Self-locking knob for adjustable control mechanism

摘要

A control mechanism having a dial and cooperating structure for selectively locking the dial in any one of a plurality of angularly related positions. The locking mechanism is configured to provide a force or manipulating characteristic precluding operation thereof by accident or by young children, such as infants, thereby effectively precluding undesired resetting of the associated control mechanism. The locking structure is formed integrally with the respective relatively movable parts of the mechanism, including the structure for providing the biasing of the locking mechanism to the locking disposition. The locking mechanism is resiliently biased and includes a graspable portion which when grasped to effect movement of the control overcomes the resilient biasing. The biasing structure automatically relocks the dial upon release of the graspable portion.