Importance

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Abstract

A multi-piece knob having a cylindrical tubular plastic body with a central hub and a peripheral wall. An annular end wall extends from the peripheral wall and terminates radially short of the central hub to define a passage into the tubular body and around the hub. An undersurface is formed on the annular end wall at the annular passage. An annular ring is seated on the annular end wall of the cylindrical tubular body between the passage and the peripheral wall. A locking top cap is formed having a head with an underside. A number of discrete elongated fingers are formed integrally with the underside of the head of the locking top cap with the elongated fingers spaced from each other and arranged generally in a circle. The elongated fingers extend from the underside of the top cap with each of the fingers terminating in a tip. The locking top cap is positioned on the annular ring with its elongated fingers extending through the annular ring and through the passage in the annular end wall of the tubular body to engage and surround the hub of the cylindrical tubular body. Each of the elongated fingers has a locking lug located between its tip and the underside of the top cap head to engage the underside of the annular end wall of the cylindrical tubular body to connect the cylindrical tubular body, the annular ring and the locking top cap to one another. The locking lug has an inclined locking ledge which engages the undersurface of the annular end wall to provide a connection which automatically adjusts to compensate for temperature changes. The annular ring may be formed of either metal or plastic.

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First Claim