Patents by Inventor Kenneth J. Ardrey

Kenneth J. Ardrey has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Method of forming a component for a control panel
    Patent number: 6849226
    Abstract: A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Key Plastics, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
  • Control panel assembly and method of making same
    Publication number: 20030116415
    Abstract: A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
  • Control panel assembly and method of making same
    Patent number: 6542353
    Abstract: A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Assignee: Key Plastics, LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
  • Control panel assembly and method of making same
    Publication number: 20020066660
    Abstract: A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Applicant: Key Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
  • Control panel assembly and method of making same
    Patent number: 6326569
    Abstract: A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Key Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
  • Instrument cluster lens assembly and method of making
    Patent number: 6239925
    Abstract: An instrument cluster lens assembly includes a lens having top and bottom surfaces and a mounting portion that is mounted on a base having at least one lens receiving portion. The lens mounting portion is laser welded to the lens receiving portion of the base to securely connect the lens to the base thereby forming the lens assembly for an instrument cluster. Preferably, the lens mounting portion is transparent to laser light and the lens receiving portion of the base is opaque to laser light. A method of forming the instrument cluster lens assembly is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Key Plastics, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth J. Ardrey, Hans J. Herfurth, Sandip R. Mehta