Space thermostat for the sight handicapped

• US 4,582,251 A
• Filed: 10/29/1984
• Issued: 04/15/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Wolfe, N. Thomas, Odom, James A. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wayner, William E.
• Application Number:
  US06/665,606
• Time in Patent Office: 533 Days
• Field of Search: 236/94, 337/323, 337/360, 165/11 R, 434/113, 116/205, 116/DIG. 47
• US Class Current: 236/94
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/01 without auxiliary power
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 21/003 using tactile presentation of the information, e.g. Braille displays

Abstract

A space thermostat for the sight handicapped has a raised pointer on the center control point adjustment means which cooperates with raised numbers representing temperature on a cover ring surrounding the control point adjustment means whereby a sight handicapped person can place a finger on the raised pointer and move the control point adjustment means by feeling the raised number to the desired temperature setting for the desired temperature in the space.

Claims

1. A space thermostat for the sight handicapped comprising

a base member adapted to be mounted on a wall of a space,

temperature responsive control means mounted on said base member adapted to control temperature conditioning apparatus supplying temperature conditioned medium to a space,

temperature control point adjusting means attached to said base member and connected to said temperature responsive control means for adjusting the temperature to be maintained in the space, said adjusting means having a raised control temperature reference portion,

indicia support means attached to said base member and cooperating with said reference portion,

raised indicia means on said indicia support means corresponding with temperature whereby a person with sight handicap can feel said reference portion and said indicia means to position said reference portion to the desired temperature control set point,

said indicia support means comprises a cover ring mounted on said base member and surrounding said adjusting means, and

raised indication marks on said cover ring between raised reference temperature numbers, said marks corresponding to two temperature degree steps in the movement of said adjusting means.

2. The invention of claim 1 comprising detent means connected to said control point adjusting means to provide a tactile step movement of said adjusting means to provide an audible signal each time said adjusting means moves said raised portion between predetermined temperature marks of said indicia means.

3. A space thermostat for the sight handicapped comprising,

a base member adapted to be mounted on a wall of a space,

temperature responsive control means mounted on said base member, said control means adapted to control temperature conditioning apparatus for supplying temperature conditioned medium to the space,

temperature control point adjusting means attached to said base member and connected to said control means for changing the control temperature thereof, said adjusting means having a raised pointer, the position of said pointer can be felt by a sight handicapped person, and

a circular temperature scale mounted on said base and associated with said adjusting means and pointer, said scale comprising large raised numbers coinciding with temperature values which can be felt by a sight handicapped person so said pointer can be positioned to select the desired temperature to adjust said temperature control means to maintain the selected temperature in the space.