Patent Publication Number: US-7586053-B2

Title: Selection member coupling apparatus for clothing handler and coupling method thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a clothing handler, and more particularly, to a selection member coupling apparatus for a clothing handler and a coupling method thereof. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Clothing handlers serve to perform each kind of process for clothing and include washing machines, dryers and so on. 
   The clothing handler is provided with a control panel. The control panel includes a plurality of buttons for applying a power and inputting options for handling clothing, and a plurality of LED (Light Emitting Diode) devices emitting light so as to display a function corresponding to a selected button. And, in order to protect the LED devices from an outside, a plurality of transparent windows covering each LED device are installed. 
   However, in the related clothing handler, since each transparent window covering each LED device is small, light emitting efficiency of the LED devices is deteriorated and a user cannot easily recognize whether or not light is emitted from a corresponding LED device. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, the present invention is directed to providing a selection member coupling apparatus for a clothing handler in which a structure of a transparent window covering light emitting devices is enhanced and to a coupling method thereof, so as to easily recognize whether or not light is emitted from the light emitting devices. 
   To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a selection member coupling apparatus for a clothing handler, the apparatus comprising: a selection member for selecting options for handling clothing, a selection member guiding member for guiding an operation of the selection member by having a front surface to which the selection member is coupled, a plurality of light emitting devices for emitting light according to an option selected by the selection member, and a transparent window coupled to the selection member guiding member with covering the plurality of light emitting devices. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a selection member coupling apparatus for a clothing handler, the apparatus comprising: a selection member movably installed at a body of the clothing handler, a selection member guiding member for guiding motion of the selection member, a light emitting device for emitting light according to an option selected by the selection member, and a transparent window coupled to the selection member guiding member with covering the light emitting device. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a coupling method of a selection member coupling apparatus for a clothing handler, in the selection member coupling apparatus comprising a selection member, a selection member guiding member, a plurality of light emitting devices and a transparent window, the method comprising: coupling the selection member to the selection member guiding member, and coupling the transparent window to the selection member guiding member so as for the transparent window to cover the plurality of light emitting devices. 
   In the selection member coupling apparatus for the clothing handler and the coupling method thereof in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, since the buttons and the transparent window are solidly coupled to the button guiding member and the transparent window covers the plurality of light emitting devices, it is capable of enlarging an area of the transparent window allocated to each light emitting device. Accordingly, the amount of light outwardly transmitted may be increased, thereby being capable of easily recognizing whether or not the light emitting devices emit light from the outside. 
   Further, in the selection member coupling apparatus for the clothing handler and the coupling method thereof in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, since the mis-assembly preventing protrusions and the mis-assembly preventing holes are formed to be coupled to each other, it is capable of preventing mis-assembly of the buttons when the buttons are respectively coupled to the button guiding member. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing time and costs spent on a process for fixing the mis-assembly of the buttons and of preventing mal-operation of the clothing handler resulting from selecting a mis-assembled button. 
   The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a front perspective view showing a control panel of a clothing handler having a selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded rear perspective view showing the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view showing circular buttons applied to the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view showing a transparent window applied to the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a button guiding member applied to the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a front view showing a coupled state of the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 7  is a rear view showing a coupled state of a button coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Hereafter, description will now be given in detail of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
   Here, a selection member coupling apparatus for a clothing handler and a coupling method thereof in accordance with the present invention is disclosed to be applied to a control panel of a clothing handler, however, it may be applied to other components of the clothing handler. 
     FIG. 1  is a front perspective view showing a control panel of a clothing handler having a selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is an exploded rear perspective view showing the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a selection member coupling apparatus of this embodiment may be installed on a control panel  100  of the clothing handler. A substrate unit  260  on which various circuits are formed is disposed at a rear side of the control panel  100 . Reference numerals  140  and  150  indicate a display window and rectangular buttons disposed at an upper side of the selection member coupling apparatus on the control panel  100 . 
   The selection member coupling apparatus includes circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 , a transparent window  200 , a button guiding member  300 , and a plurality of light emitting devices  250 . 
   Particularly, the circular buttons consist of a first circular button  110 , a second circular button  120  and a third circular button  130 . Options for handling clothing may be inputted by each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  and each corresponding portion of the substrate unit  260 , respectively. And, the number of times each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  is pressed may determine options to be inputted for handling clothing. 
   The circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  may be defined as a selection member for selecting various options for handling clothing, for example, applying of power, selecting of a course, etc. in the clothing handler. According to the number of times the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are pressed by a user, a corresponding option is selected. 
   The control panel  100  is provided with insertion holes  101 ,  102 ,  103  into which the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are respectively inserted to be operated. 
   The plurality of light emitting devices  250  can emit light separately or collectively. Each of the plurality of light emitting devices  250  is disposed at each periphery of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  in a group, respectively. 
   The light emitting devices  250  are controlled to emit light according to the number of times the corresponding one of circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  is pressed. The emitting of light may be implemented as a manner that one light emitting device  250  corresponding to the number of times the corresponding one of circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  is pressed emits light and a manner that the light emitting devices  250  emit light accumulatively corresponding to the number of times the corresponding one of circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  is pressed. Here, the manner accumulatively emitting light may include a manner that the light emitting devices  250  consecutively emit light as the number of times the button is pressed is increased. 
   The transparent window  200  consists of a first button window  210 , a second button window  220  and a third button window  230 . The button windows  210 ,  220 ,  230  are connected to each other, thus implement a single transparent window  200 . The transparent window  200  covers the plurality of light emitting devices  250 . Thus, it may facilitate disposing of the light emitting devices  250  and the transparent window  200 , and a coupling structure therebetween may be simple. 
   Each of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  penetrates each of the button windows  210 ,  220 ,  230  of the transparent window  200  to be operated. And, a protruded front portion of each button window  210 ,  220 ,  230  and each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  are respectively inserted into the insertion holes  101 ,  102 ,  103 , thus may be outwardly exposed. 
   The button guiding member  300  guides an operation of each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  so as to facilitate a pressing operation for the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 . The button guiding member  300  consists of a first button guiding unit  310 , a second button guiding unit  320  and a third button guiding unit  330 . The button guiding member  300  can be defined as a selection member guiding member. 
   The circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are coupled to the front surface of the button guiding member  300 . And, the transparent window  200  is coupled to the front surface of the button guiding member  300  with covering the plurality of light emitting devices  250 . 
   In order to facilitate the coupling process, after the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are coupled to the button guiding member  300 , the transparent window  200  may be coupled to the button guiding member  300  with covering the plurality of light emitting devices  250 . 
   The light emitting devices  250  may be installed at a rear side of the button guiding member  300  toward a front side thereof. 
   A spring unit  170 , an elastic member, is mounted between the button guiding member  300  and the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 . After released from pressing for the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 , the spring unit  170  provides an elastic force so that the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  can be moved into its original positions. 
     FIG. 3  is a rear perspective view showing circular buttons applied to the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 3 , the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  of this embodiment are respectively provided with button bodies  111 ,  121 ,  131 , supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132 , first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133 , second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134 , upper coupling hooks  115 ,  125 ,  135 , and lower coupling hooks  116 ,  126 ,  136 . 
   Each button body  111 ,  121 ,  131  has a specific area so as to be pressed by the user. 
   Each supporting shaft  112 ,  122 ,  132  is extended from a rear middle portion of each button body  111 ,  121 ,  131 , thus respectively inserted into specific portions of the button guiding member  300 . The supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132  support the button bodies  111 ,  121 ,  131 , and guide motion of the button bodies  111 ,  121 ,  131  when the button bodies  111 ,  121 ,  131  are pressed. 
   The first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  are provided at the supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132  with different positions and shapes from each other. The first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  may be provided at the supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132  with the same position and shape to each other in a length direction thereof so as to be inserted into specific portions of the button guiding member  300  to be slidable. 
   As exemplarily shown in  FIG. 3 , the first mis-assembly preventing protrusion  113  may be protruded from the supporting shaft  112  of the first circular button  110  in a vertical direction. The first mis-assembly preventing protrusion  123  may be protruded from the supporting shaft  122  of the second circular button  120  in three directions at an interval of approximately 120° therebetween. And, the first mis-assembly preventing protrusion  133  may be protruded from the supporting shaft  132  of the third circular button  130  in four directions at an interval of approximately 90° therebetween. 
   The button guiding member  300  may be provided with protrusion penetrating holes having shapes corresponding to the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133 , respectively. Thus, when coupling the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  to the button guiding member  300 , each of the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  is coupled to the corresponding protrusion penetrating hole, thereby being capable of preventing the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  from being mis-assembled. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing time and costs spent on a process for fixing mis-assembly of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 , thereby being capable of preventing mal-operation of the clothing handler resulting from selecting a mis-assembled button. 
   The second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  are respectively formed at positions spaced from the supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132  by a specific distance, for example, edge portions of each button body  111 ,  121 ,  131 . The second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  are formed at different positions with different shapes so as to prevent the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  from being mis-assembled. 
   As exemplarily shown in  FIG. 3 , each second mis-assembly preventing protrusion  114 ,  124 ,  134  may be formed on different hemispheres of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  when each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  is vertically partitioned based on a center thereof. The second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  may be formed at different positions on the same hemisphere. 
   The upper coupling hooks  115 ,  125 ,  135  and the lower coupling hooks  116 ,  126 ,  136  are coupled to upper hook coupling holes  315 ,  325 ,  335  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) and lower hook coupling holes  317 ,  327 ,  337  (refer to  FIG. 5 ), respectively, so as to prevent each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  from being separated from the button guiding member  300 . 
   The upper coupling hooks  115 ,  125 ,  135  and the lower coupling hooks  116 ,  126 ,  136  are extended in the same shape and have extended ends formed in a hook shape, thereby facilitating sliding of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  and preventing the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  from being arbitrarily separated. 
   And, the upper coupling hooks  115 ,  125 ,  135  and the lower coupling hooks  116 ,  126 ,  136  are respectively protruded from each edge portion of the button bodies  111 ,  121 ,  131  at an interval of approximately 120° therebetween, thereby being capable of guiding an operation of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  as well as of preventing the separation. 
     FIG. 4  is a front perspective view showing the transparent window applied to the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the transparent window  200  of this embodiment includes a first button window  210 , a second button window  220  and a third button window  230  connected to each other by a first connecting portion  201  and a second connecting portion  202 . 
   Particularly, the first button window  210 , the second button window  220  and the third button window  230  are respectively provided with button window bodies  211 ,  221 ,  231 , integrated device covers  212 ,  222 ,  232 , button penetrating holes  213 ,  223 ,  233 , first locking protrusions  214 ,  224 ,  234 , and second locking protrusions  215 ,  235 . 
   The integrated device covers  212 ,  222 ,  232  are forwardly protruded from the button window bodies  211 ,  221 ,  231  and have rear sides provided with a plurality of light emitting devices  250  formed in a group, respectively. With such configuration, the integrated device covers  212 ,  222 ,  232  can cover the plurality of light emitting devices  250 . Accordingly, an area of the transparent window  200  allocated to each light emitting device  250  may be enlarged, thereby being capable of increasing the amount of light outwardly transmitted and of implementing an excellent appearance. And, it is capable of facilitating handling for the transparent window  200  and of reducing time and costs spent on the coupling process. 
   The button penetrating holes  213 ,  223 ,  233  are portions through which each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  passes. 
   The first locking protrusions  214 ,  224 ,  234  and the second locking protrusions  215 ,  235  are locked to specific portions of the button guiding member  300  so as for the transparent window  200  to be mounted at the button guiding member  300 . By the first locking protrusions  214 ,  224 ,  234  and the second locking protrusions  215 ,  225 ,  235 , the transparent window  200  may be stable on the button guiding member  300 . 
   Meanwhile, the first connecting portion  201  and the second connecting portion  202  are provided with a first window coupling protrusion  203  and a second window coupling protrusion  204 . The first window coupling protrusion  203  and the second window coupling protrusion  204  are protruded in a direction different from an extended direction of the first connecting portion  201  and the second connecting portion  202 , thus locked to specific portions of the button guiding member  300  so as to stably couple the transparent window  200 . 
   And, the transparent window  200  may be formed to be semitransparent. Accordingly, light generated from the light emitting devices  250  is transmitted to an outside through the transparent window  200 , thus the light emitting devices  250  cannot be shown at the outside, thereby being capable of implementing the excellent appearance. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the button guiding member applied to the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , the button guiding member  300  consists of a first guiding unit  310 , a second guiding unit  320  and a third guiding unit  330 . 
   Each guiding unit  310 ,  320 ,  330  respectively consists of guiding unit bodies  311 ,  321 ,  331 , light emitting hole protrusion portions  312 ,  322 ,  332 , light emitting holes  313 ,  323 ,  333 , supporting shaft penetrating holes  314 ,  324 ,  334 , the upper hook coupling holes  315 ,  325 ,  335 , second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336 , the lower hook coupling holes  317 ,  327 ,  337 , mounting hole forming protrusions  318 ,  328 ,  338  and first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339 . 
   The light emitting hole protrusion portions  312 ,  322 ,  332  are respectively protruded from the guiding unit bodies  311 ,  321 ,  331  by specific heights and provided with a plurality of light emitting holes  313 ,  323 ,  333 . 
   The light emitting devices  250  are disposed at each rear side of the light emitting holes  313 ,  323 ,  333 , thus light generated from the light emitting devices  250  is outwardly transmitted through the light emitting holes  313 ,  323 ,  333 . 
   The light emitting holes  313 ,  323 ,  333  are formed at the light emitting hole protrusion portions  312 ,  322 ,  332  to be spaced from each other by a specific distance with having partition walls therebetween so as to prevent interference between the lights. 
   In this embodiment, end portions protruded from the light emitting hole protrusion portions  312 ,  322 ,  332  are adjacent to the transparent window  200 . Thus, light passing through the light emitting holes  313 ,  323 ,  333  of each light emitting hole protrusion portion  312 ,  322 ,  332  may not be interfered with each other. Accordingly, by integrally forming the transparent window  200 , the area of the transparent window  200  allocated to each light emitting device  250  may be enlarged, thus it is capable of increasing the amount of light outwardly transmitted and of implementing the excellent appearance, and at the same time, interference between the light generated from each light emitting device  250  is prevented, thereby being capable of enhancing light emitting efficiency. 
   The supporting shaft penetrating holes  314 ,  324 ,  334  are portions through which the supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132  of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  pass, respectively. 
   The first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339  are formed at each periphery of the supporting shaft penetrating holes  314 ,  324 ,  334 . The first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339  are formed at positions corresponding to the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  with shapes corresponding thereto. 
   And, the second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336  are formed at positions spaced from the supporting shaft penetrating holes  314 ,  324 ,  334  by specific distances. The second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336  are formed at positions corresponding to the second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  with shapes corresponding thereto. 
   With such configuration, the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  and the second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  may pass through the first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339  and the second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336 , respectively. Thus, each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  can be coupled to each guiding unit  310 ,  320 ,  330  of the button guiding member  300  without mis-assembly. 
   Here, the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133 , the second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134 , the first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339 , and the second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336  may be defined as a mis-assembly preventing unit. 
   The upper coupling hooks  115 ,  125 ,  135  and the lower coupling hooks  116 ,  126 ,  136  of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are respectively coupled to the upper hook coupling holes  315 ,  325 ,  335  and the lower hook coupling holes  317 ,  327 ,  337 . Accordingly, each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  can remain stably coupled to each guiding unit  310 ,  320 ,  330  of the button guiding member  300  without arbitrary separation. 
   The mounting hole forming protrusions  318 ,  328 ,  338  are protruded from each edge portion of the guiding units  310 ,  320 ,  330  by specific heights so as to form mounting holes. In the mounting holes, each button window body  211 ,  221 ,  231 , each mounting portion of the transparent window  200 , is mounted and locked. 
   Here, the first locking protrusions  214 ,  224 ,  234  and the second locking protrusions  215 ,  235  protruded from each button window body  211 ,  221 ,  231  are locked to the mounting hole forming protrusions  318 ,  328 ,  338 . 
   With such configuration, it is capable of stably coupling the transparent window  200  to each guiding unit  310 ,  320 ,  330  of the button guiding member  300 . 
   Here, the mounting hole forming protrusions  318 ,  328 ,  338 , the button window bodies  211 ,  221 ,  231 , the first window coupling protrusion  203  and the second window coupling protrusion  204  may be defined as a transparent window coupling unit. 
     FIG. 6  is a front view showing a coupled state of the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , in this embodiment, the third button window  230  of the transparent window  200  is coupled to the third guiding unit  330  of the button guiding member  300 . This is merely exemplary and can be applied to other portions of the transparent window  200  and the button guiding member  300 . 
   As shown, in accordance with this embodiment, the area of the transparent window  200  allocated to each light emitting device  250  may be enlarged and the transparent window  200  may be easily and solidly coupled to the button guiding member  300 . 
     FIG. 7  is a rear view showing a coupled state of a button coupling apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. 
   Referring to  FIG. 7 , in the button coupling apparatus of this embodiment, the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  and the transparent window  200  are coupled to the button guiding member  300 . 
   The supporting shafts  112 ,  122 ,  132  of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  pass through the supporting shaft penetrating holes  314 ,  324 ,  334  of the button guiding member  300 , respectively. And, the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  pass through the first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339  communicated with the supporting shaft penetrating holes  314 ,  324 ,  334 , respectively. And, the second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  pass through the second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336 , respectively. 
   As exemplarily shown in  FIG. 7 , each pair of the first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339  and the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  is disposed at different positions with different shapes. And, each pair of the second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336  and the second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  is disposed at different positions. Accordingly, it is capable of precisely coupling the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  to the button guiding member  300  without mis-assembly. 
   Hereafter, a coupling method of the selection member coupling apparatus in accordance with the one embodiment of the present invention. 
   First, the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are coupled to the first to third guiding units  310 ,  320 ,  330  of the button guiding member  300 . This coupling process can be implemented by coupling the upper coupling hooks  115 ,  125 ,  135  and the lower coupling hooks  116 ,  126 ,  136  formed at the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  to the upper hook coupling holes  315 ,  325 ,  335  and the lower hook coupling holes  317 ,  327 ,  337  formed at the first to third guiding units  310 ,  320 ,  330 , respectively. 
   In the coupling process for the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 , the first mis-assembly preventing protrusions  113 ,  123 ,  133  and the second mis-assembly preventing protrusions  114 ,  124 ,  134  formed at the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are respectively coupled to the first mis-assembly preventing holes  319 ,  329 ,  339  and the second mis-assembly preventing holes  316 ,  326 ,  336  formed at the button guiding member  300 , accordingly it is capable of coupling each circular button  110 ,  120 ,  130  to each guiding unit  310 ,  320 ,  330  of the button guiding member  300  without mis-assembly. 
   Additionally, in the coupling process for the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130 , springs  171 ,  172 ,  173  are disposed between the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  and the button guiding member  300 , and then each supporting shaft  112 ,  122 ,  132  of the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  passes through each spring  171 ,  172 ,  173 . Accordingly, by the springs  171 ,  172 ,  173  between the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  and the button guiding member  300 , it is capable of providing an elastic force when the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  are operated. 
   Meanwhile, after coupling the circular buttons  110 ,  120 ,  130  to the button guiding member  300 , the transparent window  200  is coupled to the button guiding member  300  so as to cover the plurality of light emitting devices  250 . To this end, each button window body  211 ,  221 ,  231  of the transparent window  200  is mounted in the mounting holes formed by the mounting hole forming protrusions  318 ,  328 ,  338  of the button guiding member  300 , and the first locking protrusions  214 ,  224 ,  234  and the second locking protrusions  215 ,  235  formed at the transparent window  200  are locked to the mounting hole forming protrusions  318 ,  328 ,  338 . 
   In the selection member coupling apparatus for the clothing handler and the coupling method thereof in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, since the buttons and the transparent window are solidly coupled to the button guiding member and the transparent window covers the plurality of light emitting devices, it is capable of enlarging the area of the transparent window allocated to each light emitting device. Accordingly, the amount of light outwardly transmitted may be increased, thereby being capable of easily recognizing whether or not the light emitting devices emit light from the outside. 
   Further, in the selection member coupling apparatus for the clothing handler and the coupling method thereof in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, since the mis-assembly preventing protrusions and the mis-assembly preventing holes are formed to be coupled to each other, it is capable of preventing mis-assembly of the buttons when the buttons are respectively coupled to the button guiding member. Accordingly, it is capable of reducing time and costs spent on a process for fixing the mis-assembly of the buttons and of preventing mal-operation of the clothing handler resulting from selecting a mis-assembled button. 
   The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. 
   As the present inventive features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.