment, the alarm control unit 144 comprises a display configured to show the time (the hour in the day), to show the time set for the alarm to start and the like. According to another embodiment, the display is analogous, for example in a shape of a clock or a watch having clock / watch hands. According to yet another embodiment, the display is digital, showing digits.

[0035] As mentioned above, according to one embodiment, the alarm clock module 14 is configured to allow setting of a time in which the alarm starts. According to another embodiment, the alarm clock module 14 is configured to allow setting of a time duration in which the alarm operates. This feature is of great importance for individuals that cannot stop the alarm. In prior art alarm clocks, there is a possibility to stop the alarm, for example by hitting, or pressing, a designated switch. However, there are occasions in which an individual cannot stop the alarm. For example, a handicapped individual that cannot hit, or press the switch, or a Jewish individual, during Saturday. According to the Jewish commandments, it is prohibited to operate electrical appliances on Saturday (Shabbat). The device 1 of the present subject matter allows a user to set in advance a time duration in which the alarm will operate. This feature of the alarm clock module 14, combined with the ability to control switching on and off of electrical appliances by the timer plug module 12 (which is also widely used by individuals having Jewish beliefs, for the reason mentioned above) is of great advantage of prior art timer plugs and prior art alarm clocks.

[0038]

[0036] According to one embodiment, the alarm control unit 144 is configured to set any time duration in which the alarm operates, according to a user’s desire. According to another embodiment, the alarm control unit 144 is configured to set a time duration in which the alarm operates in a range of substantially 10-600 seconds.

[0039]

[0037] According to one embodiment, the alarm clock module 14 has a snooze function. In other words, the alarm control unit 144 allows setting of at least one time in which the alarm starts. This allows setting of a time for the alarm to start, then another time for the alarm to start and so on. An exemplary alarm regime can be: setting an alarm to start at 7:00 AM, setting the alarm to stop after 30 seconds, setting an additional alarm to start at 7:05 AM, setting the alarm to stop after 45 seconds, a combination thereof, and the like.

[0040]

[0038] According to one embodiment, the alarm clock module 14 is configured to change an intensity of the alarm during the operation of the alarm. For example, the intensity of the alarm increases with time. This feature is suitable for cases in which the alarm is set for waking up an individual from sleep. At the beginning the alarm is low and soft and then the intensity of the alarm gradually increases. This allows a gentle waking up of the individual.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the operation of the device 1, for example setting the various types of times, is controlled by a remote control. Any type of remote control is under the scope of the present subject matter, for example a smartphone via a dedicated application, a remote control device that is configured to be actuated by voice commands, and the like. According to another embodiment, the remote control is configured to signally connect with the plug control unit 124, or the alarm control unit 144, or both the plug control unit 124 and the alarm control unit 144.

[0041]

[0040] Referring now to Fig. 2 schematically illustrating, according to an exemplary embodiment, a back perspective view of a timer plug-alarm clock device. According to one embodiment, the device 1 is configured to operate by utilizing mains electricity, when plugged into a wall socket. Thus, according to one embodiment, the device 1 comprises a device male power connector 18 installed, for example, at a back side of the housing 16, as can be seen in Fig. 2. The device male power connector 18 is configured to plug into a main socket.

[0042]

[0041] Referring now to Fig. 3 schematically illustrating, according an exemplary embodiment, a diagram of an electrical circuit electrically connecting components of a timer plug-alarm clock device. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the device male power connector 18 is electrically connected to the plug control unit 124. The plug control unit 124 is electrically connected to the at least one power receptacle 122. In addition, the plug control unit 124 is electrically connected to the alarm control unit 144, and the alarm control unit 144 is electrically connected to the alarm generator 142.

[0043]

[0042] According to one embodiment, the device 1 further comprises a power source 20, for example a battery and the like, configured to supply power to the alarm generator 142 and the alarm control unit 144. According to another embodiment, the power source is further configured to supply power to the plug control unit 124. One advantage of these features is that they allow setting times for generating the alarm with either the plug control unit 124, or the alarm control unit 144, when there is a power outage. Another advantage of this feature is that they allow the alarm clock module 14 to start an alarm and stop an alarm, with the alarm generator 142 even during power outages. Thus, the power source serves 20 as a backup during power outages.

[0044]

[0043] It is appreciated that certain features of the subject matter, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the subject matter, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub combination.

[0045]

[0044] Although the subject matter has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A timer plug-alarm clock device comprising: a housing; a device male power connector configured to plug into an electrical socket; a timer plug module, comprising: at least one power receptacle configured to allow plugging in of an electrical appliance, and a plug control unit configured to set a time for switching on, and a time for switching off, at least one appliance that is plugged into the at least one power receptacle, and an alarm plug module, comprising: an alarm generator configured to generate an alarm, and an alarm control unit configured to set a time duration of the alarm, wherein starting an alarm by the alarm generator is controlled by the plug control unit, resulting in an alarm starting at the time the at least one appliance is switched on.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein starting the alarm by the alarm generator is controlled by the alarm control unit instead of the plug control unit.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm control unit is configured to set a time duration of the alarm.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the alarm control unit is configured to set a time duration of the alarm in a range of substantially 10-600 seconds.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generator is configured to generate a sound alarm.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generator is configured to generate a light alarm.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the alarm generator is configured to generate a combination of sound alarm and a light alarm.

8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a power source configured to supply power to the alarm generator and the alarm control unit.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein the power source is further configured to supply power to the plug control unit.

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