Knob Or Dial Patents (Class 74/553)
  • Patent number: 4876766
    Abstract: A decorative faucet handle mounting apparatus includes an adapter having a first bore complimentrally shaped to the shape of a faucet stem. A second bore formed coaxially in the adapter cooperates with a fastener to attach the adapter to the faucet stem. A decorative handle has a longitudinal bore extending inward from one end which is engageable over the adapter. A perpendicular bore formed in the handle receives a threaded fastener engageable through the perpendicular bore with the adapter to secure the handle to the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Inventor: Richard K. Cohen
  • Patent number: 4842009
    Abstract: A valve handle adaptor formed on one end with a shank configured for complemental telescopical receipt in a pocket formed in a valve handle and formed on its opposite extremity with an adaptor socket. A plurality of extenders, each formed on one end for receipt within such adapator socket and formed on the opposite end with an extender socket capable of receiving the shank of another extender or, in the alternative, a spud. A plurality of spuds are formed with external configurations for complemental receipt in the spud socket, adaptor socket or extender socket. The handle may be mounted directly from a valve stem through such spud, or through the adaptor by inserting the shank in the spud socket and a spud in the adaptor socket for receipt over a broach formed in the end of the valve stem, or through any number of extenders fitted between the adaptor and spud. The kit can therefore adapt a handle to a wide variety of broach sizes and offset distances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Inventor: Richard L. Reback
  • Patent number: 4836708
    Abstract: A retaining washer (100) prevents the rotation of a D-shaped shaft (106) which is mounted in a round hole (105a) of a housing (105). The retaining washer includes a substantially flat washer (101) having a hole (101a). A tapered tab (102) includes a wide end (102a) and a narrow end (102b). The tab is attached to the flat washer at the wide end such that the tab is substantially perpendicular to the flat washer. A gusset (103) is attached between the tab and the flat washer. The gusset includes a lower edge (103a) which is positioned at an obtuse angle (104) relative to the flat washer. The gusset indents into the housing (105b) and the tab is forced against the flat portion (106b) of the D-shaped shaft. The upper left and right edges of the tab cut into the wall of the housing hole (105c and 105d).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall P. Chambers, John C. Dzung, Donald F. Gatto
  • Patent number: 4823435
    Abstract: The handle for sanitary apparatus is intended to be fixed by clipsing on the free end of a control shaft and comprises a thin metallic envelope (1) defining the outside shape and appearance of the handle, a supple insert (2) comprising a dome (9) to which are attached several deformable flaps (11), the lower flange of said flaps cooperating in service position, with a flange (7) of the envelope, and a lock (3) comprising parts applying the flaps of the supple insert against the inside face of the envelope, a lower edge resting on the flange of the envelope. A mounting mechanism is provided on the inside face of the supple insert and the outside face of the lock permitting through their cooperation the assembly of the three parts in assembled service position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: Kugler, Fonderie et Robinetterie SA
    Inventor: John Chappuis
  • Patent number: 4823397
    Abstract: A hand-held radio has thumbwheels for channel selection extending outwardly of an aperture in the top panel of the case, and a cover of resiliently deflectable transparent synthetic resin is disposed thereover and effects a seal thereabout to substantially prevent rain and spray from entering the interior through the apertures about the thumbwheels. The cover has a pedestal portion with a top wall spaced above the thumbwheels and with an inclined sidewall which is spaced laterally outwardly from the thumbwheels, and a peripheral flange extends about the base of the sidewall. A clamping plate has an aperture through which the pedestal portion extends, and it overlies the flange of the cover. Fasteners seated in the clamping plate tightly clamp the flange of the cover against the top panel of the case to effect a seal. The user is able to deflect the cover top wall downwardly and then laterally to rotate the thumbwheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Assignee: Southern Marine Research, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Hewitt
  • Patent number: 4794945
    Abstract: The valve handle adaptor kit for use with a conventional handle and escutcheon, such kit including an adaptor formed on one end with a shank configured for complemental telescopical receipt in a socket formed in the handle and formed on its opposite extremity with an adaptor socket. A plurality of spuds are formed with external configurations for complemental receipt in either the spud socket or adaptor socket, such that the handle may be mounted directly from a valve stem through such spud, or through the adaptor by inserting the shank in the spud socket and a spud in the adaptor socket for receipt over a broach formed in the end of the valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Inventor: Richard L. Reback
  • Patent number: 4791823
    Abstract: A mount is secured to an end of a cylindrical housing with a front side facing outward thereof. A knob is provided having a stem extending from one end and a gear secured to and extending radially outward from the end of the knob. An aperture is formed through the mount for receiving the stem of the knob with the knob located on the front side of the mount near one edge thereof. A generally cylindrical shaped face member has an inner side secured to the front side of the mount and an outer side facing outward thereof. The face member has an opening formed therethrough for receiving the knob and its gear such that the knob may be viewed from the opening from the outer side of the face member. The opening of the face member extends to one edge thereof such that a portion of the gear is accessable from the edge. An annular member is located around the face member and is supported by the face member for rotation in opposite directions relative to the face member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1988
    Inventor: Robert A. Williams
  • Patent number: 4779305
    Abstract: A positive-positioning knob assembly comprises a knob body having a substantially hollow interior portion and a pinion member fixed against rotation relative to a panel, through which panel extends a shaft to be rotated by the knob assembly. Cooperating selectively interengageable and disengageable locking members are located on the pinion member and the hollow body interior respectively for alternatively permitting the body to rotate freely of the pinion member when the locking members are in a disengaged condition, and for locking the body non-rotatably relative to the pinion when the locking members are in an engaged condition. A resilient biasing member normally holds the locking members in the engaged condition to prevent rotation of the know body; however, the resilient biasing member is resiliently deformable for permitting the locking members to move to the disengaged condition to permit rotation of the knob body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1988
    Assignee: Dickey-john Corporation
    Inventor: Edmund J. Gorsek
  • Patent number: 4692051
    Abstract: An adapter consists of a more or less cylindrical body having a rear outer portion and a front inner portion, projections (or other suitable coupling means) on the rear outer portion for effecting the coupling to an automatic adjusting device, and at least three different recessed configurations located at different depths within the body's front inner portion for mating respectively to at least the three most common types of residential thermostat knobs. The most recessed configuration receives the smallest such knob, which is of the "lever" type. The middle configuration is a circular ring of inwardly projecting teeth for engaging the intermediate size "serrated" type of knob. The least recessed configuration is of an internal bevelled shape for receiving the largest such knob, namely the "bevel" knob. These various recessed configurations are so located and dimensioned with respect to the body of the adaptor to allow each type of knob to reach and mate with its corresponding recessed configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Inventors: Benjamin H. Stansbury, Jr., Richard E. Henderson
  • Patent number: 4688340
    Abstract: A travel iron has a hollow handle defining a liquid reservoir which is pivotally mounted for movement between operative and stored positions. The handle is releasably secured in the operative position by a sliding latch. A conduit supplies liquid from the reservoir to the soleplate. A manually operated valve and a gravity operated valve control fluid flow through the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1985
    Date of Patent: August 25, 1987
    Assignee: Black & Decker Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Ostrelich
  • Patent number: 4674355
    Abstract: A crankhandle assembly has a cylindrically-hollow handle member rotatably mounted on a shaft or core element. The shaft has complementary stepped contours at each end and the handle has bearing cups at each end positioned to form with said stepped contours a ball bearing race, a thrust bearing, and a handle race. The bearing cup elements are centered in the handle by axially and radially disposed fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1985
    Date of Patent: June 23, 1987
    Assignee: Lear Siegler, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas A. Klein
  • Patent number: 4635395
    Abstract: A louver assembly particularly useful for air-conditioning units and other like appliances comprises a frame defining an opening; a first group of slats extending along one coordinate axis mounted to the frame within the opening and pivotable about that axis; a second group of slats extending along a second coordinate axis mounted on the first group of slats within the opening and pivotable about that axis; and a manipulatable knob coupled to both groups of slats such that moving the knob in a direction parallel to the second coordinate axis pivots the first group of slats about the first coordinate axis, and rotating the knob about the second coordinate axis pivots the second group of slats about the second coordinate axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1987
    Assignee: Amcor Ltd.
    Inventors: Avner Movshovitz, Joel Shwarzman
  • Patent number: 4621539
    Abstract: In a device wherein electric components and rotary knobs for operating them are disposed in a case with the rotary knobs extending partially through respective slots formed in the upper surface of the case, the improvement comprising the fact that the rotary knobs are arranged in two rows and staggered with a barrier formed between the two rows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Aoki
  • Patent number: 4616673
    Abstract: In a replacement faucet handle kit of simple and inexpensive form there is included a plurality of adapters each having a first end portion and a second end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Inventor: Jerry Bondar
  • Patent number: 4616524
    Abstract: The actuating knob comprises a body of substantially cylindrical configuration and at least one wing supported on the body for rotation about a substantially parallel axis to the axis of said body. The, at least one wing being positionable at a home position, whereat it is contained within the outline of the body. The, at least one wing also being positionable at an operative position, whereat it protrudes substantially radially from the body to increase the working diameter thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1985
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1986
    Assignee: Nordica S.p.A.
    Inventor: Vincenzo Bidoia
  • Patent number: 4608882
    Abstract: A cylindrical knob for installation on a shaft and a method for fastening a decorative disc shaped end cap to a tubular knob body to make the cylindrical knob. The cylindrical knob includes a plastic tubular body having an outer sleeve and an inner core. The inner core is spaced from the outer sleeve at the cap receiving end of the body to form an annular slot. The inner core has a cap supporting surface located adjacent the inner slot and a shaft receiving socket located at the opposite end of the tubular body. An undercut surface is formed in the inner core adjacent to the cap supporting surface and accessible from the annular slot. Passages extend from the socket end of the tubular body to the annular slot. Recesses are formed in the inner core beneath the undercut surface and are spaced generally uniformly around the inner core and open into the annular slot. A disc shaped end cap having a depending skirt is positioned on the cap supporting surface with the skirt located in the annular slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1986
    Assignee: The Grigoleit Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Howie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4585210
    Abstract: The valve is particularly designed compatible for use with toxic or highly flammable fluids. It has a hard valve stem tip, such as tungsten carbide which is pushed longitudinally against the valve seat and not rotated into sealing position. The valve is provided with a backseat threaded to the valve body so that if the bonnet or packing nut is very seriously abused by the operator even to the extent of twisting or breaking, the valve will not blow out toxic or flammable fluid. Most of the parts of the valve are made of stainless steel and provisions are made for lubricating the working parts of the valve. Notches in the valve stem and packing nut provide for a safe clean break of these parts in the event they are over stressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Inventor: Donald L. Adams
  • Patent number: 4579018
    Abstract: A band selector switch comprises a rotor having click teeth on its outer circumferential surface, a sleeve rotatably fitted in the rotor and composed of a plurality of axial resilient pieces separated by axial slits defined in the sleeve, the resilient pieces having click grooves defined in inner peripheral surfaces thereof for engaging the click teeth, one of the resilient pieces being deformable radially outwardly, and stop surfaces disposed radially outwardly of those resilient pieces disposed on opposite sides of the one deformable resilient piece for preventing the resilient pieces on opposite sides of the deformable resilient piece from being deformed radially outwardly. The click teeth are prevented by the undeformable resilient pieces from entering the latter, thus limiting the range of angular movement of the rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1986
    Assignee: Alps Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshihiro Ohashi
  • Patent number: 4571111
    Abstract: A knob-to-shaft assembly comprises a plastic knob having a cylindrical recess having a diameter corresponding to that of the outside diameter of the shaft onto which the knob is to be manually pushed. Projecting from the outside diameter of the shaft, at the forward end thereof, is an annular band comprising a series of outwardly projecting barbs created by an angled knurl which is formed on the rearward surface of an annular V-shape groove which is provided near the forward end of the shaft. Projecting slightly forwardly from the V-shape notch is a pilot portion whose outside diameter corresponds to that of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Assignee: Southco, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Keogh
  • Patent number: 4565350
    Abstract: A handle assembly for attaching a decorative handle to a turning stem is disclosed. The handle can be placed on, as well as removed from the stem by a straight axial motion (without turning the handle). In one embodiment, the stem adapter is secured to a valve stem and has an angled shoulder surface and an undercut portion. An attachment screw is employed to secure the stem adapter to the valve stem. The handle adapter has a multiplicity of resilient finger members with terminal portions adapted to engage both the angled shoulder surface and the undercut portion of the stem adapter. A handle member of a generally U-shaped configuration has a retainer member secured therein with the retainer member having finger engaging portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1986
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Roy J. Rozek
  • Patent number: 4561565
    Abstract: A material metering device having a discrete flow rate adjustment and indicator mechanism. The indicator includes an actuator knob which is rotated to adjust the flow rate of material from the meter. The actuator knob is also operably connected to a follower wheel which is rotated by movement of the actuator knob. Indicia on both the actuator knob and follower wheel are simultaneously registerable with a reference point, such as a viewing window, and the reading of the indicia at the reference point indicates the flow rate of material from the meter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Lester C. Wolf, William R. Lundie
  • Patent number: 4532817
    Abstract: A tuning shaft for use in switch type pushbutton tuners wherein a clutch shaft portion configured in a regular polygon in its section is formed integrally with the tuning shaft portion as extending from the front end of the tuning shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Assignee: Clarion Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Chaki
  • Patent number: 4532826
    Abstract: A brake valve control safety device adapted to be secured to the dashboard of a motor vehicle includes a push-pull switch assembly having a body member, a stem extending through the body member and a knob on the stem, and means on the body member, stem or knob for releasably locking the assembly to prevent release of the vehicle brakes by accidental movement of the valve stem and knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1985
    Inventor: James B. White
  • Patent number: 4527440
    Abstract: A self-aligning mechanism utilizes a flexible shaft affixed at one end to a means for rotating it. The other end of the rod is configured to engage a complementarily-shaped opening in a coupler provided with a funnel-shaped front surface to guide the flexible shaft into engagement. In one embodiment, the coupler is mounted directly to the shaft of the device to be adjusted. In another embodiment, the coupler is a pulley which drives, by means of a drive belt, a device which is offset in position relative to the flexible shaft. Wire-retaining means are provided to enable the knob and shaft to be easily removed and reinstalled with a minimum of effort and adjustment, even in the presence of misalignment in the X-, Y-, and Z-axis directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1985
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christopher J. Heitman, Gregory D. Schwehr
  • Patent number: 4515037
    Abstract: A concealed mounting arrangement for attaching a handle to a rotatable stem without the need for using an exposed attachment screw is disclosed. In one embodiment, there is an adapter element fixedly mountable on the stem, and a handle element mountable on the adapter with a fit that allows relative rotational and axial movement therebetween. One of these elements is provided with a connecting pin that extends towards the other element and has an enlarged head near its outer end. The other of these elements is provided with a mounting slot comprising an access opening that faces said one element and receives the head therethrough when the elements are moved axially toward one another, an intermediate portion leading from the access opening in a direction of relative rotation between the elements and the intermediate portion has a shoulder engageable with the underside of the head during such rotation to prevent the elements from moving axially apart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1985
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventor: Dale A. Block
  • Patent number: 4499630
    Abstract: An adjustable knob assembly for operating a gas valve includes a rotatable knob affixable to the shaft of the gas valve and having a hub with an axially extending ridge. An annular pointer is angularly displaceably affixed to the hub and has opposed sets of adjacent grooves selectively alignable to engage the ridge on the hub, to permit angular displacement of the pointer with respect to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1985
    Assignee: The Tappan Company
    Inventors: Stephen K. Harris, Wiley W. Miller
  • Patent number: 4488450
    Abstract: The device for releasably securing stationarily a finely angularly adjusted shaft in an instrument with respect to the body thereof includes a cylindrical flange formed in the body and rotatably supporting the shaft therein and provided with a plurality of cut-out portions arranged circumferentially spaced from each other, a rotatable clamping ring rotatably fitted around the flange and having in its periphery wedge-shaped recesses the arrangement of which corresponds to that of the cut-out portions, and clamping members each received in the respective cut-out portion and wedge-shaped recess aligned therewith so that each clamping member is interposed between the outer surface of the shaft and the respective recess, thereby permitting the shaft to be releasably secured stationarily with respect to the body by rotating the clamping ring in one direction in which each clamping member is urged against the shaft by the wedge-shaped recess, while the shaft is released to freely rotate when the clamping ring is rot
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Tokyo Kinzoku Kabushikikaisha
    Inventor: Akira Sakai
  • Patent number: 4488451
    Abstract: A remote hand knob gear as first of a train of gears for actuating a taumel hinge eccentric constructed as integral plastic support disc and gear adapted for snap on hand knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Keiper U.S.A. Inc.
    Inventors: Karl-Heinz G. Ligensa, Philip Cherdron
  • Patent number: 4486918
    Abstract: A knob assembly is provided which includes a knob having an integral shaft. The knob further includes a circular groove therein, and first and second cams situated in the groove. A knob receiving member includes an aperture in which the shaft of the knob is situated. Two snap fingers of flexible material extend from the sides of the aperture to engage the knob when the knob is pressed into the aperture. The knob is conveniently removed from the aperture by rotating the knob until the first and second cams contact and push the first and second snap fingers, respectively, out of the groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas D. Peebles
  • Patent number: 4487089
    Abstract: An adjustable clutch mechanism is disclosed which may be removably mounted to a shaft to selectively vary the torque required to turn the shaft. The clutch mechanism includes a threaded, flanged bushing which receives a pair of friction washers and a clutch plate located therebetween. A nut, threaded onto the bushing, provides an adjustable force through a spring washer to control the force of the friction washers against the clutch plate. The bushing is removably mounted to a shaft so that it rotates with the shaft while the clutch plate is held stationary. The torque required to rotate the shaft is controlled by adjusting the nut on the threaded end of the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1984
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Craig E. Harwood
  • Patent number: 4458664
    Abstract: An improved oil stove of the type including a cylindrical burning wick adapted to be raised up or lowered as required by actuating a wick control handle is disclosed which includes a stopper slidably secured to the wick control handle and a stopper engagement member to which the stopper comes in engagement as the wick control handle is rotated. The stopper comprises a base plate, an engagement projection and a depress button adapted to be depressed by an operator's finger. The engagement projection is extended from the base plate to the position where it is engaged to the stopper engagement member at its upright bent portion of which upper end face is tapered. As the wick control handle is rotated in such a direction as to lower the wick, the bent portion of the engagement projection abuts against the stopper engagement member and thereby the wick control handle fails to be rotated further.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 10, 1984
    Assignee: Uchida Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tetsue Uchida, Takao Adachi
  • Patent number: 4455886
    Abstract: An adjustable thermostat is disclosed which has an operating temperature range and in which detent means is provided to establish a plurality of detent positions of a rotatably adjustable shaft for selected operating temperatures of the thermostat. The detent means includes a radially extending, arcuate flange rotatable with the shaft and cooperating with a post on the base. The flange has a plurality of radial notches to establish the plural detent positions in engagement with a projection on the post. The flange is integral with an arcuately extending wall, the wall having inner and outer arcuate surfaces, and the entire wall is deformed and stressed by radial camming action as the shaft is moved from one detent position to another. The foregoing abstract is merely a resume of one general application, is not a complete discussion of all principles of operation or applications, and is not to be construed as a limitation on the scope of the claimed subject matter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: Therm-O-Disc, Incorporated
    Inventor: Donald J. Schmitt
  • Patent number: 4453434
    Abstract: An adjusting tool for performing precision adjustment of rotary elements disposed in inaccessible areas including an elongated barrel. A driver is rotatably mounted on one end of the barrel and has a coupling configuration for mating with the rotary element to be adjusted. An elongated shaft is journalled within the barrel and a transmission connects the same to the driver. A knob is disposed at the opposite end of the barrel and is connected to the shaft to rotate the same. A scale is carried by the actuator for movement therewith and an index device is disposed in proximity to the scale and is mounted on the tool for movement relative to the scale. A brake is employed for selectively holding the index device against movement on the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 12, 1984
    Inventor: James Lissy
  • Patent number: 4450856
    Abstract: A large manually operated leak-proof corrosion-proof low-cost shut-off or stop valve for handling high pressure refrigerant liquids and/or gases comprises a valve body formed of two sheet metal hemispheres welded to the periphery of a circular metal valve plate having a fluid passage therethrough and hollow cylindrical metal tubes welded to the hemispheres along the edges of circular holes cut in the hemispheres. The cylindrical outer end of a valve spindle extends into a cylindrical bore in the hub of a hand-wheel which is rotatable to open and close the valve. The hand-wheel is secured to a valve spindle by a removable flanged roll pin which fits into a pin hole formed by mating or registering recesses formed in the periphery of the outer end of the valve spindle and in the peripheral wall of the bore in the hub of the hand-wheel. Unscrewing of the bonnet affords access to the sealing materials and, as the bonnet moves axially, it also shifts the hand-wheel off of the outer end of the valve spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Assignee: Vilter Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Erich J. Kocher
  • Patent number: 4435993
    Abstract: A control knob to shaft assembly including a rotatable, bifurcated shaft, the bifurcation spanning the diameter of the shaft and having a central cylindrical bore interconnecting two open slots, one of which has a width larger than the other. There is also provided an escutcheon plate in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis of the shaft at an acute angle and has an opening therethrough. A knob is received in the escutcheon plate opening and has a first portion larger in diameter than the escutcheon plate opening, a second portion having two projecting spaced parallel legs with a yoke connecting and spanning the legs. The yoke has a central ball shaped portion with a diameter slightly smaller than the cylindrical bore in the shaft and is received in the cylindrical bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Allen W. Scott
  • Patent number: 4433218
    Abstract: An electrical instrument including a housing with a faceplate, a component for providing a variable electrical characteristic and a control shaft having one end coupled to the component and rotatable to vary the electrical characteristics thereof and an opposite end extending through the faceplate. Attached to the opposite end of the shaft is a coupling that is shaped and arranged so as to prevent relative rotational movement therebetween while allowing relative axial movement therebetween during removal of the coupling from the shaft. A control knob is attached to the coupling in a manner that allows both relative axial and rotational movement therebetween which movement can be restrained by activation of a locking means. An indication of the relative angular position of the knob is provided by a scale located adjacent thereto on the faceplate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1984
    Assignee: Kidde, Inc.
    Inventor: Amede R. Provencher
  • Patent number: 4417483
    Abstract: A calibratable dial for mounting on a control shaft. The dial includes a hub and a skirt frictionally fastened to each other for rotational movement in unison. The hub has a generally cylindrical portion and a disc portion. A shaft receiving socket is formed in the generally cylindrical portion of the hub. A central opening is formed in the skirt and is sized to fit over and receive the generally cylindrical portion of the hub when the skirt and hub are frictionally fastened to each other. An arcuate toothed sector is formed in the skirt along one portion of the central opening thereof at a location overlying the disc portion of the hub. Instrument receiving sockets are formed in the hub in alignment with the central opening in the skirt. The sockets are positioned to extend under the arcuate toothed sector of the central opening of the skirt so that an instrument inserted in either of the sockets will engage the hub and the toothed sector of the skirt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1983
    Assignee: The Grigoleit Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Howie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4373405
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for use with adjustable rotary controls such as potentiometers that have a push and/or pull feature to provide a means for locking the control knob and to provide varying amounts of drag force to aid in fine adjustments. A locking shoe assembly having integral locking shoes with cam surfaces is attached to the control panel with the rotary control shaft extending through its center. A locking knob with internal cams fits over the locking shoe assembly and is held in place with an annular retention ring. A control knob with an integral land surface is attached to the rotary shaft and extends into the locking shoe assembly. Rotation of the locking knob engages the various cam surfaces thus binding the land surface and the control knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1983
    Assignee: Gould Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Geil
  • Patent number: 4355544
    Abstract: A predetermined limit in the rotation of a manually rotatable control shaft is established by a special knob having a speed nut which secures the knob to the shaft, and an interrupted circular slot in the knob, concentric with the shaft, for cooperating with a fixed projection extending parallel to the shaft and into the circular slot. The device is described as usable in a thermostatically controlled heating system with an auxiliary control for improving efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1982
    Inventor: Arnold R. Post
  • Patent number: 4295246
    Abstract: A molded plastic knob of the type which frictionally engages and slips over the end of a shaft of generally circular cross section and having at least one longitudinally extending flat surface. A hub is formed as part of the knob. A shaft receiving socket is formed in the hub. The socket has a flat wall adapted to engage a flat surface on the shaft. A resilient finger is formed as part of the hub and extends into the socket upwardly from the flat wall. The resilient finger is positioned to engage an arcuate side of the shaft when the shaft is inserted into the socket so as to slightly deform the resilient finger and thereby apply a force to the shaft. The wall of the socket located opposite the flat wall is semi-hexagonal and the resilient finger extends towards but terminates short of the semi-hexagonal wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1981
    Assignee: The Grigoleit Company
    Inventor: Robert K. Howie, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4270394
    Abstract: A rotary type television tuner includes a chassis and a channel changing shaft extending through the chassis and having an operating knob mounted on the front end thereof for rotating the shaft. The channel changing shaft is made of a synthetic resin reinforced with glass fiber and is circular in cross-section over the greater part, the knob mounting section being formed with a flat portion and having a cross-section that is nearly semicircular. The root of the flat portion of the knob mounting section is rounded. A reinforcing rod assembly comprising a reinforcing rod made of a metal and a reinforcing rod made of a rigid synthetic resin which are connected together as by threads is embedded in the channel changing shaft including its knob mounting section. The length of the reinforcing rod of metal is such that when it is assembled as the tuner, it extends from the front end nearly to the chassis plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1978
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1981
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuo Ito, Bunjiro Murata, Kazunori Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 4269119
    Abstract: There is disclosed a multi-line print head for a labeler. The print head includes a plurality of lines of printing members and a selector for each line. Each selector includes a shaft rotatable by a respective knob. The knobs are close to each other in certain axial positions. Each knob can transmit rotation and axial movements to its respective shaft. However, any knob can be shifted axially to a limited extent relative to its respective selector shaft to a position clear of any other knob. Thus, the other knob or knobs do not interfere with manual rotation of the selected knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Assignee: Monarch Marking Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Strausburg
  • Patent number: 4237746
    Abstract: A mechanism for setting a thermostat having a housing wall forming a mounting opening. A rotatable setting shaft projects through the mounting opening and defines a circumferential groove concentric with respect to the shaft axis and a cam is fixed to the shaft for rotation therewith relative to the housing wall. The cam has a bore with at least one slot at a predetermined angular location and the shaft is locked to the cam by expanding the shaft into engagement with the bore and slot.The shaft is journaled in a bearing for rotation relative to the housing wall. The bearing comprises at least a collar-like structure fixed with respect to the housing wall and extending axially relative to the shaft and radially inwardly deformed toward engagement with the shaft groove. The collar-like bearing structure and shaft groove cooperate to enable rotation of the shaft relative to the collar-like structure about the axis and to restrain the shaft against axial movement relative to the housing wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1980
    Assignee: Ranco Incorporated
    Inventors: Guglielmo Rossi, Vincenzo Ferloni
  • Patent number: 4209266
    Abstract: A snap-on handle structure including a handle mountable on a splined operating shaft having a series of teeth, said handle having an internal recess to receive the shaft and having spaced, splined sections in said recess to interfit with the splined operating shaft, and a pair of members extending interiorly along the length of the recess and interfitted with the handle at locations between the splined sections, with each member having a pair of spaced-apart, inwardly-turned elongate flanges to fit between splined teeth on said operating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1979
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1980
    Assignee: Truth Incorporated
    Inventors: Jack L. Bowen, Gary F. Paulson
  • Patent number: 4201096
    Abstract: A knob assembly comprising a cup-shaped knob shell having therein a coaxial pair of oppositely wound coil springs disposed for binding engagement with a surrounding wall of a race and having respective terminal end portions engaging an encircled portion of an axially rotatable bushing which is provided with fastening means for rotatably engaging an axially inserted shaft, the springs having other terminal end portions engaged by respective oppositely rotatable lever arms mounted on the bushing and having end portions aligned with axially spaced projections of the knob shell, whereby axial movement of the shell causes the projections to pivot the lever arms in opposite angular directions to release the coil springs windingly from binding engagement with the wall of the race and permit rotation of the bushing and engaged shaft in response to rotary movement of the knob shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Raymond C. Morrison, Albert R. Pratt
  • Patent number: 4197765
    Abstract: A rotary support device for use with a dial apparatus is disclosed. The rotary support device is formed mainly of a first cylinder having an aperture through which a rotary shaft of the dial apparatus passes, the rotary shaft being then fixed thereto, a second cylinder having an aperture through which the rotary shaft passes with a clearance therebetween, and a coupling member which resiliently couples the first and second cylinders. The second cylinder is coupled to a rotating member of the dial apparatus and they are to be rotated together, so that when the rotating member of the dial apparatus is rotated, the rotary shaft of the dial apparatus is rotated through the second cylinder, the coupling member and the first cylinder even if the axis of the rotary shaft is eccentric to the axes of the support cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1980
    Assignee: Sakae Tsushin Kogyo Co. Ltd.
    Inventor: Eitaro Shimoda
  • Patent number: 4189248
    Abstract: A snap-on handle structure for attachment to an operating shaft having detent notches and cam members including a handle with an internal recess, and a generally U-shaped spring member in the handle recess with a pair of spaced-apart arms with free ends extending toward an open end of the recess. Each of the arms has a generally V-shaped hook portion intermediate the central base of the spring member and the free ends of said legs with a pair of inclined legs to coact with the cam members on placement of the handle on the operating shaft and coaction with the detent notches for retention of the handle on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 19, 1980
    Assignee: Truth Incorporated
    Inventor: George R. Sully
  • Patent number: 4154125
    Abstract: A device for use with variable electrical components such as potentiometers to provide not only an independent means adjacent the control knob to lock the knob in a fixed position, but also to provide variable amounts of drag on the knob to enhance more precise and accurate control of the knob. The locking device is positioned between the controlled component and the control knob. The locking device can be moved to a plurality of positions adjacent the control knob to vary the amount of drag on the control knob.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1979
    Assignee: Beckman Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Edgar H. Frank
  • Patent number: 4153149
    Abstract: A sealed adjusting device for mounting in the wall of a sealed instrument housing that includes at least one adjustable element, such as a potentiometer. The adjusting device comprises an elongated sleeve-like mounting hub capable of being sealingly secured in the housing wall, and a normally freely rotatable or freely turnable knob structured as a hollow capsule rotatably inserted onto one end of the mounting hub. The other end of the mounting hub receives or is connected with a portion of the adjustable element. A spring is provided within the mounting hub to hold the knob in its freely turnable or rotatable position. The knob is operatively connected with a clutch-sleeve for temporary engagement with the rotatable operating end of the adjustable element when the knob is pushed against the spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Assignees: Orbisphere Corporation, Succursale de Collonge-Bellerive
    Inventor: Eugen Weber
  • Patent number: 4147445
    Abstract: A coupling arrangement between a shaft and a knob adapted for rotating the shaft, the knob being provided with a recess having a cross-sectional area which is substantially greater than the cross-sectional area of the shaft, and having a sleeve arranged to encircle the shaft with its inner surface and with its outer surface intended to be encircled by the recess in the knob. The outer surface of the sleeve has a cross-sectional area which is somewhat larger than the cross-sectional area of the recess of the knob. The knob is pressed over the sleeve and as a result of its elasticity imparts to the sleeve a compressing force which acts on the shaft and thereby presses the sleeve and the knob into firm, co-action with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 3, 1979
    Inventor: Per-Goran Claesson