Knob Or Dial Patents (Class 74/553)
  • Patent number: 11967473
    Abstract: A home appliance may include a first panel having a through hole; a bracket disposed outside of the first panel, configured to cover the through hole, and fixed to the first panel; a shaft support provided on the bracket, extending in a frontward-rearward direction, and formed in the shape of a tube; a knob disposed outside of the first panel; a knob ring connected to the bracket and surrounding a circumference of the knob; a joint support connected to an end of a rear of the shaft support; a universal joint rotatably supported by the joint support; a valve assembly disposed at a rear of the universal joint; a first adjustment shaft; and a second adjustment shaft having a front end connected to a second end of the universal joint and a rear end connected to the valve assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Yeonsik Ha
  • Patent number: 11863141
    Abstract: There is provided audio equipment that enables power supply and signal connection to a rotary operation unit in a non-contact manner. The audio equipment includes: the rotary operation unit rotatably supported in relation to an equipment body; an operation detecting section provided for the rotary operation unit and in which an electric load changes in response to a pressing operation; a power supplying section provided for the equipment body and configured to supply power to the operation detecting section in a non-contact manner; and a monitoring section configured to monitor the power supplied by the power supplying section to detect the user's operation from a change in the power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: ALPHATHETA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jun Minokami, Naomi Amemiya, Eiji Kojima, Tadashi China
  • Patent number: 11691512
    Abstract: Brake adjustment dials, systems, and components adjust the brake bias in a vehicle. In one example, a brake bias adjustment dial includes an electronic display, an adjustment mechanism that transfers rotational torque to a shaft, and a rotation prevention feature that compensates the rotation of the adjustment mechanism to maintain the image displayed on the electronic display in a substantially fixed orientation with respect to a mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Inventor: James Tamati Holder
  • Patent number: 11616524
    Abstract: A cover or shield for a mobile radio includes a first cylindrical portion configured to fit a first knob, a second cylindrical portion configured to fit a second knob, and a bridge. A first end of the bridge may be fixed to the first cylindrical portion, and a second end of the bridge may be fixed to the second cylindrical portion. The bridge may be configured to orient the first cylindrical portion and the second cylindrical portion in alignment with the first knob and the second knob, respectively. In one example, the first cylindrical portion includes a cut-out configured to allow manipulation of the first knob by an operator of the portable radio. In another example, the second cylindrical portion is shorter than the second knob providing access to an upper section of the second knob by an operator of the portable radio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventor: Joseph K. Greco
  • Patent number: 11513551
    Abstract: A cooking appliance or knob assembly may include a surface panel, a knob switch, a support plate, a control body, a central projection, and a spacing stake. The knob switch may be disposed behind the surface panel. The knob switch may include an internal spring and a slidable stem extending through a central axis. The slidable stem may be in forward-biased mechanical communication with the internal spring. The support plate may be rotabably mounted about the slidable stem. The control body may be mounted to the slidable stem. The control body may be rotationally fixed to the support plate and slidable relative thereto. The control body may include a primary grip extending about at least a portion of the slidable stem. The central projection may be disposed radially inward from the primary grip and define an axially fixed stop surface disposed forward from the control body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Bryan Cadima
  • Patent number: 11390166
    Abstract: A control system that includes a tactile surface and at least a control member fixed to the tactile surface and rotatable relative to the tactile surface around a first direction which is substantially perpendicular to the tactile surface between at least two selection positions. The control member includes at least a first sensor element integral in rotation with the control element, the first sensor element being coupled to the tactile surface in all selection positions of the control element. The first sensor element forms an interrupted ring defining at least one interruption area decoupled from the tactile surface on the control element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FAURECIA INTERIEUR INDUSTRIE
    Inventors: Ahamed El Sayed, Edouard Da Silva
  • Patent number: 11306521
    Abstract: A self-adjustable lock knob bezel assembly includes a body of a polymeric material. The body includes an elastically flexible umbrella having a cylindrical bore extending through the umbrella. Multiple dynamic interface members are positioned within the cylindrical bore and extend away from an inner perimeter wall defined by the cylindrical bore toward a longitudinal central axis of the body. Multiple flexible finger sets extend outwardly from the body. Multiple elastically deflecting legs are positioned below the finger sets. A vehicle door panel includes an aperture receiving the body. A lock knob is positioned within the cylindrical bore and directly contacts each of the dynamic interface members in each of a raised un-locked position and a lowered locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Andres Chavez Romero, Jesus Edgar Dominguez Cuevas, Alejandro Barrera Torres
  • Patent number: 11215294
    Abstract: A coupler for a fluid transport system comprising a handle being continuous around the coupler, the coupler having a first end and a second end, the handle having a non-constant radius with respect to the central longitudinal axis of the coupler, the handle comprising a plurality of regions being proximal the first end of the coupler, and a plurality of regions being distal the first end of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: MANN TEKNIK AB
    Inventor: Gerhard Kopplin
  • Patent number: 11193580
    Abstract: A control element for a vehicle is designed to change between a parking state and a driving state. In the parked state, the control element is designed to enable a driver to switch the vehicle from a parked state to a travel state. The control element also enables the vehicle driver to freely select a gear of the vehicle by changing from a parking state into a drive state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Julian Eichhorn
  • Patent number: 11168889
    Abstract: A safety knob assembly for actuating a burner is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2021
    Inventor: Fadi Ismail Ibrahim
  • Patent number: 11126214
    Abstract: A stove knob capable of automatically shutting down a stove in cooperation with heat includes a knob body, an adapter module and a steering joint. The adapter module and the steering joint are selected to be individually or mutually pivoted and then installed between the knob body and the ignition shaft of the stove, and the knob body can be installed to an automatic thermal shutdown machine to fit the use of various different stoves and achieve the effect of expanding the scope of use. The knob body, the adapter and the steering joint can pivotally combined by different orientations and pivotally connected to an ignition shaft of the stove in a predetermined direction, so that a rotary handle of the knob body can be aligned with the best direction and angle towards a user to provide smooth and convenient operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Inventor: Tse-Ju Tu
  • Patent number: 10976134
    Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting a reticle, comprising: an adjustable reticle, a reticle adjustment device comprising an adjustment actuation element movably mounted, a combined click and lock device which comprises a first click device element equipped at least in sections with a click surface formed by a three-dimensional surface or surface structuring, and a second click device element mounted to be movable relative to said first click device element and engages with the click surface of the first click device element, wherein the combined click and lock device is designed to, in a first operating mode, generate acoustic and/or haptic feedback perceptible to an operator, in the case of movement of the adjustment actuation element in at least one adjustment-movement degree of freedom, and is designed to, in a second operating mode, lock movements of the adjustment actuation element in the at least one adjustment-movement degree of freedom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: STEINER-OPTIK GmbH
    Inventors: Gerd Lottes, Werner Mayr-Went
  • Patent number: 10890331
    Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a knob assembly to emit light to improve an aesthetic feel and user convenience. The cooking appliance includes a main body having at least one heating source, a panel disposed in the main body and provided with a through hole, and a knob assembly coupled to the panel. The knob assembly includes a knob, at least one light source configured to emit light, a first light guide passing through the through hole and arranged to guide the light emitted from the light source, and a second light guide configured to guide the light guided by the first light guide to an outside of the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin Ju Kim
  • Patent number: 10878302
    Abstract: A transaction card with an electronic feedback component is provided. The transaction card may comprise at least one processing device and a substrate component comprising a first substrate surface and a cavity formed in the substrate component. The transaction card my further comprise an electronic feedback component disposed at least partially within the cavity, the electronic feedback component being configured to receive an operation signal from the at least one processing device, the operation signal representing information associated with the transaction card based on an encoding scheme. The transaction card may further comprise a tactile element disposed at least partially within the cavity, the tactile element being actuated to move bidirectionally along an axis parallel to the first substrate surface by the electronic feedback component based on the operation signal to convey the information to a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Capital One Services, LLC
    Inventors: Adam Vukich, James Zarakas, Molly Johnson
  • Patent number: 10824183
    Abstract: A control knob assembly for a cooktop appliance includes a control knob having a plastic outer shell defining a cavity and a boss extending from the outer shell through the cavity. A steel weight is positioned within the cavity around the boss for adding mass to the control knob and a locking mechanism, such as a lock washer, is positioned around the boss to secure the weight within the cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Josué Cruz-Pérez
  • Patent number: 10702396
    Abstract: A surgical operating instrument includes a handle, a first driving shaft operably connected with the handle, a second driving shaft, and a gear assembly. The gear assembly includes a first gear member received on the first driving shaft, a second gear member slidably received on the second driving shaft, and a lever member. The lever member is operable to place the second gear member into engagement with the first gear member thereby coupling the second driving shaft with the first driving shaft to provide a first operating mode wherein the handle operates to rotate both the first and second driving shafts, and place the second gear member out of engagement with the first gear member thereby decoupling the second driving shaft from the first driving shaft to provide a second operating mode wherein the handle operates to rotate solely the first driving shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SpineEX, Inc.
    Inventors: Robyn Burrows-Ownbey, Andrew Rogers
  • Patent number: 10655751
    Abstract: A hose bib handle replacement comprises a handle portion and an adapter. The adapter has a wall defining an open interior sized to receive a portion of a hose bib. The handle portion is attached or attachable to the top surface of the adapter and has a radial dimension larger than the adapter. The adapter comprises a clamping mechanism adapted to clamp onto the portion of the hose bib in the interior, wherein the clamping mechanism can clamp onto different size and shape portions of the hose bib. In one version, the clamping mechanism comprises a plurality of set screws and wherein the set screws have a length where they can clamp different size and shape portions of the hose bib and when clamped do not extend outwardly beyond the wall of the adapter more than about 0.25 inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Inventor: Kevin Albrecht
  • Patent number: 9651108
    Abstract: The latching device for a rotationally or translationally movable operating element is provided with a resiliently mounted latching projection and with a latching guideway which is in sliding contact with the latching projection and which has a plurality of latching depressions with latching elevations arranged between them. The latching depressions and the latching elevations form a substantially corrugated latching path along which the latching projection slides during a relative movement between latching guideway and latching projection. The latching projection has a surface which contacts the latching path along at least one contact line running substantially transversely to the longitudinal extent of the latching path. When sliding along the latching path, the latching projection experiences an upward and downward movement with periodic change of the orientation of its contact line with respect to the latching guideway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Behr-Hella Thermocontrol GmbH
    Inventor: Egbert Lamminger
  • Patent number: 9436237
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a heat dissipation device of a notebook computer. The notebook computer is provided with a keyboard. The heat dissipation device includes a heat dissipation component and a heat guiding box, the heat dissipation component is communicated with the heat guiding box, the keyboard is also communicated with the heat guiding box, and the heat guiding box is used to transmit heat in the heat dissipation component to the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Song, Junguo Liu
  • Patent number: 9342090
    Abstract: A composite operating device is provided which enables an operating member to be reliably guided in a sliding direction and achieves a simple structure for preventing disengagement of a slider. The composite device includes a base, a slider, and an operating member. The base includes a base main body, a guiding portion, and a restricting portion. The slider includes a guided portion and a restricted surface. The slider can slide in the sliding direction with the guided portion being restricted by first and second guiding surfaces. The restricting portion includes a sliding contact portion that restricts the slider and allows sliding of the slider by coming into sliding contact with the restricted surface. Also, the restricting portion has a shape that allows movement of the slider in a fitting direction by being deformed to bend in a direction in which the restricting portion is retracted from the slider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masatomo Inoue
  • Patent number: 9323297
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a heat dissipation device of a notebook computer. The notebook computer is provided with a keyboard. The heat dissipation device includes a heat dissipation component and a heat guiding box, the heat dissipation component is communicated with the heat guiding box, the keyboard is also communicated with the heat guiding box, and the heat guiding box is used to transmit heat in the heat dissipation component to the keyboard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Song, Junguo Liu
  • Patent number: 9127853
    Abstract: A sleek, low-profile wall-mountable thermostat for controlling an HVAC system is described. The thermostat includes a ring-shaped controller that rotates about a central axis, and an optical sensor directed away from the central axis and toward a radially inward-facing surface of the ring-shaped controller so as to accurately detect optical signals indicating controller's rotational movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2015
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: John Benjamin Filson, Eric B. Daniels
  • Patent number: 9105418
    Abstract: A rotary operation type switch includes a holder, a rotary control, a shaft, a press-fitting portion, an outer wall part, and a stopper. The holder is provided in a state of immobility in the rotational direction. The rotary control rotates relatively with respect to the holder when a rotational force is imparted. The shaft transmits the rotational force imparted to the rotary control. The press-fitting portion is provided to The rotary control, and an end of the shaft is inserted into it. The outer wall part is provided along a direction perpendicular to the rotational direction of the rotary control. The stopper is provided to the holder, and comes into contact with the outer wall part and restricts the limit position of the rotation range when the rotary control and the shaft rotate relatively with respect to the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Naritoshi Kagaya
  • Publication number: 20150135578
    Abstract: A kit for fitting a handwheel to a focussing control of a rifle scope is used to enlarge a focussing ring of the control, without having to remove the focussing ring from the control. The handwheel is secured by a headed bolt to a projecting stub shaft. The handwheel has a side plate supporting an outer rim that has a plurality of peripheral indentations to assist turning of the handwheel. The side plate has a central hole and a hub that projects axially from the side plate and defines a bore for receiving the stub shaft. The outer diameter of the hub is received within an outer end portion of the focussing ring. The hub has at least one abutment that co-operates with the stub shaft to inhibit relative rotational movement. A cap bolt extends through the hole to engage the stub shaft and secure the handwheel t the control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventor: Stephen Andrew WALKER
  • Patent number: 8997591
    Abstract: An encoder assembly including control knob return mechanisms and encoder elements. Each control knob return mechanism includes a frame assembly including return spring locators. A return rotor assembly, includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor located spring stops. A return mechanism rotatable shaft is operably positioned within the return rotor assembly and operably connectable to an encoder element. The rotor and the shaft are rotatably stationary relative to each other. A return spring is positioned about the rotatable shaft and operably positioned relative to the return spring locators and the rotor located spring stops to bias the return mechanism rotatable shaft and the rotor in a normally centered position. Each encoder element is connected to an associated return mechanism rotatable shaft of an associated control knob return mechanism, wherein the return mechanism rotatable shafts of the control knob return mechanisms are concentrically positioned relative to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: Rockwell Collins, Inc.
    Inventor: Bradley J. Vircks
  • Patent number: 8967021
    Abstract: An operating device includes a dial that has a first engagement portion, a rotational body that is formed in an annular shape, and has a second engagement portion so as to be engaged with the first engagement portion of the dial. Rotation of the dial is transmitted to the rotational body through an engagement of the first and second engagement portions. The operating device also includes gear teeth that are provided on an inner circumferential portion of the rotational body, a gear that is meshed with the gear teeth and is rotated in an inner space of the rotational body, and a rotation response member that is directly coupled to a rotation shaft of the gear and varies in accordance with a rotation angle of the dial.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai Rika Denki Seisakusho
    Inventors: Masahito Hisada, Yoshinori Takano, Yoshiyuki Aoki
  • Publication number: 20150053043
    Abstract: A mechanism to prevent a knob from being moved accidentally. An inner hub is held in place on the adjustable shaft. An knob body fits concentrically over the inner hub, and is biased into position over the hub. The bottom of the barrel has locking structure which lockingly but releasingly cooperates with locking structure associated with the piece of equipment (e.g. musical instrument or amplifier) to which the shaft is affixed. The biasing means retains the knob body in a first, locked, position, in which the knob body is prevented from rotating, which in turn prevents rotation of the adjustable shaft. However, when the knob body is pulled away from the locking structure against the spring force, the knob body can be rotated, which in turn rotates shaft. Releasing the knob body allows the spring to urge the knob body back into engagement by the locking structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: February 26, 2015
    Inventor: Anthony L. Livolsi
  • Publication number: 20150007685
    Abstract: The present invention provides a button set for gas valve, which is characterized by that, multiple oil chambers are set on inner wall of the axle hole of the axle hole on the upper cover of the button set in relation to the surface of the rotating axle; this could accommodate lubricant and reduce the contact area between the rotating axle and axle hole, thus improving the rotating smoothness of the rotating axle within the axle hole and reducing the machining accuracy.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: Pao-Chi CHANG
  • Patent number: 8910542
    Abstract: A panel for a domestic appliance having a rotary switch, the rotary switch having a rotary element, a latching ring, at least one latching element and a rotation axis about which the rotary element rotates relative to the latching ring, wherein the latching ring has at least one latching lug on its inner face, said latching lug projecting radially toward the center the latching ring, wherein the latching element is held on the rotary element and is prestressed radially outward against the inner face of the latching ring, wherein the rotary element and the latching ring are arranged along the rotation axis, and wherein the latching ring is arranged in a rotationally fixed manner on the panel. A corresponding domestic appliance having a panel is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: PAS Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Marek Klimecki
  • Patent number: 8910541
    Abstract: Systems and methods for packaging a Control Assembly (“CA”) on an Electronic Device (“ED”). The methods involve: mounting a first component (112, 812, 908) of CA on a Top Surface (“TS”) (104, 804, 904) of ED (100, 800, 900) such that a Central AXis (“CAX”) (136, 836, 934) thereof is at an acute angle (170, 870, 962) relative to a plane (152, 852, 952) perpendicular to a horizontal center axis (150, 850, 950) of ED; mounting a second component (106, 806, 906) of CA on TS such that CAX (132, 832, 932) thereof is at a first Obtuse Angle (“OA”) (164, 860, 960) relative to the plane; and mounting a third component (108, 808, 912) of CA on TS such that CAX (134, 834, 936) thereof is at a second OA (166, 862, 970) relative to the plane. The second or third component may have a trapezoidal shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: David Cipolla, Jose Ricardo Duran, Jason Scott, Richard S. Currier
  • Publication number: 20140352487
    Abstract: An adjustment device having a rotatable knob for changing an adjustable setting of an aiming device, such as a riflescope. The knob includes a removable indicator ring slidable onto the knob and bearing a scale to provide visual feedback to a shooter regarding an adjustment position of the adjustable setting. The knob further carries a releasable latch that may extend radially outward relative to the knob to retain the indicator ring on the knob when the latch is in the latched position. When the shooter desires to remove and replace the indicator ring, such as in response to a change in shooting conditions, the latch may be released to an unlatched position to allow the indicator ring to be moved off of the knob. The shooter may thereafter insert a replacement indicator ring on the knob.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Quint Crispin
  • Patent number: 8886029
    Abstract: A 3-D image pickup apparatus includes a lens portion that includes a lens system; and an adjustment ring portion that includes plural coaxially rotatable rings. Each ring adjusts a respective one of plural optical parameters of the lens system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Aiichiro Kawasaki, Tetsuro Miyazaki
  • Publication number: 20140318308
    Abstract: An assembly having a soft-touch user interface for controlling the operative position of a device which controls the flow of air into the passenger compartment of a vehicle is provided. An occupant of the vehicle operates a first member of the assembly at its outer soft-touch, surface layer to cause the first member to rotate about an axis. A second member of the assembly rotatably supports the first member. A portion of a structural substrate of the first member is configured to couple the first member to the device. The substrate and the second member have a pair of annular faces that oppose each other and are oriented to face axially along the axis. A portion of a biasing member projects outwardly from at least one pocket in one of the faces to frictionally engage the other face and prevent undesired rotational movement of the first member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Global IP Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: Dennis W. Puskar, JR., Steven M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140311279
    Abstract: An apparatus for on demand limiting the value range of a parameter adjustment device comprises a knob for moving a regulating element (1), means for creating engagement between the knob and the regulating element (1), a first stop (3) fixed in relation to the device, a second stop (6) to cooperate with the first stop (3), a shim (5) having said second stop (6), and movable independently in relation to the regulating element (1), a spring (4) an end of which is fixed to the first stop (3) and the other end is fixed to the shim (5), and a pressure element (7) having a surface for frictionally engaging said shim, and fixed against rotation to said regulating element, and means for releasably engaging said surface with said shim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Matyas TOTH, Balazs SZOBOSZLAY
  • Publication number: 20140290428
    Abstract: A staging operation unit has a base member having a convex portion, a rotary member, a bearing member fixed on the convex portion that rotatably mounts the rotary member thereon with respect to the base member, and an accessory. The rotary member has a pushed-in movable member that accepts a push-in operation in a direction along a rotation axis of the bearing member, a rotary operation detection unit that detects rotation of the rotary member and outputs a signal corresponding to a result of the detection of the rotation to outside, and a push-in operation detection unit that detects the push-in operation of the pushed-in movable member and outputs a signal corresponding to a result of the detection of the push-in operation to outside. At least a part of the accessory is housed inside the convex portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: OMRON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takahiro Ono, Takehiko Furuta
  • Publication number: 20140260775
    Abstract: A household cooking appliance is provided in which the household cooking appliance includes a cooking module, a control panel, a rotatable control knob, and a dual-encoder ON/OFF selector for the cooking module. The dual-encoder ON/OFF selector includes a rotatable bezel on the control panel. The rotatable bezel controls activation and deactivation of the cooking module. The rotatable bezel includes an opening, wherein the rotatable control knob extends through the opening of the rotatable bezel and is concentrically arranged within the rotatable bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION
    Inventors: John Freeman, Samuel Harward, Jeremiah Nash
  • Publication number: 20140260776
    Abstract: Several embodiments of a modular knob system are disclosed. The modular knob system includes a modular knob shell, bearing componentry, and detent componentry. The knob system also may include electronic, magnetic, or other sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: TOUCHSENSOR TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventor: Mark Burleson
  • Patent number: 8819898
    Abstract: A handle structure contains a body, a housing, a cover, a controlling member, and a resilient element. The body includes an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer face has a non-grip face and a flat rim, and the inner surface has a connecting column. The housing is hollow and includes a front fringe, a rear fringe, and a L-shaped recess. The cover is fixed on a rear side of the housing and used to fix a handle structure on a plate. The controlling member is fitted into the housing and includes a front end and a rear end. The front end connects with the connecting column via the front fringe. The controlling member also includes a raised portion fixed in the L-shaped recess. The resilient element located between the controlling member and the cover. Hence, the controlling member is pushed by the resilient element to move toward the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Jian-Min Xie
  • Publication number: 20140238183
    Abstract: A rotary control (100, 500, 700) provides improved running-torque through a running-torque stack up assembly (140). The running-torque stack up assembly (140) may be implemented in a modular approach (500, 700) independent of a shaft (130) and switch housing, or may be implemented to incorporate the shaft (100) and switch housing. The running-torque stack up assembly (140) is formed of a spring (114), a stationary disk (112), and a rotating disk (108) having sliding top and bottom surfaces provided through either pads (106, 110) or an overmolded coating (710).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: DHARMENDRASINH R. MAHIDA, PETER B. GILMORE, ANTHONY M. KAKIEL, CHARLES E. KLINE
  • Patent number: 8806798
    Abstract: An adjustment device having a rotatable knob for changing an adjustable setting of an aiming device, such as a riflescope. The knob includes a removable indicator ring slidable onto the knob and bearing a scale to provide visual feedback to a shooter regarding an adjustment position of the adjustable setting. The knob further carries a releasable latch that may extend radially outward relative to the knob to retain the indicator ring on the knob when the latch is in the latched position. When the shooter desires to remove and replace the indicator ring, such as in response to a change in shooting conditions, the latch may be released to an unlatched position to allow the indicator ring to be moved off of the knob. The shooter may thereafter insert a replacement indicator ring on the knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Leupold & Stevens, Inc.
    Inventor: Quint Crispin
  • Patent number: 8801118
    Abstract: A knob assembly having a simple structure allowing an easy assembly, and a washing machine having the same includes a cabinet, a control panel assembly disposed at an upper portion of a front side of the cabinet, and a knob assembly rotatably mounted on the control panel assembly to set a washing cycle, wherein the knob assembly includes a rotation knob configured to rotate while connected to the control panel assembly to set the washing cycle or a function according to a degree of rotation, and a knob cover coupled to the rotation knob to surround the rotation knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Soo Park, Kyung Hwan Lee, Hong Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 8763493
    Abstract: A user control knob retention system includes a nut (20) which has a base (25). The base includes two opposing nut end faces (23a, 23b), and a threaded bore (21) aligned with a base central axis (29). A wall (27) extends transversely from a first one of the nut end faces. The wall defines an inner surface (42) which comprises a circular arc coaxial with the central axis. The wall extends at least partially around a circumference of the base to define a capture space (26). An insert (30) rotatably retained within the capture space includes a body having a cylindrical shape. A retention barb (34) disposed on an outer cylindrical surface of the insert is configured for engaging an interlocking element (54) formed on an interior bore (58) of a user control knob (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: Richard S. Currier, David Cipolla, Jose Ricardo Duran, Jason Scott
  • Publication number: 20140165774
    Abstract: A stepless rotating knob module includes a supporting frame, a rotating disk, a suspending assembly, an encoding switch and a transferring element. The support frame has a front wall, a top wall and a bottom wall. The front wall is formed with a through hole. The rotating disk is disposed between the top wall and the bottom wall and is partially exposed outside the through hole. The suspending assembly passes through the rotating disk and is fixed to the bottom wall, so that the rotating disk is rotatably mounted on the suspending screw. The encoding switch is fixed to the bottom wall of the supporting frame and has a rotating rod. The transferring element is fixedly disposed on the bottom of the rotating disk fixed to the bottom of the transferring element. The present disclosure also provides an electronic device having stepless rotating knob module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: June 19, 2014
    Applicants: Lite-On Technology Corporation, Lite-On Electronics (Guangzhou) Limited
    Inventor: YI-CHUN HUNG
  • Patent number: 8733204
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a control knob bezel plate for a barbecue grill. The preferred bezel plate assembly of the present invention comprises a bezel plate, a control knob, a control panel, a gas control valve, and two anchors. The preferred bezel plate includes a raised annular portion which serves as a frame for the control knob. Both the preferred bezel plate and the control panel include two parallel slots which are adapted to engage with the anchors. The two parallel slots in the bezel plate are aligned generally transverse to the two parallel slots in the control panel. The bezel plate is connected to the control panel by means of the anchors which are configured to slide within the slots. In this manner, the bezel plate can be adjusted in two dimensions with respect to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Weber-Stephen Products Co.
    Inventors: Roy N. Voss, Adrian A. Bruno
  • Publication number: 20140102245
    Abstract: A composite operating device is provided which enables an operating member to be reliably guided in a sliding direction and achieves a simple structure for preventing disengagement of a slider. The composite device includes a base, a slider, and an operating member. The base includes a base main body, a guiding portion, and a restricting portion. The slider includes a guided portion and a restricted surface. The slider can slide in the sliding direction with the guided portion being restricted by first and second guiding surfaces. The restricting portion includes a sliding contact portion that restricts the slider and allows sliding of the slider by coming into sliding contact with the restricted surface. Also, the restricting portion has a shape that allows movement of the slider in a fitting direction by being deformed to bend in a direction in which the restricting portion is retracted from the slider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masatomo INOUE
  • Publication number: 20140102244
    Abstract: A composite operating device includes a base, a slider, an operating member, a detecting element that detects that the operating member has been operated to slide, and a transmission member that transmits an operating force acting on the slider to the detecting element. The slider includes a transmission member pressing portion that presses the transmission member in the sliding direction. The transmission member includes a pressed portion that is pressed against by the slider and an element pressing portion that presses the detecting element in an element pressing direction. The base includes a transmission member retaining portion that rotatably retains the transmission member so that when the pressed portion is pressed by the transmission member pressing portion in the sliding direction, the transmission member rotates and therefore causes the element pressing portion to press against the detecting element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 17, 2014
    Applicant: SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventor: Masatomo INOUE
  • Publication number: 20140076098
    Abstract: A control knob for a vehicle has an improved outward appearance by forming a boundary line between two different materials in a portion that is not visible and preventing abrupt differences in color due to light refraction. The control knob is produced by dual injection molding of two different materials, is installed on one end of a shift lever, and functions as a handgrip. The control knob includes an portion of opaque and transparent materials, an overlapping portion opaque and transparent materials, and a coated portion formed of paint applied to portions of the transparent portion that do not overlap with the opaque portion. A boundary surface between the opaque and transparent portions is such that a refractive index of light passing through the transparent portion from the overlapping portion is close to a refractive index of light passing through the transparent portion from the coated portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Joon Young Park, Chang Hyun Lee
  • Patent number: 8662102
    Abstract: A gas appliance including a frame and a control knob assembly connected to the frame, the control knob assembly including a gas valve with a valve stem, a control knob attached to the valve stem, and a valve restraint. The valve restraint is substantially fixed relative to the frame and longitudinally disposed substantially between the gas valve and control knob, and is configured to limit lateral movement of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Timothy Scott Shaffer, Howard Richard Bowles, Jorge Hinojosa
  • Patent number: RE46011
    Abstract: Described is a locking stop mechanism for a riflescope that includes at least one rotatable reticle adjustment dial mounted on a scope body. It includes a stop member on the adjustment dial at a preselected position and a lock member on the scope body. The lock member is positioned to engage the stop member upon rotation of the adjustment dial to a preselected setting. The lock member is configured to prevent rotation of the adjustment dial in either direction when engaged with the stop member while allowing free rotation in at least one direction when the lock member is manually displaced and when the stop member is not engaged with the lock member at the preselected setting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Lightforce USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeff Huber
  • Patent number: RE46600
    Abstract: The cooking appliance (1) having a control panel (2) is equipped with one or more gas flow (Q) regulating valves, wherein the rotary regulating plug (6) is provided with various peripheral through holes (16-19). The control knob (9) being interchangeable for fitting to the actuating shaft (7), is chosen from the two units available, one and the other permitting different angular limit positions of the regulating plug (6) for the supply of a constant minimum gas flow Qmin, adjusted each one for a different type of gas N gas or LP gas. The outlet conduit (5) of the valve is equipped with a further injector nozzle (21,23) for adjusting a constant gas flow Qmax to be fed into the conduit (25) of the correspondent burner, when the cooking appliance is supplied with a LP gas. A valve adapted to regulate the flow of both a natural gas and a liquefied petroleum gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: COPRECITEC, S.L.
    Inventor: Iñigo Albizuri