Control device operating portion having a veneer with backlit indicia

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9911372-B2
Application number	US-201514850800-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 10, 2015
Priority date	Sep 10, 2014
Publication date	Mar 6, 2018
Grant date	Mar 6, 2018

Abstract

A backlit operating portion of a control device includes a veneer having indicia defining an open portion exposing a backlit component, a floating portion, and one or more ribs that suspend the floating portion. The rib defines an upper surface recessed relative to a front surface of the veneer, and opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface, such opposed sides tapered between the base and the upper surface, such that the upper surface is narrower than the base.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A control device that is configured for use in a load control system for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load, the control device comprising:
a button having a body that defines an outer surface and an opposed inner surface;
a veneer that is attached to the outer surface of the body, the veneer including a machined indicium that extends into a front surface of the veneer, the indicium defining an open portion and a floating portion such that a portion of the outer surface of the body is exposed; and
at least one lighting element that is configured to illuminate the inner surface of the button,
wherein the indicium includes a rib that suspends the floating portion relative to the open portion, the rib defining an upper surface that is recessed relative to the front surface of the veneer and opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface.

2. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the sides are tapered between the base and the upper surface, such that the upper surface is narrower than the base.

3. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the front surface of the veneer has a surface finish applied thereto, and
wherein the sides and the upper surface of the rib are unfinished.

4. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the body of the button is translucent.

5. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the veneer is attached to the body with an adhesive.

6. The control device of claim 1 , wherein the inner surface of the body defines at least one lens feature that is configured to disperse light received from the lighting element along a portion of the outer surface.

7. A veneer that is configured to be attached to a control device, the veneer comprising:
a plate portion that includes an indicium that is defined therethrough, the indicium defining an open portion, a floating portion, and a rib that suspends the floating portion relative to the open portion, the rib defining an upper surface that is recessed relative to the front surface of the veneer and opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface, the sides tapered between the base and the upper surface such that the upper surface is narrower than the base.

8. The veneer of claim 7 , wherein the front surface of the veneer has a surface finish applied thereto, and
wherein the sides and the upper surface of the rib are unfinished.

9. The veneer of claim 7 , further comprising:
a filler material that is disposed in the indicium.

10. The veneer of claim 7 , wherein the veneer is attached to a backlit button of the control device.

11. The veneer of claim 7 , wherein the veneer is attached to a backlit faceplate of the control device.

12. A control device that is configured for use in a load control system for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load, the control device comprising:
a translucent faceplate that defines an outer surface and an opposed inner surface;
a veneer that is attached to the outer surface of the faceplate, the veneer including a machined indicium that extends into a front surface of the veneer, the indicium defining an open portion and a floating portion such that one or more portions of the outer surface of the faceplate are exposed; and
at least one lighting element that is configured to illuminate the inner surface of the faceplate,
wherein the indicium includes a rib that suspends the floating portion relative to the open portion, the rib defining an upper surface that is recessed relative to the front surface of the veneer and opposed sides that extend from a base of the rib to the upper surface.

Assignees

• Lutron Electronics Co

Inventors

• Dimberg Chris
• Heimann Kevin J
• Kreschollek Brad Michael
• Mcdonald Matthew Philip

Classifications

• H01H2209/0021

  with metallic appearance, e.g. polymers with dispersed particles to produce a metallic appearance · CPC title

• H01H2219/066

  Lens · CPC title

• H01H2219/062

  Light conductor · CPC title

• H01H2009/187

  having symbols engraved or printed by laser · CPC title

• H01H13/83 Primary

  characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements · CPC title