MXPA98000337A - Assembly of protection and controls mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

A shield is provided to protect the graphics related to a control mechanism, to achieve the objective of improving visibility, a dome-shaped expansion section or bubble is provided inside the protector, the extension section is configured and positioned in such a way that only the programming that the user has selected is extended, the protector is secured by means of a mechanism for fixing the controlled device, the control mechanism can be moved so that the programming selected by the user appears under the extension section of the protect

Description

ASSEMBLY OF PROTECTION AND CONTROL MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The invention relates to a screen for protecting and visualizing controls operated by a user. Said controls operated by a user may be present on any device operated by a user. For example, devices and controls may include i * volume or tone controls for an eLect device, temperature settings for an iron, time controller for a toaster or oven, power settings for a mixer-a or grader or any or other controls operated by a user that occupy a limited space over the associated device. 2. BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART The control mechanisms on the devices operated by a user are commonly difficult to read. The design and the size of the product commonly limit the space available to provide information to a user. The most common ways of providing * directions to the user include providing a high point, an arrow or a line to indicate the selected schedule. These indicators are sometimes printed in one color - which contrasts with the background color. Generally, the related grades * -, with the control mechanism are printed directly on the control mechanism and / or the associated controlled device, Consequently, the graphics are not protected and eventually are damaged through use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to protect graphics related to a control mechanism operated by a user. A further object of the invention is to improve the visibility of a program selected by a user. To achieve the purpose of protecting the graphics, a protector is provided to protect the grades related to a control mechanism. The protector includes a main portion to cover the grades and an extension section within the main portion. The extension section is positioned and configured to extend only a schedule selected by a user. One embodiment of the invention includes a contol assembly having an operational control mechanism manually with a plurality of programs selectable by a user. A protector for the mechanism includes a portion to cover a sub-portion of the control mechanism and an indicator portion having an extension section that is positioned and configured to extend only a schedule selected by the controller. user. In a further embodiment, the invention comprises a plate with a control assembly. The assembly niciuye a temperature control mechanism protected by a protector. The protector includes a main portion and an index portion with capacit ates of ainp 1 i ac io ?? ,. ÍC) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIBUJ30S The above aspects and the specific embodiments of the invention are described in the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the protection mechanism and control; Figure 2 os v? side of the protective mode shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line A- of the embodiment shown in Figure L; Figure h is a perspective view of the embodiment (Figure 1 incorporated on a plate; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the alternative modality of the cover and control mechanism; Figure 6 is a front elevation of a further alternative embodiment of the cover and control mechanism, and Figure 7 shows a further embodiment, in which the cover functions as the control mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 is a front elevational view of one embodiment of the invention. A protector L covers the control mechanism 6. The protector includes a main portion 2In the embodiment illustrated, the main portion is translucent or transparent so that the control programming options 7 can be seen through the main portion 2. The protector 1 also includes an extension section 4 »The section of Extension 4 is of a size that only expands the programming selected by the user. The protector also includes peripheral portions 3a and 3b having ribs in the illustrated embodiment. The fixing areas 5b and 5a allow the cover to be attached to the controlled device (not shown in Figure 1). The fixing areas are described in detail below with reference to Fig. 2. The control mechanism 6 of Fig. 1 is a rotary selector with a plurality of control settings 7. The protector l covers all the programming to protect the graphics against wear. However, the user can easily access the edges of the cont ol mechanism to rotate it and change the programming. The protector 1 therefore remains stationary, while the control mechanism G is rotated by the user to select a schedule, Figure 2 is a side view of the protector shown in FIG. 1. Figure 2, you can see the bubble or dome form of the section 11aci 4. The bubble acts as an indication of the programming selected by the user. Both the bubble shape and the expandability increase the visibility, the base is connected to the main portion 2 of the cover 1 and to the peripheral portions 3a and 3b. The substantially elongated shape of the shield is designed to protect the graphics, maximizing the vi ility of the full scale of programming. Fixation por- tions 5a and 5b extend from the peripheral portions 3a and 3b. In Figure 2, the fastening portion 5a is a hook mechanism, and the fastening portion 5b is a spring closure portion. These mechanisms are paired with the de fi ning mechanisms of the control device 10. However, the particular method of fi xing depends on the selected device. The fixing method may include, but is not limited to, adhesives, friction adaptation, retaining mechanism or torus. Figure 3 is a sectional view along line AA of Figure 1, of the protector in conjunction with the control mechanism 6. The attachment portions 5a and 5b extend beyond the edges of the control mechanism. * In the illustrated embodiment, the protector has a convex shape so that the main portion 2 of the protector 1 extends slightly over the extension portion?. The distance between the raised bubble and the control mechanism must be selected to maximize visibility. Figure k illustrates the mechanism of protection 6 and protector 1 fixed to a controlled device 10. The fixation is made, as previously explained, by means of fixing portions Ga and 5b. An illustrated embodiment, shield-1 and control mechanism 6 are fixed to plate 10. Control mechanism fi and cover 1 can be present on any device operated by a user 10. For example, controls and devices they can include volume or tone control for an electronic device, temperature settings for an iron, time regulator or temperature programming for a tost or hoi-no, settings for a mixer or blender, or any other controls operated by a user occupying a limited space on the associated device. Figure 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment in which the control mechanism is a sliding bar mechanism. The protector 1 has a modified rectangular shape and includes the extension section 4. During its operation, the control mechanism C i is slid into the protector 1 and the programming selected by the user as expanded by the extension section. 4. Figure 6 illustrates an alternative modality, in which the control mechanisms 6 are rotational selectors and cover l is rectangular and include two extension sections 4. Of course, this co-operation can be adapted to receive any number of control mechanisms. In the embodiments described above, it is preferred that the protector 1 be formed of a transparent or translucent plastic, so that all selectable schedules are visible to the user. In a preferred embodiment, a polycarbonate such as LEXI-1N is used to form the protector. However, any suitable material known to those skilled in the art can be used. Alternatively, the cover may be opaque, except for the extension portion 4, so that only the selected program is visible to the user. Figure 7 illustrates an alternative mode, in which the schedules are printed directly on the controlled device 10. The control mechanism 6 is also a protector for numbers printed directly on the device. The protective / control mechanism is rotatable and includes an extension portion 4. Consequently, the numbers 0-B are stationary. It should be understood that the foregoing description is merely illustrative and that it is not designed to be straightforward. Several alternatives and modi ications may be apparent to those experts in the field. Accordingly, the invention is designed to cover all alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the attached claims.

Claims (4)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A protector for a control mechanism operable by a user having a plurality of settings, the protector comprises: a main portion for covering a substantial portion of the control mechanism operable by a user; and an enlargement section within the main portion, where the extension section is posi- tioned and configured to extend only a schedule selected by the user.

2. The protector according to claim 1, in which the pr-prong portion is translucent or transparent.

3. The protector in accordance with I? Claim 1, in which the main portion is opaque. 4"- The protector according to claim 1, wherein the extension section is in the form of a bubble. 5. The protector according to claim 1, wherein the protector is substantial and elongate. 6 ..- The conformity protector with the claim 5, which also comprises perfrical portions with ribs. 7.- The protector in accordance with the claim 6, in which the peripheral portions with ribs are connected with fixing means for fixing the protector to a controlled position. 8. A control assembly comprising: a manually operable control mechanism that has a plurality of selectable settings by a user; and a protector - for the control mechanism, the protector comprises: a main portion covering a substantial portion of the control mechanism and an indicator portion including an extension section that is positioned and configured to extend only a schedule selected by the control mechanism. The user. 9. The control assembly according to claim 8, wherein the main portion of the transl or transparent shields. 10. The control assembly according to claim 8, wherein the portion includes the opaque protectors. 11.- The control assembly of conformi with 1 ¿0 claim 0, in which the expansion section has a bubble shape. 20 L2"- The conformity control assembly with 1 A claim 8, in which the control mechanism is a select! 13. The control assembly according to claim 8, wherein the control mechanism is a '* > I * temperature control. 1

4. The control assembly according to claim 13, wherein the temperature control is for controlling the temperature of a plate. 15, - The control assembly in accordance with rei indication 0, in which the control control is a cancellation mechanism. 16. A plate comprising a control assembly, the control assembly comprising: a temperature control mechanism having a plurality of settings of temperature selectable by a user; and a protector comprising a main portion covering a substantial portion of the control mechanism and an indicator portion including an enlargement section that is posi cloned and configured to expand on a program selected by the user.