FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] This invention relates to push buttons and rotatable knobs, the kinds of which are used to operatively control electrical arrangements such as lighting and the dimming thereof, wherein the push button or knob engages with a controller that has been mounted to a wall plate.

[002] More particularly this invention relates to such push buttons and knobs referred to in the preceding paragraph in the context of being able to introduce a unique lighting arrangement which will allow the viewing of illuminated light of the push button or knob from a larger field of view that has hitherto not been possible from such conventional push buttons or knobs currently available in the market.

BACKGROUND ART DISCUSSION

[003] In order to assist the understanding of the background art from which the subject matter of this invention is derived, assistance can be made from a prior art embodiment illustrated in Figure 1.

[004] As shown in Figure 1 a user operative rotatable knob (12) engages with a controller shown generally as (10), wherein this type of controller (10) would be mounted to an internal side of a wall plate mounted upon a wall.

[005] The controller (10) would be configured to control some type of electrical appliance or arrangement such as lighting, whether that be dimming and/or switching capabilities.

[006] In this instance to improve the viewability of the rotatable knob, a transparent section is represented as (14) in Figure 1 is incorporated into the knob (12) represented as the illuminable ring (14). [007] As the embodiment in Figure 1 illustrates, the side (17) of the knob (12) rises up and includes a shoulder (18) which then ramps down (15) to a flat section (19) on the top of the knob (12).

[008] Hence the illuminable ring (14) sits in a flat depression, therefore the field of view is limited only from those viewing more from the frontal position rather than any illuminated view possible from the sides.

[009] While other embodiments on the market could include illuminated holes or even allow the diffusing of light out from the base of the knob or pushbutton such alternatives remain functionally poor in illumination of the knob or pushbutton for operative use as well as being unsightly, as it would be more aesthetic and functional if it was possible to be able to provide a continuous ring or rim of the illuminated light just from the transparent section with very limited bleeding of light into the generally opaque material that surrounds the transparent material such that this continuous ring or rim of illuminated light can be viewable from an extended field of view that would include, not only from the front but also viewing from the side.

[010] Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a push button or knob used with a controller of an electrical arrangement that is mountable to an electrical wall plate that will inherently include a transparent section that will allow the ability of the push button or knob to illuminate light derivable from the controller out through the push button or knob in such a way that the light will be viewable from an extended field of viewing including the front and the sides of the respective push button or knob.

[011] Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a complete reading of the following specification.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[012] In one form of the invention there is provided a user operative push button or knob configured to engage a controller of an electrical arrangement mountable to an electrical wall plate, said push button or knob including a transparent section and an opaque section, said opaque section including a side section, said opaque section further including a top segment, said transparent section includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the transparent section is a generally longitudinal form, and the second section is angled outwardly towards an exterior of the push button or knob from a top edge of the generally longitudinal form of the first section of the transparent section, and wherein a distal end of the second section of the transparent section provides a ringed external surface between a top edge of the side section of the opaque section and a peripheral edge of the top segment of the opaque section, such that light illuminable from the controller of the electrical arrangement mounted to the electrical wall plate is viewable out from the ringed external surface of the second section of the transparent section from the front and side of the push button or knob between the top edge of the side section of the opaque section and the peripheral edge of the top segment of the opaque section.

[013] In preference the first section of the transparent section is generally internally vertically aligned with the side section of the opaque section.

[014] In preference the first section the top segment of the opaque section includes a top surface, wherein the top surface is shaped as a concave dish shape.

[015] In a further form of the invention there is provided a user operative push button or knob configured to engage a controller of an electrical arrangement mounted to an electrical wall plate, said push button or knob including a transparent section and an opaque section, said opaque section including interconnected peripheral side segments or a continuous side segment, said opaque section further including a top segment, said transparent section bounded between said top segment and the interconnected peripheral side segments or continuous side segment of the opaque section, such that light illuminated from the controller of the electrical arrangement mounted to the electrical wall plate is viewable from the transparent section of the push button or knob from a front and sides views when said push button or knob is engaged with the controller.

[016] In preference the user operative push button or knob is a knob. [017] In preference the continuous side segment of the opaque section of the knob is a tapered longitudinal form and wherein the transparent section includes an externally viewable ring, wherein the externally viewable ring of the transparent section is between a top edge of a tapered longitudinal form of the opaque section and the top segment of the opaque section.

[018] In preference the transparent section includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section of the transparent section is a longitudinal form, and the second section is angled outwardly from a top edge of the longitudinal form of the first section of the transparent section and wherein a distal end of the second section of the transparent section provides the externally viewable ring between the top edge of the tapered longitudinal form of the opaque section and the peripheral edge of the top segment of the opaque section.

[019] In preference the user operative push button or knob is a push button.

[020] In preference the push button is circular shaped or a shape having four sides.

[021] In preference each side of the push button along a top edge includes a shoulder and wherein the transparent section includes an externally viewable ring, wherein the externally viewable ring of the transparent section is located between the shoulder along the top edge of each side of the push button and the peripheral edge of the top segment of the opaque section.

[022] In preference the transparent section of the push button includes a first section and a second section, wherein the first section is generally internally aligned with the side or sides of the push button and the second section of the transparent section is angled outwardly from a top edge of the first section and wherein a distal end of the second section of the transparent section of the push button provides the externally viewable ring to which illuminable light from the controller diffuses out therefrom to be viewable from both the sides and front of the push button.

[023] In preference the top segment of the opaque section includes a top surface, wherein the top surface is a dish shape. [024] In one form of the invention there is provided a controller of an electrical arrangement, wherein the controller of the electrical arrangement is configured to be mounted to an electrical wall plate, wherein the controller of the electrical arrangement includes a push button and/or knob referred to in the preference statements above.

[025] In preference the controller arrangement includes a RGB LED light arrangement so that illuminated light from the RGB LED lighting arrangement is diffusible through the transparent section of the push button or knob.

[026] In preference the illuminable colour of the RGB LED device is programable through operable engagement of a user with the push button or knob.

[027] In a further embodiment of the invention the illuminable colour of the RGB LED device is programable through wireless communication.

[028] In preference the wireless communication for programming the illuminable colour of the RGB LED device includes radio waves, WI-FI, short-range point to point wireless communication including Bluetooth, remote control infrared and/or near field communication.

[029] In preference the transparent section is fixed internally within the side or sides and the top segment of the opague section through over moulding.

[030] In preference the transparent section is made from a single mould.

[031] In preference the transparent section single mould is a moulded plastic part wherein the moulded plastic part is a substrate for over moulding.

[032] In preference the substrate is mounted within a single mould tooling for the opaque section so that injection of melted plastic into the single mould tooling for the opaque section containing the mounted substrate is configured to provide over moulding of the opaque section with the transparent section so as to mould the transparent material between said top segment of the opaque section and the interconnected peripheral side segments or continuous side segment. [033] In order now to describe the invention in greater detail, preferred embodiments will now be described with the assistance of the following illustrations and accompanying text.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

[034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a prior art embodiment of a user operable knob engaging with the controller of an electrical arrangement.

[035] Figure 2 is a perspective view of a user operative push button which is configured to engage with a controller of an electrical arrangement, to which the controller is mountable to an electrical wall plate.

[036] Figure 3 is a side view of a user operative push button.

[037] Figure 4 is a top view of the user operative push button.

[038] Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the user operative knob from the perspective of A-A as shown in Figure 4.

[039] Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 show various representations of a preferred embodiment of a user operative push button configured to engage a controller of an electrical arrangement, wherein the controller of the electrical arrangement is mountable to an electrical wall plate, wherein Figure 6 is a general perspective view, Figure 7 a top view, Figure 8 a front view, Figure 9 a side view and Figure 10 a cross sectional view from the perspective of section A-A as shown in Figure 9.

[040] Figures 11, 12 and 13 illustrate a further preferred embodiment of a push button engageable with the controller wherein Figure 11 shows a general top and front perspective view, Figure 12 a side view and Figure 13 showing a cross sectional view taken from section A-A as shown in Figure 12.

[041] Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of the user operative knob engaged with a controller of an electrical arrangement highlighting the passage or diffusion of light illuminated from the controller through the transparent material of the knob engaged with the controller.

[042] Figure 15 shows a part cut-away view of a knob engaged with a controller for an electrical arrangement, wherein the controller is mounted to a wall plate in a part cut-away perspective view.

[043] Figure 16 is a similar representation to that shown in Figure 15 but with the view from the front of the electrical wall plate shown in Figure 15.

[044] Figure 17 is a general schematic representation providing an extension thereof of the representations shown in Figures 15 and 16 highlighting the extended viewable area of light diffusing through the transparent section of the knob to both the front and sides.

[045] Figure 18 is an underside view of the knob engageable with the controller in a further preferred embodiment of the invention.

[046] Figure 19 illustrates a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the electrical wall plate has mounted multiple controllers where a knob is engaged with one of the controllers and a push button engaged to the other controller.

[047] Figure 20 is a further embodiment of the invention illustrating a multiplicity of user operative push buttons engaging with corresponding controllers mounted to the electrical wall plate.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIONS

[048] Referring to the drawings now in greater detail and starting with Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 which introduce a preferred embodiment of the invention of the knob (20) which is configured to engage a controller, wherein the controller is best seen in Figure 15 as (24), to which the controller which controls an electrical arrangement, such as lighting, would be mounted to an electrical wall plate (26) which would be best understood in the context of Figure 15 and Figure 16. [049] The knob (20), includes an opaque section which is made up of the tapered longitudinal side (21), wherein the tapered longitudinal side (21) includes a shouldered edge (22). The opaque section also includes the top segment (27). The top segment (27) includes a shouldered section (23) and a dished top surface (28). The top segment (27) as best seen in Figure 5 is also molded to channel (29) which is also part of the opaque section in a preferred embodiment, which as best seen in Figure 14, this channel (29) shown in Figure 5 allows for operative engagement with a rotatable extension (30) protruding out from the controller (24) as shown in Figure 14.

[050] As is to be understood, rotating the knob (20) and/or pushing or pulling the knob (20) simultaneously operates the extension (30) of the controller (24) which operative movement is interpreted by the controller (24) to, as required, to control the electrical arrangement under the control of the controller (24).

[051] The knob (20) as well as including the opaque section, includes a transparent section best seen and understood in the context of the cross section shown in Figure 5, wherein the transparent section is shown generally as (33) and includes a first section (34) which has a general longitudinal form with the transparent section (33) also including a second section (35) which is angled outwardly from a top edge of the first section (34) to then present on the edged periphery of the knob (20) the externally viewable ring (36).

[052] The externally viewable ring (36) is at the distal end of the second section (35) of the transparent section (33) bounded between the top segment (27) and tapered longitudinal side (21).

[053] As best seen in Figure 14 illuminating and diffused light light from the controller (24), shown by way of arrows (32) is able to pass through the first section (34) of the transparent section (33) and then the second section (35) of the transparent section (33). As the second section (35) is angled outward from the top of the first section (34) of the transparent section (33), this uniquely provides an edge type illumination on the knob (20) provided by the externally viewable ring (36) at the distal end of the second section (35). [054] As best seen in Figure 17 the externally viewable ring (36) of the knob (20) means that viewing is possible from the perspective of side locations (42) and (43) on the side of the knob (20) and also from a frontal perspective location (44) thereby providing an extended viewable region of light illuminated from the controller.

[055] An advantage of introducing the outwardly inclined second section (35) of the transparent material (33) is that if the first section (34) of the transparent material (33) gets too close, for example to the actual external side surface (45) of the tapered longitudinal side (21), then it becomes possible for light passing through the transparent section that is close to the external side surface of the tapered longitudinal side (21), to bleed out or diffuse onto the surface of the generally opaque material that makes up the tapered longitudinal side (21), which then reduces the efficiency, functionality and aesthetics of a very sharp clear ring of light possible from this invention which allows viewing, as introduced above, not only from a front perspective but also from the sides as a clear ring of illumination.

[056] Figure 18 shows the underside of the knob (20). As shown, the channel (29) which forms part of the opaque section which as discussed in the context of the cross section view in Figure 5, is molded to the top segment (27) of the opaque section, also includes a tab section (51) that radially extends out from channel (29).

[057] This tab (51) when the knob (20) is engaged with the controller (24) through the extension (30), restricts the degree of rotation possible for the knob (20) and also acts as a positional marker.

[058] Figures 6 to 13 introduce preferred embodiments of user operative push buttons as opposed to the knob arrangement shown in Figures 1 - 5, wherein Figures 6 - 10 show a push button (60) having a generally square shape and Figures 11 - 13 presenting a push button (70) with a generally circular shape.

[059] Nonetheless, the principle of being able to provide edge type lighting from these push buttons (60) and (70) remains consistent to that discussed for the preferred embodiments involving the knob (20). [060] As best seen in the cross sectional view of Figure 10 of the push button (60), the transparent section (61) is divided up into a first section (62) and then a second section (63), with the second section (63) angled outwardly from the first section (62) such that the distal end of the second section (63) of the transparent section (61) provides for the externally viewable rim or ring (64) which is bounded by the opaque section including the top segment (66) and side segments (65). The top segment (66) of the opaque section also has the top surface (67) which as best seen in Figure 10, has a dish configuration.

[061] The circular shaped push button (70) represented in Figures 11 and 12 is shown in cross section in Figure 13 where the transparent section shown generally as (71) includes the first section (72) and then the outwardly orientated second section (73) with the distal end of that second section (73) of the transparent section (71) providing for the externally viewable rim or ring (74) which is able to be seen both from the front and the side of the knob (70).

[062] The top segment (76) with the side section (75) sandwiches there in between the second section (73) of the transparent section (71). The top segment (76) of the opaque section including the top surface (77), wherein the top surface (77) includes a dish type configuration.

[063] Figure 19 shows a preferred embodiment where the wall plate (80) mounts multiple controllers (81) and (82) wherein these multiple controllers (81) and (82) can be engaged with either a knob (20) or a push button (60).

[064] Figure 20 represents a further preferred embodiment of the invention wherein it assists in the understanding of how each particular push button could illuminate a different light depending on how the controller is programmed.

[065] For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 20 there is a wall plate (91) which accommodates four individual controllers mounted to the rear of the wall plate (91), wherein push buttons (92), (93), (94) and (95) would engage thereto a respective individual controller. [066] If each individual controller included an RGB LED light arrangement, it becomes possible to utilize a sequence of pushes of the push button or other means to program the controller so that the RGB LED light arrangement illuminates a particular selected colour.

[067] Advantageously, what this means is that if there is a requirement to have different colours illuminated from the edges of each of push buttons (92), (93), (94) and (95), the same push buttons can still be provided as the colour illuminated from the rim or ring will be dependent upon the settings for the RGB LED light arrangement programed into the controller.

[068] Rather than having the transparent section a particular colour, the transparent section can be essentially a clear transparent material and the colour to be illuminated therefrom the pushbutton or knob via the unique ring or rim lighting arrangement viewable from the sides and front, will be dependent upon what has been programed into the controller with respect to the RGB LED light arrangement to which a respective push button or knob is attached thereto.

[069] As discussed previously, both the knob and the pushbuttons, as part of the top segment of the opaque section, includes a dish configuration where this dish configuration can also assist in the edge effect of the ring or rim of the lighting but also provides a tactile experience for the user operating either the pushbutton or the knob.