Machine element or mechanism – Control lever and linkage systems – Elements
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-17
2001-02-27
Sember, Thomas M. (Department: 2875)
Machine element or mechanism
Control lever and linkage systems
Elements
C016S114100, C016S197000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06192774
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a control-knob top part for a control knob for activating a control element, specifically a ventilation, an air-conditioning, or a heating control element, in an automobile, that, on the one hand, is coupled to an adjusted member on an inwardly-facing side and, on the other hand, has a hollow grip handle on an outwardly facing side.
German patent document (G 87 02 558.2) discloses a generally-round control knob for a switch which has an open space for containing an incandescent bulb in a generally known manner. Several fiber-optic cables, or light guides, in this round control knob indicate positions of the control knob, and, thus, of the switch.
Many other known control knobs, particularly those for switches and potentiometers of automobile dashboards for controlling ventilation, heating, or air conditioning equipment, have wedge-shaped grip portions adjacent round control-knob bases.
Demands are increasing in automotive technology to provide smaller operating devices on instrument panels and to offer more controls in reach of drivers. These demands also place additional limitations on sizes of control knobs; with smaller control knobs creating problems relating to insufficient force transmission and poor serviceability of adjustable units.
It is an object of this invention to provide a control knob for resolving these problems.
SUMMARY
A control-knob top part is formed of a hard-material component part having a surrounding coating of an elastomer material thereon. The hard-material component part comprises a plate having perpendicular columnar support members opposite each other, standing adjacent an edge of the plate. The coating forms elastic sidewalls of a grip handle, enclosing a space between the columnar support members. The support members and the coating form the grip handle.
In one embodiment a control-knob top part is formed of a base plate of hard material, and an elongated hollow grip handle is formed of an elastic elastomer on the base plate. The elongated hollow grip handle has broad sidewalls and narrower end walls extending approximately perpendicularly away from the base plate, with the narrower end walls having a greater wall thickness than that of the sidewalls.
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Bauer Karl-Heinz
Moret Reinhold
Mueller Klaus
Birch & Stewart Kolasch & Birch, LLP
Negron Ismael
Preh-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
Sember Thomas M.
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