Patent Publication Number: US-4368229-A

Title: Indicator panel fixing arrangement

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to an indicator panel fixing arrangement suitable for fixing a flat indicator panel such as a power indicator for an acoustic apparatus, etc. 
     To mount an indicator panel having a flat surface, such as a power indicator of an acoustic apparatus, e.g., a radio, a stereo, a radio-cassette player, etc., onto a required position, the indicator panel is fixed by hot welding or high-frequency welding because such an indicator panel is generally made of plastic. It is common to use a jig in the welding operation for fixing the indicator panel. However, if the place to which the indicator panel is fixed is very narrow, it is difficult or impossible to use the jig, so that the welding operation becomes difficult, possibly causing defective welding and spoiling the appearance of the product due to poor finish. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an indicator panel fixing arrangement which is capable of facilitating an operation of fixing the indicator panel to the related apparatus. 
     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an indicator panel fixing arrangement comprising; 
     a flat indicator panel; 
     a bottom portion having a window corresponding to said indicator panel; 
     at least two sidewall portions provided at opposite ends of said bottom portion; 
     a guide member provided on the inside of one of the sidewall portions, at a position near said bottom portion, for guiding said indicator panel into a position on said bottom portion where said indicator panel is to be fixed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     FIG. 1 is a sectional view of one embodiment of an indicator panel fixing device according to the present invention; and 
     FIG. 2 is a similar sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the operation of fixing an indicator panel into position. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawing, there is illustrated one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 illustrates an indicator panel fixing arrangement. A body 1 on which an indicator panel 7 is to be mounted is generally formed in a channel-shape. The body 1 is comprised of a bottom portion 2 and at least two sidewall portions 3 provided at opposite ends of the bottom portion 2. Although the body 1 is so disposed, in the drawing, that the bottom portion 2 is located downwardly for the convenience of the operation for fixing the indicator panel 7, the body 1 is mounted, for example, on an acoustic apparatus with the portion 2 facing, for example, forwardly. One of the sidewall portions 3 has, on the inside thereof, at a position near the bottom portion 2, a first, inwardly projecting guide member 4. The bottom portion 2 has a second vertically upwardly projecting guide member 5 on the inside thereof, at a position remote from the first guide member 4. The body 1 further has a window 6 in the bottom portion 2 for showing the indicator panel 7 therethrough when the panel is fixed in position. 
     FIG. 2 illustrates a method for fixing the indicator panel 7 to the body 1. The indicator panel 7 is put below the guide member 4 and placed onto the bottom portion 2 of the body 1 while being guided by the guide member 4 as indicated by the arrow so that the indicator panel 7 may be positioned against the corner 8. The indicator panel 7 has an aperture 9 corresponding to the second guide member 5. The indicator panel 7 can be positioned accurately and positively in a required position by fitting the guide member 5 into the aperture 9. A welding operation is carried out after the indicator panel 7 has been positioned as described above, to properly fix the indicator panel 7 to the body 1. 
     When it is difficult to provide the guide member 5, the guide member 5 may be omitted. In this case, the indicator panel can be guided into the desired position by the guide member 4. Even when the sidewall portions 3 are high, the positioning of the indicator panel 7 can be effected smoothly by guiding the indicator panel 7 into position at an angle as shown in FIG. 2. 
     As described above, in accordance with the present invention, positioning of the indicator panel can be effected easily and accurately by using the guide member 4 alone or in combination with the guide member 5. Thus, the fixing operation can be facilitated very much, assuring good finish on the products.