Abstract:
A climate controller is mounted to a wall having an exterior surface. The climate controller includes a mounting bracket recessed within the wall and having a cavity therein. A faceplate is mounted to the mounting bracket and has an opening aligned with the cavity and wherein the face place is juxtaposed the exterior surface of the wall. A control module is positionable within the mounting bracket and wherein the control module comprises a control panel. When the control module moves in a first direction, the control panel is accessible through the opening in the faceplate. When the control module moves in an opposite direction, the control panel concealed from view through the opening and a visual impact of the climate controller in relation to the wall is minimized.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a climate controller for controlling ambient conditions in a building or living space. More particularly, the present invention relates to a climate controller that is recessed into a wall to minimize an adverse aesthetic impact of the climate controller in the building or living space.  
         [0002]     Wall mounted climate controllers such as thermostats are used in virtually every modern building to control an interior temperature within the building or living space. The thermostat senses the temperature within a space and compares the temperature to a predetermined setpoint. Based upon the difference between the setpoint and the actual temperature, the thermostat sends a signal to heating, ventilation and/or air conditioning units (HVAC) to adjust the temperature of the space. When the actual temperature is approximately equal to the setpoint, the thermostat will send a signal to shut down the HVAC equipment.  
         [0003]     Wall mounted thermostats have become efficient at accurately controlling the temperature of a living space, and have greatly contributed to comfort levels for persons within the space. Thermostats also contribute in the effort to conserve energy. However, many people do not find thermostats to be aesthetically appealing. While necessary, most architects and building occupants find wall mounted thermostats to be an eyesore. Many thermostats extend into the living space from the wall, thereby adding clutter to the view and probably do not match the architectural design of the space.  
         [0004]     Some thermostats are mounted generally flush with the wall, thereby eliminating some of the eyesore. However, the controls and the display screen are visible and thereby detract from the visual aesthetics of the space.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     The present invention includes a climate controller for mounting to a wall having an exterior surface. The climate controller includes a mounting bracket recessed within the wall and having a cavity therein. A faceplate is mounted to the mounting bracket and has an opening aligned with the cavity and wherein the face place is juxtaposed the exterior surface of the wall. A control module is positionable within the mounting bracket and wherein the control module comprises a control panel. When the control module moves in a first direction, the control panel is accessible through the opening in the faceplate. When the control module moves in an opposite direction, the control panel is concealed from view through the opening and a visual impact of the climate controller in relation to the wall is minimized.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the temperature controller of the present invention having a viewing panel accessible to an operator in a living space;  
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a sectional view of a stopping mechanism along section line  1 A- 1 A in  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a climate controller of the present invention wherein a control module is being rotated within a mounting bracket;  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is perspective view of the climate controller of the present invention wherein a control panel is accessible to an operator in a living space;  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the climate controller of the present invention as viewed from a backside thereof;  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the mounting bracket of the present invention viewed from a backside thereof;  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is another perspective view of the mounting bracket of the present invention viewed from a backside thereof;  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of a switching mechanism for controlling two temperature sensors of the present invention; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the climate controller of the present invention having a non-movable sensor.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     A climate controller of the present invention is generally illustrated at  10  in  FIG. 1 . The climate controller  10  is recessed within an opening  14  in a wall  12  to minimize the aesthetic impact of the climate controller  10  on the wall  12 .  
         [0016]     A preferred climate controller  10  is a thermostat for controlling a temperature. However, other climate control devices are within the scope of the present invention, including but not limited to, a humidistat. Throughout this application, the climate controller  10  will be referred to as a thermostat  10 . However, the use of the term thermostat is not to be construed as limiting of the scope of the present invention.  
         [0017]     The thermostat  10  of the present invention minimizes the aesthetic impact on a room by having only two visible components, a faceplate  16  and a viewing panel  20  of a control module  18 . The faceplate  16  and the viewing panel  20  of the control module  18  are substantially flush with each other, having only a seam between the faceplate  16  and the control module  18 . The face plate  16  and the viewing panel  20  create a single generally smooth surface that minimizes the aesthetic impact of the thermostat  10  on the wall  12 . By aesthetic impact is meant the impact of the thermostat on the appearance of a space, a room or a wall.  
         [0018]     The single generally smooth surface is interrupted by a temperature sensor  22  that preferably extends an effective distance into the room to determine a temperature of the room from the viewing panel  20 . However, the size, color and a length of the sensor  22  that extends from the generally smooth surface is designed to minimize the adverse aesthetic impact of the temperature sensor  22  within the viewing panel  20 . It is also within the scope of the present invention for the temperature sensor  22  to be recessed or flush mounted into the viewing panel or alternatively positioned within the faceplate  16 . The temperature sensor  22  also may be remotely located away from the thermostat  10 .  
         [0019]     An exterior surface of a lock  24  also interrupts the generally smooth surface of the viewing panel  20  of the control module  18 . The lock  24  includes a key hole  28  into which a key (not shown) is inserted. The key is rotated and thereby rotates a latch  30  within a slot  34  in a mounting bracket  32  that prevents rotational movement of the control module  18 . However, any locking mechanism is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0020]     The lock  24  is not required to practice the present invention. However, the lock  24  may be useful in eliminating unauthorized personnel from readjusting the temperature setpoint on the thermostat  10  which may increase energy costs, especially in a commercial or public building.  
         [0021]     Referring to  FIGS. 1-5 , the faceplate  16  is removably attached to the mounting bracket  32  that is positioned within the opening  14  in the wall  12 . Preferably, the faceplate  16  includes magnets that attract to the mounting bracket  32  which is preferably a constructed from a magnetic ferrous metal. However, other attachments of the face plate  16  to the mounting bracket  32  are within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0022]     The mounting bracket  32  is secured to the wall  12  by positioning a plurality of tabs  34  that extend outwardly from a front edge  36  in contact with an exterior surface  13  of the wall  12  and engaging a plurality of wings  38  that extend beyond the perimeter of the mounting bracket  32  with an interior surface  11  of the wall  12 . The plurality of wings  38  are generally located at the four corners of the mounting bracket  32 . Each of the plurality of wings  38  are threadably engaged with threaded bolts  40  that are rotated and engage threaded bores  41  in the wings  38  to draw the wings  38  into contact with the interior surface  11 . As the wings  38  are drawn into contact with the interior surface  11 , a frictional engagement between the plurality of wings  38 , the wall  12  and the plurality of tabs  34  is created which secures the mounting bracket  32  to the wall  12 .  
         [0023]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 ,  5  and  6 , the control module  18  is positioned within a cavity  42  in the mounting bracket  32  defined by a top wall  44 , left and right side walls  46 ,  48 , respectively, and a bottom wall  50 . Top and bottom pegs  52 ,  54  extending from top and bottom surfaces  56 ,  58 , respectively, of the control module  18  are positioned within a generally circular cross-sectional aperture  60  in the bottom wall  50  and a generally circular cross-sectional aperture  62  in a plate  64  proximate to and substantially parallel to the top wall  44  of the mounting bracket  32 . The apertures  60 ,  62  are generally aligned and accept the top and bottom pegs  52 ,  54  that are positioned generally along a vertical axis  19  of the control module  18 . With the pegs  52 ,  54  positioned within the apertures  60 ,  62 , the control module  18  is rotatably secured within the mounting bracket  32  and is rotatable about the vertical axis  19 . It is also within the scope of the present invention for the control module  18  to be rotatably attached to the mounting bracket  32  such that the control assembly  18  rotates about a horizontal axis.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 1A ,  5  and  6 , the control module  18  is rotated about the vertical axis  19  by disengaging a latch  84  from a first slot  53  in the bottom peg  54  of the control module  18  by depressing a push button  82  accessible through an aperture  17  in the faceplate  16 . With the latch  84  disengaged from the first slot  53 , a coil spring  72  having a first end  76  attached to the control module  18  and a second end  74  attached to the mounting bracket  32  uncoils which forces the control module  18  to rotate about the vertical axis  19 .  
         [0025]     The control module  18  continues to rotate until a first surface  86  of a first pie shaped stop  87  extending from the bottom peg  54  engages a first surface  90  of a pie shaped stop  91  extending from the mounting bracket  32  within the aperture  60 . The abutting first surfaces  86 ,  90  stop the control module  18  from rotating and the latch  84  engages a second slot  51  opposite the first slot  53  to retain the control module  18  in the selected position.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , with the first surfaces  86 ,  90  abutting, the control panel  64  is accessible through the opening in the faceplate  16 . The control panel  64  allows the temperature set point to be adjusted as well as program whether the building is set to a heating or cooling.  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the control panel  64  includes a display screen  66  for determining the temperature set point, the actual temperature as well as whether the thermostat is in a heating or cooling mode of operation. The screen display  66  is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD). A display may also be contained within the viewable panel  20  so that the room temperature may be ascertained without having to manipulate the position of the control module  18 .  
         [0028]     The control panel  64  preferably contains a first set of control push buttons  68  that manipulate a first controller and are manipulated to raise and lower the temperature setpoint. The control panel  64  also preferably contains a second set of control push buttons  70  that manipulates a second controller which is used to change the mode of operation of the thermostat from a heating mode to a cooling mode or vice versa. Additionally, the second set of push buttons  70  allow the ventilation equipment to continuously circulating air into the building or to only circulate air when the heating apparatus or the cooling apparatus is actuated. Other controllers are also within the scope of the present invention including, but not limited to, a touch screen controller. A thermostat  10  having more than two controllers is within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0029]     The LCD display screen  66 , the first set of push buttons  68  and the second set of push buttons  70 , or any other controller, while required to operate the thermostat  10 , adversely affect the aesthetic impact appearance of the room. Therefore, when the setpoint has been selected as well as the mode of operation, the control panel  64  is rotated back into the cavity  42  in the mounting bracket  52  to conceal the control panel  64  from view. With the control panel  64  concealed from view, the viewing panel  20  of the control module  18  is visible along with the face plate  16 .  
         [0030]     The viewing panel  20  may optionally include a display screen for determining the ambient temperature without having to manipulate the control module  18 . The display screen should be of a size, configuration and brightness as to not adversely affect the aesthetic impact of the room.  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 1A  and  6 , when the desired adjustments have been made on the control panel  64 , the control panel  64  is concealed from view within the mounting bracket  32  by depressing the push button  82  by overcoming the bias of a compression spring  83  and disengaging the latch  84  from the second slot  51  in the bottom peg  54 . Manual force is applied to the control module  18  in an opposite rotational direction to overcome the bias of the coil spring  72  and rotate the control module  18  about the vertical axis  19 . The control module  18  is rotated in the opposite direction until a second surface  88  of the pie shaped wedge  87  of the bottom peg  54  engages a second surface  92  of the pie shaped wedge  91  of the mounting bracket  32  as best illustrated in  FIG. 1A .  
         [0032]     With the second surfaces  88 ,  92  abutting, the latch  84  is aligned with and engages the first slot  53  to prevent the coil spring  72  from uncoiling and retaining the viewing panel  20  in a viewable position while concealing the control panel  64 . As the control module  18  is rotated, the coil spring  72  coils about the bottom peg  54 , or loads. When access to the control panel  64  is needed, the operator depresses the push button  82  by overcoming the bias of the compression spring  83  and disengage the latch  84  from the first slot  53  and the coil spring  72  biases the control panel  64  into the accessible position.  
         [0033]     It is also within the scope of the present invention for the control module  18  to be slidably retained within the mounting bracket  32  where a control panel  64  is accessible by sliding the control module  18  away from the wall  12  and where the control panel  62  is concealed by sliding the control module  18  into the cavity  42  in the mounting bracket  32 . Other movable connections of the control module  18  are also within the scope of the present invention provided the control module  18  is movable to access the control panel  64  to make control adjustments and where the control module  18  is movable in an opposite direction to conceal the control panel  64  from view when adjustments have been completed. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to conceal the control panel by rotating the control module in the same direction essentially completing a revolution.  
         [0034]     Wires (not shown) that provide power to the thermostat, and also provide signals from the thermostat to a HVAC equipment, are positioned through a bore (not shown) that extends from the top peg  52  and into an interior of the control module  18 . Ends of the wires are connected to terminals that are connected to the first and second set of controllers as well as a terminal that provides power to the thermostat  10 . The wires are also connected to a connecting strip  78  proximate the top wall  44  of the mounting bracket  32 . Additional wires (not shown) are attached to the connecting strip  78  to complete circuits that provide power to the thermostat  10  as well as send signals to the HVAC equipment. It is also within the scope of the present invention for the climate controller to be powered by a dry cell battery.  
         [0035]     The wires are fixedly attached to the internal terminals within the control module  18 . Therefore, the control module  18  cannot be rotated through several revolutions without potentially causing the wires to twist which creates tension and causes the wires to disconnect from the terminals, thereby causing the thermostat to fail. Alternatively, the terminals may be rotatably connected to the control module  18  to eliminate the issues caused by twisting wires.  
         [0036]     The cavity  42  in the mounting bracket  32  has a generally square or rectangular perimeter. However, other mounting brackets  32  having cavities with differently shaped perimeters are also within the scope of the present invention including, but not limited to, a circular perimeter, an elliptical perimeter and a polygonal perimeter having symmetric sides. Any geometrically configured mounting bracket  32  and similarly configured control module  18  are within the scope of the present invention provided the control module  18  is positionable within the mounting bracket  32  to conceal the control panel  64  while allowing the viewing panel  20  to be visible within the room.  
         [0037]     The control panel  64  and the viewing panel  20  are preferably substantially flat and parallel to each other. However other geometric configurations of the viewing panel  20  and the control panel  64  are also within the scope of the present invention including any angle defined by the abutting viewing panel  20  and the control panel  64  or where the planes defining the control panel  64  and the viewing panel  20  are non-parallel.  
         [0038]     Depending upon the degree of rotation of the control module  18  that is required, angles of the pie shaped stops  87 ,  91  are modified. The angles of the pie shaped stops  87 ,  91  are decreased to increase the degrees of rotation of the control module  18 . Alternatively, the angles of the pie shaped stops  87 ,  91  are increased to decrease the degrees of rotation of the control module  18 . The first and second slots  53 ,  51  in the bottom peg  54  are also positioned at the required angular positions to allow the control module  18  to rotate through the selected degrees of rotation and retained in selected positions with the engagement with the latch  84 .  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 8 , indicia  80  may also be placed upon the faceplate  16  and the viewing panel  20  of the control module  18  to make the thermostat  10  more aesthetically pleasing on the wall. By indicia  80  is meant any distinctive mark or design. The indicia  80  may include a design painted on the faceplate  16 , and the viewing panel  20  provided the capabilities of the sensor  20  are unaffected. Further indicia  80  include wall paper that matches wall paper on the wall  12 , provided the control module  18  is able to rotate and the capabilities of the sensor  22  are unaffected. Other indicia are also within the scope of the present invention including architectural finishes, such as a wood or metal finish.  
         [0040]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3  and  7 , the thermostat  10  may also have two temperature sensors  22 ,  65  on the control panel  64  and the viewing panel  20 , respectively. A switch  82  energizes one sensor or the other depending upon the position of the control module  18 . The sensor  65  on the control panel  64  may be required if the operation does not rotate the control module  18  so that the viewing panel  20  is visible. If the viewing panel  20  is within the cavity  42  in the mounting bracket  32 , the sensor  22  may not provide an accurate temperature. However, with the dual sensor  22 ,  65  configuration with the switch  82  energizing one sensor and de-energizing the other, this potential problem is eliminated.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 8 , the sensor  22  may also be fixedly mounted in a selected position, such as within the faceplate  16 . However, other remote locations of the sensor  22  are also within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0042]     The sensor  22  is connected to the control module  18  by a flexible connector  23 , such as a coiled wire, that communicates or transmits the signal from the sensor  22  to the control module  18 . The flexible connector  23  expands and contracts as the control module  18  rotates, and thereby allows for the rotational movement of the control module  18 .  
         [0043]     Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.