US 7,146,701 B2Granted

Control housing and method of manufacturing same

AssigneeNeeco-Tron, Inc.

InventorsMichael R. Mahoney, L. Nicholas Nibert, David M. Linhoff

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A control housing is provided which encases a control board. The housing has a cover and a backing which are fixed together to secure the control board within the housing. The control board includes a plurality of switches, and the housing includes a plurality of corresponding buttons to activate the switches. The cover includes a cover surface having at least one button hole in register with the control board switch; operating insignia integrally formed on the cover surface adjacent the button hole; and a membrane which closes said button hole to form a button surface. The insignia is exposed through the membrane to be exposed and visible. The membrane is fused to the cover, thereby providing a housing which is sealed to substantially prevent gases, liquids or solids from entering the housing.

Claims7

Dependent claims

A method of making a housing for a control board;

said method comprising:
providing a housing bottom and a housing cover;
said housing cover including an upper surface, a raised periphery around said upper surface;
at least one button hole on said upper surface;
and at least one operating insignia associated with said hole;
said insignia being formed from raised characters, symbols, or designs;
molding a membrane over said surface which closes said button hole and surrounds said operating insignia without covering said insignia such that said insignia are exposed through said membrane;
said molding step comprising applying a membrane resin over said surface such that said membrane resin fills the area defined by said raised periphery to a height which will not cover said operating insignia such that said operating insignia will be exposed through said membrane resin;
said membrane resin being applied to said housing cover such that said membrane resin fuses at least to inner edges of said raised periphery;
positioning said control board on one of said bottom and said cover;
and assembling said bottom to said cover.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/238,519Filed 29 Sep 2005 · division
Priority: 31 Jan 2003
Published: US 2006/0021860 A12 Feb 2006
Granted: 12 Dec 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification17 codes

H01H 13/70
Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch:…
H01H 9/0242
Specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus: protective enclosures; Cushioning means
H01H 9/025
Specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus: stands or organisers to facilitate location or operation
H01H 2217/018
Facilitation of operation; Human engineering: indication of switch sites

Family

Application10/355,507Parent of this division · filed 31 Jan 2003
US 2006/0021860 A1Pre-grant publication · published 2 Feb 2006
US 2005/0051416 A1Published application
US 7,151,237 B2Related patent
US 7,146,701 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.