Illuminated knob assembly

• US 5,752,759 A
• Filed: 03/07/1997
• Issued: 05/19/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Original Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
• Inventors: Pizzo, William C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/812,576
• Time in Patent Office: 438 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/29, 362/30, 362/32, 362/100, 362/85, 362/86, 362/252, 362/293
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/105 comprising arrangements for illumination
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2219/062 Light conductor
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/161 comprising light emitting elements

Abstract

The control knob includes a chamber into which a translucent polycarbonate jewel light pipe assembly of a first color, such as blue, and a translucent polycarbonate jewel cap of a second color, such as white, are inserted. The jewel cap is engaged against said jewel light pipe assembly and includes a bulbous portion which protrudes or stands proud through an axially oriented slot in the sidewalls of the control knob thereby forming an indicator for the control knob. In ambient illumination, such as during the day, the indicator appears to be the color of the jewel cap, such as white. However, when the dashboard is electrically illuminated, such as during the night, the illumination is collected by the jewel light pipe, and the color of the jewel light pipe assembly, such as blue or blue-green, is projected through the cap assembly and the indicator appears to be blue or blue green.

Claims

1. A control knob comprising:

a front face bounded by a cylindrical sidewall;

a longitudinally oriented slot in said cylindrical sidewall;

a chamber formed radially inwardly adjacent from said longitudinally oriented slot;

a light pipe assembly of a first preselected color engaged within said chamber; and

a cap assembly of a second preselected color engaged with said light pipe assembly and including a bulbous portion extending through said longitudinally oriented slot in said cylindrical sidewall.

2. The control knob of claim 1 wherein said light pipe assembly and said cap assembly are translucent.

3. The control knob assembly of claim 2 wherein said first preselected color includes a substantial blue component and said second preselected color is substantially white.

4. The control knob assembly of claim 3 wherein said longitudinally oriented slot extends into a portion of said front face.

5. The control knob of claim 4 wherein said chamber is formed from two walls extending from a central portion of said knob to said cylindrical sidewalls.

6. The control knob of claim 5 wherein said light pipe assembly has an outwardly flaring tail which extends past a rear of said control knob for gathering illumination behind said control knob.

7. The control knob of claim 6 wherein said walls of said chamber include detent ledges for engaging said light pipe assembly.

8. The control knob of claim 7 wherein said light pipe assembly includes a longitudinally oriented ridge, and said cap assembly includes a longitudinally oriented blind slot complementary to said longitudinally oriented ridge, whereby said light pipe assembly is engaged to said cap assembly by said longitudinally oriented ridge mating with said longitudinally oriented blind slot.

9. The control knob of claim 8 wherein said longitudinally oriented ridge is formed at an apex of a longitudinally oriented guide of triangular cross section.

10. The control knob of claim 9 wherein said longitudinally oriented slot is formed at an apex of a longitudinally oriented groove of triangular cross section complementary to said longitudinally oriented guide.

11. The control knob of claim 10 wherein said light pipe assembly and said cap assembly include forward extending portions which extend into said portion of said front face into which said longitudinally oriented slot extends.

12. The control knob of claim 11 wherein said jewel light pipe assembly and said cap assembly are polycarbonate.