Abstract: A method of forming a laminated structural member and the structural member formed thereby. The method includes the steps of securing a first sheet of metal and a superimposed second sheet of metal to each other along areas on opposite edges of the sheets while leaving an area in between the secured areas unfastened. At least one bend is formed in the unfastened area of the sheets along an axis parallel to the secured edges. The concave side of the bend is located on the second sheet side of the laminate in order to stretch the first sheet through a greater distance than the second sheet is stretched by the formation of the bend. The first sheet of metal is selected for appearance characteristics and/or finish accepting characteristics which are more desirable in the completed laminate than those of the second sheet of metal.

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.

Abstract: A molded knob of the type which frictionally engages and slips over the end of a shaft. The knob has a hub with a shaft receiving socket formed therein. The socket has a flat wall adapted to engage a flat on the shaft. Elongated fingers which are formed as part of the hub extend into the socket on the opposite side of the socket from the flat wall. The fingers extend towards and are aligned with each other. They are laterally deflectable away from the flat wall of the socket upon insertion of the shaft into the socket. An abutment is located at the base of each finger. One of the abutments is engageable with the shaft when the shaft is rotated to limit further deflection of the fingers by the shaft due to twisting caused by the application of torque to the shaft. In a modified form, a stop is provided to engage the fingers to limit the amount of deflection of the fingers in place of the abutments.

Abstract: A knob for mounting on the end of a shaft, especially a shaft of the type which extends through an opening in a panel and must be moved axially and rotated during operation thereof. The knob includes a hub, a shaft receiving socket formed in the hub and a web extending from the hub and terminating in a rim. The web is formed so as to be sufficiently flexible and deformable to permit the hub and the rim to move axially relative to each other. An annular dial may cover most of the flexible web. The knob and web may be formed in one piece, preferably of plastic or they may be separate pieces fastened together. When separate pieces, the knob may be plastic and the web may be spring steel.

Abstract: An actuating mechanism which can be adapted for use in devices such as a rocker type electrical switch assembly. The rocker can be inserted in a housing through an opening in one side thereof. The rocker is held for rotation about a fixed axis by the combination of the closure member for the housing opening and parts of the housing which engage the rocker.