Method for manufacturing an indicator knob and a knob

Abstract

A method of making a composite plastic knob including the steps of forming a plastic core having a front wall of a generally uniform thickness with an integral discernible window portion formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall and with the window having a thickness less than the generally uniform thickness of the front wall; positioning an anvil in the core in supporting engagement with the window portion of the fin and injection molding an outer covering of an opaque plastic of a contrasting color over the front wall of the core except for the window portion of the fin thereof. The knob includes a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness and an integral portion of a window formed in a fin projecting outwardly of the front wall. The window is thinner than the front wall of the core. An anvil is positioned in the core in engagement with the window portion of the front wall and an outer covering of an opaque plastic overlies the front wall of the core except for the window to allow the window to function as an indicator. The anvil may be of metal and formed as part of the tooling or it may be formed of a light transmitting material which is permanently fastened into the core of the knob. The permanently fastened anvil may be equipped with radially extending hooks.

I claim:  
     
       1. A composite knob including: 
       a plastic core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness,  
       a translucent window portion formed integrally with said core and having a thickness less than said generally uniform thickness of said front wall, and  
       a light transmitting plastic anvil positioned in said core in engagement with said window portion.  
     
     
       2. A composite knob, including: 
       A plastic core,  
       said core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness,  
       an integral window portion formed in said front wall,  
       said integral window portion having a thickness no greater than said uniform thickness of said front wall, and  
       an outer covering of plastic overlying said front wall of said core except for at least a substantial center area of said window portion.  
     
     
       3. The composition knob of claim  2   30 in which said integral window portion is located in a projected relation to said front wall. 
     
     
       4. The composite knob of  claim 3  in which said integral window portion projects outwardly of said front wall. 
     
     
       5. The composite knob of  claim 2  in which a plastic anvil is positioned in said core in engagement with said window portion. 
     
     
       6. The composite article of  claim 5  in which said window portion is translucent. 
     
     
       7. The composite knob of  claim 6  in which said anvil is formed of a light transmitting plastic. 
     
     
       8. A composite knob, including: 
       a plastic core,  
       said core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness,  
       an integral window portion formed in said front wall,  
       an outer covering of plastic overlying said front wall of said core except for at least a substantial center area of said window portion thereof, and  
       protrusions formed in said front wall of said core adjacent said window portion to anchor said outer covering of plastic to said core and to prevent said outer covering from moving away from said window portion.  
     
     
       9. The composite knob of  claim 8  in which said window portion is thinner than said front wall. 
     
     
       10. The composite knob of  claim 9  in which a plastic anvil is positioned in said core in supporting engagement with said window portion. 
     
     
       11. The composite knob of  claim 10  in which said core is formed of a translucent plastic. 
     
     
       12. The composite knob of  claim 11  in which said anvil is formed of a light transmitting plastic. 
     
     
       13. The composite knob of  claim 11  in which said outer covering is formed of an opaque plastic. 
     
     
       14. The composite knob of  claim 10  including a longitudinally extending hub formed as part of said core and slots formed in said hub and said front wall to receive and position said anvil. 
     
     
       15. The composite knob of  claim 10  in which said outer covering of plastic extends through said front wall of said core and interlocks said core and said anvil. 
     
     
       16. The composite knob of  claim 10  in which a blade is formed as a portion of said front wall, said window portion is formed as a part of said blade and said anvil in positioned in said blade. 
     
     
       17. The composite knob of  claim 10  in which said anvil is formed of a planar material. 
     
     
       18. The composite knob of  claim 10  in which a radially engaging hook is formed on said plastic anvil. 
     
     
       19. The composite knob of  claim 18  in which said hook is radially outwardly engaging. 
     
     
       20. The composite knob of  claim 18  in which said hook is radially inwardly engaging. 
     
     
       21. The composite knob of  claim 18  in which said hook is resilient. 
     
     
       22. The composite knob of  claim 1  in which said core is formed of a translucent plastic. 
     
     
       23. The composite knob of  claim 1  including a longitudinally extending hub formed as part of said core and slots formed in said hub and said front wall to receive and position said anvil. 
     
     
       24. The composite knob of  claim 1  in which a blade is formed as a portion of said front wall, said window portion is formed as a part of said blade and said anvil is positioned in said blade. 
     
     
       25. The composite knob of  claim 1  in which said anvil is formed of a planar material. 
     
     
       26. The composite knob of  claim 1  in which a radially engaging hook is formed on said plastic anvil. 
     
     
       27. The composite knob of  claim 26  in which said hook is radially outwardly engaging. 
     
     
       28. The composite knob of  claim 26  in which said hook is radially inwardly engaging. 
     
     
       29. The composite knob of  claim 26  in which said hook is resilient. 
     
     
       30. A composite knob including: 
       
         a plastic core,  
       
       
         said core having a front wall of generally uniform thickness,  
       
       
         an integral translucent window portion formed in said front wall,  
       
       
         said integral window portion having a thickness no greater than said uniform thickness of said front wall,  
       
       
         a light transmitting plastic anvil positioned in said core in engagement with said window portion, and  
       
       
         an outer covering of plastic overlying said front wall of said core except for at least a substantial center area of said window portion.