Device for remotely changing the set temperature of a thermostat

Patent 5644302 Issued on July 1, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 27, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

Device for remotely steering a boat
Patent #: 4453485
Issued on: 06/12/1984
Inventor: Houghton-Brown , et al.

Temperature control system
Patent #: 4646964
Issued on: 03/03/1987
Inventor: Parker , et al.

Remote controlled thermostat
Patent #: 4860950
Issued on: 08/29/1989
Inventor: Reeser , et al.

Pneumatic direct digital controller Patent #: 5114070
Issued on: 05/19/1992
Inventor: Lilja, et al.

Inventors

Assignee

Hana; Najib

Application

No. 364614 filed on 12/27/1994

US Classes:

340/3.1, Monitoring in addition to control (e.g., supervisory)236/51, DISTANCE-ADJUSTED340/3.71, Having manual control input340/825.56, With multidigit encoder340/825.69, Radio link340/825.72, Wireless link341/35With rotary dial

Examiners

Primary: Holloway, III, Edwin C.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Samuels, Gauthier, Stevens & Reppert

International Class

H04Q 001/00

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.