Abstract: A switch assembly operating an electrical circuit using an elastomeric pad is provided. The elastomeric pad comprises one or more collapsible domes that are positioned such that a plunger element supported by the switch assembly collapses the domes when an actuation button is tilted. The plunger element may have a limiting mechanism to limit downward movement of the plunger element such that the collapsible domes are not overloaded. The body and plunger may also be formed with complementary profiled portions that restrict any one or more of fore/aft, side-to-side and up/down movements of the plunger with respect to the body to prevent abnormal loading on the collapsible domes to increase the lifecycle of the elastomeric portion. The elastomeric portion may also be adapted to provide both single and dual double detent feedback by using passive collapsible domes that provide tactile feedback without operating on the electrical circuit.

Abstract: A low profile switch assembly is provided having a base portion that supports a folded flexible circuit sealed about its edges, an overlying deformable elastomeric portion, and a pair of window knobs. The base portion has a pair of integrally formed, upwardly extending posts that pivotally support the window knobs and encourage alignment of the flexible circuit and the overlying elastomeric pad. A series of domes are formed in the elastomeric pad, pairs of which are operated sequentially by the window knob acting on a lever bridging the pairs of domes. The domes, when collapsed, compress portions of the flexible circuit to bridge opposing traces within the folded circuit to actuate respective switches. The arrangement of the components provides a low profile device that inhibits contamination and uses fewer parts.

Abstract: A combination spa and video entertainment system is disclosed wherein the video monitor is removably mountable to the spa so that it does not interfere with spa cover removal or replacement. The transportable video monitor is plug connectable to a mounting post attached to a sidewall of the spa which contains power, video and control cables. The video monitor is also plug connectable to a docking station that may be located indoors, which contains power, video and control cables, for viewing the video monitor indoors when the spa is not being used.

Abstract: A multiple nozzle moving jet structure for a spa, attached to flexible tubes encased in an articulated sleeve exhausts pressurized water into the spa in a vertical whipping motion, in reaction to the water exhaust. The multiple nozzle structure utilizes one air supply tube to aerate water streams of the multiple nozzle structure. The combination of the multiple nozzle structure with the articulated sleeves on the flexible tubes, confines movement of the nozzle structure in one plane, eliminating the requirement for a guide body to confine direction of nozzle movement.

Abstract: A convection cooking appliance includes a convection fan for establishing a convection airflow which is heated by a heating element including first and second sections that are symmetrically disposed about the convection fan substantially parallel to and downstream of the convection fan. Each of the first and second sections is formed so as to include at least three lobes and four 180° turns, while establishing a thin profile heating element. A convection fan cover extends across the convection fan and includes a main body portion having an outlet portion for directing the convection airflow into a cooking chamber of the appliance. The outlet portion includes an angled louver and a trip edge portion. The angled louver and trip edge portion cooperate to alter a direction of the convection airflow from being substantially parallel to the main body portion to being substantially perpendicular the main body portion.

Abstract: A low profile switch assembly is provided having a base portion that supports a folded flexible circuit sealed about its edges, an overlying deformable elastomeric portion, and a pair of window knobs. The base portion has a pair of integrally formed, upwardly extending posts that pivotally support the window knobs and encourage alignment of the flexible circuit and the overlying elastomeric pad. A series of domes are formed in the elastomeric pad, pairs of which are operated sequentially by the window knob acting on a lever bridging the pairs of domes. The domes, when collapsed, compress portions of the flexible circuit to bridge opposing traces within the folded circuit to actuate respective switches. The arrangement of the components provides a low profile device that inhibits contamination and uses fewer parts.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity accessed through first and second French-style doors that are connected to the appliance through a door linkage system. The door linkage system establishes a particular timing of door openings and closings to minimize potential wear of a door gasket. That is, each of the doors has an associated gasket for use in sealing the oven cavity when the doors are closed. One of the doors is provided with an annular gasket, while the other door essentially incorporates a less that fully annular, preferably 3-sided or a three-quarter gasket. With this arrangement, each of the gaskets has three sides adapted to seal against a cabinet shell portion of the appliance, while the fourth side of the first gasket is adapted to seal against an extension provided on the other door.

Abstract: A system comprises a transceiver adapted to receive signals from any of a plurality of remote controls and logic that operatively couples to the transceiver. The logic enables and disables support for at least one of the remote controls based on whether an external device, which supports the remote control, is coupled to the system.

Abstract: A combination spa and video entertainment system is disclosed wherein the video monitor is removably mountable to the spa so that it does not interfere with spa cover removal or replacement. The transportable video monitor is plug connectable to a mounting post attached to a sidewall of the spa which contains power, video and control cables. The video monitor is also plug connectable to a docking station that may be located indoors, which contains power, video and control cables, for viewing the video monitor indoors when the spa is not being used.

Abstract: A gas cooking appliance includes a low profile gas burner assembly positioned within an oven cavity. The low profile gas burner assembly, formed from a tubular member having a defined diameter, includes a first end, defining an inlet portion, interconnected with a second end, defining an outlet portion, through an intermediate portion. In accordance with the invention, the intermediate portion maintains a vertically spaced relationship between the inlet portion and outlet portion from about 1.0 to 3.33 times the diameter of the tubular member, preferably about 1.33 to 2.66 times the diameter and, most preferably, approximately twice the diameter of the tubular member.