US3699613A

US3699613A - Hollow knob constructions

Info

Publication number: US3699613A
Application number: US21414A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harvey G Skinner
Original assignee: Vulcan Inc
Current assignee: UMEC Corp
Priority date: 1970-03-20
Filing date: 1970-03-20
Publication date: 1972-10-24
Anticipated expiration: 1989-10-24

Abstract

I disclose a bipartite hollow knob construction comprising a pair of hollow knob components, a pair of shank members joined respectively to the inward surfaces of said components, said shank members being positioned to permit complementary engagement of said components to form said knob structure, and fastening means engageable with the outer surfaces of each of said shank members to retain said components in their assembled position.

Description

United States Patent Skinner Oct. 24, 1972 [54] HOLLOW KNOB CONSTRUCTIONS 3,007,726 11/1961 Parkins ..287/53 H H G. Skinn L tr be, Pa. [72] Inventor arvey a 0 Primary Examiner-Bobby R. Gay Assignee! Vulcan, Inc-i Latrobe, Assistant Examiner-Doris L. Troutman [22] Filed: March 1970 Attorney -Buell, Blenko & Ziesenheim [21] Appl. No.: 21,414 57] TR I disclose a bipartite hollow knob construction com- [52] us. Cl. ..16/121 prising a pair of hollow knob components a pair of II."- Cl. Shank members joined respective), to the [58] Fleld Search 16/121 287/53 faces of said components, said shank members being 292/353 349 positioned to permit complementary engagement of said components to form said knob structure, and [56] References and fastening means engageable with the outer surfaces of UNITED STATES PATENTS each of said shank members to retain said components in their assembled position. 2,182,007 12/1939 Tegarty ..16/121 3,007,128 10/ 1961 Gibbs et al ..339/ 129 14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures 42 r 1 l i l a. 26 w 1 1y 12 22a 11 4 76a 76a H 5 iii}? 54 we llll I i 1 I 2 1 T I l 64a 111 45 i 24 g g 111 PATENTEDum 24 m2 SHEET 2 UF 2 [NW/ Tog Han/0g q. 6% uznen HOLLOW KNOB CONSTRUCTIONS The present invention relates to hollow knobs, which can be provided with integral mounting means and more particularly to knobs of the character described, the components of which can be conveniently molded and assembled with a minimum of hardware.

Ball knobs and analogous shapes of knobs are employed for a wide variety of purposes. As examples,

I drawer and door pulls, tool handles, control knobs for various electronic and electrical controls, and many other utilizations could be enumerated. For the most part, ball and similarly shaped knobs have been molded from solid plastic materials, Production of this type of knob has been difficult and confined to limited quantities, owing to the exceptionally long curing time required to produce a dense and solid plastic structure.

Productional techniques of solid knobs have involved compressional methods of molding, utilizing a preheated pre-form, and are generally considered to be a semi-automatic operation.

Hollow knobs of various shapes and configurations have been proposed previously..In general, although problems occasioned by long curing times are largely overcome, conventional hollow structures are difficult to assemble, and require excessive complicated or unconventional hardware fasteners. Assembly thereof frequently must be delayed until the knob components are mounted on a shaft, stud, or other support, with additional labor at the final assembly operation and the possibility of lost or damaged parts. For example, in the U.S. patents to Tegarty U.S. Pat. No. 2,182,007; Parks U.S. Pat. No. 1,795,280; Kollmar U.S. Pat. No. 1,848,892; Danielson U.S. Pat. No. 1,568,883; and Bengtson, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,743, the components of the knob are not completely assembled until the knob itself is adjoined to a control shaft, supporting stud or the like. Complicated or extensive fastening hardware is required.

These problems are alleviated somewhat I by the structures disclosed in the U.S. patents to Hinman U.S. Pat. No. 1,701,776 and Wilson U.S. Pat. No. 1,919,455 in which preassembled hollow knobs are provided from a pair of hemispheroidal portions. In both of these structures, complicated and unusual fasteners are entailed. Hinman, for example, requires four different items of fastening hardware. Although Wilson apparently uses but a single hardware fastener, the item is bulky, complicated and difficult to manufacture. Moreover, a slip fit apparently is afforded at one of the hollow hemispheroids such that the Wilson knob structure apparently is held only in temporary assembly, pending permanent securance to a control shaft or other mounting stud.

Although U.S. patents to Bengtson, Jr. U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,743 (supra) and Heyer U.S. Pat. No. 2,982,989 utilize what may be termed as spring-type, quick-attach fasteners, in connection with control or pull knobs, in neither case does the quick-attach fastener secure components of the knob together prior to final assembly on the drawer pull or valve stem. In general, the prior art of which I am aware fails to disclose a bipartite hollow knob, the components of which can be permanently clipped together prior to mounting the knob on its final support. Further, conventional knobs, when assembled, do not incorporate a conventional fastener for subsequent and convenient mounting of the knob structure on an external support.

variation. When the hollow knobs are fabricated from 7 plastic materials, this perforce exerts a profound effect upon curing times, which must be tailored to the thickest wall areas.

I overcome these defects of the prior art by providing a bipartite hollow knob assembly, the components of which are endowed with uniform or nearly uniform wall thicknesses, and are therefor amenable to rapid curing times. The components of my hollow knob can be assembled quickly and prior to their final mounting without the use of excessive hardware. Most importantly, the components of the knob can be assembled with quick-attach fastening means of reliable yet simple construction.

I The knob components when assembled, can encapsulate a conventional fastener such as a hex-nut, mounting bolt, or the like for subsequent securance to an external mounting means. Alternatively, a square or other keyed configuration of nut or other mounting means (to prevent turning of the knob relative to the mounting means. for tightening purposes) can be substituted for the aforementioned. hex-nut. As a further alternative, a similarly headed end of a mounting bolt can be used as the aforementioned mounting means. In the latter case the shank of the bolt extends through an opening therefor in the knob construction for subsequent engagement with a suitable external support.

Such mounting can take a variety of shapes and functions without detracting from the widespread applicability of my novel knob structure. For example, the mounting stud can be a conventional bolt for securing the knob to a door or drawer panel to serve as a door pull or a drawer pull. The knob similarly can be secured to the threaded end of a valve stem, to various types of shafts for electronic, electrical, or other controls, or to analogous shafts or supporting studs.

Alternatively, the aforementioned conventional fastener can be omitted, and the appropriate one of the bipartite components can be threaded for direct at tachment to an external support.

Most importantly, the knob construction of my invention has the external appearance of a solid structure when assembled.

Although my novel knob construction is illustrated as a ball knob, it will be apparent from the detailed description of the invention that its principles can be applied with equal facility to other hollow shapes capable of essentially bipartite construction.

I accomplish these desirable results by providing a bipartite hollow knob construction comprising a pair of hollow knob components, a pair of shank members joined respectively to the inward surfaces of said components, said shank members being positioned to permit complementary engagement of said components to form said knob structure, and fastening means engageable with the outer surfaces of each of said shank members to retain said components in their assembled position.

I also desirable provide a similar knob construction wherein at least one of said shank members is hollow, and said shank members protrude respectively from open sides of said components and are shaped for close interfitting engagement at said assembled position.

I also desirably provide a similar knob construction wherein an outer one of said shank members is notched to permit engagement of said fastening means with the outer surface of that portion of an inner shank member interfitted within said outer shank member.

I also desirably provide a similar knob construction wherein said fastening means is a spring clip having a first pair of jaws spaced to engage one of said shank members and a second pair of jaws spaced to engage the other of said shank members.

I also desirably provide a similar knob construction wherein said securing means is an annular spring clip at least the major proportion of which is shaped for insertion within said knob construction but exteriorly of said shank members, said clip having first means for frictionally engaging the outer surface of one of said shank members and second means for frictionally engaging the outer surface of the other of shank members.

I also desirably provide a hollow bipartite knob construction comprising a pair of complementary shaped hollow knob components, shank members secured respectively to the inner surfaces of said knob components, mounting means contained within said knob construction, said shank members being shaped for substantially encapsulating said mounting means in an assembled position of said knob construction, and means for securing said knob components together in said assembled position.

I also desirably provide a similar knob construction wherein said shank members are hollow and interfitting said mounting means have a keyed configuration, and complementary keying means are formed on an inner wall surface of an outer one of said shank members for keying engagement with said mounting means.

During the foregoing discussion, various objects, features and advantages of the invention have been set forth. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention together with structural details thereof will be elaborated upon during the forthcoming description of certain presently preferred embodiments ofthe invention and presently preferred methods of practicing the same.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated certain presently preferred methods of practicing the same, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged, vertically sectioned view of one arrangement of hollow knob construction pursuant to my invention and taken along reference line II of FIG. 5;

FIG. 1A is a partial sectional view of a modified knob construction and illustrating an alternative mounting arrangement for the knob;

FIG. 2 is a horizontally sectioned view of the knob construction of FIG. 1 and taken along reference line II-II thereof;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the fastening means of FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 3 is a similar view of the knob construction of FIG. 1 and taken along reference line IIIIII thereof;

FIG. 4 is a similar view of the knob construction of FIG. 1 and taken along reference line IVIV thereof; and

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the knob construction illustrated in the preceding figures.

FIG. 6 is a vertically sectioned view of a modified form of my novel knob construction; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the knob construction of FIG. 6 and taken along reference line VII-VII thereof.

Referring now in detail to the several figures of the drawings, my novel knob construction 10 includes hollow,

bipartite knob components

12, 14, which are assembled in a unique manner by my novel fastening means 16 described below. Although the

knob components

12, 14 are illustrated generally as hemispherical, it will be understood that other shapes can be utilized and moreover, that the shape of one of the bipartite components can be varied from that of the other as long as certain complementary joining means (described below) are incorporated. As examples of these considerations, it is considered that the

bipartite members

12, 14 can be of oblate configuration or hemispheroidal contour or that one or both of the members can be elongated after the manner of a frustoconical or arcuate frustoconical section.

Returning now to the specifically illustrated

bipartite components

12, 14, it will be seen that the various wall structures thereof including the outer hemispherical wall sections 18, 20 respectively and the

internal shank members

22, 24, are essentially of the same wall thicknesses in promotion of rapid curing times, when the

bipartite components

12, 14 are molded from plastic materials. The circumferential joint 26 between the

components

12, 14 is largely concealed by means of complementary stepped

configurations

28, 30 formed respectively on the mating circumferential edges of the

bipartite components

12, 14.

As noted above, the upper ball component 12 (as viewed in FIG. 1) is provided with an internal, hollow shank member 22, which protrudes a short distance beyond the stepped configuration 28 of the component 12. The protruding portion of the hollow shank 22, which desirably is molded integrally with the component 12, is notched at 32, 34 to provide an opening 22a in order to receive certain components of the fastening means 16 (FIGS. 1 and 2) described below.

Within the upward end portions of the integral shank member 22, a series of ribbed configurations 38 are integrally molded on the inner surfaces of the shank member 22 in order closely to receive the corners of a hex-nut 40 or other suitable and keyed fastener. The ribbed members 38 prevent turning of the hex-nut 40 without adding appreciable thickness to the wall structures of the shank member 22. In fulfillment of their purpose the ribbed structures can be coextensive in length with the thickness of the hex-nut 40. Alternatively, a hex-shaped chamber or other keying chamber depending upon the shape of the fastening means can be molded within the upper portion of the shank member 22. The hex-nut 40 or other suitable conventional fastener or mounting means is encapsulated within the knob 10 when the

components

12, 14 are assembled in the manner described below.

In general, the internal surfaces of the upper component 12 are arcuate as denoted by

reference characters

42, 44, in conformance with the general contour of the outer surface of the component 12. However, an internal cylindrical surface 46 desirably is molded adjacent the circumferential opening of the knob component 12 -to facilitate formation of the circumferentially stepped joining means 28. A similar cylindrical surface 48 is imparted to the lower knob component l4.

The lower knob component 14, which in this example, is shaped similarly to the upper component 12, save for a mounting opening 50, is likewise provided with an internal shank member 24. Like the upper shank member 22, the member 24 is of hollow cylindrical contour and desirably is molded integrally with the lower knob component 14. Again, after the manner of the upper shank member 22, the lower shank member 24 desirably is positioned centrally within the lower knob component 14. The shank member 24, likewise protrudes a short distance through the circumferential opening of the lower knob component 14.

In the illustrated example, the outer diameter of the lower shank component 24 is essentially the same as that of the inner diameter of the upper shank member 22 so that the

shank members

22, 24 are closely interfitted (FIG. 1) when the

knob components

12, 14, are in their assembled position. The interfitting relationship of the

shank members

22, 24, and of the complementary stepped

portions

28, 30 preserves stability and a solid appearance (FIG. 5) of the knob 10.

In furtherance of these purposes and as better shown in FIG. 3, the lower shank member 24 can be braced against the arcuate walls of the lower knob component 14 by means of a number of web members 52, which can, if desired, be extended upwardly to engage the lower end of the upper shank member 22 when the

knob components

12, 14 are assembled. At least some of the web members 52, therefore, serve as stops for the upper shank member 22 to provide further structural rigidity of the knob construction 10. Although four such web members 52 are illustrated, a different number can be utilized as desired. Similar web members (not shown) can be provided in the upper knob component 12 if desired. While such web members would brace the upper shank member 22 against the arcuate walls 18 of the upper knob component 12, they would obviously not serve as stop members.

Instead, the aforementioned rib structures 38 and/or the hex-nut 40 desirably are positioned or provided of such dimensions as to be engaged by the upper end of the lower shank member 24 when the

knob components

12, 14 are assembled (FIG. 1). The hex-nut 40 serves as convenient mounting means for the knob 10. For example, a shaft, stud, mounting bolt, or other support 54 can be closely or otherwise inserted through the hollow portion of the lower shank member 24, as denoted by chain outline 54. As illustrated, the support 54 is in the form of a stripper bolt having a reduced and threaded end portion 56 for threaded engagement with the mounting nut 40. Alternatively, the hex-nut 40 and threaded support member 54 can be replaced by a conventional bolt having a head of hex configuration or some other keyed configuration, with the head being encapsulated in a manner similar to that of the hex-nut 40.

As a further alternative, the aforementioned mounting hardware can be eliminated completely and at least the lower internal periphery of the shank member 24 can be threaded as denoted at 58 in FIG. 1A of a lower knob component 14' for engagement with a complementarily threaded portion of an external support member (not shown). The threads 58 can be molded integrally or otherwise formed within the lower shank member 24 as shown.

With especial reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the

knob components

12, 14 are secured in their assembled position by the aforementioned fastening means 16, independently of the aforedescribed mounting means such as the hex-nut 40, stripper shaft 54, or the threaded connection 58 (FIG. 1A). The fastening means 16 which is best shown in FIG. 2 is fabricated after the manner of a tinnerman clip and thus utilizes a minimum of material and manufacturing operations. The fastening means 16, therefore, is quickly and easily fabricated, stored, and assembled upon the

knob components

12, 14. In furtherance of all of these purposes, the fastening means 16 is conveniently stamped or coined from sheet material and in this case is provided with a generally circular outer and inner peripheries 60 and 62 to form a base ring or annulus 72. The outer and inner contours of the fastening; means 16 can, of course, be modified depending upon the particular shape of the bipartite knob being assembled. The fastening means or clip 16 desirably includes a first pair of spring jaws 64 which are diametrically apposed in the illustrated example and their inwardly disposed edge portions or biting edges 66 are spaced so as to tightly and frictionally engage the outer surface 68 of I the upper or larger shank member 22. To provide the necessary spring action, the jaws 64 can be lanced at 70 from the annular supporting ring 72 of the clip 16. To promote engagement with the outer surface 68 of the shank member 22, the biting edges 66 of the jaws 64 are disposed at an appropriate angle 74, depending on the outer diameter or analogous dimension of the shank member 22.

A second pair of jaws 76 are similarly and diametrically disposed transversely, of the first pair of jaws 64. The jaws 76, however, project inwardly of the jaws 64 through opening 22a for a tight and frictional engagement thereof with the outer surface 78 of the lower or inner shank member 24. Owing to diametric differences, the biting edges 80 of the jaws 76 are disposed at a different angle 82 from that of the aforementioned biting edges 66.

The lances 70 extend correspondingly into the clip annulus 72 to provide a necessary springing action of the first-mentioned jaws 64. The other jaws 76 in most cases extend sufficiently inward to provide a spring action without lancing. The lances 70, of course, should not be extended so close to the outer periphery 60 of the spring clip 16 that the clip will not resist any tendency of the angled jaws 64a (FIG. 1) to flatten upon the application of withdrawal forces to the assembled

knob components

12, 14. Similar lances (not shown) can be provided at the longer and more closely spaced jaws 76in those applications where the thickness of the outer shank member 22 is lessened to the extent that the corresponding lengths of the jaws 76 do not afford the necessary spring action.

In order to assemble the knob 10, the fastening means or clip 16 is first pressed into engagement with the outer surface 68 of the upper (as viewed in FIG. 1) or outer shank member 22 at the more widely spaced clip jaws 64. Such engagement causes the jaws 64 to spring downward (as viewed in FIG. 1) as denoted by reference character 64a. Before thus securing the fastening means 16 to the upper knob component 12, the securing means 16 is oriented to pass its more closely spaced jaws 76 freely into the

notches

32, 34 respectively of the outer shank member 22. With the clip 16 thus disposed on the upper knob component 12, the clip jaws 76 are positioned to tightly and frictionally engage the outer cylindrical surface 78 of the inner or lower shank member 24 when the latter is interfitted with the outer shank member 22.

When making such insertion, ie when joining the upper and

lower knob components

12, 14, it is not necessary to orientate the lower component 14 in a particular rotative position relative to the upper component 12. Instead, the knob components 12, 14 (with the clip 16 attached as aforesaid) merely are pressed together until their complementary stepped

configurations

28, 30 are flushly engaged. This completes the assembly of the knob 10, at which point'the forceable engagement between the inner shank member 24 and the more closely spaced clip jaws 76 cause the jaws 76 to be sprung upwardly (as viewed in FIG. 1) as denoted by reference characters 76a.

When thus assembled, it is virtually impossible to separate the

knob components

12, 14 without destroying the knob 10, owing to the apposed angular dispositions of the outer. clip jaws 64a and the inner clip jaws 76a respectively.

When thus assembled, the knob has the appearance and feel of a solid knob, as illustrated in FIG. 5. The junction 84 between the knob components l2, 14 is obscured by a cylindrical band or analogous surface 86 forming part of the stepped configuration 28, in this example of the upper knob component 12. If desired, the band 86 can be fluted as denoted by reference character 88 for decorative effect and in further concealment of the junction 84. A shallow neck portion 90, when provided at the base of the knob 10, can be similarly fluted for the same purposes.

Another form of mounting means 90 is incorporated in hollow knob construction 92 of FIGS. 6 and 7. For the most part, the knob construction 92 is similar to that of the preceding figures, as denoted by similar reference characters with primed accents. In the FIGS. 6 and 7 arrangement of the invention, the mounting means 90 takes the form of an internally threaded bolt having a female thread 94 and a shank portion 96 which is substantially coextensive with the shank member 24' of the lower knob component 14'. There is no undesirable projection of hardware from the knob 92 to interfere with its handling and shipping.

The bolt 90 is provided with a hex head 98 or other keyed configuration which is encapsulated after the manner of the hex-nut-40 of the preceding figures. A complementary recess 100 is molded into the upper end portion of the outer shank member 22' for closely and keyingly receiving the bolt head 98 (FIG. 7), to prevent its turning within the knob 92.

The mounting means 90 provide a mounting thread 94 for the knob construction 92 immediately adjacent its mounting opening 50 to facilitate installation of the knob construction 92. Desirably, the bolt shank 96 completely fills the hollow portion of the shank member 24', into which the bolt shank 96 is closely fitted. Increased structural rigidity and stability results from this arrangement.

The knob components 12, 14' are otherwise con figured and assembled with clip 16', after the manner of FIGS. 1-5. It is contemplated, of course, that the mounting bolt can be replaced by a stripper bolt or other male-threaded bolt, having a threaded portion of reduced diameter relative to the hollow or internal diameter of the shank member 24'.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that novel and efficient forms of Hollow Knob Constructions have been described herein. While I have shown and described certain presently preferred embodiments of the invention and have illustrated presently preferred methods of practicing the same, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Iclaim:

1. A bipartite hollow knob construction comprising a pair of hollow knob components, a pair of telescoping shank members joined respectively to the inward surfaces of said components, one adapted to fit over the other and having openings therein, said shank members being positioned to permit complementary engagement of said components to form said knob structure, with the shank members totally enclosed within said hollow knob components, and fastening means enclosed within the hollow knob components having a first portion engageable with the outer surface of the outer of said telescoping shank members and a second portion extending through said openings in said outer shank member and engaging the inner of said shank members to retain said components in their assembled position.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein at least one of said shank members is hollow, and said shank members protrude respectively from open sides of said components and are shaped for close interfitting telescopic engagement at said assembled position.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein an outer one of said shank members is notched to permit engagement of said fastening means with the outer surface of that portion of an inner shank member interfitted within said outer shank member.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means is a spring clip having a first pair of jaws spaced to engage one of said shank members and a second pair of jaws spaced to engage the other of said shank members.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said shank members are shaped for interfitting engagement and said pairs of jaws are spaced at differing distances corresponding to differing outer dimensions of said shank members respectively.

6. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said shank members are shaped for interfitting telescopic engagement and the outer one of said shank members is notched to afford passage of an associated pair of said jaws for engagement with the outer surface of the inner shank member, said pairs of jaws being disposed substantially in a common plane.

7. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said pairs of jaws are angled in respectively opposite directions by forces exerted thereon upon assembly of said knob components to resist retraction of said knob components.

8. The combination according to claim 1 wherein mounting means are contained within said knob construction, said shank members being shaped for substantially encapsulating said mounting means in said assembled condition.

9. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said shank members are hollow and the wall thicknesses thereof and of the remainder of said knob components are substantially uniform, said shank members being formed integrally with said knob components respectively.

10. A hollow bipartite knob construction comprising a pair of complementary shaped hollow knob components, hollow interfitting shank members secured respectively to the inner surfaces of said knob components and projecting through openings thereof, an outer one of said shank members receiving mounting means therewithin, a juxtaposed end portion of an inner one of said shank members closely overlying said mounting means to encapsulate said mounting means within said knob construction, and means for securing said knob components together in their assembled positions.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein an external mounting member is provided for said knob construction, said mounting member having a shank substantially filling an opening in said inner shank member and in an opening of the associated knob component, said shank having an end portion shaped to securingly engage said mounting means.

12. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said securing means is an annular spring clip at least the major proportion of which is shaped for insertion within said knob construction but exteriorly of said shank members, said clip having first means for frictionally engaging the outer surface of one of said shank members and second means for frictionally engaging the outer surface of the other of shank members.

13. The combination according to claim 12 wherein said shank members are interfitting, and said second means engage the inner shank member through notches formed in the outer shank member.

14. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said outer surfaces are cylindrical and each of said jaws includes an angularly disposed pair of biting edges with the angular disposition thereof conforming generally to the diameter of the associated one of said shank members.