Heating pad controller with multiple position switch and diodes

• US 6,884,973 B2
• Filed: 08/09/2002
• Issued: 04/26/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Sunbeam Products, Inc. d/b/a Jarden Consumer Solutions (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Castracane, Mark A.
• Primary Examiner(s): PASCHALL, MARK H
• Application Number:
  US10/215,969
• Publication Number:
  US 20040026406A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 219/505, 219/506, 219/501, 219/508, 219/497, 219/494, 219/212, 219/481, 219/528, 219/217, 607 96- 98, 607/108
• US Class Current: 219/491
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 1/0294 Planar elements

Abstract

A control circuit for a heating pad. The control circuit includes a two-pole, four-position slide switch. The four positions of the two-pole, four-position slide switch include off and three different heat settings of the heating pad. The control circuit also includes three heat setting indicators that are alternatively illuminated when the switch is in the three different heat settings. Diodes are used to direct electrical currents through the indicators as appropriate. The diodes and the two-pole, four-position slide switch are arranged so that current may be appropriately flow through, or may be blocked from flowing through, the indicators when the two-pole, four-position slide switch is in each of the three heating settings.

Claims

1. A heating pad, comprising:

a heating element;

controls for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element, the controls comprising;

power nodes for connecting to an AC power source;

a multiple position switch having at least two settings other than off, each of the settings comprising a separate set of contacts, the multiple position switch being connected to the power nodes and the heating element, the different settings on the multiple position switch representing different heat output settings for the heating element;

a plurality of indicators, at least one each corresponding to each of the at least two settings of the multiple position switch; and

a plurality of diodes connected between the power nodes and the multiple position switch, the diodes being arranged so that different indicators are supplied power when the multiple position switch is in the at least two settings;

for each setting of the multiple position switch, the set of contacts and the plurality of diodes being arranged and configured when the multiple position switch is at the setting to both supply power from the power nodes to the heating element and supply power from power nodes to the corresponding indicator for the setting so that the indicator provides a signal.

2. The heating pad of claim 1, wherein the indicators comprise light emitting diodes, and the signal comprises lighting of the light emitting diode.

3. The heating pad of claim 2, wherein the indicators comprise a separate light emitting diode for each setting of the multiple position switch.

4. The heating pad of claim 1, wherein the multiple position switch comprises a two-pole, four-position slide switch.

5. The heating pad of claim 4, wherein the indicators comprise light emitting diodes.

6. The heating pad of claim 5, wherein the indicators comprise a separate light emitting diode for each setting of the multiple position switch.

7. The heating pad of claim 4, wherein the two-pole, four-position slide switch comprises a first setting in which the heating element is off, a second setting in which the heating element supplies a low heat output, a third setting in which the heating element supplies a medium heat output, and a fourth setting in which the heating element supplies a high heat output.

8. The heating pad of claim 1, wherein the multiple position switch is a mechanical switch.

11. The heating pad of claim 1, wherein the multiple position switch comprises a first setting in which the heating element is off, a second setting in which the heating element supplies a low heat output, a third setting in which the heating element supplies a medium heat output, and a fourth setting in which the, heating element supplies a high heat output.

9. A heating pad, comprising:

a heating element;

controls for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element the controls comprising;

power nodes for connecting to an AC power source;

a two-pole, four-position slide switch, the two-pole, four-position slide switch comprising a first setting in which the heating element is off, a second setting in which the heating element supplies a low heat output, a third setting in which the heating element supplies a medium heat output, and a fourth setting in which the heating element supplies a high heat output, the two-pole, four-position slide switch being connected to the power nodes and the heating element so that different settings on the two-pole, four-position slide switch represent different heat output settings for the heating element;

a plurality of indicators, at least one each corresponding to each of the settings of the two-pole, four-position slide switch;

a plurality of diodes connected between the power nodes and the two-pole, four-position slide switch, the diodes being arranged so that different indicators are supplied power when the two-pole, four-position slide switch is in the settings; and

a tickler healer, and wherein in the second setting, the controls supply full power to the tickler heater, in the third setting the controls supply half power to the tickler heater, and in the fourth setting the controls bypass the tickler healer.

10. The heating pad of claim 9, wherein in the first setting, a first diode and a second diode of the plurality of diodes permits power to flow through a first indicator of the plurality of indicators in the second position, and the first diode and a third diode block power flow through a second indicator, and wherein in the second setting, the third diode permits flow of power through the second indicator.

12. A heating pad, comprising:

a heating element;

controls for determining the amount of power supplied to the heating element, the controls comprising;

power nodes for connecting to an AC Dower source;

a multiple position switch, the multiple position switch comprising a first setting in which the heating element is off, a second setting in which the heating element supplies a low heat output, a third setting in which the heating element supplies a medium heat output, and a fourth setting in which the heating element supplies a high heat output, the multiple position switch being connected to the power nodes and the heating element so that different settings on the multiple position switch represent different heat output settings for the heating element;

a plurality of indicators, at least one each corresponding to the at least two settings of the multiple position switch; and

a plurality of diodes connected between the power nodes and the multiple position switch, the diodes being arranged so that different indicators are supplied power when the multiple switch is in the at least two settings;

a tickler heater, and wherein in the second setting, the controls supply full power to the tickler heater, in the third setting the controls supply half power to the tickler heater, and in the fourth setting the controls bypass the tickler heater.

13. The heating pad of claim 12, wherein in the first setting, a first diode and a second diode of the plurality of diodes permits power to flow through a first indicator of the plurality of indicators in the second position, and the first diode end a third diode block power flow through a second indicator, and wherein in the second setting, the third diode permits flow of power through the second indicator.