SEGMENT TYPE, ELECTRIC LIGHT FIGURE INDICATOR

• US 3,858,341 A
• Filed: 12/07/1972
• Issued: 01/07/1975
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/1971
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yasuo Wakabayashi
• Original Assignee: Yasuo Wakabayashi
• Inventors: Wakabayashi, Yasuo
• Primary Examiner(s): Michell, Robert W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pitrelli, John F.
• Application Number:
  US05/312,983
• Time in Patent Office: 761 Days
• Field of Search: 40/13E,13K,28C,132D,28R 340/336,378
• US Class Current: 40/451
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A compact device for displaying an illuminated numerical digit or other figure having a plurality of light sources, each light source housed in a separate compartment of the device and adapted to illuminate one elongated section of the figure with uniform brightness. Each compartment has a triangular cross-section in a plane parallel to the length of the device with the light source mounted near the apex of the triangle and the elongated figure section located near the base of the triangle. All surfaces within each compartment are mirror-like, coated with a substance which forms a light-reflecting surface. An inclined lightreflecting surface is provided in each compartment adjacent to the figure section and triangle base.

Claims

1. A segment type, electric light alpha-numeric figure indicator, comprising:

a casing having seven flat compartments, each of said compartments having a cross-section in a lateral plane in the shape of a triangle, said triangle having an apex angle and a base side opposite said angle;

electric bulbs each housed in each of said compartments and located therein close to and in the apex angle of said triangle, the height or width of said electric bulb being slightly smaller than the depth of said casing;

a cover plate covering the top opening of said casing and having elongated, confined mosaic openings therein, which permit light emanating from the electric bulbs to shine therethrough, each opening located parallel to and in front of the base side of said triangle and arranged so as to collectively form an alphanumeric figure;

said compartments each having a reflecting wall inclined to said cover plate at an angle of about 30* to 60*, said inclined walls being located immediately behind said elongated, confined mosaic openings;

all interior surfaces of said compartments having reflecting mirror surfaces;

And light diffusing means covering said mosaic openings.

2. A segment type, electric light figure indicator as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a printed circuit base board forming the base of said casing and lead wires on said bulbs soldered to said printed circuit board.

3. A segment type, electric light figure indicator as set forth in claim 2, further comprising a connecting terminal for said indicator in the form of an extension of said printed wiring base board.

4. The indicator of claim 1 wherein said light-diffusing means is frosted glass.

5. The indicator of claim 1 wherein each compartment is defined by a plurality of reflecting mirror surfaced walls comprising said cover plate, said inclined wall, two walls forming said apex angle and perpendicular to said cover plate and one wall parallel to said cover plate.