US5095409A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Backlit control actuator
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-06-18
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Granted: 1992-03-10
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Expires: 2010-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A backlit control actuator includes a substrate of translucent material having a front surface with a three-dimensional symbol integrally formed thereon, and a boot of opaque, relatively soft material which is molded around the substrate so that an upper surface of the symbol is flush with an outer surface of the outer covering to permit light transmitted from the control device to backlight the symbol.
Inventors
- 👤 Raymond Dematteo
- 👤 Ronald Bauer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 03:08
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H9/00; H01H9/16; H01H9/161; H01H11/00; H01H19/00; H01H19/02; H01H19/025; H01H9/18; H01H2009/189; H01H23/00; H01H23/02; H01H23/025; H01H23/12; H01H23/14; H01H3/00; H01H3/02; H01H3/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
A backlit control actuator, comprising: a substrate of translucent material which is sufficiently rigid to provide a support backing for a relatively softer material molded around said substrate, said substrate having a front surface with a three-dimensional symbol integrally formed thereon; and being provided with a formation for operationally engaging a switch, said symbol having an upper surface; and a boot of opaque material which is soft relative to said material of said substrate, said boot having an outer surface, a peripheral edge and a skirt depending from said peripheral edge, said boot being molded around said substrate so that said upper surface of said symbol is flush with said outer surface of said boot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
115 words
A backlit control actuator, comprising: a substrate of translucent material which is sufficiently rigid to provide a support backing for a relatively softer material molded around said substrate, said substrate having a front surface with a three-dimensional symbol integrally formed thereon; and being provided with a formation for operationally engaging a switch, said symbol having an upper surface; and a boot of opaque material which is soft relative to said material of said substrate, said boot having an outer surface, a peripheral edge and a skirt depending from said peripheral edge, said boot being molded around said substrate so that said upper surface of said symbol is flush with said outer surface of said boot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said boot further includes at least one integral lug which matingly engages a corresponding at least one throughbore formation on said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The actuator as defined in claim 2 further including a plurality of throughbore formations on said substrate and a like plurality of lug formations on said boot for matingly engaging said throughbore formations, said mating engagement being the only means of securing said substrate to said boot.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said substrate is secured to said boot by chemical bonding.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said substrate is fabricated of injection molded plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The actuator as defined in claim 1 wherein said boot is injection molded of plastic material to be deformable to the touch of an operator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The actuator as defined in claim 6 wherein said plastic material has a hardness value in the range of 30-90 durometer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The actuator as defined in claim 6 wherein said plastic material has a hardness value in the range of 40-60 durometer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The actuator as defined in claim 1 including first and second backlit portions, each having a distinct substrate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The actuator as defined in claim 9 wherein said substrate of said first backlit portion is of a different color than said second substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The actuator as defined in claim 1 further including an additional symbol on said substrate, and said substrate having an underside configured to accept at least two light sources, so that each of said symbols is illuminated independently.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of fabricating a backlit control actuator for a lighted control device, comprising: providing a relatively rigid substrate portion of translucent material having an outer surface with a three-dimensional symbol thereon, and also having a formation for operationally engaging a switch, said symbol having an upper surface; placing said substrate in a plastic molding apparatus; and molding an opaque boot around said substrate, said boot having an outer surface, a peripheral edge and a skirt depending from said peripheral edge, and being soft relative to said substrate material, so that said outer surface of said boot is flush with said upper surface of said symbol.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
106 words
A method of fabricating a backlit control actuator for a lighted control device, comprising: providing a relatively rigid substrate portion of translucent material having an outer surface with a three-dimensional symbol thereon, and also having a formation for operationally engaging a switch, said symbol having an upper surface; placing said substrate in a plastic molding apparatus; and molding an opaque boot around said substrate, said boot having an outer surface, a peripheral edge and a skirt depending from said peripheral edge, and being soft relative to said substrate material, so that said outer surface of said boot is flush with said upper surface of said symbol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
104 words
A backlit control actuator, comprising: a substrate of translucent material having a front surface with a three-dimensional symbol integrally formed thereon, said substrate having at least one throughbore formation, said symbol having an upper surface; a boot of opaque, relatively soft material which has an outer surface, a peripheral edge and a skirt depending from said peripheral edge; and said boot being molded around said substrate so that said upper surface of said symbol is flush with said outer surface of said boot and having at least one integral lug which matingly engages at least one of said corresponding throughbore formations on said substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
104 words
A backlit control actuator, comprising: a substrate of translucent material having a front surface with a three-dimensional symbol integrally formed thereon, said substrate having at least one throughbore formation, said symbol having an upper surface; a boot of opaque, relatively soft material which has an outer surface, a peripheral edge and a skirt depending from said peripheral edge; and said boot being molded around said substrate so that said upper surface of said symbol is flush with said outer surface of said boot and having at least one integral lug which matingly engages at least one of said corresponding throughbore formations on said substrate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
The actuator as defined in claim 13 further including a plurality of throughbore formations on said substrate and a like plurality of lug formations on said boot for matingly engaging said throughbore formations, said mating engagement being the only means of securing said substrate to said boot.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-03-10 | 1995-09-09 | 1996-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-03-10 | 1999-09-09 | 2000-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-03-10 | 2003-09-09 | 2004-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |