Abstract: An attachment device for joining planar metal members to one another. A tapered passage is formed through the metal members. A tapered metal sleeve is positioned in the tapered passage. An elongated headed fastener is inserted through the sleeve. A bearing washer is positioned between the headed portion of the fastener and the metal members with the bearing washer engaging the tapered sleeve. A spacer washer is positioned between the bearing washer and the metal members to limit movement of the bearing washer against the tapered sleeve. A nut threads onto the threaded end of the fastener. A spacer washer is positioned between the nut and the smaller diameter end of the tapered sleeve to prevent the nut from engaging the smaller diameter and of the tapered sleeve when the nut is threaded on the headed fastener.

Abstract: A composite knob including an injection molded translucent core having a side wall and a top wall with light pipe window or a light pipe opening formed in these walls. A trim ring is positioned on the core and has an opening therethrough to align with the light pipe window or opening. A cover is mounted on the trim ring and core and includes an opening aligned with the trim ring opening and the light pipe window or opening. A light pipe located in the light pipe window or light pipe opening is visible through the trim ring and cover openings. An opaque plastic light transmitting barrier is formed between the light pipe window or light pipe and the openings in the trim ring and cover. The light transmitting barrier is molded as a part of a gripping overlay applied to the outer surface of the skirt of the knob.

Abstract: A multi-piece knob having a cylindrical tubular plastic body with a central hub and a peripheral wall. An annular end wall extends from the peripheral wall and terminates radially short of the central hub to define a passage into the tubular body and around the hub. An undersurface is formed on the annular end wall at the annular passage. An annular ring is seated on the annular end wall of the cylindrical tubular body between the passage and the peripheral wall. A locking top cap is formed having a head with an underside. A number of discrete elongated fingers are formed integrally with the underside of the head of the locking top cap with the elongated fingers spaced from each other and arranged generally in a circle. The elongated fingers extend from the underside of the top cap with each of the fingers terminating in a tip.

Abstract: A composite knob including an injection molded translucent core having a side wall and a top wall with light pipe window or a light pipe opening formed in these walls. A trim ring is positioned on the core and has an opening therethrough to align with the light pipe window or opening. A cover is mounted on the trim ring and core and includes an opening aligned with the trim ring opening and the light pipe window or opening. A light pipe located in the light pipe window or light pipe opening is visible through the trim ring and cover openings. An opaque plastic light transmitting barrier is formed between the light pipe window or light pipe and the openings in the trim ring and cover. The light transmitting barrier is molded as a part of a gripping overlay applied to the outer surface of the skirt of the knob.

Abstract: A knob for installation on circular and non-circular shafts. The knob includes a hub molded of a thermoplastic material. An elongated socket is formed in the hub and has a transverse cross-section which is complimentary to that of the shaft. Flexible fingers of Y-shaped cross-section are formed in the socket integral with the walls of the socket and spaced from one another around the socket. The flexible fingers extend the length of the socket and are relieved adjacent the shaft receiving entrance to the socket. In a modification, a skirt surrounds the hub and extends outwardly of the socket and the flexible fingers extend outwardly beyond the socket. In another modification, ribs are formed between the fingers.

Abstract: A multi-component button and a method of making it. The button includes a plastic core having a top surface with a projection in the shape of an icon upstanding on the top surface. A thin piece of metal is seated on the top surface of the core and receives the icon. A plastic shell engages the outer edges of the thin piece of metal and forms side and end walls around the core. The method includes forming the core, positioning the metal piece on the top of the core and molding a plastic shell around the outer edges of the metal sheet and the side and end walls of the core.

Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.

Abstract: A composite article including a tubular body having a front end, a rear end, a peripheral wall extending between the front and rear ends, a wall support located rearwardly of the front end of the peripheral wall and at least one paragraph formed in the wall engaging support. An end cap is positioned on the front end of the tubular body to obstruct the wall engaging support except for at least a portion of at least one of the passages and to define a channel between the end cover and the peripheral wall. A plastic coating fills at least one passage in the channel and overlaps the cover to fasten the cover to the tubular body.

Abstract: A knob for installation on the end of a timer control shaft having a pair of flexible fingers. The knob includes a core, a hub in the core and a shaft receiving passage formed in the core. A shaft entrance of generally circular transverse cross section is formed on the timer side of the knob. A pair of arcuate ribs are formed in the passage inwardly of the entrance. A pair of diametrically located gaps are formed between the arcuate ribs. Shaft finger receiving channels are formed in the walls of the passage at the gaps with each channel having a base wall which tapers radially inwardly in an axial direction from the passage entrance to a constriction and then tapers radially outwardly in a farther axial direction away from the entrance. Corner projections are located at the constriction and extend axially of the constriction toward and away from the channel entrance. The shaft receiving passage may extend through the core or it may be a blind passage.

Abstract: A composite knob having a plastic core with a front wall. A narrow passage or slit extends through the front wall of the core. A thin, elongated planar light pipe formed of a first piece of a clear light transmitting plastic and a second piece of a colored light transmitting plastic overlay attached to the light emitting edge or face of the first piece of clear light transmitting plastic. The colored plastic overlay is secured to the first piece of clear light transmitting plastic by pairs of notches and hooks which interlock during the molding of the overlay to the clear portion. The light pipe is positioned in the plastic core with the colored overlay located in the narrow passage and visible through the core from the exterior of the knob. In another embodiment, a window is formed in the front wall of a translucent plastic core. The light pipe is positioned in the translucent plastic core so as to transmit light through the window of said translucent plastic core.

Abstract: A molded knob of the type having a knob with a socket located in the knob which socket slips over the end of an irregularly shaped shaft and has fingers which frictionally engage the outer surface of the shaft. The hub has an inner portion surrounded by and separated from the outer portion by a slot with the shaft gripping fingers formed on the inner portion. Complementary meshing ribs and notches are formed in the peripheral walls of the inner and outer core and these ribs and notches engage each other upon rotation of the inner hub portion relative to the outer hub portion to transfer torque forces therebetween.

Abstract: A composite knob having a pullout and torque resistant insert with a shaft receiving threaded socket. One embodiment of the composite knob includes a disc shaped plastic body having a central hub. A plastic insert is embedded in the central hub. A threaded socket is formed in the plastic insert. A number of radially extending ribs are formed integrally with and extend radially from the plastic insert. These ribs are triangular shaped with inclined forwardly and rearwardly facing surfaces which are embedded in the hub of the disc shaped plastic body. A decorative cover may be positioned over the front face of the disc shaped body and secured to the body with a soft flexible plastic outer covering. In another embodiment, the plastic body includes a blade shaped handle with an insert that fits within the handle. The insert is formed with laterally extending portions which are entrapped by flanges formed integrally with the plastic body.

Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.

Abstract: A composite article including a tubular body having a front end, a rear end, a peripheral wall extending between the front and rear ends, a wall support located rearwardly of the front end of the peripheral wall and at least one paragraph formed in the wall engaging support. An end cap is positioned on the front end of the tubular body to obstruct the wall engaging support except for at least a portion of at least one of the passages and to define a channel between the end cover and the peripheral wall. A plastic coating fills at least one passage in the channel and overlaps the cover to fasten the cover to the tubular body.

Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an injection molded object having an outer shell with a front face and a light transmitting assembly molded into the outer shell which assembly is visible from the front face. The method includes the following steps. Supporting a light transmitting assembly on a mold projecting tool which is closable with a mold cavity tool having an interior wall which defines the front wall of the outer shell. Forming narrow passages through the light transmitting assembly to connect its front and rear faces. Closing the mold to position the front face of the light transmitting assembly adjacent the interior wall of the mold cavity tool while leaving a narrow peripheral recess therearound in communication with the narrow passages.

Abstract: A method for obtaining a tight, secure connection between two relatively non-deformable members and the connection resulting therefrom. The method includes the steps of forming a recess in a first of said members, forming a second member with a portion that seats in the recess of the first member, molding a liner of thermoplastic to one of the members, which thermoplastic is deformable but not more than slightly compressible, and seating the portion of the second member in the recess of the first member with one of the members engaging the liner to displace a portion of the liner into a void space in one of the members to thus form a tightly gripping connection between the members. A composite knob and its connection to shaft made in accordance with this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an injection molded object having an outer shell with a front face and a light transmitting assembly molded into the outer shell which assembly is visible from the front face. The method includes the following steps. Supporting a light transmitting assembly on a mold projecting tool which is closable with a mold cavity tool having an interior wall which defines the front wall of the outer shell. Forming narrow passages through the light transmitting assembly to connect its front and rear faces. Closing the mold to position the front face of the light transmitting assembly adjacent the interior wall of the mold cavity tool while leaving a narrow peripheral recess therearound in communication with the narrow passages.

Abstract: A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core.