Thermostat cover

• US 6,207,899 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1999
• Issued: 03/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Laymon Gillespie
• Original Assignee: Laymon Gillespie
• Inventors: Gillespie, Laymon
• Primary Examiner(s): REICHARD, DEAN ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/357,628
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 174/66, 174/67, 220/241, 220/242, 220/3.8
• US Class Current: 174/66
• CPC Class Codes: G05D 23/1902 characterised by the use of a variable reference value
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/14 Fastening of cover or lid to box

Abstract

A thermostat cover assembly comprising a housing having a number of flanges for screwing the housing to a wall over an existing thermostat. A hinged door is provided and is constructed of a transparent plastic material and includes a digital clock mechanism that provides a time function in one mode of operation and an elapsed time function wherein the time since the last time the door was in the open position is displayed. This mode prevents needless tampering with the thermostat if the thermostat setting has been set within the last hour or so. In addition, the cover is connected to a switch that operates a light. When the door is opened, the light illuminates the thermostat allowing for adjustment at night.

Claims

1. A thermostat cover, comprising:

an enclosure having an open back, an open front, and a side panel extending between the open back and open front, the enclosure being sized to extend around a thermostat and being attached to a wall portion disposed adjacent the thermostat;

a hinged transparent door attached to the enclosure;

an electric light attached to the enclosure;

an electric battery attached to the door and being electrically coupled to the light; and

a spring loaded switch electrically coupled to the light and attached to the enclosure and disposed to be activated when the door is opened and deactivated when the door is closed.

2. The thermostat cover of claim 1 further including a magnetic latch attached to the door and disposed to contact and deactivate the switch when the door is closed.

3. The thermostat cover of claim 1 further including a digital clock attached to the door and electrically coupled to the battery.

4. The thermostat cover of claim 3 wherein the digital clock includes an elapsed time function for displaying the time since the door was last opened.