Control knob with multi-color indicator

• US 20050236263A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inmusic Brands Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Stanton Magnetics, Inc. (Inmusic Brands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Mazur, James
• Granted Patent: US 7,205,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 200/310
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 3/0213 Combined operation of electric switch and variable impedance, e.g. resistor, capacitor H01H9/061 takes precedence

Abstract

A control knob for controlling an underlying signal is disclosed. The control knob includes a clear radial portion which serves as an indicator on the knob. The radial portion receives light from a multi-color LED which is housed within a clear shaft of a potentiometer which rotates in concert with the control knob and controls the level of the underlying signal. The multi-color LED emits light of a color which is dependent upon the level of the underlying signal being controlled by the control knob.

Claims

1. A control knob, including:

a control device for controlling a level of a signal in response to a position of said knob;

a light emitting device which emits light of a color chosen from at least two colors dependent upon said level of said signal; and

a portion of said knob receiving and passing said emitted light for viewing by a user.

2. The control knob of claim 1 wherein said control device includes a potentiometer which varies resistance in response to rotation of said control knob.

3. The control knob of claim 1 wherein said light emitting device is a multi-color light emitting diode (LED).

4. The control knob of claim 2 wherein said potentiometer includes a hollow shaft which rotates in concert with rotation of said knob.

5. The control knob of claim 4 wherein said hollow shaft is clear or translucent and said light emitting device is placed within said hollow shaft.

6. The control knob of claim 1 wherein said portion of said knob is a radial portion of said knob and wherein said radial portion is clear or translucent.

7. The control knob of claim 6 wherein said control device includes a potentiometer which varies resistance in response to rotation of said control knob.

8. The control knob of claim 7 wherein said light emitting device is a multi-color light emitting diode (LED).

9. The control knob of claim 8 wherein said potentiometer includes a hollow shaft which rotates in concert with rotation of said knob.

10. The control knob of claim 9 wherein said hollow shaft is clear or translucent and said light emitting diode is placed within said hollow shaft, wherein light emitted from said light emitting diode passes through said hollow shaft and through said radial portion.