US 12,137,848 B2
Bathing installation user interface panel with large active display area
Graham J. Campbell, Irvine, CA (US); and Steven Kuo, Chino Hills, CA (US)
Assigned to Balboa Water Group, LLC, Costa Mesa, CA (US)
Filed by Balboa Water Group, LLC, Costa Mesa, CA (US)
Filed on Dec. 19, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/084,426.
Application 18/084,426 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/086,372, filed on Oct. 31, 2020, granted, now 11,531,369.
Prior Publication US 2023/0190047 A1, Jun. 22, 2023
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A47K 3/00 (2006.01); G06F 3/041 (2006.01); G06F 3/0488 (2022.01)
CPC A47K 3/001 (2013.01) [G06F 3/0412 (2013.01); G06F 3/0488 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A user interface panel for installation in an opening in a wall of a bathing installation and having features to resist moisture egress, the interface panel comprising:
a housing structure defining a peripheral flange portion having a top flange surface and a bottom flange surface, a peripheral wall extending downwardly from the bottom flange surface, the peripheral wall and the peripheral flange portion circumscribing an open region in the housing structure extending from the top flange surface through the peripheral wall;
a touch-sensitive display assembly comprising a cover glass layer configured to cover an entire front-facing area of the interface panel and the housing structure, said entire front-facing area including the peripheral flange portion such that the cover glass layer covers the peripheral flange portion, wherein the interface panel has an outer perimeter defined by the cover glass layer, and a touch-sensitive display system having a display surface attached to a lower surface of the cover glass layer, the display system sized to fit into the open region and having an active display area;
a circuit board assembly carrying circuit components configured to drive the display system and to receive signals from the display signals, the circuit board mounted in the lower receptacle and connected to the display system by an electrical cable;
a first adhesive gasket configured to adhere the periphery of the cover glass area to a top surface of the peripheral flange portion;
sealant material disposed into the open region to fill internal space under the touch-sensitive display assembly, encapsulating bottom facing surfaces of the touch-sensitive display assembly and encapsulating the circuit board; and
wherein the user interface panel is configured to support the display system above the surface of the wall of the bathing installation.