Tamper resistant temperature dial and associated method of use

A temperature adjustment device associated with a controller for a heating device comprising:

• a rotatable dial for setting temperature in the heating device;
• a ring that is operatively attached to the controller, wherein the ring includes a plurality of notched portions;
• and
• a resilient detent, having a first portion engagable with at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring, a second portion for releasably applying pressure to the resilient detent for disengaging the first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of the plurality of notched portions on the ring and a third portion that is operatively attached to the rotatable dial.
• wherein the rotatable dial is circular and is positioned ajacent to a circular flange located on the controller, the circular flange having inner and outer surfaces, an opening, inside and outisde portions, wherein the second portion of the resilient detent extends through the opening in the circular flange so that the resilient detent can be manually moved in relation thereto to disengage the first portion of the reilient detent from the at least one of the plurality of notched portions of the ring.

A method for adjusting temperature of a controller for a heating device with an adjustment device comprising:

• applying pressure to a second portion of a resilient detent to disengage a first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of a plurality of notched portions on a ring thereby allowing the rotatable dial for setting temperature in the heating device to rotate to a selected temperature;
• removing pressure from the second portion of a resilient detent to engage a first portion of the resilient detent to the at least one of a plurality of notched portions on the ring that is operatively attached to the rotatable dial to position the rotatable dial for the selected temperature;
• and
• manually moving the second portion of the resilient detent extending through the opening in a circular flange so that the resilient detent can be manually moved in relation thereto to disengage the first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of the plurality of notched portions of the ring.

A method for adjusting temperature of a controller for a heating device with an adjustment device comprising:

• rotating a rotatable dial in a first predetermined direction to lower a temperature in the heating device to a selected lower temperature;
• applying pressure to a second portion of a resilient detent to disengage a first portion of the resilient detent from the at least one of a plurality of notched portions on a ring and rotating the rotatable dial in a second predetermined direction to raise the temperature in the heating device to a selected higher temperature;
• removing pressure from the second portion of a resilient detent to engage a first portion of the resilient detent to the at least one of a plurality of notched portions on the ring that is operatively attached to the rotatable dial to position the rotatable dial at the selected higher temperature;
• and
• manually moving the second portion of the resilient detent extending through the opening in a circular flange so the at the resilient detent can be manually moved in relation thereto to disengage the first portion of the resilient detent front the at least one of the plurality of notched portions of the ring.