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Retractable control device for domestic appliance

  • US 8,534,160 B2
  • Filed: 02/01/2012
  • Issued: 09/17/2013
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2011
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A retractable control device for a household electrical appliance comprising, positioned on a control interface of said appliance, a knob movable against an elastic member within an aperture of said interface, the knob being able to assume two working positions, a first working position wherein the knob is inserted in the aperture and a second working position wherein the knob is retracted from the first working position, the knob cooperating with a control member for a functional element of the appliance, the control member being positioned below the control interface, a cylindrical element being disposed and fixed in the aperture of the control interface about the knob, wherein the cylindrical element contains the knob when the knob is in the first working position and guides the movement of the knob within the aperture along a central longitudinal axis thereof, the cylindrical element also blocking oscillation of the knob in planes perpendicular to the axis, wherein the device comprises the following:

  • wherein the knob movement is guided within the cylindrical element by a body of substantially circular-based frusto-conical cup shape with an end portion provided with a hole for passage of an end of the control member to secure the control member to the knob, the body presenting a plurality of radially distributed elastically movable projections having their free ends lying on a circumference of diameter exceeding that of the perimetral wall of the tubular body of the cylindrical element, said body rigid with the control member being internal to said cylindrical element and having the projections in contact with the perimetral wall of the cylindrical element, said contact centering the knob within the aperture and blocking oscillation of the knob about the axis of movement; and

    wherein the knob movement is guided through a plurality of radially disposed lugs on the knob with their ends laying on a circumference having a diameter greater than that of the perimetral wall of the tubular body of the cylindrical element, said lugs being elastically deformable and bearing on the perimetral wall of the cylindrical element such as to center the knob on axis of movement and block any oscillation about the axis of movement.

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