Indicator gauge with illuminated pointer

• US 4,215,647 A
• Filed: 05/26/1978
• Issued: 08/05/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Fukasawa, Noburu
• Primary Examiner(s): Yasich, Daniel M.
• Application Number:
  US05/909,946
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 116/129 P, 116/129 L, 116/DIG. 5, 116/DIG. 36, 116/286, 116/288, 116/263, 116/310, 362/23, 362/29, 362/30, 362/293
• US Class Current: 116/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/22 Pointers, e.g. settable pointer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/36 Illuminated dial and pointer

Abstract

Light rays for illuminating the indicating portion of the indicator pointer come from the hub portion of the same where the rotational axis of the pointer lies, so that constant illumination on the indicating portion is achieved irrespective of the angular position change of the indicating portion relative to the dial board.

Claims

1. An indicator gauge comprising:

(a) a spindle mounted for rotation about its longitudinal axis;

(b) a dial board mounted perpendicular to said spindle and having a face side and a through hole;

(c) a viewing window mounted in front of said dial board;

(d) an indicator pointer including;

(i) a hub portion spacedly received in said hole of said dial board to be coaxially connected at one end thereof to said spindle,

(ii) an elongated indicating portion integrally connected with said hub portion and extending radially outwardly from the outer end of said hub portion, said indicating portion mounted for movement between said face side of said dial board and said viewing window in response to rotation of said spindle about its axis, and

(iii) said hub portion and indicating portion made of a light transmitting material;

(e) said hub portion having at said other end thereof a blind hole which extends in the same direction as said spindle longitudinal axis;

(f) a cover member supported by said dial board and arranged between said viewing window and said dial board in a manner to conceal said blind hole from a view taken in the direction from said viewing window toward said dial board; and

(g) a light source supported by only said cover member and having a light emitting section from which light rays are emitted, said light emitting section spacedly accommodated within said blind hole and aligned to be coaxial with said spindle.

2. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which the surface by which said blind hole as defined is metal-coated.

3. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which said indicating portion of said pointer has a matted finish at the rear surface thereof facing said dial board.

4. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which said indicating portion of said pointer is provided at the leading end thereof with an inclined section.

5. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which said blind hole is a cylindrical hole which is coaxial with said spindle.

6. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which said blind hole is a rectangular prism hole.

7. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which the bottom of said blind hole is inclined with respect to the axis of said spindle so that the light rays from said light emitting section are reflected on the inclined bottom to be directed toward the radially outwardly extending end of said indicating portion to illuminate the same.

8. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 7, in which the inclined bottom is covered by a mirror layer.

9. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which the exterior of said hub portion except said blind hole is coated with opaque paint.

10. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which said cover member is connected to said dial board.