U.S. patent application number 12/379695 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-27 for button assembly and washing machine having the same.
Invention is credited to Jong A. Park.
Application Number | 20090212672 12/379695 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40079176 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090212672 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Park; Jong A. |
August 27, 2009 |
Button assembly and washing machine having the same
Abstract
A button assembly and a washing machine having the same are
disclosed. The button assembly includes a body, two or more buttons
elastically connected to the body, and a partition member provided
between the respective neighboring buttons and linked with any one
of the two or more buttons. The button assembly enables easy button
manipulation upon operation of the washing machine.
Inventors: |
Park; Jong A.; (Changwon-si,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
40079176 |
Appl. No.: |
12/379695 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/228 ;
24/114.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01H 13/705 20130101;
Y10T 24/3698 20150115; D06F 34/30 20200201; H01H 2223/034 20130101;
H01H 2221/07 20130101; H01H 2221/052 20130101; H01H 2221/054
20130101; H01H 2219/014 20130101; D06F 34/28 20200201 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/228 ;
24/114.12 |
International
Class: |
A44B 1/12 20060101
A44B001/12; D06F 39/12 20060101 D06F039/12 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 27, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-0017858 |
Claims
1. A button assembly comprising: a body; two or more buttons
elastically connected to the body; and a partition member provided
between the respective neighboring buttons and linked with any one
of the two or more buttons.
2. The button assembly according to claim 1, wherein the buttons
are elastically connected to the body via connectors.
3. The button assembly according to claim 1, wherein the partition
member is connected to and linked with any one of the buttons
adjacent thereto.
4. The button assembly according to claim 1, wherein the partition
member is integrally formed and linked with any one of the buttons
adjacent thereto.
5. The button assembly according to claim 1, wherein the two or
more buttons are formed, at adjacent side surfaces thereof, with
recesses, and the partition member is provided between the
recesses.
6. The button assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a
transparent member provided at a front surface of each button.
7. The button assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a
display member interposed between the transparent member and the
button.
8. The button assembly according to claim 6, wherein the button is
provided with a light emitting element.
9. The button assembly according to claim 1, wherein the button and
partition member are tilted by a predetermined angle.
10. A washing machine comprising: a button assembly including a
body, two or more buttons elastically connected to the body, and a
partition member provided between the respective neighboring
buttons and linked with any one of the two or more buttons; and a
control panel to which the button assembly is mounted.
11. The washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the control
panel has a predetermined inclination angle, and the buttons and
partition member of the button assembly are tilted by an angle
corresponding to the inclination angle of the control panel.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2008-0017858, filed on, Feb. 27, 2008, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a button assembly and a
washing machine having the same, and more particularly, to a button
assembly which can be easily manipulated by a user upon operation
of a washing machine and a washing machine having the same.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, washing machines include a washing machine to
wash, rinse and dehydrate an object to be washed, a drying machine
to dry an object having passed through a washing operation, and the
like.
[0006] To operate such a washing machine, conventionally, the
washing machine is provided with a plurality of buttons, etc.
However, operating the washing machine using the buttons, etc.
problematically inconveniences a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a button
assembly and a washing machine having the same.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a button
assembly which can be easily manipulated by a user upon operation
of a washing machine and a washing machine having the same.
[0009] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
invention will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0010] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a button assembly includes: a body; two
or more buttons elastically connected to the body; and a partition
member provided between the respective neighboring buttons and
linked with any one of the two or more buttons.
[0011] The two or more buttons may be formed, at adjacent side
surfaces thereof, with recesses, and the partition member may be
provided between the recesses.
[0012] The button assembly may further include a transparent member
provided at a front surface of each button. In this case, the
button assembly may further include a display member interposed
between the transparent member and the button.
[0013] The button may be provided with a light emitting
element.
[0014] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a washing machine including a control panel to
which the above-described button assembly is mounted.
[0015] The control panel may have a predetermined inclination
angle, and the buttons and partition member of the button assembly
may be tilted by an angle corresponding to the inclination angle of
the control panel.
[0016] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description of the present
invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide
further explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention. In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a control panel
according to another embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in
FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a button assembly shown in
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in
FIG. 2, illustrating an alternative configuration of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a button assembly
mounted to a control panel according to a further embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a front view of the button assembly shown in FIG.
6;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the button assembly shown in
FIG. 7;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side view of a button assembly according to a
still further embodiment of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a state wherein
the button assembly shown in FIG. 9 is mounted to a control panel;
and
[0028] FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the button assembly
shown in FIG. 10.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0030] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a washing machine
according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, the washing machine includes a control
panel 10 to control operation of the washing machine, and the
control panel 10 is provided with a plurality of buttons 12. In
use, operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled as a user
manipulates the buttons 12 of the control panel 10.
[0032] As can be seen from FIG. 1, if the plurality of buttons 12
is gathered in a predetermined area, there is a risk of the user
pushing two or more adjacent buttons simultaneously upon
manipulation of the plurality of buttons 12, making it difficult
for a controller (not shown) of the washing machine to correctly
recognize button manipulation.
[0033] Although it may be considered to arrange the plurality of
buttons with a predetermined interval therebetween to solve the
above-described problem, this solution seriously inconveniences a
user upon operation of the washing machine.
[0034] FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a control panel 100
having a button assembly 110 according to another embodiment of the
present invention, which is devised to solve the above-described
problem.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 2, the button assembly 110 according to
the present embodiment includes partition members 130 to prevent
adjacent or neighboring buttons 120 from being simultaneously
pushed upon manipulation of the buttons 120. With provision of the
partition members 130, when a user attempts to push a specific one
of the buttons 120 for operation of the washing machine, it is
possible to prevent other adjacent or neighboring buttons 120 from
being pushed, enabling accurate user manipulation.
[0036] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III-III in
FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating only a button
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the button assembly 120
according to the present embodiment includes a body 112 detachably
connected to the control panel 100, and two or more buttons 120
elastically connected to the body 112. The control panel 100, to
which the button assembly 110 is mounted, is provided with the
partition members 130 which prevent the two or more buttons 120
from being pushed simultaneously.
[0038] In the present embodiment, the partition members 130 are
integrally formed at the control panel 100 to which the button
assembly 110 is mounted, rather than being formed at the body 112
of the button assembly 110. As shown in FIG. 3, the partition
members 130 protrude forward from the control panel 100 by a
predetermined length and are alternately arranged with the buttons
120 of the button assembly 110. The forwardly protruding partition
members 130 assist the user to accurately push only a desired
button 120 rather than erroneously pushing other adjacent or
neighboring buttons 120 upon manipulation of the buttons 120.
[0039] The partition members 130 may extend from the control panel
100 as shown in FIG. 3, or may extend from a separate supporting
member 140 provided behind the control panel 100 as shown in FIG.
5. Although not shown in the drawings, alternatively, the
supporting member 140 may be detachably coupled to a rear surface
of the control panel 100.
[0040] Hereinafter, the button assembly 110 according to the
present embodiment will be described in more detail with reference
to FIG. 4.
[0041] Referring to FIG. 4, the button assembly 110 according to
the present embodiment includes the body 112 detachably connected
to the control panel (100, see FIG. 2), and the plurality of
buttons 120 elastically connected to the body 112.
[0042] The buttons 120 for user manipulation are connected to the
body 112 and in turn, the body 112 is detachably mounted to the
rear surface of the control panel 100. This mounting configuration
will be described in detail hereinafter.
[0043] The buttons 120 are elastically connected to the body 112.
More particularly, the buttons 120 and body 112 are elastically
connected to each other by means of connectors 114, and the
connectors 114 extend from the body 112. The connectors 114 may be
made of a material having appropriate elasticity and for example,
may be made of synthetic resin, etc.
[0044] The buttons 120 may be provided with display members, such
as various characters, figures, symbols, or light-emitting
elements, etc. on the basis of functions thereof. The display
members may be directly formed at front surfaces of the buttons 120
so as to be exposed to the outside. Preferably, a transparent
member 122 is provided at a front surface of the button 120, and a
display member is interposed between the button 120 and the
transparent member 122.
[0045] Specifically, the transparent member 122 may be detachably
mounted to the front surface of the button 120 by use of fasteners,
such as hooks, etc. Accordingly, a display member (not shown),
selected based on a function of the button 120, is placed on the
front surface of the button 120, and thereafter, the transparent
member 122 is mounted onto the display member and the front surface
of the button 120 such that the display member can be seen from the
outside through the transparent member 122, thereby indicating the
function of the button 120. In particular, assuming that the
display member is a light emitting element, a hole 124 may be
formed in the center of the button 120 such that the light emitting
element, such as a light emitting diode, is inserted into the hole
124. In this case, the light emitting element emits light when the
corresponding button 120 is pushed, allowing the user to accurately
know the pushed button 120.
[0046] As described above, the partition members 130 are provided
at the button assembly 110, to prevent other adjacent buttons 120
from being erroneously pushed when a specific one of the buttons
120 is pushed. However, due to the fact that the partition members
130 are realized as additional members between the respective
neighboring buttons 120, the above-described partition members 130
have a risk of deteriorating smooth manipulation of the buttons
120.
[0047] Specifically, in the embodiment as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, if
a gap between the button 120 and the partition member 130 is not
sufficiently large, smoothly pushing the button 120 is difficult
due to friction between the button 120 and the partition member
130. In the worst case, the partition member 130 may become jammed
between the neighboring buttons 120, causing a failure in pushing
of the button 120. Therefore, to solve this problem, it is
necessary to change the configuration of the button assembly.
Hereinafter, a further embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the drawings.
[0048] FIG. 6 illustrates a state wherein a button assembly 210
according to the further embodiment of the present invention is
mounted to a control panel 200. A greatest difference between the
button assembly 210 of the present embodiment and the button
assembly 110 of the previously described embodiment is that
partition members 230 included in the button assembly 210 are moved
in linkage with buttons 220. The following description with
reference to the accompanying drawings will forces upon such
difference.
[0049] FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating only the button assembly
210 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the button
assembly 210 according to the present embodiment.
[0050] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the button assembly 210
according to the present embodiment, each partition member 230 is
connected to any one of the buttons 220, so as to be linked with
the two or more buttons 220.
[0051] For example, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, assuming that there
are three buttons 220, two partition members 230 are provided
between the respective neighboring buttons 220. Each partition
member 230 is connected to and linked with the buttons 220
immediately above and below thereof. Of course, it will be
appreciated that the number of the buttons 220 and the
configuration of the partition members 230 connected to the
respective buttons 220 are given by way of example, and the sprit
of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned
number of the buttons 220 and the connecting relationship between
the buttons 220 and the partition members 230.
[0052] The partition members 230 may be separately or integrally
formed with the buttons 220.
[0053] In the present embodiment, the partition members 230
protrude forward by a predetermined length so as to prevent other
adjacent buttons 220 from being erroneously pushed when a specific
one of the buttons 220 is pushed. Moreover, the partition members
230 are linked with the buttons 220 so as to enable smooth
manipulation of the buttons 220 via reduced friction between the
buttons 220 and the partition members 230.
[0054] To further reduce friction between the buttons 220 and the
partition members 230 when the buttons 220 are moved, the
neighboring buttons 220 may be defined, at facing surfaces thereof,
with recesses 222 and 224, and the partition member 230 may be
located between the recesses 222 and 224. With this configuration,
when one button 220 and the adjacent linked partition member 230
are pushed, it is possible to minimize friction between the
partition member 230 and the other adjacent button 220.
[0055] FIG. 9 is a side view illustrating a button assembly 310
according to a still further embodiment of the present invention.
The button assembly 310 according to the present embodiment is
different in that buttons 320 and partition members 330 are tilted
by a predetermined angle.
[0056] Specifically, if a front surface of the control panel 300
has a gentle inclination as shown in FIG. 10, the configuration of
FIG. 7 wherein the buttons and partition members are arranged in a
straight line has a problem in that the buttons do not extend
parallel to the inclined front surface of the control panel even
after completely assembling the button assembly to the control
panel, causing inconvenience in user button manipulation.
[0057] The button assembly 310 according to the present embodiment
is suitable to be mounted to the gently inclined front surface of
the control panel 300, and the buttons 320 and partition members
330 are tilted by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, since the
buttons 320 and partition members 330 are tilted by a predetermined
angle as shown in FIG. 9, when the button assembly 310 is mounted
to the gently inclined front surface of the control panel 300, the
buttons 320 are arranged parallel to the front surface of the
control panel 300. This allows the user to easily manipulate the
buttons 320.
[0058] FIG. 11 illustrates a state wherein the button assemblies
210 and 310 according to the above-described embodiments are
mounted to the control panels 200 and 300. Although FIG. 11
illustrates the embodiment wherein the partition members and
buttons are linked with each other for convenience of illustration,
the mounting configuration shown in FIG. 11 is similarly applicable
to other embodiments wherein the partition members and buttons are
not linked with each other and thus, a repetitive description
thereof will be omitted.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 11, a plurality of protrusions 250 is
formed at a rear surface of the control panel 200 or 300 to which
the button assembly 210 or 310 is mounted, and the body 212 or 312
of the button assembly 210 or 310 is formed with indentations 216
or 316 corresponding to the protrusions 250. Accordingly, when the
user attempts to assemble the control panel 200 or 300, the body
212 or 312 of the button assembly 210 or 310 is caught by the
protrusions 250, enabling detachable mounting of the button
assembly 210 or 310.
[0060] As apparent from the above description, in the button
assembly according to the present invention, the partition members
and buttons are linked with each other, allowing the user to easily
manipulate the buttons.
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *