Quick zeroing knob assembly

• US 6,508,144 B1
• Filed: 05/14/2002
• Issued: 01/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Original Assignee: the united states of america as represented by the secretary of the navy
• Inventors: Vendetti, Vincent J., Canaday, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Luong, Vinh T.
• Application Number:
  US09/861,982
• Time in Patent Office: 252 Days
• Field of Search: 745/27, 745/53, 745/28, 421/24, 421/26, 421/12, 421/25, 421/27, 421/36, 421/37, 332/98
• US Class Current: 74/553
• CPC Class Codes: G05G 1/10 Details, e.g. of discs, knobs, wheels or handles G05G1/085 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/20636 Detents
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2084 Knob or dial

Abstract

A control knob assembly is disclosed that may be generally used for the quick zeroing adjustment of a dial thereof. A control knob assembly includes a housing with a shaft rotatably supported therein. A ring is coupled to the shaft in such a way that rotation of the ring causes rotation of the shaft. The ring has a plurality of holes distributed therearound and extending longitudinally therethrough from a first side thereof to a second side thereof. A knob is disposed about the shaft adjacent the first side of the ring. The knob is rotatable about the shaft and slidable therealong. A spring is coupled between the knob and ring for biasing the knob towards the ring. A pin extends from the knob to engage one of the holes at the first side of the ring when the spring is free to bias the knob towards the ring. A spring-loaded detent mechanism mounted in the housing engages one of the holes from the second side of the ring. The detent mechanism permits rotation of the ring relative to the housing when the spring is free to bias the knob towards the ring. However, the detent mechanism inhibits rotation of the ring relative to the housing when the spring'"'"'s bias is overcome by a pulling force that causes the pin to disengage from one of the holes at the first side of the ring.

Claims

1. A control knob for selecting the zero position of a mechanism without altering the actual position of the mechanism, the mechanism having a shaft having first and second ends and with retaining means at said first end and with a keyway located between said first and second end thereof, said control knob comprising:

(a) a ring with a key placed in said keyway, said ring having a first dimensioned opening;

(b) a bushing having first and second ends with the second end having a lip thereat and with said bushing being dimensioned and placed around said shaft so that said lip abuts against said retaining means and so that said second end of said bushing abuts against said ring;

(c) a knob for gripping and having an interior with first, second and third cutouts each having predetermined dimensions, said knob having a second opening dimensioned to be complementary to said first opening;

(i) said first cutout being dimensioned so as to accept the insertion of said ring;

(ii) said second cutout being dimensioned so as to accept the insertion of said first end of said bushing;

(iii) said third cutout being dimensioned so as to accept said lip of said bushing;

(d) a spring having first and second ends and dimensioned for insertion into both of said first and second cutouts and so that said first end thereof abuts against said lip of said bushing; and

(e) a pin inserted into said knob and into said ring wherein the selection of the zero position is initiated by gripping and pulling said knob outward.

2. A control knob assembly for selecting the zero position of a mechanism without altering the actual position of the mechanism having a shaft having first and second ends and with retaining means at said first end and with a keyway located between said first and second end thereof, said control knob comprising:

(a) a ring with a key placed in said keyway, said ring having a first dimensioned opening;

(b) a bushing having first and second ends with the second end having a lip thereat and with said bushing being dimensioned and placed around said shaft so that said lip abuts against said retaining means and so that said second end of said bushing abuts against said ring;

(c) a knob for gripping and having an interior with first, second and third cutouts each having predetermined dimensions and an exterior with first and second diameters, said second and third cutouts having a stepped arrangement, said knob having a second opening dimensioned to be complementary to said first opening;

(i) said first cutout being dimensioned so as to accept the insertion of said ring so that its first opening is in alignment with said second opening in said knob;

(ii) said second cutout being dimensioned so as to have a diameter to at least accept the insertion of said first end of said bushing;

(iii) said third cutout being dimensioned to have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of said second cutout and so as to accept said lip of said bushing;

(d) a spring having first and second ends and dimensioned for insertion into both of said first and second cutouts and so that said first end thereof abuts against said lip of said bushing; and

(e) a pin dimensioned to be inserted into and maintained within both of said first and second openings wherein the selection of the zero position is initiated by gripping and pulling said knob outward.

3. A control knob assembly for selecting the zero position of a traverse and elevating mechanism for an automatic gun having a drive train and capable of continuous firing without altering the actual position of the mechanism, said mechanism having a shaft with first and second ends and with retaining means at said first end and with a keyway located between said first and second ends thereof, said second end of said shaft having coupling means for coupling to said automatic gun said control knob assembly comprising:

(a) a ring with a key placed in said keyway, said ring having a first dimensioned opening;

(b) a bushing having first and second ends with the second end having a lip thereat and with said bushing being dimensioned and placed around said shaft so that said lip abuts against said retaining means and so that said second end of said bushing abuts against said ring;

(c) a knob for gripping and having an interior with first, second and third cutouts each having predetermined dimensions, said knob having a second opening dimensioned to be complementary to said first opening, said knob having a dial thereon and having graduations around its border with one such graduation indicating said zero position of said traverse and elevating mechanism;

(i) said first cutout being dimensioned so as to accept the insertion of said ring;

(ii) said second cutout being dimensioned so as to accept the insertion of said first end of said bushing;

(iii) said third cutout being dimensioned so as to accept said lip of said bushing;

(d) a spring having first and second ends and dimensioned for insertion into both of said first and second cutouts and so that said first end thereof abuts against said lip of said bushing; and

(e) a pin inserted into said knob and into said ring wherein the selection of the zero position is initiated by gripping and pulling said knob outward.

4. A control knob assembly for selecting the zero position of a traverse and elevating mechanism for an automatic gun having a drive train and capable of continuous firing without altering the actual position of the mechanism, said mechanism having a shaft with first and second ends and with retaining means at said first end and with a keyway located between said first and second ends thereof, said second end of said shaft having coupling means for coupling to said automatic gun, said control knob assembly comprising:

(a) a ring with a key placed in said keyway, said ring having a first dimensioned opening;

(b) a bushing having first and second ends with the second end having a lip thereat and with said bushing being dimensioned and placed around said shaft so that said lip abuts against said retaining means and so that said second end of said bushing abuts against said ring;

(c) a knob for gripping and having an interior with first, second and third cutouts each having predetermined dimensions and an exterior with first and second diameters, said second and third cutouts having a stepped arrangement, said knob having a second opening dimensioned to be complementary to said first opening, said exterior defined by said first diameter having a dial thereon and having graduations around its border with one such graduation indicating said zero position of said traverse and elevating mechanism;

(i) said first cutout being dimensioned so as to accept the insertion of said ring so that its first opening is in alignment with said second opening in said knob;

(ii) said second cutout being dimensioned so as to have a diameter to at least accept the insertion of said first end of said bushing;

(iii) said third cutout being dimensioned to have a diameter that is greater than the diameter of said second cutout and so as to accept said lip of said bushing;

(d) a spring having first and second ends and dimensioned for insertion into both of said first and second cutouts and so that said first end thereof abuts against said lip of said bushing; and

(e) a pin dimensioned to be inserted into and maintained within both of said first and second openings wherein the selection of the zero position is initiated by gripping and pulling said knob outward.

5. A control knob assembly comprising:

a housing;

a shaft rotatably supported in said housing;

a ring coupled to said shaft wherein rotation of said ring causes rotation of said shaft, said ring having a plurality of holes distributed therearound and extending longitudinally therethrough from a first side thereof to a second side thereof;

a knob disposed about said shaft adjacent said first side of said ring, said knob being rotatable about said shaft and slidable therealong;

biasing means coupled between said knob and said ring for biasing said knob towards said ring;

first means fixedly coupled to said knob and extending therefrom for engaging one of said plurality of holes at said first side of said ring when said biasing means is free to bias said knob towards said ring;

second means mounted in said housing and extending therefrom for engaging one of said plurality of holes from said second side of said ring, said second means permitting rotation of said ring relative to said housing when said biasing means is free to bias said knob towards said ring, said second means inhibiting rotation of said ring relative to said housing when said biasing means is overcome by a pulling force that causes said first means to disengage from said one of said plurality of holes at said first side of said ring.

6. A control knob assembly as in claim 5 further comprising a first reference mark on said knob and a second reference mark on said housing, wherein said knob can be rotated when said biasing means is overcome by said pulling force such that said first reference mark is alignable with said second reference mark.

7. A control knob assembly as in claim 5 wherein said biasing means is a spring.

8. A control knob assembly as in claim 5 wherein said first means is a cylindrical rod.

9. A control knob assembly as in claim 5 wherein said second means is a spring-loaded detent.

10. A control knob assembly as in claim 5 wherein each of said plurality of holes tapers outward at said first side and said second side of said ring.