An indicator system having an electrical timer which becomes actuated after a preselected interval for connecting a source of voltage to a motor. An extension of the motor shaft mounts an actuator that travels between the ends of the extension. After sensing actuator travel at one end, switching means cause the actuator member to reverse its direction to the second end of the extension. At one end of the extension an electrical switch closes a circuit between the voltage source and an electrically driven indicator. In operation, the indicator is caused to periodically issue an alert signal, the period between signals determined by the distance the actuator travels between extension ends.
A self-contained programmable wall switch actuator/timer unit can easily be mounted directly onto the outside of the face plate of a standard wall switch. This actuator/timer unit can be programmed to operate the lever of the wall switch in accordance with a program that automatically repeats on a diurnal, weekly or other cyclical basis. It comprises a small battery, a miniature electric motor with a gear/linkage mechanism operable to engage with and to move the switch lever between its OFF and ON positions, and a quartz-clock-based programming means having programming intput keys and time display means. Once programmed by way of the programming input keys, the programming means is operative to actuate the electric motor in such manner as to move the switch lever into its ON and/or OFF position in accordance with the keyed-in program. In its anticipated most common operating mode, which includes two ON-actuations and two OFF-actuations per day, in addition to occasional override-actuations, the small battery will last for years before needing replacement.
