Thin panel lit cluster
First Claim
1. A thin panel lit cluster comprising:
- a graphics appliqué
having a first side and a second side;
said graphics appliqué
having at least one opaque section and at least one translucent section;
a light-carrying panel having a first side and a second side and positioned such that said first side is adjacent to said second side of said graphics appliqué
;
at least one opening defined in said light-carrying panel;
at least one light source positioned to align with said opening;
at least one first light-redirecting area positioned nearest said first side of said light-carrying panel opposite said light source; and
at least one second light-redirecting area positioned nearest said second side of said light-carrying panel opposite said translucent section on said graphics appliqué
.
12 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A thin panel lit cluster including a graphics appliquéwith a first and second side and at least one opaque section and one translucent section. A light-carrying panel with a first and second side is positioned such that the first side is adjacent to the second side of the graphics appliqué. The light-carrying panel has at least one opening defined in it and at least one light source is positioned to align with the opening. Opposite the light source, the light-carrying panel has a first light-redirecting area nearest its first side. In another position on the light-carrying panel, there is a second light-redirecting area nearest the second side of the light-carrying panel and opposite a translucent section of the graphics appliqué.
18 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A thin panel lit cluster comprising:
-
a graphics appliqué
having a first side and a second side;
said graphics appliqué
having at least one opaque section and at least one translucent section;
a light-carrying panel having a first side and a second side and positioned such that said first side is adjacent to said second side of said graphics appliqué
;
at least one opening defined in said light-carrying panel;
at least one light source positioned to align with said opening;
at least one first light-redirecting area positioned nearest said first side of said light-carrying panel opposite said light source; and
at least one second light-redirecting area positioned nearest said second side of said light-carrying panel opposite said translucent section on said graphics appliqué
. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A thin panel lit cluster comprising:
-
a graphics appliqué
having a first side and a second side;
said graphics appliqué
having at least one opaque section and at least one translucent section;
a light-carrying panel having a first side and a second side and positioned such that said first side is adjacent to said second side of said graphics appliqué
;
at least one opening defined in said light-carrying panel;
at least one light source positioned to align with said opening; and
at least one light-redirecting area positioned nearest said first side of said light-carrying panel opposite said light source; and
at least one area of light-absorbing material positioned on said light-carrying panel such that light is transmitted through said translucent sections of said graphics appliqué
. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method for providing general illumination to an instrument panel, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a light-carrying panel having a first side and a second side;
positioning a graphics appliqué
on said first side of said light-carrying panel;
providing at least one translucent section in said graphics appliqué
;
providing at least one opening defined in said light-carrying panel;
aligning at least one light source with said opening;
providing at least one first light-redirecting area on said first side of said light-carrying panel;
providing at least one second light-redirecting area on a side of said light-carrying panel; and
transmitting light from said at least one light source via said light-carrying panel to at least one second light-redirecting area and redirecting said light through said at least one translucent section of said graphics appliqué
. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. A method for providing illumination to an instrument panel, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a light-carrying panel with at least one opening defined therein for light to enter, at least one area defined therein for light to exit and at least one light source substantially aligned with said entrance opening;
directing light from said light source into said entrance opening into said light-carrying panel and redirecting light out of said light-carrying panel out of said exit area.
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Specification