Illuminated dial

• US 7,222,979 B1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Monessen Hearth Systems Company
• Original Assignee: CFM Corporation (Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board)
• Inventors: Popowich, David J., Reis, Christopher J., Treadwell, Simon, Prescod, Kerwyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney; Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US11/270,117
• Publication Number:
  US 20070103884A1
• Time in Patent Office: 566 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 200/316
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 19/025 Light-emitting indicators

Abstract

An illuminated knob assembly includes a base. The base includes an annular track on an upper base surface of the base. A PC board is disposed in the track. The PC board includes a plurality of light sources disposed on an upper board surface of the board. A light transmitting plate is positioned over the PC board so as to transmit light therethrough from the light sources. A bezel is fitted over the light transmitting plate and includes gradated openings corresponding to different conditions of operation. The openings permit light to pass therethrough from the light transmitting plate and a knob is disposed adjacent the bezel. The knob includes a light pointer configured to receive and transmit light from the light transmitting plate.

Claims

1. An illuminated knob assembly, comprising:

a base, said base including an annular track on an upper base surface thereof;

a PC board disposed in said annular track, said PC board including one or more light sources disposed on an upper board surface thereof;

a light transmitting plate positioned over said PC board so as to transmit light therethrough from said one or more light sources;

a bezel fitted over said light transmitting plate and including gradated openings corresponding to different conditions of operation, said openings permitting light to pass therethrough from said light transmitting plate; and

a knob disposed adjacent said bezel;

said knob including a light pointer configured to receive and transmit the light from said one or more light source.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said base is a flat ring shape.

3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said base includes an inner wall at an inner periphery thereof and an outer wall at an outer periphery thereof.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein said PC board is shaped and sized to fit on said track between said inner wall and said outer wall.

5. The assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of spaced stand off elements disposed in said track to separate said PC board from said base.

6. The assembly of claim 1, further including a plurality of spaced base hooks, each of said plurality of spaced base hooks being shaped and sized to engage a corresponding indent formed on an inside of said bezel.

7. The assembly of claim 1, further including a base alignment pin for orienting said PC board.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said PC board further includes a base alignment opening which cooperates with said base alignment pin to orient said PC board on said base.

9. The assembly of claim 1, further including an access port formed through said track portion of said base.

10. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said one or more light sources is one or more light emitting diodes.

11. The assembly of claim 1, further including a pair of cap alignment holes formed through said PC board for orienting said light transmitting plate thereon.

12. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting plate includes a generally cylindrical portion with an outwardly extending flange extending from said cylindrical portion.

13. The assembly of claim 12, wherein said outwardly extending flange includes a plurality of protrusions.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said plurality of protrusions are gradated.

15. The assembly of claim 14, wherein said plurality of protrusions are gradated and correspond to indicate different settings of said knob assembly.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein said outwardly extending flange further includes a single protrusion which corresponds to an off position of said knob.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said bezel includes bezel openings sized and shaped to receive said plurality of protrusions and said single protrusion.

18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said bezel includes a central opening sized and shaped to receive said knob.

19. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said light transmitting plate and said light pointer are adapted to be in communication with said one or more light source.