Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02226279 1998-01-07
sw~T,n AND CONTROL MECIIANISM ASSEMBLY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for protecting and vi.e~l~li7.ing user operated
controls. Such user operated controls may be present on any user operated device. The
controls and devices may, for example, include volume or tone controls for an electronic
device, ten~l)elalLlre settings for an iron, timer for a toaster or oven, power settings for a
mixer or blender, or any other user operated controls which occupy a limited space on the
associated device.
2. Background of Related Art
Control mech~niem.e on user operated devices are often difficult to read. Product
design and size often limit the space available for providing information to a user.
Common methods of providing user indications include providing a raised dot, an
arrow, or a line to indicate the selected setting. These indicators are sometimes printed in
a color contrasting with the color of the background.
Generally, the graphics r¢lated to the control meçh~nicm are printed directly on the
control mech~ni.em and/or associated controlled device. Accordingly, the graphics are not
protected and eventually are damaged through wear.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to protect the graphics related to a user operatedcontrol mech~niem
A further object of the invention is to enhance the visibility of a user-selected
setting.
In order to achieve the objective of protecting the graphics, a shield is provided
protect the graphics related to a control mech~niem
CA 02226279 1998-01-07
The shield includes a main portion for covering the graphics and a magnifying
section within the maln portion. The magnifying section is positioned and sized for
magnifying only a setting selected by a user.
An embodiment of the invention includes a control assembly having a m~nll~lly
operable control meçh~ni~m with a plurality of settings selectable by a user. A shield for
the control m~ch~ni.~m includes a main portion for covering a substantial portion of the
control mech~ni~m and an indicator portion having a magnifying section that is positioned
and sized for magnifying only a setting selected by the user.
In an additional embodiment, the invention comprises an iron with a control
assembly. The assembly includes a temperature control meçh~ni~m protected by a shield.
The shield includes a main portion and an indicator portion with magnification capabilities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TIIE DRAWINGS
The foregoing aspects and specific embodiments of the invention are disclosed inthe detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the shield and control
meçh~ni.cm;
Fig. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of the shield shown in Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a sectional view along line A-A of the embodiment shown in Fig 1;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig 1 incorporated on an iron;Fig. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the covering and
control mech~ni.~m
Fig. 6 is a front elevation of an additional alternative embodiment of the covering
and control mech~ni~m; and
Fig. 7 shows an additional embodiment in which the covering functions as the
control mech~nism
CA 02226279 1998-01-07
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TI~E INVENTION
Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the invention. A shield 1
covers control mech~ni~m 6. The shield includes a main portion 2. In the illustrated
embodiment, the main portion is translucent or transparent so that control setting options
7 can be viewed through main portion 2. Shield 1 also insl~ldes a magnifying section 4.
The magnifying section 4 is sized such that it magnifies only the setting selected by the
user.
The shield also includes peripheral portions 3a and 3b, which are ribbed in the
illustrated embodiment. ~tt~çhment areas Sb and 5a allow the covering to be att~çhed to
the controlled device (not shown in Fig. 1). The ~ttachment areas are disclosed in detail
below with reference to Fig. 2.
The control mech~ni~m 6 of Fig. 1 is a rotatable dial with a plurality of control
settings 7. The shield 1 covers all of the settings to protect the graphics from wear.
However, the user can easily access the edges of control mech~ni~m 6 in order to rotate it
and change the setting. Shield 1 therefore remains stationary, while the controlmeçh~ni.~m 6 is rotated by the user to select a setting.
Fig. 2 is a side view of the shield illustrated in Fig 1. From Fig. 2, the domed or
bubble shape of the magnifying section 4 can be seen. The bubble acts as an indicator of
the user-selected setting. Both the bubble shape and the magnification capability enhance
visibility. Base 6 connects with the main portion 2 of the covering 1 and with peripheral
portions 3a and 3b. The substantially elongated shape of the shield is designed to protect
graphics while m~xi.,,;,.;.~g visibility of the full range of settings. Attachment portions Sa
and Sb extend from peripheral portions 3a and 3b. In Fig. 2, attachment portion 5a is a
hook mech~nism and ~tt~çhment portion 5b is a snap portion. These mech~nicm~ arematched with ~tt~chment mech~ni~m~ in the control device 10. However, the particular
method of att~çhment depends upon the selected device. The method of attachment may
include, but is not limited to adhesive, friction fit, detent mechanism, or screws.
Fig. 3 is a sectional view along the line AA of Fig. I of the shield in conjunction
with the control mech~ni~m 6. Attachment portions 5a and 5b extend beyond the edges of
control meçh~ni.cm 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the shield has a convex shape such
CA 02226279 1998-01-07
that the main portion 2 of shield 1 extends slightly above magnifying portion 4. The
distance between the raised bubble and the control mech~ni~m should be selected to
maximize visibility.
Fig. 4 illustrates the control meGh~ni~m 6 and shield 1 attached to a controlleddevice 10. The ~tt~chment is made, as explained above, by ~tt~chment portions Sa and 5b.
In the illustrated embodiment, the shield 1 and control mech~ni~m 6 are attached to iron
10.
The control mech~nism 6 and covering 1 may be present on any user operated
device 10. The controls and devices may, for example, include volume or tone controls
for an electronic device, temperature settings for an iron, timer or temperature setting for
a toaster or oven, power settings for a mixer or blender, or any other user operated
controls which occupy a limited space on the associated device.
Fig. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which control mechanism 6 is a
sliding bar mech~ni.sm Shield 1 has a modified rect~n.~ r shape and includes magnifying
section 4. In operation, control mechanism 6 is slid under shield 1 and the user selected
setting is magnified under magnifying section 4.
Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the control mech~nicm~ 6 are
rotatable dials and the covering 1 is rect~n~ r and includes two magnifying sections 4.
Of course, this configuration could be adapted to accommodate any number of control
mech~ni~m~.
In the above described embodiments, it is prere~ed that shield 1 is formed from a
transpalelll or tr~nsl~lcçnt plastic, such that all selectable settings are visible to the user. In
a preferred embodiment, a polycarbonate such as LEXAN is used to form the shield.
However, any suitable materials known to those skilled in the art may be used.
Alternatively, the covering may be opaque except for magnifying portion'4, such that only
the selected setting is visible to the user.
Fig. 7 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the settings are printed
directly on the controlled device 10. The control mechanism 6 is also a shield for the
numbers printed directly on the device. The shield/control mechanism is rotatable and
includes a magnifying portion 4. Accordingly, the numbers 0-6 are stationary.
CA 02226279 1998-01-07
It should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and is
not inten~ed to be limiting. Various alternatives and modifications may be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is intended to encompass all such
alternatives, modification, and variations which fall within the scope of the appended
claims.
