Abstract:
A device forms a wedge shape and is operative to be placed between a control surface and the underside of a rotating control knob. A frictional coating is applied to an upper and or lower surface of the wedge to improve resistance to rotation of the knob, and to maintain an inserted position of the wedge. A tab extends from a trailing end of the device to facilitate insertion and removal. The tab may include two portions hingedly connected to the upper and lower surface of the body, and the body includes a biasing member which urges the surfaces and portions apart. The wedge may be formed with resilient material, to increase friction and provide utility for a wide variety of gap sizes. A plurality of wedges may be interconnected to facilitate connection to control panels with a plurality of rotating controls.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a device and method for securing a rotating control, and particularly to preventing unwanted rotation of a rotatable control. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A variety of machines and apparatuses are manipulated or regulated through a rotating control, the control having a knob, dial, or wheel. These controls typically include a rheostat or potentiometer component having a rotating shaft that extends through a control surface. The control operates as part of a machine or apparatus, by being rotated in either direction depending on the machine operator&#39;s desired effect. One example is a volume potentiometer, as commonly found on stereo devices, used by an operator of the stereo to increase or decrease the volume output by rotating a knob associated with the potentiometer 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A device for securing a rotating control, where the rotating control includes a rotating knob, wheel, or dial connected to a control shaft comprises a body having a thickness, defined as the distance between an upper surface and a lower surface, where the thickness increases from an insertion end to a trailing end, and a groove integrally formed on the insertion end of the device. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, the device further comprises a protrusion extending away from the trailing end, operable for a user of the device to grip the device with the fingers of the user&#39;s hand. Additional embodiments of the device feature the protrusion having an upper portion connected to said lower surface, and a lower portion connected to said upper surface, where the upper and lower portions are hingedly connected and further include a biasing member, such as a spring or other elastic material, that urges the upper and lower portions of the protrusion, as well as the upper and lower surfaces of the device, apart. 
         [0005]    Alternative embodiments include a series of indentations or gripping elements covering at least a portion of an outer surface of the device;; the thickness of the device increasing at a variable rate from the insertion end to the trailing end; a compartment that is situated between the upper and lower surface of the device, the compartment could be closed to the atmosphere and include a pressurized fluid, situated to apply a tensile force on the device in resistance in resistance to an external compressive force applied on the device or the compartment may be sealed and contain a pressurized fluid; a frictionally enhancing material coating at least a portion of an outer surface of the device; or, in embodiments that include the protrusion on the trailing end, the protrusion further extending away from a plane connecting the insertion end and the trailing end on the device and having a ridge on the distal end of the protrusion, operable to engage the upper side of the knob, wheel, or dial on the rotating control. 
         [0006]    The invention is also direct to a method for securing a rotating control, the rotating control including a rotating knob connected to a shaft, the shaft extending through a control surface, the method comprising adjusting a position of the rotating control and inserting a rotation securing device into a gap defined between an lower surface of the knob and the control surface, the device comprising a body having a thickness, defined as the distance between an upper surface and a lower surface, where the thickness increases from an insertion end to a trailing end, a groove integrally formed on the insertion end of the device, and a protrusion extending away from the trailing end, operable for a user of the device to grip the device with the fingers of the user&#39;s hand. In alternative embodiments of this method for securing a rotating control, the device is inserted by applying a compressive force on the protrusion, where the protrusion further comprises an upper portion connected to the lower surface of the device, and an lower portion connected to the upper surface of the device, and further includes a biasing member operative to urge the upper and lower portions apart, as well as the upper and lower surfaces apart. Additional methods may further include, but is not limited to: a protrusion on the device further extending away from a plane connecting the insertion end and the trailing end on the device and having a ridge on the distal end of the protrusion, operable to engage the upper side of the knob, wheel, or dial on the rotating control; and the device further comprising a compartment that is internalized within the device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of a control securing device; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  depicts a side view of a rotating control of the Prior Art; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  depicts a side view of the device of  FIGS. 1 and 2  being inserted into the rotating control of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  depicts the device of  FIG. 1  inserted and secured with respect to the rotating control of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  depicts a side view of the device of  FIG. 1  having an upper lip; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  depicts the device of  FIG. 1  having an upper lip, the device being inserted into the rotating control of the Prior Art; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a plurality of devices of  FIG. 1 , interconnected; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  depicts a cross sectional view of a device having an internal chamber containing a pressurized fluid; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  depicts a side view of the device of  FIG. 1 , having an attachment mateable to the control surface of the rotating control; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 11A-B  depicts a side view of the device having an internal spring and a tab connected to a hinge 
           [0019]      FIG. 12  depicts a perspective view of the device of  FIG. 11A-B  having an internal resistant material. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. 
         [0021]    Device  100  allows a user to secure a rotating control  200  against unwanted or unintentional rotation. Rotating controls, such as the tuning knobs on musical instruments, can be precise and highly sensitive to movement. Although the rotating control  200  is ideally manufactured to easily rotate, this easy rotation leaves the control susceptible to unwanted or unintentional rotation should the machine be knocked, touched, vibrated, pressured, or otherwise disturbed. The device functions to secure rotating controls having a knob  202  attached to a rotating shaft  206 . 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , one embodiment of device  100  is a single, wedge shaped component, the body of device  100  having a thickness, defined as the distance between an upper surface  110  and a lower surface  112  on the body of device  100 , which gradually increases from an insertion end  106  to a trailing end  108 . In one embodiment, the thickness increases linearly along the length of the device, while in alternative embodiments the thickness increases variably. Along the insertion end  106  is an integrally formed groove  102 , and advantageously provided along the trailing end  108  is a protruding tab  104 , to allow a user of device  100  to easily grasp device  100  with fingers of a hand. In one embodiment, device  100  has an outer perimeter that is rounded, such that device  100  forms a horseshoe shape. In some embodiments, at least a portion of device  100  is advantageously manufactured from a friction enhancing material. Device  100  may further include a friction enhancing covering  120  coating at least a portion of an outer surface of device  100 , operative to increase a frictional contact between device  100  and the rotating control  200 . In one embodiment, the friction enhancing covering  120  advantageously comprises grooves, ridges, or indentions along upper and or lower surfaces  110 ,  112 . In another embodiment, the friction enhancing covering  120  advantageously comprises a thin material or a chemical that coats at least a portion of an outer surface of device  100 . In these embodiments, the thin material or chemical should be selected such that device  100  has an increased frictional contact with another surface. One skilled in the art will appreciate that device  100  can have alternative embodiments, such as a wedge shape having an outer perimeter that is substantially straight, or a rounded trailing end  108  that does not include protruding tab  104 . 
         [0023]    Several embodiments of device  100  include a protruding tab  104  to allow a user of device  100  to easily grasp device  100  with fingers of a hand. Tab  104  protrudes away from the body of device  100  in a direction defined to extend from insertion end  106  to trailing end  108 . Tab  104  may be a substantially straight component, or it may be angular or curved. In some embodiments, tab  104  advantageously extends from multiple points on trailing end  108 , providing multiple points from which a user may grip tab  104 . In one embodiment, tab  104  is integrally formed on the trailing end  108  as an extension of the body of device  100 . In alternative embodiments, tab  104  is a separate attachment secured to the trailing end  108 . 
         [0024]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , a typical rotating control  200  of the prior art includes a knob  202 , having an upper side  212  and a lower side  214 , a rheostat or potentiometer  208 , a control shaft  206  connecting the potentiometer  208  and the knob  202 , and a control surface  204  through which the control shaft  206  extends. Device  100  is positionable in a gap  210  located between the lower side  214  of the knob  202  and the control surface  204 . Insertion of device  100  generates a pressure between the knob  202  and the control surface  204 , thereby creating a resistance to turning of knob  202 . The frictional contact between device  100  and the rotating control  200  further limits unintentional or unwanted rotation of knob  202 . 
         [0025]    Integrally formed groove  102  is positioned to extend around control shaft  206 . As device  100  is forced farther into gap  210 , the wedge shape of device  100  applies additional pressure to knob  202 , thereby increasing the force necessary to rotate knob  202 . This resulting force is adjustable by the user depending on the force used to insert device  100  between knob  202  and the control surface  204 , and the extent of insertion. 
         [0026]    In use, a user manually inserts or removes device  100  from gap  210  to cause resistance to rotation, and to permit free rotation, respectively. Protruding tab  104  aides the user in manually inserting or removing device  100 , by ensuring that at least a portion of device  100  extends from gap  210 , where it may be grasped by a user&#39;s fingers or a tool (not shown). It is further contemplated that a machine (not shown) may be used to insert and or remove device  100 . Embodiments of device  100  that include a friction enhancing covering  120  on the outer surface of device  100  aid in the functionality of the device by increasing the frictionally applied pressure that device  100  is exerted between knob  202  and control surface  204 . 
         [0027]    For some rotational controls  200 , knob  202  may be frictionally applied to the control shaft  206 , for example by an interference fit. For these controls, device  100  must be carefully secured such that the pressure is not sufficient to separate knob  202  from control shaft  206 . Alternatively, with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , an embodiment of device  100  includes an overhanging ridge  114  formed to extend from protruding tab  104  of trailing end  108 . Ridge  114  is secured over upper side  212  of control knob  202 , whereby device  100  exerts a compressive or limiting force upon knob  202 , thereby preventing a frictionally applied knob  206  from separating from control shaft  206 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 8 , in one embodiment tab  104  is extended to connect device  100  with at least one additional device  100 , forming a single interconnected device operable to simultaneously secure multiple rotating controls. Such an embodiment would be advantageous, for example, on a machine with multiple rotation controls. In alternative embodiments, a separate attachment or protrusion can be situated on device  100 , operable to connect to another device  100 . This separate attachment or protrusion extends from at least a portion of the outer surface of said device. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an additional embodiment of device  100  advantageously places upper surface  110  and lower surface  112  in resilient tension. Surfaces  110 ,  112  may be resiliently connected by internally subjecting the surfaces  110 ,  112  to a pressurized fluid  124 , either gaseous or liquid, through an internally sealed chamber  122 . Internal chamber  122  may also advantageously feature a spring, foam, or other resistance material situated within chamber  122 , positioned to resist compressive force acting upon surfaces  110 ,  122 . In additional embodiments, internal chamber  122  may be open to the atmosphere and feature at least one type of resistant material situated within chamber  122 . Chamber  122  may also be advantageously manufactured from different material than the other components of device  100 . Chamber  122  may be advantageously situated throughout any internal portion of device  100 . In some embodiments, chamber  122  covers a substantial internal portion of the body of device  100 . Other embodiments of device  100  position chamber  122  in a smaller portion of device  100 , such as tab  104  as one example. 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an additional embodiment of device  100  further includes an extension  126 , either integrally formed or separable, that enables device  100  to connect with a mating portion  226  of a rotating control  200 . Such an extension could be positioned at any portion of the device that is engagable with rotating control  200 . An extension  126  may be positioned, for example, on the lower surface  112  of the device, connectable with a mating portion  226  located along the control surface  204 . Alternatively, an extension could be positioned within gap  102 , connectable with a mating portion on shaft  206 , or on the upper surface  110  of device  100 , connectable with a mating portion on knob  202 . Said extensions may be selected from a variety of connecting components known in the art. Two possible examples are threaded connectors and quick-snap connectors. As discussed above, tab  104  may also be an attachable extension. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 11A-B  and  12 , an additional embodiment of device  100  advantageously features a protrusion comprising an upper portion  104 , a lower portion  104 A, said upper portion  104  and said lower portion  104 A connected by a hinge  130 . Device  100  further includes a biasing member  132 ,  134  operative to urge the upper portion  104  and lower portion  104 A apart, as well as said upper surface  110  and said lower surface  112  of the body of device  100  apart. In one embodiment, the biasing member is a spring  132 . In embodiments featuring of device  100  featuring a spring  132 , the spring may is at least one of the following: flat spring, coil spring, balance spring, leaf spring, v-spring, torsion spring, gas spring, or cantilever. In other embodiments, the biasing member may be an elastic material  134 . In these embodiments, device  100  further operates by the user of the device applying a compressive force on the protrusion  104 ,  104 A of device  100  (“A” direction) resulting in a compressive force on the surfaces  110 ,  112  of device  100  (“B” direction). After device  100  has been inserted into gap  210 , the user releases protrusion  104 ,  104 A and the biasing member  132 ,  134  exerts a force on the upper surface  110  and the lower surface  112  of device  100 , which thereby generates a pressure between the knob  202  and the control surface  204 , thereby creating a resistance to turning of knob  202 . 
         [0032]    Device  100  may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including polymers, and other synthetic or natural materials including foam, rubber, resilient material, wood, metal, glass, ceramic, paper, cardboard, and fabric. Device  100  can be manufactured through a variety of methods, for example molding, including injection molding, casting, pressing, folding, stamping, and forming, although other methods may be used, as would be understood by one skilled in the art. It is advantageous for the material to be capable of applying a stable pressure to rotating control  200 . In some embodiments, device  100  may advantageously utilize a combination of materials assembled or formed in layers or coatings, using any known or hereinafter developed methods of combining and joining materials. While certain materials may be selected to improve the resiliency of device  100 , other materials may be selected to improve the frictional properties of the surface of device  100 . Materials may also be selected to improve the gripping ability of the device, particularly on areas where a user&#39;s fingers are likely to interact with the device, such as protruding tab  104 . 
         [0033]    Although device  100  is particularly adept at securing rotating controls with a highly sensitive potentiometer  208  or the like, one skilled in the art will appreciate the variety of applications for device  100  to which device  100  may be employed. For example, device  100  is useful to control any sensitive rotating control  200  that is susceptible to being knocked, jarred, or otherwise loosened, irrespective of size or function of the control. The device is adaptable to controls in a variety of settings including, but not limited to, musical instruments, stereo equipment, electronics, industrial controls, medical devices, automotive controls, and or valves controlled by at least one rotating knob or wheel. Device  100 , in many embodiments, is a singular component and transportable by a user, and is easily deployed. 
         [0034]    All references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. There are many different features to the present invention and it is contemplated that these features may be used together or separately. Thus, the invention should not be limited to any particular combination of features or to a particular application of the invention. Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention might occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. Accordingly, all expedient modifications readily attainable by one versed in the art from the disclosure set forth herein that are within the scope and spirit of the present invention are to be included as further embodiments of the present invention.