Apparatus adapted to be releasably connectable to the sub base of a thermostat

• US 6,888,441 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Issued: 05/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Original Assignee: Emerson Electric Company
• Inventors: Carey, Steven L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vortman, Anatoly
• Application Number:
  US10/604,940
• Publication Number:
  US 20040113748A1
• Time in Patent Office: 614 Days
• Field of Search: 337/298, 337/300, 337/304, 337/333, 337/360, 337/363, 337/364, 337/370, 337/371, 337/380, 337/381
• US Class Current: 337/380
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 1/5866 characterised by the use of a plug and socket connector
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 37/043 Mountings on controlled apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/00 Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for dissimilar contact members H01R13/35; supported only by co-operation with a counterpart H01R31/00; with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/90

Abstract

An apparatus for controlling the operation of a HVAC system, where the apparatus is adapted to be releasably connectable to a thermostat sub-base assembly connected to an HVAC system. The apparatus is configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins in a manner such that the apparatus may be slid onto the sub-base and easily removed without any disconnection of wiring. After completion of all construction, the apparatus may be removed and saved for future use, and a new digital thermostat may then be slid onto the connector pins of the sub-base.

Claims

1. An apparatus adapted to be connected to a thermostat sub-base assembly in connection with an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the sub-base assembly; and

a temperature-actuated switching means for actuating, independent of any electrical power application, to switch power supplied from a first connection on the sub-base to a second connection on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the temperature-actuated switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing that covers the connector and connection to the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means that actuates, independent of any electrical power application, when exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature, where the second temperature actuated switching means switches power supplied from a third connection on the sub-base to a fourth connection and fifth connection on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second predetermined temperature.

4. An apparatus adapted to be connected to a thermostat sub-base assembly having a plurality of connector pins in connection with an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins on the sub-base assembly; and

a temperature-actuated switching means for actuating, independent of any electrical power application, to switch power supplied from a first connector pin on the sub-base to a second connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the temperature actuated switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a housing that covers the connector and connector pins of the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means that actuates, independent of any electrical power application, when exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature, where the second temperature actuated switching means switches power supplied from a third connector pin on the sub-base to a fourth connector pin and fifth connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

7. An apparatus adapted to be connected to a thermostat sub-base assembly having a plurality of connector pins associated with a plurality of terminals for connecting to an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins on the sub-base assembly; and

a temperature-actuated switching means for actuating, independent of any electrical power application, to switch power supplied from a first connector pin on the sub-base to a second connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the temperature actuated switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a housing that covers the connector and connector pins of the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means that actuates, independent of any electrical power application, when exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature, where the second temperature actuated switching means switches power supplied from a third connector pin on the sub-base to a fourth connector pin and fifth connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

10. An apparatus in combination with a thermostat sub-base assembly having a plurality of connector pins associated with a plurality of terminals for connecting to an HVAC system, the apparatus comprising:

a connector configured to be releasably connectable to the connector pins on the sub-base assembly;

a temperature-actuated switching means for actuating, independent of any electrical power application, to switch power supplied from a first connector pin on the sub-base to a second connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable heating operation of the HVAC system when the temperature actuated switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature below a non-adjustable predetermined temperature; and

a housing that covers the connector and connection pins of the sub-base assembly so as to prevent damage or entry of unwanted materials.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a second temperature actuated switching means that actuates, independent of any electrical power application, when exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature, where the second temperature actuated switching means switches power supplied from a third connector pin on the sub-base to a fourth connector pin and fifth connector pin on the sub-base so as to enable cooling operation of the HVAC system when the second switching means is exposed to an ambient temperature above a second non-adjustable predetermined temperature.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first and second temperature actuated switching means provide thermally actuated switching of power to an HVAC system independent of and without requiring power from a battery or external power source.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the sub-base comprises eight connector pins and the connector is a socket connector configured to be releasably connectable to the eight connector pins.