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. 16, 1997
Filed:
Sep. 25, 1996
Mark A Cracraft, Des Moines, IA (US);
Randall L Cooper, Newton, IA (US);
Darrin S Manke, Des Moines, IA (US);
Maytag Corporation, Newton, IA (US);
Abstract
An appliance control panel having selective backlighting includes a selection area that is normally visible to the operator including an 'OPTIONS' switch. By pressing the 'OPTIONS' switch, a plurality of lamps are illuminated. The light from the lamps passes through an assembly of overlays and illuminates a set of optional switches that are not normally visible. The incandescent lamps are positioned partially within a clear plastic mounting plate with a lamp on each side of the optional switches. The clear mounting plate is masked on both sides except for areas on the plate that form depressions around each optional switch. The light is trapped between the masks and escapes through the overlay assembly, illuminating the optional switches.