Control panel assembly and method of making same
AssigneeKey Plastics, LLC
InventorsKenneth J. Ardrey, Mark R. Weston
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A control panel assembly having a plurality of buttons located in a bezel and supported by a switch mat. A bezel and/or button is formed using a vacuum forming technique and has a transparent inner surface layer and a middle translucent color layer and an opaque outer surface layer. A portion of the opaque outer surface layer is removed to define a desired indicia on an outer surface of the bezel or button. In addition, the bezel or button can be backlit to allow visibility in low light conditions. A method of making a control panel component, such as a bezel or button, is also disclosed.
Claims49
A component for a control panel comprising:
- a main body vacuum formed into a predetermined shape and having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- said main body including coextruded first and second layers and a third layer applied to said second layer;
- wherein said first layer is generally transparent, said second layer is generally translucent, and said third layer is generally opaque.
A method of forming a component for a control panel comprising the steps of:
- providing a first layer of material;
- providing a second layer of material;
- coextruding said first layer of material to said second layer of material;
- forming said coextruded first and second layers into a predetermined shape.
A method of forming a component for a control panel comprising the steps of:
- providing a first layer of material;
- providing a second layer of material;
- coextruding said first layer of material to said second layer of material;
- vacuum forming said coextruded first and second layers into a predetermined shape;
- applying a third layer of material to said second layer;
- selectively removing a portion of said third layer of material to expose a portion of said second layer for forming indicia on said component.
A resilient switch mat for a control panel comprising:
- a generally planar base portion;
- at least one generally hollow projection for contacting a button, said projection having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces;
- said first end of said projection including a stepped portion for receiving a portion of a button.
A control panel assembly comprising:
- a bezel containing at least one opening;
- at least one button associated with said bezel;
- at least one of said bezel and said button having a main body vacuum formed into a predetermined shape and having an inner surface and an outer surface;
- said main body including coextruded first and second layers and a third layer applied to said second layer;
- wherein said first layer is generally transparent, said second layer is generally translucent, and said third layer is generally opaque;
- and
- a resilient switch mat associated with said at least one button comprising:
- a generally planar base portion;
- at least one generally hollow projection for contacting said button, said projection having first and second ends and inner and outer surfaces;
- said first end of said projection including a stepped portion for receiving a portion of said button.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.