THERMOSTAT WITH LIMITED ADJUSTMENT RESTRAINING GUARD

Abstract

An apparatus is provided that includes a thermostat comprising a thermostat housing adapted to be secured to a mounting surface, an adjustable thermostat device contained within the thermostat housing, user and secure adjustment controls, a cover member movably mounted with respect to thermostat housing, a movement restraining member dimensioned and configured to lock the cover member and prevent its movement from a locked position to an unlocked position, and a lock comprising a movable locking member.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates an apparatus for permitting limited access to a thermostat using a mechanical restraint technology applicable to both OEM equipment and aftermarket application.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(Not applicable)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been known that the functioning of wall thermostats is often compromised because persons working or living in the space being heated or cooled can easily change the settings. This is due to the fact that people often feel compelled to adjust thermostat settings based on personal preferences, the clothing they are wearing, failure to read temperature settings and displayed temperature readings, swell as on account of an understanding of basic thermostat functions. This is facilitated because thermostat buttons are most often unprotected from mechanical manipulation and are easily accessible. Such easy accessibility to thermostat programming buttons leads to thermostat reprogramming, wasted energy, and even, potentially, equipment malfunction and damage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There are thermostat lock boxes available on the market that may be used to protect a thermostat from unwanted manipulation and/or, if applicable, reprogramming. Such thermostats may, for example, be microprocessor based and may offer a wide range of programming options including programming temperature setpoints for a plurality of periods during the day, such as morning, day, evening, etc. Generally, lock boxes comprise a rectangular box having a rear surface, four flat sidewalls extending substantially from the rear wall, and a lid closure on the front. The lock box may be opened, for example, by hinging open the front lid closure. The front lid may be locked in the closed position. Such lock boxes may be installed by opening the front lid and securing the lock box in place on the wall in the position where the thermostat is to be employed.

The wires powering the thermostat and carrying control signals to the environmental system pass through a hole in the back of the lock box into the interior of the lock box. These wires are then connected to the thermostat and the thermostat is then installed in place, for example using screws which pass through holes in the back of the lockbox.

The thermostat may then be programmed through the open front lid of the lock box, after which the front lid is closed and the lock turned to lock the lid in the closed position.

Thus, in the case of a retrofit product, such a lock box requires that the thermostat be taken off the wall in order for the lock box to be assembled. If there is not a suitable set of holes to allow thermostat installation, new holes must be located and drilled.

Further, in contrast with the inventive system, such prior art lock boxes do not allow for any access because the box completely encloses the thermostat. Thus, while such a lock box can be helpful in protecting the thermostat, it is inconvenient for someone to quickly access the thermostat program functions without opening the box, for example, having to involve and inconvenience a third party.

The invention relates to improvements in such devices. In accordance with the present invention, the problem of being able to protect the thermostat from unwanted manipulation while allowing access is addressed.

More particularly, the present invention comprises a thermostat with a protective lock ring frame specially constructed to be easily attached to the housing, without having the need to dismount the thermostat from the wall. Further, the front portion of the thermostat housing is of the type which allows a person to have limited access to controls, for example, access to limited controls, for example a temperature adjustment that allows a temporary temperature change but no access to the programmed setpoints. This achieved by providing a hinged thermostat cover which covers some of the controls, but allows others to pass through the cover for convenient access, but covering the others to give the thermostat a clean uncluttered visual appearance. The limited controls, for example push button controls, may thus be pressed or otherwise accessed without having to open the hinged lid.

In accordance with the invention, a tamper guard is secured to the main body of the thermostat and mechanically prevents the hinged lid of the thermostat from being opened as appears more fully below. The tamper guard may be secured by first mating structures at first ends of the thermostat and the tamper guard (for example the left ends), and, at the other ends (for example the right ends), a lock (for example a key or combination lock) and corresponding second mating structures.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, access to only some of the adjustment buttons, for example those for raising or lowering the temperature setpoint for the duration of the current programming period, may be accomplished by having most of the control buttons covered by the hinging front portion of the thermostat housing. Further in accordance with the preferred embodiment, range limits may be implemented by programming of the microprocessor. Moreover, only individuals with access keys to the tamper guard (which may take the form of a lock ring frame) will be able to easily open the tamper guard and access all of the thermostat's programming buttons. Thus, one may control the number of individuals who will have full access to the thermostat's controls.

A preferred embodiment of a system constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a thermostat, comprising a main body, and a protective tamper guard (optionally a rigid protective tamper guard) fitted with a lock mechanism, where the tamper guard may be fitted on and removed from the thermostat main body while the inventive thermostat remains directly mounted on a wall surface. The main body of the inventive thermostat comprises outward protruding edges, creating a lip that may be used to attach the rigid protective tamper guard.

The rigid protective tamper guard may optionally be of same shape as the inventive thermostat housing. Optionally, it may be slightly larger to facilitate placing it over the thermostat main body, but not too much larger so that it may fit snuggly over the thermostat housing.

The tamper guard may take the form of a locking ring, as appears more fully below, but may also take the form of an elongated member which may be secured across the hinged lid at opposite ends of the housing. Alternatively, the hinged lid may be omitted from the thermostat and the tamper guard simply comprises a cover that overlies and prevents access to those controls to which one wishes to limit access.

In accordance with the invention, additional features may be provided to the limited controls accessible when the tamper guard of the present invention is in place. The limited controls may be limited in a desired way, for example, such controls may limit the capability of raising or lowering the temperature by a maximum of three degrees from the setpoint, resulting in limited adjustability within a six degree range.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The operation of the inventive system will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the invention, in the form of a thermostat and tamper guard system, exposing operative internal structure of its compatible locking ring device;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the locking ring device of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3. is a rear perspective view illustrating a first stage in the mounting of the locking ring on the thermostat main body in the course of the compatible lock ring being placed into the operative position, prior to being engaged by the main body of the thermostat at a first point in time;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view, similar to FIG. 3 illustrating the mounting process at a second later point in time;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view illustrating the assembled inventive thermostat system;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the thermostat with the hinge-mounted cover member in the open position;

FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional detail view along lines 7-7 of FIG. of the inventive thermostat system illustrating the relationship between the thermostat main body, the hinged cover and the tamper guard, with the hinged cover in the closed position and with the tamper guard in the locking position;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the thermostat with the hinged cover member in the closed position;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the thermostat with the hinged cover in the closed position;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective front view of the assembled invention;

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the movement restraining member;

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the movement restraining member assembled onto a thermostat;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the movement restraining member illustrating the movement restraining member as a bar, covering program features of a thermostat; and

FIG. 14 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the movement restraining member, as illustrated in FIG. 13, illustrating the relationship between the thermostat main body and the movement restraining member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The inventive thermostat may be understood with reference to FIGS. 1-5. More particularly, FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary thermostat system 10 constructed in accordance with the invention. Thermostat system 10 comprises a main body 12 and a separate tamper guard taking the form of a movement restraining member 14 which overlies a hinged cover member 15 in the locking configuration. Hinged cover member 15 covers most of the controls of thermostat system 10, allowing only access to some of the controls when it is in the closed position. Movement restraining member 14 prevents hinged cover member 15 from being hinged open and thus prevents unauthorized access to the other the controls which are covered by hinged cover member 15 when it is in the closed position, as is more fully described below.

Movement restraining member 14 comprises left and right peripheral sidewalls 16 and 17, a front wall 18 defining a window 19, a top sidewall 20 and a bottom sidewall 22. A mating locking surface 34 is configured to cooperate with rear surface 44 of main body 12 to perform a hinging function to enable hinging movement of restraining member 14, as will be detailed below. A rear wall member 23 carrying mating locking surface 34 may be integrally formed with top sidewall 20.

In accordance with the invention, movement restraining member 14 may be formed in a single injection molding procedure using any suitable polymeric material. Alternatively, it may be formed in multiple parts and the individual parts may be cemented together to form the finished movement restraining member 14.

Of course, the dimensions movement restraining member 14 may be widely varied. Indeed, if the invention is being manufactured as an aftermarket accessory, it is important that the dimensions be varied and conformed to be congruent to the dimensions of the main body of the thermostat to which it is desired to restrict access.

As shown in FIG. 2, bottom sidewall 22 houses a lock 24 having a movable locking member 26, a lock housing 28, and a keyhole 30. Configuration of bottom sidewall 22 of movement restraining member 14 may be varied. In one embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 1, bottom sidewall 22 protrudes downward and conforms around lock 24.

Bottom sidewall 22 may also comprise a series of reinforcement supports 32 that are integrally formed with bottom sidewall 22. Reinforcement supports 32 may be arranged in equidistant symmetry with respect to each other. Reinforcement supports 32 are used to help guide the main body 12 into the movement restraining member 14 and prevent its movement inside the restraining member 14. Reinforcement supports 32 may be made of the same or similar material as the movement restraining member 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, top sidewall 20 of movement restraining member 14 comprises a mating locking surface 34. Mating locking surface 34 is integrally formed with the bottom edge of top sidewall 20 such that mating locking surface 34 is perpendicular to top sidewall 20. Member 23 having mating locking surface 34 may be made of the same or a similar material used for formation of main body 12 or movement restraining member 14. Mating locking surface 34 engages rear surface 44 of main body 12 such that at least a portion of mating locking surface 34 overlies main body 12, for example holding the movement restraining member 14 flush with main body 12.

Referring to FIG. 3-5, several perspective views, showing successive steps in the placement of movement restraining member 14, taken from the rear of the assembly of the thermostat system 10 constructed in accordance with the invention are shown. Referring to FIG. 3 in particular, main body 12 comprises a plantar plastic thermostat housing base 36 adapted to be secured to a mounting surface by screws or other fasteners which pass through openings 38 and 39. Openings 38 and 39 may be placed with equidistant symmetry with respect to each other. Openings 38 and 39 are also elongated to accommodate errors in the drilling of holes, to enable level placement of thermostat 10. The same is accommodated by orienting holes 38 with a vertical orientation and orienting holes 39 with a horizontal orientation.

Main body 12 generally comprises a forward portion 40 and a rearward portion 42. Forward portion 40 extends beyond the dimensions of rearward portion 42 and defines a catch surface 44 that is adapted to engage, in the hinging and locking positions with the mating locking surface 34. Main body 12 houses an adjustable thermostat device 46, for example an electronic programmable device.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, continued movement from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 in the direction of arrows 21, brings movement restraining member 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 4, where surfaces 34 and 44 engage each other. In this position, because at least a portion of mating locking surface 34 engages catch surface 44 and overlies at least a portion of catch surface 44 hinging movement of movement restraining member 14 in the direction of arrow 45 will bring movement restraining member 14 to the position illustrated in FIG. 5.

During the placement of movement restraining member 14 over main body 12, a key rotatable locking member 26 is in the unlocked position illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 in solid lines, and illustrated in phantom lines in FIG. 5. In the unlocked position, movable locking member 26 is not engaged with catch surface 47, allowing for hinging movement of restraining member 14 over main body 12, covering main body 12 and locking down and cover member 15, preventing hinged cover member 15 from being hinged open to the position illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring back to FIG. 5, once movement restraining member 14 is fitted into the locking position on main body 12, rotatable locking member 26 is rotated, from the position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5 to the position shown in solid lines in FIG. 5. This is done by turning a key, not illustrated, which is placed in keyhole 30 and rotated, in the conventional manner, from an unlocked position shown in FIG. 4 to a locked position shown in FIG. 5. More particularly, this is achieved by rotatable locking member 26 engaging with catch surface 47, by having rotatable locking member 26 overlying at least a portion of catch surface 47. Movable locking member 26 works in conjunction with mating locking surface 34 to lock movement restraining member 14 onto main body 12 and prevent movement restraining member 14 from being removed without changing the state of lock 24.

Referring to FIG. 6, adjustable thermostat device 46 (shown in FIG. 3) is coupled to a display 48, an adjustment controls panel 50 (including buttons 51 (for example dedicated fan, outdoor, humidity, program and set clock buttons)), up and down temperature setting buttons 52 and 54, a mode button 56, and an indicator light 58, whose operation may be of a conventional nature. Cover member 15 is movably mounted on a hinge 60. Cover member 15 is dimensioned to conform around the peripheral sidewall 63 of main body 12. Cover member 15 may be made of the same material (for example, injection molded plastic) as main body 12 and/or movement restraining member 14. When being opened, cover member 15 moves in the direction of arrow 61.

Peripheral sidewall 63 may be dimensioned to be smaller than outer sidewall 40 creating a ledge 43. Ledge 43 may be dimensioned to snugly fit top and bottom peripheral side walls 62 and 64, left sidewall 68 (FIG. 9), and right side 70 (FIG. 8).

Peripheral sidewall 63 may also be configured with a catch surface 45. Catch surface 45 may be made of the same material as main body 12.

More particularly, referring to FIG. 7, when cover member 15 is moved into the closed position (FIGS. 7 and 8), catch surface 45 deflects a mating protrusion 71 in cover member 15. When cover member 15 is in the closed position, catch surface 45 has snapingly engaged mating protrusion 71, securing cover member 15 onto main body 12. Protrusion 71 may be made of the same material as main body 12 or its corresponding catch surface 45. As is also illustrated in FIG. 7, movement restraining member 14 (which is held in place because of the locking arrangement between locking member 26 and catch surface 47 on the bottom of the thermostat and the locking arrangement between locking surface 34 and rear surface 44 on the top of the thermostat, as seen in FIG. 5) prevents 15 from being hinged open, thus preventing access to covered thermostat controls 51 and 56. However, at the same time, even in the locked position, access is allowed to controls 78 and 80, and indicator light 58 may be seen through hole 76. Moreover, also at the same time, in the locked position, display, for example a touchscreen display 48 may be seen through window 19.

The functioning of the inventive system may be understood in greater detail from FIGS. 8 and 9, perspective views from the front and rear, respectively, of the thermostat main body 12 of thermostat system 10. More specifically, referring to FIG. 8, cover member 15 comprises peripheral side walls 62 and 64, a front wall 66, a left sidewall 68 (as shown in FIG. 9), and a right sidewall 70. Front wall 66 may be configured to define a window 72. Window 72 may be dimensioned to be of same or similar size as display 48, allowing for display 48 to be seen by user when cover member 15 is in the closed position. Front wall 66 may be configured to define a mode button opening 74, an indicator light opening 76, an up arrow opening 78, and a down arrow opening 80.

It may thus be understood that display 48 may be seen when cover member 15 is in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 8. Likewise, mode button 56, and up and down setpoint adjustment buttons 52 and 54 extend through holes 74, 78 and 80, respectively, when cover member 15 is in the closed position illustrated in FIG. 8, and are thus accessible when cover member 15 is closed.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 10 (where movement restraining member 14 is in the locked position disposed over cover member 15 with cover member 15 in the closed position), window 19 extends around and exposes display 48, mode button 56, and up and down setpoint adjustment buttons 52 and 54. Thus, the display of, for example, temperature and/or programming information may be seen by users without a key to remove movement restraining member 14 in the locked position illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 10. Likewise, even in the locked position, users without a key to remove movement restraining member 14 will have access, through window 19, to mode button 56, and up and down setpoint adjustment buttons 52 and 54, allowing them to make limited changes to the operation of thermostat system 10.

In this embodiment, even without movable locking member 26 rotated to the locked position, movement restraining member 14 is relatively stable, hanging around forward portion 40 of thermostat main body 12.

An alternate embodiment of the inventive movement restraining member 114, which may be mounted on forward portion 40 of the thermostat main body 12 illustrated in FIG. 8, is illustrated in FIG. 11. Generally, similar parts or parts performing analogous, corresponding or identical functions to those of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 10, are numbered herein with numbers which differ from those of the earlier described embodiment or embodiments by multiples of one hundred.

Referring to FIG. 11, the structure of the alternative preferred embodiment of the inventive movement restraining member 114 can be seen. Movement restraining member 114 comprises peripheral sidewalls 116 and 117, a front wall 118 defining a window 119, a left sidewall 120 and a right sidewall 122. A mating locking member 134 configured to perform a hinging function is integrally formed with left sidewall 120.

Movement restraining member 114 may be formed in a single injection molding procedure using any polymeric material. Alternatively, it may be formed in multiple parts and the individual parts may be cemented together to form the finished movement restraining member 114.

Right sidewall 122 houses a lock 124. Lock 124 comprises a movable locking member 126, a lock housing 128 and a lock keyhole 130. In this embodiment of movement restraining member 114, the ends of right sidewall 122 are curved upward toward left sidewall 120, forming a convex shape with peripheral side walls 116 and 117.

As is illustrated in FIG. 12, an alternate embodiment of the inventive movement restraining member 214, which may be mounted by hinging on the on top portion 240 of thermostat main body 212 where thermostat 210 is of the type which does not include a cover member such as the cover member 15 found in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6. In this case, the objective is for the movement restraining member 214 to include structure, such as flat plate 217, which overlies the buttons to which one desires to restrict access, for example buttons 251, and thus physically covers and blocks access to the same.

With further reference to FIG. 12, the alternative preferred embodiment of the thermostat system 210 comprises a movement restraining member 214, which is illustrated in the locked position, where it is disposed directly over thermostat main body 212. Movement restraining member 214 comprises peripheral side walls 216 and 217, a front wall 218 defining a window 219, a top sidewall 220 and a bottom sidewall 222.

Movement restraining member 214 may be formed in a single injection molding procedure using any polymeric material. Alternatively, it may be formed in multiple parts and the individual parts may be cemented together to form the finished movement restraining member 214.

Bottom sidewall 222 houses a lock 224. Lock 224 comprises a rotatable locking member 226, a lock housing 228 and a lock keyhole 230. When movement restraining member 214 is in the locking position, as illustrated in FIG. 12, front wall 218 directly overlies buttons 251 but allows for display 248 to be viewed through window 219. At the same time, access to up and down set point adjustment buttons 252 and 253 (and optionally other controls) is permitted through window 219. Likewise, the user may view indicator light 258 through a hole 259.

Thus, even when a cover of the type illustrated by cover member 15 in FIGS. 6 and 8, is omitted from the thermostat 212, movement restraining member 214 may control access in accordance with the invention by providing structure which overlies and prevents access to, for example, program buttons 251 and/or the other controls to which one wishes to limit access. Restricting access to program buttons 251 is secured by rotating rotatable locking member 226 (or by using another locking technique, for example in response to turning of a key, not illustrated, or by an alternate means, such as a combination lock. The result is that rotatable locking member 226 engages with catch surface 247 by overlying at least a portion of catch surface 247.

Yet another alternate embodiment of the inventive movement restraining member 314, where movement restraining member 314 may take the form of an access preventing locking bar and may be mounted directly over buttons 351, is illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 14.

Movement restraining member 314 may be formed in a single injection molding procedure using any polymeric material. Alternatively, it may be formed in multiple parts and the individual parts may be cemented together to form the finished movement restraining member 314.

Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the inventive movement restraining member 314 comprises peripheral side walls 316 and 317, and a front blocking bar 318. Peripheral side housing 316 houses a lock 324. Lock 324 comprises a movable locking member 326, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a lock housing 328 and a lock keyhole 330. Movement restraining member 314 may be dimensioned and configured to directly overlie program buttons 351, preventing access to buttons 351 in the case where a cover member (such as cover member 15, as illustrated in FIG. 6, is omitted from the thermostat design). Prevention of access to program buttons 351 is secured when rotatable locking member 326 is rotated, in response to, for example, turning of a key, not illustrated, and rotatable locking member 326 engages with catch surface 347 by overlying at least a portion of catch surface 347.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 14, internal surface 391 of peripheral side wall 317 of movement restraining member 314 may be provided with a friction promoting member 392. Friction promoting member 392 may, for example, be a strip of rubber or any other suitable material capable of frictionally holding movement restraining member 314 in place and preventing movement restraining member 314 from slipping or being forcibly displaced on thermostat 312.

While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A thermostat, comprising:

(a) a thermostat housing adapted to be secured to a mounting surface;

(b) an adjustable thermostat device contained within said thermostat housing;

(c) a user adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said user adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust first parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device;

(d) a securable adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said securable adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust second parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device;

(e) a cover member movably mounted with respect to said thermostat housing, said cover member moving between a first position where said securable adjustment control is covered by said cover member and a second position where said securable adjustment control is exposed to allow adjustment of the same by a person, said user adjustment control being exposed to allow adjustment in said first and second positions;

(f) a catch surface defined by said thermostat housing and/or said cover member, when said cover member is in said first position;

(g) a movement restraining member dimensioned and configured in a locking position to engage said catch surface and overly at least a portion of said cover member when said cover member is in said first position, said movement restraining member being configured and dimensioned to prevent movement of said cover member from said first position to said second position when said movement restraining member is in said locking position overlying at least a portion of said cover member, said movement restraining member overlying said secure adjustment control when said movement restraining member is in said locking position;

(h) a first mating locking surface defined by said movement restraining member;

(i) a second mating locking surface defined by said thermostat housing, said second mating locking surface mating with said first mating locking surface; and

(j) a lock comprising a movable locking member secured to one of said movement restraining member or said thermostat housing, said movable locking member being rotatable to engage a surface on the other of said movement restraining member or thermostat housing.

2. The thermostat as in claim 1, where user and securable adjustment controls associated with the thermostat housing are mechanical, said adjustment control comprises a display, programming controls, a push button, up and down arrows, said buttons and display being located on front face of the adjustment control.

3. The thermostat as in claim 1, where the cover member is movably mounted on a hinge, said cover member having cutouts for the display, the up and down arrows, and the push button.

4. The thermostat as in claim 3, where the cover member overlies securable adjustment control, but exposes user adjustment control.

5. The thermostat as in claim 1, where the body of the thermostat housing further comprises a forward portion and a rearward portion, where the forward portion extends beyond the dimensions of the rearward portion, said extension of the forward portion creates the catch surface, where said catch surface is engaged by the movement restraining member.

6. The thermostat as in claim 1, where the movement restraining member comprises a front portion and a back portion, said front portion comprises a cutout window that is configured and dimensioned to exhibit the display and the user adjustment control buttons, and a back portion comprising a first mating locking surface, said first mating locking surface mating with the second locking surface secured to the thermostat housing.

7. The thermostat as in claim 1, where the lock comprises a lock housing, a lock key insert, and a movable locking member, said lock housing being mounted onto the front portion of the movement restraining member where said lock housing is adapted to accommodate the lock key insert, said lock key insert having a front portion and a back portion, where the front portion is adapted to accommodate a key and the back portion is adapted to accommodate the movable locking member.

8. The thermostat as in claim 7, where the movable locking member has a length and a width, where one end of the movable locking member is secured to the back portion of the lock key insert and opposite end is unattached, where in response to a turn of the lock key insert from first position to second position said movable locking member moves from said first position to said second position.

9. The thermostat as in claim 8, where the unattached portion of the movable locking member, in response to a turn of the lock key insert from first position to second position, moves from said first position to said second position and engages the catch surface of the thermostat housing base, overlying at least a portion of said catch surface.

10. A locking device for a thermostat of the type comprising (i) a thermostat housing adapted to be secured to a mounting surface; (ii) an adjustable thermostat device contained within said housing; (iii) a user adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said user adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust first parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device; (iv) a securable adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said securable adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust second parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device; (v) a cover member movably mounted with respect to said thermostat housing, said cover member moving between a first position where said securable adjustment control is covered by said cover member and a second position where said securable adjustment control is exposed to allow adjustment of the same by a person, said user adjustment control being exposed to allow adjustment in said first and second positions; (vi) a catch surface defined by said thermostat housing and/or said cover member, when said cover member is in said first position; and (vii) a second mating locking surface secured to said thermostat housing base, said second mating locking surface mating with said first mating locking surface, and said locking device comprising:

(a) a movement restraining member dimensioned and configured in a locking position to engage said catch surface and overly at least a portion of said cover member when said cover member is in said first position, said movement restraining member being configured and dimensioned to prevent movement of said cover member from said first position to said second position when said movement restraining member is in said locking position overlying at least a portion of said cover member, said movement restraining member overlying said securable adjustment control when said movement restraining member is in said locking position;

(b) a first mating locking surface defined by said movement restraining member; and

(c) a lock comprising a movable locking member secured to one of said movement restraining member or said thermostat housing, said movable locking member being rotatable to engage a surface on the other of said movement restraining member or thermostat housing.

11. A locking device for a thermostat of the type comprising (i) a thermostat housing adapted to be secured to a mounting surface; (ii) an adjustable thermostat device contained within said housing; (iii) a user adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said user adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust first parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device; (iv) a securable adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said securable adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust second parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device; (v) a catch surface defined by said thermostat housing; and (vi) a first mating locking surface defined by said thermostat housing, and said locking device comprising:

(a) a movement restraining member dimensioned and configured in a locking position to engage said catch surface and overly at least a portion of said securable adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said movement restraining member being configured and dimensioned to prevent access to said securable adjustment control, said movement restraining member overlying said securable adjustment control when said movement restraining member is in said locking position;

(b) a mating locking surface defined by said movement restraining member; and

(c) a lock comprising a movable locking member secured to one of said movement restraining member or said thermostat housing, said movable locking member being rotatable to engage a surface on the other of said movement restraining member or thermostat housing.

12. A thermostat, comprising:

(a) a thermostat housing adapted to be secured to a mounting surface;

(b) an adjustable thermostat device contained within said thermostat housing;

(c) a user adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said user adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust first parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device;

(d) a securable adjustment control associated with said thermostat housing, said securable adjustment control being coupled to said adjustable thermostat device to adjust second parameters for the operation of said adjustable thermostat device;

(e) a catch surface defined by said thermostat housing;

(f) a movement restraining member dimensioned and configured in a locking position to engage said catch surface and overly at least a portion of securable adjustment controls, said movement restraining member being configured and dimensioned to prevent access to securable adjustment controls when said movement restraining member is in said locking position overlying at least a portion of said securable adjustment controls, said movement restraining member overlying said securable adjustment control when said movement restraining member is in said locking position;

(g) a first mating locking surface defined by said movement restraining member;

(h) a second mating locking surface defined by said thermostat housing, said second mating locking surface mating with said first mating locking surface; and

(i) a lock comprising a movable locking member secured to one of said movement restraining member or said thermostat housing, said movable locking member being moveable to engage a mating surface on the other of said movement restraining member or thermostat housing.