Illumination – Illuminated scale or dial – Edge illuminated modifier or light rod/pipe
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-17
2001-04-03
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Illuminated scale or dial
Edge illuminated modifier or light rod/pipe
C362S029000, C362S030000, C362S229000, C362S276000, C116S286000, C116S288000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210011
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an indicating instrument for various uses and, particularly, a vehicular indicating instrument having a light source such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp driven by high voltage power.
2. Description of the Related Art
JPB2-7-107490 discloses an indicating instrument which has a circular cold cathode fluorescent lamp for illuminating a dial plate and indicators. Because the cold cathode fluorescent lamp is circular, it is necessary to provide various types and sizes of cathode fluorescent lamps for a plurality of types of indicating instruments.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has an object of providing an improved indicating instrument which has a simple structure and can be used for various types of vehicles.
For this object, an indicating instrument for a vehicle has a generally straight lamp extending in the longitudinal direction of the dial plate, a light conducting plate disposed on the back surface of the dial plate, and a reflector for accommodating the light source and reflecting light of the light source to the light conducting plate.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an indicating instrument having a lamp which is easily replaced.
For this object, an indicating instrument has, in addition to the above structure, means detachably fixed to the casing of the indicator instrument to combine the light source and the reflector. Preferably, a circuit board is detachably fixed to the reflector.
In addition to the above feature, an indicating instrument preferably has a detachable connector, which has a terminal plate connecting the light source to a high-voltage source and other terminal plates, and the terminal plate is disposed at a distance large enough to insulate it from other terminals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an indicating instrument wherein the light source can be removed by an action in the longitudinal direction of the casing.
For this object, a fixing member is fixed to the casing for detachably holding the reflector in the longitudinal direction and an opening is formed in the casing so that the reflector and light source can pass through the opening when they are removed from the casing in the longitudinal direction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5420710 (1995-05-01), Nanbu
patent: 5422751 (1995-06-01), Lewis
patent: 5964515 (1999-10-01), Ikeuchi et al.
patent: 2-150515 (1990-12-01), None
patent: 7-16116 (1995-03-01), None
patent: 7-107490 (1995-11-01), None
patent: 8-17224 (1996-01-01), None
patent: 8-189844 (1996-07-01), None
Ikeuchi Hirofumi
Shibata Hirokazu
Yagami Takao
Yoshikawa Tsutomu
Denso Corporation
Husar Stephen
Pillsbury & Winthrop LLP
Ward John Anthony
LandOfFree
Indicating instrument for vehicle does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Indicating instrument for vehicle, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Indicating instrument for vehicle will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2466571