Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide thermostat controls having improved tactile feedback. According to one embodiment, a thermostat includes a bottom member, a switch, a top member, and a motion guiding member or assembly that operationally couples the top member with the bottom member so that the top member is inwardly pressable by a user relative to the bottom member to allow the thermostat to receive input from the user by contacting the switch with a component of the top member or the bottom member. The motion guiding member or assembly contacts the top member near its outer periphery to control the inward motion of the top member relative to the bottom member to provide the improved tactile feedback.

Abstract: A switch operator has a low friction ratchet wheel driven by a low power time programmed clock to operate the switch in one position or another depending upon the position of the ratchet wheel to operate the ratchet wheel independent of the time programmed clock. A pawl resiliently held and biased away from the ratchet wheel engages the ratchet wheel when moving in a forward direction to move it a predetermined amount. A cam member mounted adjacent the ratch wheel is engaged by the pawl to bias the pawl against a projection on the ratchet wheel when the pawl is moved forward and to bias the pawl away from the ratchet wheel upon its return movement.

Abstract: A time variable thermostat comprising, a housing, a clock connected to the housing and having a shaft which is rotatable with time and a disc connected to the shaft for rotation with the shaft. The disc has a plurality of circumferentially spaced slots each extending radially of the disc. A temperature responsive switch has an actuator movable with a change of temperature and the switch includes contacts which are closed and open depending on a position of the actuator. A double control arm is connected to the actuator and is movable with respect to the housing about a center of rotation and a pin slidably mounted to each slot and having a stop portion extending beyond the disc against which the control arm is engageable to influence closing and opening of the contacts. One arm includes a pin engagement portion movable in an arc with movement of the arm about the center of rotation.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a water heater thermostat for increased efficiency in fuel usage. A mounting bracket is adapted to fit on several different common types of thermostat control boxes and to removably receive a controller housing. A motor in the housing is coupled to a slip ring engaging the thermostat knob to raise and lower the thermostat temperature setting in accordance with sensor actuated circuitry responsive to incoming and outgoing water temperature. The coupling enables the apparatus to accommodate thermostats with different size knobs and rotatable in opposite directions.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a water heater thermostat for increased efficiency in fuel usage. A mounting bracket is adapted to fit on several different common types of thermostat control boxes. In one embodiment the bracket removably receives a controller housing. In another embodiment the mounting bracket and the controller housing are a unitary structure. A motor in the housing is coupled to a slip ring engaging the thermostat knob to raise and lower the thermostat temperature setting in accordance with sensor actuated circuitry responsive to incoming and outgoing water temperature. The coupling enables the apparatus to accommodate thermostats with different size knobs and rotatable in opposite directions, in addition to coupling to various size thermostat housings.

Abstract: A control device for controlling temperature conditioning apparatus is connected to a thermostatic switch means having a circuit requiring a small current to maintain the circuit active during the open cycle of the thermostat switch means. A positive temperature coefficient resistor is placed in parallel with the input circuit of the control device to provide a low input impedance to the control device for maintaining the small current without activating the control device. During the operation of the thermostat with the switch closed, a larger current to the positive temperature coefficient resistor causes the resistor to increase in temperature and thus its impedance so the wattage dissipated by the PTC resistor is reduced to minimize the heat dissipation and thus the temperature of the control.

Abstract: A defrost thermostat provided with a timer driven cam mechanism for preventing repetition of defrosting operation shortly after the completion thereof which is apt to be caused due to the temperature lowering of the external unit acting as an evaporator during the indoor heating operation. The cam mechanism includes a masking member coaxially mounted on the disc cam to block the cam recess while leaving a gap for permitting an initial defrost operation. During the defrost operation, the cam follower goes out of engagement until it rides over the masking member. Once the defrost operation is completed, it will not be repeated immediately thereafter, thus ensuring stable normal indoor heating operations.

Abstract: A temperature control and monitoring device for a heater of a building having a plurality of separate areas comprising, a motor having a shaft rotatable at constant speed, a disc connected to the shaft having a pluraliity of radially extending slots, a pin slidably mounted in each of the slots, a temperature indicator having a shaft rotatable by a change in temperature and responsive to a temperature sensed by temperature sensing members, a plurality of temperature sensing members, each in one of the separate areas, for sensing the temperature in each of the areas respectively connected to the temperature indicator and a selector device connected between each of the temperature sensing members and the temperature indicator for selectively connecting one of the sensing members at a time for a predetermined time period and at predetermined intervals to the temperature indicator.

Abstract: A time variable thermostat for controlling a heater comprising, a temperature activated switch connected to the heater for deactivating the heater at a selected temperature having a movable contact and at least one fixed contact, the movable contact being moved into abutment with the fixed contact when a temperature other than the selected temperature is reached to activate the heater and moved into abutment with the fixed contact to deactivate the heater when the selected temperature is reached. A temperature selection arm is connected to the movable contact and associated with a scale for selecting the temperature at which the movable contact is moved out of abutment with the fixed contact.

Abstract: The efficiency of an environmental control system such as a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system is enhanced and energy is conserved by starting and stopping the heating or air conditioning modes of operation at variable times at the beginning and end of an occupancy period, which times are a function of an environmental condition, such as outside temperature in the case of heating and inside temperature in the case of air conditioning. To this end a control system is provided which generates an output for initiating and terminating the operation of the conditioner. Separate intervals during which the generation of the variable output for initiating the operation of the conditioner and for terminating the operation thereof are established as by means of an arrangement of cams driven by a timer motor which runs during these intervals.

Abstract: An adapter wall plate for mounting a replacement thermostat on a wall wherein the adapter wall plate attaches to the existing wall plate of the thermostat being replaced thereby eliminating the necessity of disconnecting the wires leading from the existing wall plate to the remote control apparatus.

Abstract: A cut-back thermostat construction having a thermostat arrangement and a timer carried by a housing in such a manner that the timer will cut back the temperature setting of the thermostat arrangement by moving an electrical switch of the thermostat arrangement relative to a temperature responsive switch operator of the thermostat arrangement when a predetermined time is reached by the timer. A movable actuator is operatively associated with the switch to be adapted to cause a certain movement of the switch relative to the switch operator when the actuator is moved from a first position thereof to a second position thereof by the timer when the predetermined time is reached. An adjustable member is separate from the actuator and is adapted to select the amount of movement of the switch relative to the switch operator when the actuator is moved from the first position thereof to the second position thereof whereby the adjustable member selects the cut-back temperature of the thermostat arrangement.

Abstract: A thermostat control to change the setting of a thermostat to a preselected point and automatically to return the thermostat to the original setting after elapse of a preselected time interval.

Abstract: A cut-back thermostat construction having a frame carrying a timer and a thermostat arrangement. A movable actuator is carried by the frame and is operatively associated with the thermostat arrangement to cut back the temperature setting thereof when the actuator is moved from a first position thereof to a second position thereof, the timer having a cut-back member for engaging and moving the actuator from the first position thereof to the second position thereof when a predetermined time is reached by the timer whereby the temperature setting of the thermostat arrangement is cut back at the predetermined time.

Abstract: A cut-back thermostat construction having a thermostat arrangement and a timer carried by a frame in such a manner that the timer will cut back the temperature setting of the thermostat arrangement by moving an electrical switch unit of the thermostat arrangement relative to a temperature responsive switch operator when a predetermined time is reached by the timer. A movable actuator is carried by the frame and is operatively associated with the switch unit to be adapted to cause a certain movement of the switch unit relative to the switch operator when the actuator is moved from a first position thereof to a second position thereof by the timer reaching the predetermined time.

Abstract: A standard thermostat control unit, such as used in residential heating systems, is modified to include a manually actuated, electro-mechanical timer that includes a switch connected across the unit's thermostatically operated contacts, such that actuation of the timer produces a temporary, self-expiring, operating mode in which the normal thermostatic regulation of the furnace is overridden and the furnace is held "on" for the brief duration of the timer interval. The modified unit may be used in lieu of the standard unit as an energy and cost saving device in places such as in a vacant house, waiting to be sold or rented, with the unit preset at a minimum, thermostatically regulated temperature level.