The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 17, 1996
Filed:
Jan. 16, 1996
Richard L Stottmann, Harrods Creek, KY (US);
General Electric Company, Louisville, KY (US);
Abstract
An appliance control assembly includes an escutcheon assembly to support controls for the appliance. A push button switch mechanism includes a row of push buttons, each having an extended and a depressed position. The switch mechanism also includes a row of indicator flags integral with the push buttons for movement therewith. The escutcheon assembly includes a row of light ports positioned to be exposed to ambient light and adapted to pass ambient light through the escutcheon assembly. The switch mechanism further includes a row of prisms positioned adjacent the row of push buttons. The switch mechanism is mounted to the escutcheon assembly with the prisms aligned with the light ports to direct toward the indicator flags ambient light received through the light ports and to direct toward the light ports light reflected by the indicator flags. Each indicator flag has a reflective surface positioned to reflect ambient light received from the corresponding prism only when the corresponding push button is in its depressed position.