Illumination – Illuminated scale or dial
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-28
2001-11-06
Lee, Y Quach (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Illuminated scale or dial
C362S026000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312136
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus for illuminating instrument pointers. More particularly, light is conducted through the pointers without creating a disturbing halo image on the instrument face.
2. Disclosure Information
It is known to provide for illuminated pointers for instruments, as shown in
FIG. 1
, in which pointers are illuminated by reflectively transmitting light into the pointer. In such instruments, a portion of the light emitted to illuminate the pointer is “lost” through reflections
10
which leak onto an instrument face
12
, creating the appearance of a glowing halo on the instrument face. The halo reduces the clarity and readability of any markings on the instrument.
It would be desirable to have an illuminated pointer for instruments capable of significantly reducing or eliminating this halo.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An instrument having an illuminated pointer has been discovered that substantially reduces or eliminates any observable halo. The present invention includes a light conductive member having a first shaft aperture and an instrument face disposed on a front surface of the light conductive member and having a second shaft aperture therein. A pointer shaft extends through the first and second shaft apertures beyond the front surface of the light conductive member and includes an instrument pointer disposed on the pointer shaft. A light blocking hub cap is mounted on the hub portion of the instrument pointer and includes a center portion and a cylindrical wall portion extending from the center portion of the hub cap toward the instrument face where it terminates at a first end below the instrument pointer. A light blocking baffle ring disposed on and extending away from the instrument face toward the instrument pointer and terminating at a second end at a point closer to the instrument pointer than the first end of the cylindrical wall portion.
An advantage of the present invention to substantially reduce or eliminate the halo created on an instrument face as an undesired byproduct of illuminating an instrument pointer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2831453 (1958-04-01), Hardesty
patent: 2916011 (1959-12-01), Molis
patent: 4300470 (1981-11-01), Furukawa
patent: 4860170 (1989-08-01), Sakakibara et al.
patent: 33-43-861-A1 (1985-06-01), None
patent: 40-61-86063-A (1994-07-01), None
Patent Abstracts of Japan—Publication No. 11211513; Publication Date: Aug. 6, 1999; Appl. Date: Jan. 30, 1998; Appl. No. 10019250; Applicant: Nippon Seiki KK; Inventor: Takahata Yoshihiro; Title: Illuminating Device of Pointer.
Patent Abstracts of Japan—Publication No. 11248493 Publication Date: Sep. 17, 1999; Appl. Date: Feb. 27, 1998; Appl. No. 10046455; Applicant: Nippon Seiki KK; Inventor: Kariya Shunsuke; Title: Instrument Illuminator.
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Lee Y Quach
Visteon Global Technologies Inc.
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