Ultraviolet illumination of indicia, watches and other instruments

• US 20040213088A1
• Filed: 04/28/2004
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Michelle J. Fuwausa
• Original Assignee: Michelle J. Fuwausa
• Inventors: Fuwausa, Michelle J.
• Application Number:
  US10/834,300
• Publication Number:
  US 20040213088A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/228
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/10 Input arrangements, i.e. from user to vehicle, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/12 lighting onto the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/68 using ultraviolet light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/88 Means for plugging to the electrical power supply of the vehicle, e.g. by using cigarette lighter sockets
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0011 the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/30 Illumination of dials or hands dials in general G04B19/06; moving indicating means with numbers or hands, in general G04B19/20; arrangements for indicating different local apparent times by means of a globe illuminated from inside G04B19/22; continuous indication of the time by non-electric light sources G04B25/00, e.g. by electric lamps G04C17/02; illumination by electric lamps which function at fixed times or periodically G04C19/02; illuminated panels G09F13/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 19/32 by luminescent substances disc or drum shaped indicating means with marks or windows G04B19/04; with numbers or number-marks G04B19/20; cases for housing the electrical parts G04G17/00; projection of hands and/or scales on weighing apparatus G01G19/00; on measuring instruments G01D5/262; for advertising G09F19/18
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/042 Fastening of jewels and the like set on or into numbers G04B19/103; jewel bearings G04B31/008; setting of jewels and tools therefor A44C; devices for setting jewel bearings G04D3/04
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 23/16 on clocks, e.g. controlled by the clock mechanism

Abstract

A watch, instrument panel and the like includes a face with a UV-reactive jewel and, optionally, other indicia. A UV-LED is provided in the watch or is directed at the instrument to illuminate the jewel. The jewel then disperses the radiation from the UV-LED toward the other indicia.

Claims

1. A watch comprising:

a face with a plurality of indicia, including a jewel that reacts to UV light;

a light-transmissive cover disposed on over said face; and

a radiation source emitting UV light at said face, including said jewel.

2. The watch of claim 1 wherein said watch includes a case having a side wall and said radiation source is disposed at a corner between said side wall and said cover.

3. The watch of claim 1 wherein said face is angled with respect to said cover.

4. The watch of claim 1 wherein said watch includes a case having a side wall and said radiation source is disposed adjacent to said side wall.

5. A watch comprising:

a face with indicia;

a light transmissive cover disposed over said face;

a jewel affixed at said face;

a radiation source emitting UV light at said jewel to be radiated toward the face.

6. The watch of claim 5 wherein said radiation source is disposed underneath said face.

7. An instrument panel comprising:

a face with a plurality of indicia, including a jewel that reacts to UV light;

a light-transmissive cover disposed on over said face; and

a radiation source emitting UV light at said face, including said jewel.

8. An automotive instrument panel comprising:

a plurality of indicia made of a material that reacts to UV light; and

a flexible UV light radiation source including a first end providing power and a second end with UV-LED arranged to direct light at said indicia.

9. The panel of claim 8 wherein said first end is adapted to be inserted into a cigarette lighter.

10. The panel of claim 8 wherein said flexible UV light radiation source includes several flexible arms, each terminating in a separate UV-LED.

11. A display case comprising:

a housing holding an article and having an opening, said article having an indicia reactive to UV light; and

a frame surrounding said opening and including a UV-LED directed at said article.

12. A sign comprising:

a base with an indicia including one of a graphic and an alphanumeric element, said indicia being reactive to UV light; and

a frame surrounding said opening and including a UV-LED directed at said indicia.