US4041325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thermostat timer
Assignee: Pittway Corp
•
Filing: 1976-04-12
•
Granted: 1977-08-09
•
Expires: 1996-04-12
Abstract
Abstract An add-on device for automatically adjusting the setting of a control mechanism, such as, a thermostat, which includes a separate, independent timer which is mounted adjacent the existing control mechanism and controls the same by means of a mechanically driven member which engages the manual adjuster of the control mechanism; the device further including a suitable coupler for coupling the driven member to the timer for moving the driven member at selected times to change the position of the adjuster.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul G. Angott
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 06:11
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H43/00; H01H43/10; H01H43/12; H01H43/125; H01H43/127; G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1904; G05D23/275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for automatically adjusting the setting of a control mechanism having an externally accessible adjuster for raising and lowering the setting of the control mechanism, said device comprising: mechanically driven means for engaging and moving the adjuster of the control mechanism, drive means for driving said mechanically driven means, electrical circuit means for controlling the operation of said drive means including multiple switch means for opening and closing said electrical circuit means, timing means for controlling one of said switch means for periodically closing said electrical circuit means at predetermined times for a limited time interval to activate said drive means, and switch control means for controlling another of said switch means movable simultaneously with said mechanically driven means for opening said electrical circuit means after a predetermined amount of adjusting movement.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
133 words
A device for automatically adjusting the setting of a control mechanism having an externally accessible adjuster for raising and lowering the setting of the control mechanism, said device comprising: mechanically driven means for engaging and moving the adjuster of the control mechanism, drive means for driving said mechanically driven means, electrical circuit means for controlling the operation of said drive means including multiple switch means for opening and closing said electrical circuit means, timing means for controlling one of said switch means for periodically closing said electrical circuit means at predetermined times for a limited time interval to activate said drive means, and switch control means for controlling another of said switch means movable simultaneously with said mechanically driven means for opening said electrical circuit means after a predetermined amount of adjusting movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said timing means includes a switch control member for opening and closing one of said switch means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said timing means includes a time indicator which moves a predetermined distance during a given time span, said time indicator including at least one actuating member carried by said time indicator so that it moves over an endless path for engaging said switch control member at a location along said path.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as set forth in claim 2 wherein said timing means includes a rotating time indicator and an actuating member carried by said time indicator so that it moves over an endless circular path, said switch control member including an operating lever located along the path of said actuating member and engagable by said actuating member to move said control member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 4 wherein said actuating member includes mounting means for adjustably mounting the same to said time indicator to allow adjustment of said actuating member relative to said time indicator.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said electrical circuit means includes means for reversing the direction of operation of said drive means to permit a change in the setting of the adjuster in opposite directions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device as set forth in claim 6 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a first operating circuit to drive said motor in one direction and a second operating circuit to drive said motor in the opposite direction and said activating switch includes a normally open position, a first closed position for completing said first operating circuit and a second closed position for completing said second operating circuit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said time indicator includes an adjustable actuating member for moving said switch control member in one direction to move said activating switch to said first closed position and an adjustable actuating member for moving said switch control member in an opposite direction to move said activating switch to said second closed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 8 wherein said actuating members include a cam member defining a cam surface for engaging and moving said operating lever of said switch control member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 9 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a main shut-off switch for preventing the operation of said drive means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanically driven means includes an adapter member separably connected to and movable with the adjuster of the control mechanism and motion transmitting means for transmitting the output of said motor to said adapter member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as set forth in claim 11 wherein said adapter member includes gear teeth and said motion transmitting means includes a pinion gear drivable by said motor meshing with said gear teeth of said adapter member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 12 wherein said motion transmitting means includes a shaft for supporting said pinion gear and a gear wheel supported by said shaft normally in driving engagement with said motor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said motion transmitting means includes support means for supporting said shaft to permit movement thereof to effect disengagement of of said shaft wheel from said motor while maintaining meshing engagement between said pinion gear and said adapter member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said shaft includes a manually grippable extension for manually rotating said pinion gear.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as set forth in claim 15 wherein said support means includes a support post having an upper end in telescopic relationship with said shaft and spring means for urging said shaft and gear wheel toward a position in which said gear wheel is in driving engagement with said motor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a first operating circuit for driving said motor in one direction and a second operating circuit for driving said motor in the opposite direction and an activating switch responsive to said timing means for operating said drive means, said activating switch including a normally open position, a first closed position for completing said first operating circuit and a second closed position for completing said second operating circuit to thereby permit a change in the setting of the adjuster in opposite directions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A device as set forth in claim 17 wherein said electrical circuit means includes shut-off switch means for terminating the operation of said drive means after a predetermined period of operation.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as set forth in claim 18 wherein said mechanically driven means includes shut-off switch control means for operating said shut-off means to terminate the operation of said drive means after a period of operation thereof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as set forth in claim 19 including adjustment means for varying the period of operation of said drive means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 20 wherein said shut-off switch means includes a first shut-off switch for breaking said first operating circuit and a second shut-off switch for breaking said second operating circuit.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 21 wherein said shut-off switch control means includes a pair of adjustable tab members carried by said adapter member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as set forth in claim 1 wherein said drive means includes a motor and a threaded shaft rotatably driven by said motor, said mechanically driven means including a driven member in threaded engagement with said threaded shaft for linear movement along said threaded shaft in response to rotation thereof.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
124 words
An automatic adjusting device adapted for mounting adjacent a pre-existing thermostat of the type which includes an externally accessible adjuster for changing the position of the adjuster to change the temperature setting of the thermostat, said device comprising: mechanically driven means separably connectable to the adjuster of the thermostat, drive means for driving said mechanically driven means alternately in first and second directions for changing the position of the adjuster to raise and lower the temperature setting of the thermostat, electrical circuit means for controlling the operation of said drive means including switch means for opening and closing electrical circuit means, and timing means cooperating with said switch means for periodically closing said electrical circuit means at predetermined times to activate said drive means.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
124 words
An automatic adjusting device adapted for mounting adjacent a pre-existing thermostat of the type which includes an externally accessible adjuster for changing the position of the adjuster to change the temperature setting of the thermostat, said device comprising: mechanically driven means separably connectable to the adjuster of the thermostat, drive means for driving said mechanically driven means alternately in first and second directions for changing the position of the adjuster to raise and lower the temperature setting of the thermostat, electrical circuit means for controlling the operation of said drive means including switch means for opening and closing electrical circuit means, and timing means cooperating with said switch means for periodically closing said electrical circuit means at predetermined times to activate said drive means.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as set forth in claim 24 including means for limiting the duration of operation of said drive means to thereby limit the extent of change in the position of the adjuster.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
47 words
A device as set forth in claim 25 wherein said means for limiting the duration of operation of said drive means includes adjustable means for varying the duration of operation of said drive means to thereby vary the extent of change in the position of the adjuster.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as set forth in claim 25 wherein said means for limiting the duration of operation of said drive means includes limit switch means in said electrical circuit means for opening said electrical circuit means to deactivate said drive means.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device as set forth in claim 27 includng limit switch control means movable simultaneously with said mechanically driven means for operating said limit switch means.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
A device as set forth in claim 28 wherein said limit switch control means includes adjustable means for varying the duration of operation of said drive means to thereby vary the extent of change in the position of the adjuster.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as set forth in claim 29 wherein said drive means includes an electric motor and a source of electrical power.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as set forth in claim 24 including a switch control member for opening and closing said activating switch.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as set forth in claim 31 wherein said timing means includes a time indicator which moves a predetermined distance during a given time span, said time indicator including at least one actuating member carried by said time indicator so that it moves over an endless path for engaging said control member at a location along said path.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
A device as set forth in claim 31 wherein said timing means includes a rotating time indicator and an actuating member carried by said time indicator so that it moves over an endless circular path, said switch control member including an operating lever located along the path of said actuating member and engagable by said actuating member to move said control member.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device as set forth in claim 33 wherein said actuating member includes mounting means for adjustably mounting the same to said time indicator to allow adjustment of the position of said actuating member relative to said time indicator.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as set forth in claim 34 wherein said electrical circuit means includes means for reversing the direction of operation of said drive means to permit a change in the setting of the adjuster in opposite directions.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
68 words
A device as set forth in claim 35 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a first operating circuit to drive said motor in one direction and a second operating circuit to drive said motor in the opposite direction and said activating switch includes a normally open position, a first closed position for completing said first operating circuit and a second closed position for completing said second operating circuit.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as set forth in claim 36 wherein said time indicator includes an adjustable actuating member for moving said control member in one direction to move said activating switch to said first closed position and an adjustable actuating member for moving said control member in an opposite direction to move said activating switch to said second closed position.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device as set forth in claim 37 wherein said actuating members include a cam member defining a cam surface for engaging and moving said operating lever of said switch control member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as set forth in claim 37 wherein said electrical circuit means includes shut-off switch means for terminating the operation of said motor after a predetermined period of operation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
35 words
A device as set forth in claim 39 wherein said shut-off switch means includes a first shut-off switch for breaking said first operating circuit and a second shut-off switch for breaking said second operating surface.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
A device as set forth in claim 39 including adjustable means for adjusting the period of operation of said motor to control the amount of setting change of the adjuster.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
A device as set forth in claim 41 wherein said electrical circuit means includes a main shut-off switch for preventing the operation of said motor.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device as set forth in claim 24 wherein said mechanically driven means includes an adapter number separably connected to and movable with the adjuster of the control mechanism and motion transmitting means for transmitting the output of said drive means to said adapter member.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device as set forth in claim 43 wherein said adapter member includes gear teeth and said motion transmitting means includes a pinion gear drivable by said motor meshing with said gear teeth of said adapter member.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device as set forth in claim 44 wherein said motion transmitting means includes a shaft for supporting said pinion gear and a gear wheel supported by said shaft normally in driving engagement with said motor.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
46 words
A device as set forth in claim 45 wherein said motion transmitting means includes support means for supporting said shaft to permit movement thereof to effect disengagement of said gear wheel from said motor while maintaining meshing engagement between said pinion gear and said adapter member.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as set forth in claim 43 wherein said shaft includes a manually-grippable extension for manually rotating said pinion gear.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
51 words
A device as set forth in claim 47 wherein said support means includes a support post having an upper end in telescopic relationship with said shaft and spring means for urging said shaft and gear wheel toward a position in which said gear wheel is in driving engagement with said motor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |