US4374541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Temperature control system for conserving energy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-03-12
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Granted: 1983-02-22
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Expires: 2001-03-12
Abstract
Abstract A thermostat has a temperature responsive element coupled to a pivoted arm which closes the circuits to operate temperature control apparatuses. A slotted cam with leaf spring members projecting from one end is slidably mounted to move toward or away from the pivoted arm in response to removing or replacing a weight which operates a cam follower element connected to the slotted cam. When the slotted cam is positioned away from the pivoted arm, the thermostat operates in conventional fashion. When the slotted cam is positioned toward the pivoted arm, the arm has the additional load of the leaf spring members to overcome, and the set point temperature of the thermostat is changed.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Hoberman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:22
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/275; G05D23/1902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
In a thermostat device for controlling heating and cooling systems having a temperature responsive element mounted to move an arm which opens and closes electrical contacts to initiate and interrupt the operation of heating and cooling apparatuses the improvement comprising (a) means to increase the force required to operate the arm comprising spring members which are moved into the path of motion of the arm and cause the arm to need additional force applied to produce the required motion to open and close the electrical contacts, and (b) means to control selectively the operation of the force increasing means, whereby the thermostat device will operate in conventional fashion when means (a) is not selected by means (b) to increase the force required to operate the arm, but whereby the thermostat device will have its set point temperature changed when means (a) is selected by means (b) to increase the operating force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
In a thermostat device for controlling heating and cooling systems having a temperature responsive element mounted to move an arm which opens and closes electrical contacts to initiate and interrupt the operation of heating and cooling apparatuses the improvement comprising (a) means to increase the force required to operate the arm comprising spring members which are moved into the path of motion of the arm and cause the arm to need additional force applied to produce the required motion to open and close the electrical contacts, and (b) means to control selectively the operation of the force increasing means, whereby the thermostat device will operate in conventional fashion when means (a) is not selected by means (b) to increase the force required to operate the arm, but whereby the thermostat device will have its set point temperature changed when means (a) is selected by means (b) to increase the operating force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein means (a) further comprises a slotted cam member on which the spring members are mounted and which is mounted for linear movement toward and away from the arm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
41 words
The combination according to claim 2 wherein means (b) comprises a cam follower member coupled to the slotted cam member and mounted in such fashion as to move the slotted cam member slidably between positions toward and away from the arm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 3 wherein the cam follower member has means for detachably hanging a key connected thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 4 wherein the cam follower member has a compensating spring connected thereto with means for adjusting the tension on such spring to compensate for the weight of the key.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a thermostat device for controlling heating and cooling systems having a temperature responsive element mounted to move an arm which opens and closes electrical contacts to initiate and interrupt the operation of heating and cooling apparatuses the improvement comprising (a) means to increase the force required to operate the arm, and (b) means to control selectively the operating of the force increasing means comprising a cam follower member coupled to means (a) and mounted in such fashion as to move means (a) into and out of operational engagement with the arm, whereby the thermostat device will operate in conventional fashion when means (a) is not selected by means (b) to increase the force required to operate the arm, but whereby the thermostat device will have its set point temperature changed when means (a) is selected by means (b) to increase the operating force.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
In a thermostat device for controlling heating and cooling systems having a temperature responsive element mounted to move an arm which opens and closes electrical contacts to initiate and interrupt the operation of heating and cooling apparatuses the improvement comprising (a) means to increase the force required to operate the arm, and (b) means to control selectively the operating of the force increasing means comprising a cam follower member coupled to means (a) and mounted in such fashion as to move means (a) into and out of operational engagement with the arm, whereby the thermostat device will operate in conventional fashion when means (a) is not selected by means (b) to increase the force required to operate the arm, but whereby the thermostat device will have its set point temperature changed when means (a) is selected by means (b) to increase the operating force.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination according to claim 6 wherein the cam follower member has means for detachably hanging a key connected thereto.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination according to claim 7 wherein the cam follower member has a compensating spring connected thereto with means for adjusting the tension on such spring to compensate for the weight of the key.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a thermostat device for controlling heating and cooling systems having a temperature responsive element mounted to move an arm which opens and closes electrical contacts to initiate and interrupt the operation of heating and cooling apparatuses the improvement comprising (a) means to increase the force required to operate the arm comprising spring members which are moved into the path of motion of the arm and cause the arm to need additional force applied to produce the required motion to open and close the electrical contacts, and (b) means to control selectively the operation of the force increasing means comprising a cam follower member coupled to means (a) and mounted in such fashion as to move means (a) into and out of operational engagement with the arm whereby the thermostat device will operate in conventional fashion when means (a) is not selected by means (b) to increase the force required to operate the arm, but whereby the thermostat device will have its set point temperature changed when means (a) is selected by means (b) to increase the operating force.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
179 words
In a thermostat device for controlling heating and cooling systems having a temperature responsive element mounted to move an arm which opens and closes electrical contacts to initiate and interrupt the operation of heating and cooling apparatuses the improvement comprising (a) means to increase the force required to operate the arm comprising spring members which are moved into the path of motion of the arm and cause the arm to need additional force applied to produce the required motion to open and close the electrical contacts, and (b) means to control selectively the operation of the force increasing means comprising a cam follower member coupled to means (a) and mounted in such fashion as to move means (a) into and out of operational engagement with the arm whereby the thermostat device will operate in conventional fashion when means (a) is not selected by means (b) to increase the force required to operate the arm, but whereby the thermostat device will have its set point temperature changed when means (a) is selected by means (b) to increase the operating force.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-02-21 | 1986-08-23 | 1987-02-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-02-21 | 1990-08-23 | 1991-02-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-02-21 | 1994-08-23 | 1995-02-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |