A remote control device for controlling lighting devices may be configured to detect an excessive user interaction (e.g., a continued user interaction) and reduce a number of command messages that are being transmitted to prevent the lighting devices from producing undesirable visual effects. The remote control device may comprise a user interface (e.g., that may include a rotation portion, such as a rotary knob) and a processor configured to receive an indication of a user interaction via the user interface. The processor may periodically transmit command messages at a transmission frequency in response to a continued user interaction, where each of the command messages comprise a respective command for adjusting to a respective lighting level. The processor may also start a usage timer in response to receiving the indication of the user interaction, and decrease the transmission frequency in response to the usage timer exceeding a usage threshold.

A rotary knob that rotates in a pushed state includes an extending portion extending in a rotation direction of the rotary knob, and the extending portion includes a cutout portion cut out so as to prevent a first switch that detects that the rotary knob is pushed in from being pressed in a case where the rotary knob is in an intermediate range in which the rotary knob is in a pushed state.

A cooking appliance or knob assembly may include a surface panel, a knob switch, a support plate, a control body, a central projection, and a spacing stake. The knob switch may be disposed behind the surface panel. The knob switch may include an internal spring and a slidable stem extending through a central axis. The slidable stem may be in forward-biased mechanical communication with the internal spring. The support plate may be rotabably mounted about the slidable stem. The control body may be mounted to the slidable stem. The control body may be rotationally fixed to the support plate and slidable relative thereto. The control body may include a primary grip extending about at least a portion of the slidable stem. The central projection may be disposed radially inward from the primary grip and define an axially fixed stop surface disposed forward from the control body.

A rotary knob that rotates in a pushed state includes an extending portion extending in a rotation direction of the rotary knob, and the extending portion includes a cutout portion cut out so as to prevent a first switch that detects that the rotary knob is pushed in from being pressed in a case where the rotary knob is in an intermediate range in which the rotary knob is in a pushed state.

A remote control device for controlling lighting devices may be configured to detect an excessive user interaction (e.g., a continued user interaction) and reduce a number of command messages that are being transmitted to prevent the lighting devices from producing undesirable visual effects. The remote control device may comprise a user interface (e.g., that may include a rotation portion, such as a rotary knob) and a processor configured to receive an indication of a user interaction via the user interface. The processor may periodically transmit command messages at a transmission frequency in response to a continued user interaction, where each of the command messages comprise a respective command for adjusting to a respective lighting level. The processor may also start a usage timer in response to receiving the indication of the user interaction, and decrease the transmission frequency in response to the usage timer exceeding a usage threshold.

A system for inhibiting and providing access to appliance control knobs includes a support structure for mounting individual control knobs or groups thereof, and an actuator assembly for extending and retracting control knobs either individually or collectively.

A remote control device for controlling lighting devices may be configured to detect an excessive user interaction (e.g., a continued user interaction) and reduce a number of command messages that are being transmitted to prevent the lighting devices from producing undesirable visual effects. The remote control device may comprise a user interface (e.g., that may include a rotation portion, such as a rotary knob) and a processor configured to receive an indication of a user interaction via the user interface. The processor may periodically transmit command messages at a transmission frequency in response to a continued user interaction, where each of the command messages comprise a respective command for adjusting to a respective lighting level. The processor may also start a usage timer in response to receiving the indication of the user interaction, and decrease the transmission frequency in response to the usage timer exceeding a usage threshold.

A cooking appliance capable of preventing a user's unintended rotation of a knob assembly includes: a main body including a control panel; a valve positioned inside the main body, and including a valve shaft being pushable and rotatable; and a knob assembly including an inner knob coupled with the valve shaft, and an outer knob being movable with respect to the inner knob in a first direction in which the outer knob approaches the inner knob, wherein, when the outer knob moves by a first push distance in the first direction, the valve shaft and the inner knob are prevented from rotating.

An apparatus and method for restricting the rotation of a dial control knob on the high setting of an electric cooking range using one of three methods. The first method adds a detent stop internally to the switch. The second method adds a detent stop externally attaching to the control panel behind the top burner knob. Both of the aforementioned methods are designed to prevent rotation of the control knob to a maximum of 227° rotation. A third limits the on/off cycling of the top element switch while in operation to reduce the overall output of the switch.

A cooking apparatus including a heating device, a regulating device including a regulating shaft and configured to control the heating device according to an operation of the regulating shaft, and a knob assembly provided to operate the regulating device. Where the knob assembly includes a knob body, a knob shaft coupled to the regulating shaft and a shaft holder provided to move together with the knob body. The shaft holder including a first shaft guide configured to guide the knob shaft to operate the regulating device and a second shaft guide configured to guide the knob shaft to prevent operation of the regulating device.