Patent ID: 7867646

Claim:
A thermostat comprising: a thermostat housing having at least one compartment in the housing adapted to receive at least one battery therein, at least one slotted portion adapted to slidably receive a pivot pin therein, and at least one retaining member projecting from the housing; a closure member having at least one pivot pin slidably disposed within the slotted portion in the housing, the closure member being slidable between a first unlatched position in which the closure member is pivotal about its at least one pivot pin to an open position that allows access to the at least one compartment for removal or insertion of a battery therein, and a latched position in which the at least one latching portion on the closure member is received below and engages the at least one retaining member on the thermostat housing, to retain the closure member in a latched position; a spring within the at least one compartment, for biasing at least one battery that is received within the compartment towards the closure member; at least one battery that is received within the at least one compartment; and at least one electrically conductive contact member disposed on a side of the closure member facing the at least one compartment in the thermostat housing, wherein the at least one electrically conductive contact member establishes electrical contact with at least one battery that is received within the at least one compartment when the closure member is slidably moved to a latched position, wherein when the closure member is in the first unlatched position, the distance between the axial centerline of the at least one battery and the pivot axis about which the closure member pivots is approximately equal to the radius of the at least one battery, such that the closure member is held in a fully open position by contact between the closure member and the at least one battery when the closure member is in the first unlatched position and the spring causes the at least one battery to force the closure member open and to protrude at least partially out of the compartment.