US3853366A - Integral hinge push button for appliance control panel - Google Patents

Integral hinge push button for appliance control panel Download PDF

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Publication number
US3853366A
US3853366A US00410919A US41091973A US3853366A US 3853366 A US3853366 A US 3853366A US 00410919 A US00410919 A US 00410919A US 41091973 A US41091973 A US 41091973A US 3853366 A US3853366 A US 3853366A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
front panel
switch
compartment
finger push
push portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00410919A
Inventor
K Kesling
P Bailey
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Motors Liquidation Co
Original Assignee
Motors Liquidation Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Motors Liquidation Co filed Critical Motors Liquidation Co
Priority to US00410919A priority Critical patent/US3853366A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3853366A publication Critical patent/US3853366A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
    • H01H13/02—Details
    • H01H13/12—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
    • H01H13/14—Operating parts, e.g. push-button
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
    • A47L15/42—Details
    • A47L15/4251—Details of the casing
    • A47L15/4257—Details of the loading door
    • A47L15/4259—Arrangements of locking or security/safety devices for doors, e.g. door latches, switch to stop operation when door is open
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2221/00—Actuators
    • H01H2221/068—Actuators having a not operable condition
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
    • H01H2231/00—Applications
    • H01H2231/012—Household appliance
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S16/00—Miscellaneous hardware, e.g. bushing, carpet fastener, caster, door closer, panel hanger, attachable or adjunct handle, hinge, window sash balance
    • Y10S16/13—Plastic hinge

Definitions

  • a switch actuating button in combination with an appliance panel is formed to permit panel removal for servicing the switch without separating the actuating button from the switch.
  • the button has a socket portion affixed to a remote switch and an exposed and easily readable finger push portion.
  • the finger push portion is integrally hinged to the socket portion and has an extended position with respect to the socket axis for panel removal and a generally bent-down push position which blocks panel removal. When bent down, the finger push portion snap-fastens to the socket portion.
  • This invention relates to a domestic appliance and. more particularly, to a domestic dishwasher door having a control arrangement thereon with a push button forwardly extended to provide improved control visibility for the user and integrally hinged to provide easy interchangeability of appearance panels on the door and servicing appliance parts behind the panel.
  • Prior art dishwashers have included interchangeable appearance panels and button controls or knobs for operating remote switches. Such appliances, however, have required the removal of the button or knob to change the panel.
  • This invention is directed to an improved arrangement which permits a panel change without disturbing the mating fit between push button and switch.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a domestic dishwasher provided with the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 22 in FIG. 1 to show the switch actuating buttonof this invention in interfering A relationship with a removable front panel of the dishwasher;
  • FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with parts exploded and the switch actuating button in non-interfering relationship with the panel to permit removal of the panel.
  • FIG. 1 A representative general environment is shown in FIG. 1.
  • a dishwasher is shown provided with a dishwasher door 12.
  • the door is comprised of a front panel 14 and escutcheon 16.
  • Panel 14 must be removed vided with a plastic switch button 34 having a socket portion 36 adapted to interfit with shaft 38 of switch 22.
  • the plastic used for molding the button may by nylon or Delrin.
  • Switch button 34 also includes an exposed finger push portion 40 which may carry indicia on its flat upper surface 42 for indicating the cycle selected when the switch is actuated.
  • the switch button is molded from a flexible plastic such that the finger push portion 40 is joined to the socket portion 36 by an integral flexible hinge portion 44.
  • the switch button is also molded with cooperating integral latch shoulders 46, 48 adapted to interlock or snap fasten as at A when the finger push portion is pivoted to operating position through an are E. Switch 22 may now be actuated simply by pressing down on the surface 42 of the selected push button 34.
  • An improved wall structure and control arrangement for a domestic appliance comprising an exposed front panel, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to form a compartment, track means slidably supporting said front panel for linear movement in the plane of said front panel between an installed position closing said compartment during normal operation of said ap-.
  • the switch 22 includes an actuating button which remains on the switch when the panel is removed.
  • the dishwasher door 12 is in dicia for said switch during said normal operation, whereby an interfering relationship occurs between said front panel and said finger push portion during removal of said front panel, and means interconnecting said finger push portion and said socket portion to eliminate said interfering relationship when said front panel is to be removed, said interconnecting means including as additional integral portions of said switch button a flexible hinge permanently connecting said finger push portion to said socket portion and a pair of shoulders respectively on said finger push portion and said socket portion and snap-fastened together when said finger push portion is exposed for manual manipulation and in interfering relationship with said front panel, the snap-fastened shoulders being manually releasable from outside said compartment to eliminate the interfering relationship between front panel and switch button so the-front panel can be removed for changing thereof or servicing said switch.
  • said interconnecting means including as additional integral portions of said switch button a flexible hinge permanently connecting said finger push portion to said socket portion and a pair of shoulders respectively on said finger push portion and said socket portion and snap-fastened together when said finger push portion is exposed for manual manipulation and in interfering

Abstract

A switch actuating button in combination with an appliance panel is formed to permit panel removal for servicing the switch without separating the actuating button from the switch. The button has a socket portion affixed to a remote switch and an exposed and easily readable finger push portion. The finger push portion is integrally hinged to the socket portion and has an extended position with respect to the socket axis for panel removal and a generally bent-down push position which blocks panel removal. When bent down, the finger push portion snapfastens to the socket portion.

Description

Elnited States Patent [1n Kesling et al.-
[451 Dec. 10, 1974- INTEGRAL HINGE PUSH BUTTON FOR APPLIANCE CONTROL PANEL [75] Inventors: Keith K. Kesling, Utica, Mich; Paul D. Bailey, Kettering, Ohio [73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,
Detroit, Mich.
22 Filed: on. 29, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 410,919
[52] U.S. Cl 312/223, 200/329, 200/340,
312/204, 312/2l4, 312/257 A, 16/DIG. 13
[51] Int. Cl A47b 96/00 [58] Field of Search 312/257 A, 204, 213, 214, 312/311, 223,16/DIG. -13; D26/13; 200/5 EA,-5 A, 5B, 329, 330, 331, 338, 340,
[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,658,967 11/1953 Matschke, Jr. 200/340 X 3,170,743
2/1965 Martiniak 312/213 3,294,461 12/1966 Barnard et a1. 312/204 X 3,582,594 1/1971 Twyfoi'd;- 200/340 3,773,399 11/1973 Sulcek 312/257 A 3,793,612 2/1974 Driscoll lti/DlG. 13
Primary Examiner-James T. McCall Attorney, Agent, or FirmFrederick M. Ritchie [57] ABSTRACT A switch actuating button in combination with an appliance panel is formed to permit panel removal for servicing the switch without separating the actuating button from the switch. The button has a socket portion affixed to a remote switch and an exposed and easily readable finger push portion. The finger push portion is integrally hinged to the socket portion and has an extended position with respect to the socket axis for panel removal and a generally bent-down push position which blocks panel removal. When bent down, the finger push portion snap-fastens to the socket portion.
1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figures 0 INTEGRAL HINGE PUSH BUTTON FOR APPLIANCE CONTROL PANEL This invention relates to a domestic appliance and. more particularly, to a domestic dishwasher door having a control arrangement thereon with a push button forwardly extended to provide improved control visibility for the user and integrally hinged to provide easy interchangeability of appearance panels on the door and servicing appliance parts behind the panel.
Prior art dishwashers have included interchangeable appearance panels and button controls or knobs for operating remote switches. Such appliances, however, have required the removal of the button or knob to change the panel. This invention is directed to an improved arrangement which permits a panel change without disturbing the mating fit between push button and switch.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved switch actuating button in combination with a normally interfering appliance panel, said button being extendible to permit panel removal for servicing the switch or changing the panel without separating the button from the switch.
It is a refinement of the foregoing object to provide said actuating button with a socket adapted to be affixed to the switch and an exposed, indicia-carrying, finger push pad integrally hinged to the socket so that the push pad may be extended to a position which will not interfere with the panel.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred embodiment of the present invention is clearly shown.
IN THE DRAWINGS:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a domestic dishwasher provided with the invention; l
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side sectional view, partly in elevation, taken along line 22 in FIG. 1 to show the switch actuating buttonof this invention in interfering A relationship with a removable front panel of the dishwasher; and
FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 with parts exploded and the switch actuating button in non-interfering relationship with the panel to permit removal of the panel.
A representative general environment is shown in FIG. 1. There, a dishwasher is shown provided with a dishwasher door 12. The door is comprised of a front panel 14 and escutcheon 16. Panel 14 must be removed vided with a plastic switch button 34 having a socket portion 36 adapted to interfit with shaft 38 of switch 22. The plastic used for molding the button may by nylon or Delrin. Switch button 34 also includes an exposed finger push portion 40 which may carry indicia on its flat upper surface 42 for indicating the cycle selected when the switch is actuated. The switch button is molded from a flexible plastic such that the finger push portion 40 is joined to the socket portion 36 by an integral flexible hinge portion 44. The switch button is also molded with cooperating integral latch shoulders 46, 48 adapted to interlock or snap fasten as at A when the finger push portion is pivoted to operating position through an are E. Switch 22 may now be actuated simply by pressing down on the surface 42 of the selected push button 34.
The following procedure may be followed to service switch 22 or change front panel 14. Unfasten push portion 40 from its socket 36 as in FIG. 3. Remove screws 50 from the sides of end caps 52. Both end caps 52 and trim strip 54 retained thereby may now be removed. This uncovers the top of front panel 14. Since the push portion 40 of the switch actuator is no longer in the way, panel 14 may be lifted slidably from tracks 56 along the side of the door. The removal of panel 14 exposes the interior of the door for servicing items such as switch 22.
While the embodiment of the present invention as herein disclosed constitutes a preferred form, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted.
What is claimed is:
1. An improved wall structure and control arrangement for a domestic appliance comprising an exposed front panel, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to form a compartment, track means slidably supporting said front panel for linear movement in the plane of said front panel between an installed position closing said compartment during normal operation of said ap-.
1 pliance and a removed position exposing said compartto provide a surface expansive enough to carry control to service components within the door such as switch 22. Prior art switching arrangements have required that a switch button be removed from the switch shaft be fore the front panel can be removed. In accordance with this invention, the switch 22 includes an actuating button which remains on the switch when the panel is removed.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the dishwasher door 12 is in dicia for said switch during said normal operation, whereby an interfering relationship occurs between said front panel and said finger push portion during removal of said front panel, and means interconnecting said finger push portion and said socket portion to eliminate said interfering relationship when said front panel is to be removed, said interconnecting means including as additional integral portions of said switch button a flexible hinge permanently connecting said finger push portion to said socket portion and a pair of shoulders respectively on said finger push portion and said socket portion and snap-fastened together when said finger push portion is exposed for manual manipulation and in interfering relationship with said front panel, the snap-fastened shoulders being manually releasable from outside said compartment to eliminate the interfering relationship between front panel and switch button so the-front panel can be removed for changing thereof or servicing said switch.

Claims (1)

1. An improved wall structure and control arrangement for a domestic appliance comprising an exposed front panel, a rear panel spaced from said front panel to form a compartment, track means slidably supporting said front panel for linear movement in the plane of said front panel between an installed position closing said compartment during normal operation of said appliance and a removed position exposing said compartment for servicing said appliance or changing said front panel, a control switch affixed in said compartment and having a shaft extending toward the outside of said compartment, a plastic switch button having a socket portion affixed to said shaft and a finger push portion exposed on the outside of said wall structure for manual manipulation of said switch from outside said compartment, said finger push portion extending into the path of linear movement of said front panel sufficiently to provide a surface expansive enough to carry control indicia for said switch during said normal operation, whereby an interfering relationship occurs between said front panel and said finger push portion during removal of said front panel, and means interconnecting said finger push portion and said socket portion to eliminate said interfering relationship when said front panel is to be removed, said interconnecting means including as additional integral portions of said switch button a flexible hinge permanently connecting said finger push portion to said socket portion and a pair of shoulders respectively on said finger push portion and said socket portion and snap-fastened together when said finger push portion is exposed for manual manipulation and in interfering relationship with said front panel, the snap-fastened shoulders being manually releasable from outside said compartment to eliminate the interfering relationship between front panel and switch button so the front panel can be removed for changing thereof or sErvicing said switch.
US00410919A 1973-10-29 1973-10-29 Integral hinge push button for appliance control panel Expired - Lifetime US3853366A (en)

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4419556A (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-12-06 Hare Patrick H Extension control device and tubing member for controlling switch actuation
US4440457A (en) * 1981-10-13 1984-04-03 Sega Electronics, Inc. Universal electronic video game cabinet
US4911331A (en) * 1984-11-16 1990-03-27 The Coca-Cola Company Beverage quality security apparatus for post-mix beverage dispenser
US5365959A (en) * 1992-07-23 1994-11-22 Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.P.A. Built-in dishwasher with hidden control panel
US6761381B2 (en) * 2001-08-09 2004-07-13 General Electric Company Methods and apparatus for securing a dishwasher door

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2658967A (en) * 1949-04-23 1953-11-10 Jr Arthur L Matschke Vehicle warning device
US3170743A (en) * 1963-04-18 1965-02-23 Gen Electric Domestic appliance
US3294461A (en) * 1965-04-15 1966-12-27 Whirlpool Co Door construction
US3582594A (en) * 1968-11-15 1971-06-01 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Actuator useable for electric switches and the like
US3773399A (en) * 1972-03-27 1973-11-20 Whirlpool Co Front panel construction for refuse compactor drawer
US3793612A (en) * 1972-03-02 1974-02-19 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Connector with unitary hinge

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2658967A (en) * 1949-04-23 1953-11-10 Jr Arthur L Matschke Vehicle warning device
US3170743A (en) * 1963-04-18 1965-02-23 Gen Electric Domestic appliance
US3294461A (en) * 1965-04-15 1966-12-27 Whirlpool Co Door construction
US3582594A (en) * 1968-11-15 1971-06-01 Mechanical Enterprises Inc Actuator useable for electric switches and the like
US3793612A (en) * 1972-03-02 1974-02-19 Minnesota Mining & Mfg Connector with unitary hinge
US3773399A (en) * 1972-03-27 1973-11-20 Whirlpool Co Front panel construction for refuse compactor drawer

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4440457A (en) * 1981-10-13 1984-04-03 Sega Electronics, Inc. Universal electronic video game cabinet
US4419556A (en) * 1982-01-29 1983-12-06 Hare Patrick H Extension control device and tubing member for controlling switch actuation
US4911331A (en) * 1984-11-16 1990-03-27 The Coca-Cola Company Beverage quality security apparatus for post-mix beverage dispenser
US5365959A (en) * 1992-07-23 1994-11-22 Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.P.A. Built-in dishwasher with hidden control panel
US6761381B2 (en) * 2001-08-09 2004-07-13 General Electric Company Methods and apparatus for securing a dishwasher door

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