Abstract: The present invention is a rotary switch with illumination capabilities utilizing a light pipe within the rotary switch to carry light from a light source to the outside of the rotary switch. The light source is preferably an LED or incandescent bulb, and the light pipe may be a fiber optic material or a glass tube. In conjunction with the rotary switch is a corresponding knob that includes a lens disposed adjacent the end of the light pipe for dispersing light communicated through the light pipe to a face on the knob. The rotary switch may include multiple lights corresponding to operating conditions of the rotary switch such as nominal and fail, where the operator can determine the condition by the color of light passing through the lens on the knob.

Abstract: An illuminated control assembly which comprises a light guide having a an outer illumination section and an end illumination section. The assembly also comprises at least one outer light conducting leg and at least one end light conducting leg. Each leg has a light receiving portion proximate to light source and distanced from the illumination sections. Each leg also has a light delivering portion, wherein the light delivering portion of the outer light conducting leg is in light communication with the outer illumination section and the light delivering portion of the end light conducting leg is in light communication with the end illumination section. The assembly also comprises a control member having a light duct. The control member is connected to an input receiver and the control member is in light communication with the end illumination section wherein light from the end illumination section is transmitted through the light duct.

Abstract: A system and method for illuminating a push-button type avionics mechanical-to-electrical rotary switch, which includes an optical fiber extending through a hollow shaft in said switch, and where said optical fiber provides illumination of the push button when depressed.

Abstract: The present invention is a rotary switch with illumination capabilities utilizing a light pipe within the rotary switch to carry light from a light source to the outside of the rotary switch. The light source is preferably an LED or incandescent bulb, and the light pipe may be a fiber optic material or a glass tube. In conjunction with the rotary switch is a corresponding knob that includes a lens disposed adjacent the end of the light pipe for dispersing light communicated through the light pipe to a face on the knob. The rotary switch may include multiple lights corresponding to operating conditions of the rotary switch such as nominal and fail, where the operator can determine the condition by the color of light passing through the lens on the knob.

Abstract: A control element for control functions within a passenger area of a vehicle having several turning knobs whose positions are indicated by an illumination display, includes an LED (Light Emitting Device) and a light-guide coupled directly with the LED and having a light-exit surface that is coupled with a light-entry surface leading to at least one turning knob, a light-conducting plate (7) adjacent the light-guide, and a housing.

Abstract: In a control device (1) having an actuator (2) which can be activated manually, an arresting element (8) is used to provide haptic feedback for a rotating sensation which is associated with the selected function. This rotating sensation, for example individual latching steps, is represented visually by means of display (9) which is arranged on a rotary actuating element (3) of the actuator (2). As a result, the user is quickly provided with an overview of the avaliable, position of the actuator (2) which it is possible to set.

Abstract: In a light illuminating type manipulation and display apparatus including a light source and rotary knobs having a plurality of stop positions and indicator sections which are illuminated and displayed with the light from the light source at each of the stop positions. In the apparatus, light reflecting bodies having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces corresponding to a plurality of the stop positions of the rotary knobs are disposed, and the light from the light source is reflected from each of the light reflecting surfaces of the light reflecting bodies and illuminates the indicator sections located at each of the stop positions. With this arrangement, the quality of the apparatus can be improved with reduced power consumption.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) comprises a manually rotatable knob (14) and a source (18) of light. The knob (14) has an axis (15) of rotation, and has a discrete light-transmitting portion (40) which is spaced from the axis (15). A hollow part (36) of the knob (14) defines a chamber (39) extending from the axis (15) to the light-transmitting portion (40). A rotor (22) extends along the axis (15) from the chamber (39) to the source (18) of light. The rotor (22) is formed of material which is translucent sufficiently to transmit light from the source (18) to the chamber (39) to flood the chamber (39) with light, and thereby to illuminate the light-transmitting portion (40) of the knob (14).

Abstract: A lighting-knob-switch comprises a first light conductor shaped in a cylinder or an oval-top pillar. The first light conductor has a light interceptor (22B) having a concave slope on its rear end and has a lighting face (22A) on its front end. The lighting knob switch further comprises a knob which houses the first light conductor axially, an opening (21C) under the light interceptor (22B) of the first light conductor (22), and a first light emitter (35) under the light interceptor (22B). The light from the first light emitter (35) reflects on the light interceptor (22B) through the opening (21C) and arrives at the lighting face (22A). This construction allows the lighting face (22A) to receive even light at anytime, realizes an easy assembly work, and achieves an inexpensive cost.

Abstract: An electrical switch capable of emitting light is composed of a base, a conductive disk, a switching conductive piece, a first, a second, a third and a fourth fastening conductive pieces, a light emitting diode, a cap, and a rotating mechanism. The conductive disk is disposed in a receiving cell of the base such that the conductive disk is fastened with the switching conductive piece. The light emitting element is connected at one end thereof with the first fastening conductive piece and at another end thereof with a pin which is in turn connected with one end of a power source. The power source is connected at another end thereof with the third and the fourth fastening conductive pieces.

Abstract: An electric switch for converting to rotary motion a rocker style switching mechanism. A switch cavity is formed in the case and a movable contact is provided in the switch cavity. A knob is coupled to an actuator mounted in the cavity for positive pivotal movement on a lateral axis. The knob contains cams formed in an interior knob cavity and is mounted on the switch so that when the knob is rotated on an axis perpendicular to the pivot axis of the actuator, the cams engage the actuator to move the movable contact between "ON" and "OFF" positions.

Abstract: An electrical rotary switch is disclosed having a rotary operating member (16) mounted for rotation about an axis. A first contact member (32) is mounted for movement in opposed directions along a path transverse to but not intersecting the axis, between a first position in which a contact surface (38) of the first contact member (32) is in electrical contact with a contact surface (42) of a respective second contact member (36) and a second position in which the contact surfaces are not in electrical contact. The path is approximately normal to the contact surfaces, and the operating member has a surface (44) to impart movement to the first contact member in one or both directions.

Abstract: A weighing apparatus including a load receiving platform, a dial, and a moving indicator. The dial includes a face bearing various indicia for indicating the weight of a load placed upon the platform. A magnifier is operatively associated with the indicator for magnifying only a limited portion of the face of the dial in proximity to the indicator. A lamp, carried by the indicator, illuminates a limited portion of the face of the dial in proximity to the indicator. A switch actuates the lamp upon placement of a load upon the platform.

Abstract: An illuminated multi-position rotary selector/control switch assembly for switching substantial direct current (20 amps) at low voltages (12 V). A lower plastic housing shell is molded in a two-stage process with the first stage comprising molding platable thermoplastic resin strips and molding thereover second stage unplatable thermoplastic with exposed surface portions of said first first stage subsequently plated to form conductive strips having stationary switching contacts attached. The connector terminal pins are formed integrally with the strips in the first stage molding. The second stage thermoplastic molded thereover forms the part outline. The upper housing shell has a transparent arcuate window molded integrally therein for collecting and feeding light from a lamp to a light pipe carried by the user rotatable actuation knob.

Abstract: A switch actuator mounted in a housing for axial and rotary movement operates a rotary switch on the actuator axis through an axial lost motion connection. A pushbutton switch offset from the axis is engaged by a semi-circular plate radially extending from the actuator and is actuated upon axial movement of the actuator for any rotary position of the actuator. Optionally, the plate has apertures which register with the pushbutton switch at selected actuator rotary positions to disable pushbutton operation at the selected positions. The actuator is made of light conducting transparent plastic to illuminate an indicator on the switch knob from a bulb within the housing. A flexible detent finger integrally molded into the housing engages the plate during its axial movement to impart tactile feel.

Abstract: An electric shaving apparatus is provided which comprises a housing, a switch for activating switching cycles in which the apparatus is switched on and off, a holder for at least one external shaving member with hair-entry apertures, and an internal shaving member adapted to be driven by the external shaving member, the housing having a collecting space for shaving particles, which collecting space has a closing member with a locking mechanism, which locking mechanism comprises an actuating member, the apparatus comprising means for counting the number of switching cycles and a signalling device for signalling that cleaning of the collecting space is desirable in response to a predetermined or selected number of switching cycles. The signalling device comprises a light-emitting element in combination with the actuating member.

Abstract: An illuminated display forming part of a twist type switch is disclosed. An operator display is formed from a transparent material having a high index of refraction. A cylindrical portion is formed on the back of the operator display which is mounted on the switch and defines a space in which an indicator lamp is mounted. A peripheral flange portion is formed forward of and radially outward from the cylindrical portion. The rear surface of the flange portion is contoured with a plurality of prisms which are arranged in the shape of the information to be displayed. The prisms concentrate and collimate the light emitting from the indicator lamp and passing through the cylindrical portion and direct it out the front of the operator display. The transverse cross section of the resulting beam is in the general shape of the display and is readily visible to an observer in front of the display.

Abstract: There is provided a battery-operated electrical appliance such as an electric shaver including a mechanism for counting the number of times the appliance is operated. A first switch for activating the appliance is positioned in the mechanism housing, together with a rotatably mounted member provided with indicia for indicating the number of times the first swtich has been operated. An actuating member brings the movable contact and the fixed contact of the first switch into and out of engagement with each other, the actuating member including an element for engagement with the indicating member to successively rotate the same one indicia unit each time the first switch is actuated. A second switch is associated in the housing with the indicating member and has a movable contact and a fixed contact arranged to be brought into engagement after a predetermined number of successive partial rotations of the indicating member.

Abstract: An improved lighted coding switch generates binary coded signals corresponding to selected numerals that are displayed in a window of the switch. The numerals are inscribed on a translucent peripheral wall of an encoding wheel that brushes switch contacts against a printed circuit board to define binary signals as the wheel rotates. When the wheel is at rest, a particular numeral is displayed in the window of the switch and the switch contacts of the wheel define an associated binary coded signal. The symbol that is positioned in the window is illuminated by a light emitting diode that is positioned to irradiate a portion of an annular area defined between the peripheral wall of the wheel and an inner hub of the wheel. The LED is inserted into the switch through an aperture in a back wall and the power wires of the LED are inserted through another aperture in the wall and are conductively connected to upstanding pins of the printed circuit board.

Abstract: A switching apparatus assembly structure is disclosed in which a plurality of blocks including actuator blocks, contact blocks, a transformer blocks and direct power-supply adapter blocks are previously prepared as independent units which can be coupled together into a releasably interlocked structure, and two or more of desired ones of the above blocks are assembled to construct any desired one of smaller-size switching apparatus assemblies including a push button switch assembly, a selector switch assembly, a push button switch assembly of lockable type, a push button switch assembly with illumination, a selector switch assembly with illumination and a push button switch assembly of lockable type with illumination.

Abstract: An electrical switch the body of which includes a base, and supports an operating member for rotational and axial movement relative to the body. The base is formed with an aperture and a light source support member is received in the aperture. Between the light source support member and the base there is defined a passage therein, in use, a region of an appropriately shaped blocking element can be received. The blocking element, when incorporated in the switch, extends into the path of either axial, or rotational movement of the operating member relative to the body to prevent such movement of the operating member.

Abstract: In an illuminated rotary electric switch, for use in a motor vehicle to indicate the location of the switch, its condition of operation, and, if desired, its function, a manually rotatable switch member is provided with a central opening arranged so that light can be projected longitudinally therethrough from a single light source so as to indicate the location of the switch (and its function, if desired) and with a further opening which can be brought into and out of registration with an aperture in a fixed portion of the switch through which light from said source can be projected laterally, so as thereby to uncover or mask said aperture and thus indicate the condition of operation of the switch.

Abstract: A rotary thumbwheel switch assembly has a switch module including a translucent light ring for indicating positions of the rotary thumbwheel. The ring is illuminated from within by a light emitting diode which can be snap-mounted in place in the center of the translucent ring. The switch module comprises a thumbwheel to which contact brush sets can be easily secured by a spring biased tab. The switch module can be combined with a separable bezel. The switch module can be mounted from either side of a front panel, and can be connected to circuit assemblies housed by the panel prior to the insertion of the bezel. The bezel secures the switch modules to each other and to the panel. A kit comprising the separable elements of the illuminating diode, the bezel and the switch modules is described. A method for installing the separable elements includes the steps of inserting the modules from the front of the housing panel for testing each module's connection with circuit assemblies prior to installing the bezel.

Abstract: In an illuminated rotary electric switch, for use in a motor vehicle to indicate the location of the switch, its condition of operation, and, if desired, its function, a manually rotatable switch member is provided with a central opening arranged so that light can be projected longitudinally therethrough from a single light source so as to indicate the location of the switch (and its function, if desired) and with a further opening which can be brought into and out of registration with an aperture in a fixed portion of the switch through which light from said source can be projected laterally, so as thereby to uncover or mask said aperture and thus indicate the condition of operation of the switch.

Abstract: A knob adapted for mounting on a control shaft of a control device permits push-pull and rotary functions of the device to be selected. A rotatable skirt section through which the shaft extends covers unselected indicia on a display panel. A window on a portion of the skirt permits only a selected indicia to be seen. Upwardly extending arm members are attached to the skirt section, and are slidably received within channels of an overlying knob section. The overlying knob section is slidable upwardly and downwardly upon the upstanding arm members, but engages the arm members when the knob is rotated to facilitate rotational selection of the control functions. A spring biasing means is provided to maintain the skirt portion in a position adjacent the display panel to reduce the escape angle from under the skirt of light which may be provided within the display panel to illuminate the indicia, and to reduce paralax in viewing the selected indicia.

Abstract: An indicator comprises first means adapted for emitting a ray of light; and second means having an indicating surface for receiving the ray of light to permit the ray of light to illuminate the indicating surface. The first and second means are movable relative to each other to vary intensity of illumination of the indicating surface.

Abstract: The selector switch has two operating positions, indicated by different colors of light. An operator knob having two spaced translucent portions of different colors is drivingly connected to a tubular switch operator rotor. A lamp shield is received within the rotor around a lamp. The lamp shield has an aperture which directs light only through the translucent portion of the selector switch knob directly over the aperture so that the color of the visible light corresponds to a particular operating position of the selector switch knob.

Abstract: An electrical switch comprises a body, including a base, an operating member supported by the body for rotational and axial movement relative thereto, an aperture extending through the base and a light source support member received in said aperture. The support member and the wall of the aperture are so shaped that the support member can be located in the base in either of first and second different axial positions relative to the base. The support member includes a blocking element, which in the first axial location of the support member relative to the base extends into the path of either axial or rotational movement of the operating member relative to the body to prevent such movement of the operating member relative to the body. The second location of the support member relative to the base is such that said blocking element lies out of the path of either axial or rotational movement of the operating member so that both movements of the operating member relative to the body are permitted.