US5644302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for remotely changing the set temperature of a thermostat
Assignee: Hana Najib
•
Filing: 1994-12-27
•
Granted: 1997-07-01
•
Expires: 2014-12-27
Abstract
Abstract A remote control system for a rotatable thermostat. The protective cover of a state-of-the-art thermostat is removed and a device responsive to remote control signals is substituted therefor. A drive wheel engages the thermostat dial and a control circuit determines the direction of rotation of the drive wheel. The thermostat dial is rotated in increments of 1° F. A rod engages the drive wheel and extends through the housing of the device such that the drive wheel may be accessed without removing the device. When it is desired to manually rotate the thermostat, the rod disengages the drive wheel from the thermostat dial.
Inventors
- 👤 Najib Hana
- 👤 Musa Jouaneh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 11:47
CPC Classifications
G; G05; G05D; G05D23/00; G05D23/19; G05D23/1902; G05D23/1905; F; F24; F24F; F24F11/00; F24F11/30; F24F11/46; F24F11/62; F24F11/50; F24F11/56
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
A remote control system for a thermostat having a rotatable dial which dial controls the temperature settings which comprises: a housing joined to the thermostat; a control circuit within the housing to receive an input signal from a remote control device and to output a signal; drive means secured within the housing and in electrical communication with the control circuit, the drive means comprising a stepping motor and a first friction drive wheel which engages and rotates the thermostat dial a predetermined amount when a signal is received by the control circuit, the first friction drive wheel being biased into contacting engagement with the thermostat dial; and means engaged to the first friction drive wheel within the housing and extending exteriorly of the housing to disengage the drive wheel from the thermostat dial whereby the thermostat dial may be manually rotated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
A remote control system for a thermostat having a rotatable dial which dial controls the temperature settings which comprises: a housing joined to the thermostat; a control circuit within the housing to receive an input signal from a remote control device and to output a signal; drive means secured within the housing and in electrical communication with the control circuit, the drive means comprising a stepping motor and a first friction drive wheel which engages and rotates the thermostat dial a predetermined amount when a signal is received by the control circuit, the first friction drive wheel being biased into contacting engagement with the thermostat dial; and means engaged to the first friction drive wheel within the housing and extending exteriorly of the housing to disengage the drive wheel from the thermostat dial whereby the thermostat dial may be manually rotated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The system of claim 1 which comprises: a second friction drive wheel interposed between the stepping motor and the first drive wheel and which second friction drive wheel is driven by the stepping motor and which second friction drive wheel in turn drives the first drive wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
57 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the control circuit comprises: a receiver circuit and a drive circuit, the receiver circuit adapted to receive the signal from the remote control device and to provide an output signal to the drive circuit which output signal drive circuit converts to a pulse and direction signals to drive the stepper motor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 wherein each pulse received from the remote control device rotates the dial 1° F.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
The system of claim 1 which comprises: means to derive power for the circuit control means from a rechargeable battery and from the power supply leads that are connected to the thermostat and provide AC voltage; and means to rectify that AC voltage and convert the same into DC voltage.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 1 which comprises: an antenna adapted to receive the signal from the remote control device and to transmit the same to the control circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the remote control device comprises: means to display the current temperature setting of the thermostat.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
64 words
The system of claim 7 wherein the remote-control device comprises: means to output a digital code to the control circuit which results in the control circuit driving the thermostat dial in a clockwise direction; and means to output a different digital code to the control circuit which results in the thermostat dial being driven in a direction counter clockwise to lower the temperature setting.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system of claim 1 which comprises: a plurality of thermostats, each thermostat controlling the temperature in an associated zone; the remote-control device comprising means to output a plurality of digital codes each selected to control the control circuit of each of the thermostats independently of and without interference in the control of the other thermostats.
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) | 2000-06-30 | 2000-12-30 | 2001-07-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-06-30 | 2004-12-30 | 2005-07-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-06-30 | 2008-12-30 | 2009-07-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |