Trw Limited

United Technologies Automotive Inc.

Nick Smith

Anthony Vultaggio

Scott J Pollock

David A Coffin

An apparatus (10) comprises a manually rotatable knob (14) and a source (18) of light. The knob (14) has an axis (15) of rotation, and has a discrete light-transmitting portion (40) which is spaced from the axis (15). A hollow part (36) of the knob (14) defines a chamber (39) extending from the axis (15) to the light-transmitting portion (40). A rotor (22) extends along the axis (15) from the chamber (39) to the source (18) of light. The rotor (22) is formed of material which is translucent sufficiently to transmit light from the source (18) to the chamber (39) to flood the chamber (39) with light, and thereby to illuminate the light-transmitting portion (40) of the knob (14).

Illuminated switch apparatus

A rotary, push-pull switch (20) for use in an automobile has a rotating ceramic coated metal substrate rheostat (48) and a supplemental switch (52) which opens and closes a dome light bypass circuit. The supplemental switch (52) is mounted internally to the rotary, push-pull switch (20) adjacent to the rotating rheostat (48) disposed on a shaft (36). A projection (88), which is radially disposed on the shaft (36), is used to actuate the supplemental switch (52) by engaging a resilient contact leaf (60) when the shaft (36) is rotated sufficiently. The engagement of the projection (88) and contact arm (60) causes the separation of a contact (62) and terminal (64), opens the dome light bypass circuit, and precludes energizing the dome light.

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Southfield, MI, United States of America

Nick Smith