Increased diameter detachable thermostat knob allowing easier thermostat use
First Claim
1. In a round thermostat of the type including a housing having a generally circular periphery with a central axis and for adjustment of the thermostat setting, a thermostat knob having an axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis and a predetermined external shape comprising a wall projecting from the housing, an improved knob accessory for the thermostat comprising in the thermostat, a first detent feature in the external shape of the thermostat knob forming a part of a detent mechanism and comprising at least one peripheral area having a radially extending recess, and wherein the knob accessory includes a cylindrical outer wall forming the knob accessory'"'"'s periphery and a face portion joined to the outer wall and extending towards the center from the periphery, said face portion defining a central opening having a shape which mates wit the projecting wall of the thermostat knob, and adjacent said central wall, a second detent feature mating with the first detent feature to form therewith the detent mechanism when the knob accessory is mounted on the thermostat nob by mating the central opening with the wall of the thermostat knob and with the central wall of the knob accessory surrounding the wall of the thermostat knob, said second detent feature comprising a radially extending spring-loaded projection entering the recess in the thermostat knob when the knob accessory is mounted on the thermostat knob.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A knob accessory for a round thermostat of the type having a centrally located thermostat adjustment knob, has a relatively large diameter which allows easier adjustment of the thermostat setting for people who have difficulty in rotating an adjustment knob having detents to indicate thermostat settings. The knob accessory latches onto the standard adjustment knob with a detent mechanism which also allows removing the knob.
102 Citations
11 Claims
- 1. In a round thermostat of the type including a housing having a generally circular periphery with a central axis and for adjustment of the thermostat setting, a thermostat knob having an axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis and a predetermined external shape comprising a wall projecting from the housing, an improved knob accessory for the thermostat comprising in the thermostat, a first detent feature in the external shape of the thermostat knob forming a part of a detent mechanism and comprising at least one peripheral area having a radially extending recess, and wherein the knob accessory includes a cylindrical outer wall forming the knob accessory'"'"'s periphery and a face portion joined to the outer wall and extending towards the center from the periphery, said face portion defining a central opening having a shape which mates wit the projecting wall of the thermostat knob, and adjacent said central wall, a second detent feature mating with the first detent feature to form therewith the detent mechanism when the knob accessory is mounted on the thermostat nob by mating the central opening with the wall of the thermostat knob and with the central wall of the knob accessory surrounding the wall of the thermostat knob, said second detent feature comprising a radially extending spring-loaded projection entering the recess in the thermostat knob when the knob accessory is mounted on the thermostat knob.
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9. In a round thermostat of the type including a housing having a generally circular periphery with a central axis and for adjustment of the thermostat setting, a thermostat knob having an axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis and a predetermined external shape comprising a wall projecting from the housing, an improved knob accessory for the thermostat comprising in the thermostat, a first detent feature in the external shape of the thermostat knob forming a part of a detent mechanism, and wherein the knob accessory includes a cylindrical outer wall forming the knob accessory'"'"'s periphery and a face portion joined to the outer wall and extending towards the center from the periphery, said face portion defining a central opening having a shape which mates with the projecting wall of the thermostat knob, and within said central wall, a second detent feature mating with the first detent feature to form therewith the detent mechanism when the knob accessory is mounted on the thermostat knob by mating the central opening with the wall of the thermostat knob and with the central wall of the knob accessory surrounding the wall of the thermostat knob, and wherein the knob accessory face portion has a window in a predetermined area thereof.
- 10. In a round thermostat of the type including a housing having a generally circular periphery with a central axis and for adjustment of the thermostat setting, a thermostat knob having an axis of rotation coinciding with the central axis and a predetermined external shape comprising a wall projecting from the housing, wherein the thermostat housing is of a predetermined diameter and has a front face and a rear edge to be mounted adjacent to a room'"'"'s wall, an improved knob accessory for the thermostat comprising in the thermostat, a first detent feature in the external shape of the thermostat knob forming a part of a detent mechanism, and wherein the knob accessory includes a cylindrical outer wall forming the knob accessory'"'"'periphery and a face portion joined to the outer wall and extending towards the center from the periphery, said face portion defining a central opening having a shape which mates wit the projecting wall of the thermostat knob, and within said central wall, a second detent feature mating with the first detent feature to form therewith the detent mechanism when the knob accessory is mounted on the thermostat nob by mating the central opening with the wall of the thermostat knob and with the central wall of the knob accessory surrounding the wall of the thermostat knob, and wherein the cylindrical wall forming the knob accessory'"'"'s periphery has an inside diameter greater than the predetermine diameter of the thermostat housing, said knob accessory'"'"'s cylindrical wall extending toward the rear edge of the thermostat housing and at least partially surrounding the thermostat housing.
Specification