Appliance and illuminated knob assembly
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A knob assembly for an appliance, the knob assembly comprising:
- a surface panel having a forward face and a rearward face, the surface panel defining a light opening extending through the surface panel from the rearward face to the forward face;
a control knob attached to the surface panel at the forward face, the control knob being rotatable about a central axis;
a light source disposed behind the surface panel at the rearward face;
a modular bezel body disposed on the forward face; and
a light guide removably attached to the surface panel about the control knob, the light guide comprising a view ring to receive a portion of light emitted from the light source, the light guide further comprising a resilient tab extending axially rearward from the view ring to retain the light guide and modular bezel body at a specific fixed position relative to the surface panel, the resilient tab being biased radially to deflect perpendicular to the central axis,wherein the modular bezel body is disposed concentrically about the light guide.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An appliance and illuminated knob assembly are generally provided herein. The knob assembly may include a surface panel, a control knob, a light source, and a light guide. The surface panel may have a forward face and a rearward face. The control knob may be attached to the surface panel at the forward face. Moreover, the control knob may be rotatable about a central axis. The light source may be disposed behind the surface panel at the rearward face. The light guide may be removably attached to the surface panel about the control knob and include a view ring to receive a portion of light emitted from the light source.
56 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A knob assembly for an appliance, the knob assembly comprising:
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a surface panel having a forward face and a rearward face, the surface panel defining a light opening extending through the surface panel from the rearward face to the forward face; a control knob attached to the surface panel at the forward face, the control knob being rotatable about a central axis; a light source disposed behind the surface panel at the rearward face; a modular bezel body disposed on the forward face; and a light guide removably attached to the surface panel about the control knob, the light guide comprising a view ring to receive a portion of light emitted from the light source, the light guide further comprising a resilient tab extending axially rearward from the view ring to retain the light guide and modular bezel body at a specific fixed position relative to the surface panel, the resilient tab being biased radially to deflect perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the modular bezel body is disposed concentrically about the light guide. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A cooking appliance comprising:
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a heating element mounted to the cooking appliance; a control knob attached to the cooking appliance to control the heating element, the control knob defining a central axis; a surface panel supporting the control knob, the surface panel comprising a forward face and a rearward face, the surface panel defining a light opening and a stem opening, the light opening and the stem opening extending through the surface panel from the rearward face to the forward face; a light source disposed within the cooking appliance behind the surface panel; a modular bezel body disposed on the forward face; a light guide removably attached to the surface panel about the control knob, the light guide comprising a view ring to receive a portion of light emitted from the light source, the light guide further comprising a resilient tab extending axially rearward from the view ring to retain the light guide and the modular bezel body at a fixed specific position relative to the modular bezel body, the resilient tab being biased radially to deflect perpendicular to the central axis; a control board disposed within the cooking appliance behind the surface panel at the rearward face; an input stem extending from the control board to the control knob through the stem opening, the input stem comprising a fixed coupling sleeve; and a coupling nut secured to the coupling sleeve at the forward face and restricting rearward movement of the input stem though the central axis, the control knob being rotatably fixed to the input stem, wherein the modular bezel body is disposed concentrically about the light guide. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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Specification