Wall thermostat and the like

Claim 1

In an enclosure in which ambient air temperature is to be regulated, and having a vertical surface easily reached by a person, an improved unitary thermostat comprising: a control unit mounted on said vertical surface and including a face having a first portion carrying a visual display of temperature, said face further having an adjacent second portion carrying a keyboard having selector positions operative in predetermined sequences to enter data into said control unit for achieving certain functions, said control unit further including a first switch in said first portion of said face, said control unit being operable responsive to actuation of said first switch to cause ambient temperature to be displayed as said visual display of temperature, and further including a second switch in said first portion of said face, said control unit being operable responsive to actuation by said second switch, in the absence of actuation of said first switch, to cause the set temperature to be displayed as said visual display of temperature; and a cover plate normally overlying said second portion of said face in an upper vertical position whereby said keyboard selector positions are shielded from physical contact thereby to prevent entry of unwanted data into said control unit, said first portion of said face remaining exposed whereby said visual display of temperature is visible, said cover plate being hinged at its lower extremity for pivotal movement to a downward vertical position to uncover said second portion of said face whereby said selector positions may be operated to enter data into said control unit, the inner face of said cover including a display of operating instructions oriented right side up in said downward vertical position whereby a person is apprised of the predetermined sequences of operation of said selector positions necessary to achieve said certain functions.