Illuminated switch apparatus

• US 5,913,414 A
• Filed: 03/11/1998
• Issued: 06/22/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Original Assignee: TRW Limited (Zeppelin - Stiftung der Stadt Friedrichshafen)
• Inventors: Pollock, Scott J., Smith, Nick
• Primary Examiner(s): Gellner, Michael L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Nhung
• Application Number:
  US09/038,587
• Time in Patent Office: 468 Days
• Field of Search: 200/5 R, 200/308, 200/310, 200/313, 200/316, 200/336, 200/314, 362/23, 362/24, 362/26, 362/29, 362/30, 340/815.42, 340/815.47
• US Class Current: 200/316
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators

Abstract

An apparatus (10) comprises a manually rotatable knob (14) and a source (18) of light. The knob (14) has an axis (15) of rotation, and has a discrete light-transmitting portion (40) which is spaced from the axis (15). A hollow part (36) of the knob (14) defines a chamber (39) extending from the axis (15) to the light-transmitting portion (40). A rotor (22) extends along the axis (15) from the chamber (39) to the source (18) of light. The rotor (22) is formed of material which is translucent sufficiently to transmit light from the source (18) to the chamber (39) to flood the chamber (39) with light, and thereby to illuminate the light-transmitting portion (40) of the knob (14).

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:

a manually rotatable knob having an axis of rotation, said knob having a discreet light-transmitting portion spaced from said axis and comprising a hollow structure defining a chamber extending from said axis to said light-transmitting portion;

a rotor projecting from said chamber along said axis; and

a source of light adjacent to said rotor at a location spaced from said knob;

said rotor being formed of material which is translucent sufficiently to transmit light from said source to said chamber to flood said chamber with light, and thereby to illuminate said light-transmitting portion of said knob.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said rotor has a light-transmitting surface within said chamber, said light-transmitting surface of said rotor defining an angle of refraction which is specified with reference to the location of said light-transmitting portion of said knob.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said light-transmitting surface of said rotor is planar and is inclined relative to said axis.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said light-transmitting surface of said rotor is a terminal end surface of said rotor.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said rotor defines an axially recessed pocket, said source of light being received in said pocket.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 further comprising an electrical contact mounted on said rotor at a location spaced from said knob.