Illuminated knob for indicating the operative condition of an appliance
OwnerPat J. Vastanoinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An illuminated knob for indicating the operative condition of an appliance having a light operatively coupled to the knob, an attitude sensing electrical switch, and a compartment for a replaceable voltage source. Operating independently of the appliance energy source, the light illuminates when the knob is rotated to a position corresponding to an “on” condition of the appliance, signaling the operative status of the appliance to the user. The light goes off when the knob is turned to the “off” position, indicating the safe and inoperative condition of the appliance. The knob requires no activation other than installation of the front surface mounted battery and all parts are sealed within the knob housing for reliability and safety.
Claims8
A lighted appliance knob, comprising:
- (a) a knob mountable to a control spindle horizontally mounted to a vertical surface of an appliance, the knob having a front surface, a rear surface, and an edge extending between the front surface and the rear surface;
- (b) a light mounted in the knob;
- (c) an electrical power source disposed within the knob;
- (d) an attitude sensing electrical switch disposed within the knob, the switch electrically connected between the light and the power source;
- wherein the knob has an off position in which the attitude sensing switch electrically disconnects the power source from the light, and an on position when the knob is rotated in which the attitude sensing switch electrically connects the power source to the light in order to visually indicate when the appliance has been turned on.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.