Visual indicator

• US 4,799,383 A
• Filed: 03/31/1987
• Issued: 01/24/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LTJ Enterprises Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LTJ Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Lenard W., Johnson, Thomas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US07/033,064
• Time in Patent Office: 665 Days
• Field of Search: 73/290 R, 73/296, 73/323, 116/109, 116/227, 116/DIG. 7, 116/270
• US Class Current: 73/290.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/161 for discrete levels G01F23/162 - G01F23/165 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/162 by a liquid column
• CPC Class Codes: G01F 23/164 using a diaphragm, bellow as transmitting element

Abstract

A gauge or indicator (20) for providing a positive on/off visual indication comprises a lens (22) and a transition mount (24) with a resilient diaphragm (32) secured therebetween to define a sealed chamber therein. The chamber is filled with an opaque liquid (34) and a contrasting plug (36) which is secured to the diaphragm (32) and movable therewith responsive to an actuator stem (38) between an "off" position obscured by the liquid and an "on" position wherein the plug is visible behind the lens (22) upon displacement of the liquid.

Claims

1. A visual indicator, comprising:

a transition mount;

an arcuate lens secured to one end of said transition mount, said lens having outside and inside surfaces;

a resilient, normally flat diaphragm secured between said lens and said transition mount to define a sealed chamber therein;

a filler plug disposed within said chamber and secured to said diaphram, said plug being movable with said diaphragm toward and away from said lens and being normally supported by said diaphragm in a position away from said lens;

said plug having an arcuate front side facing the opposite complementary inside surface of said lens, and a flat back side normally engaging said flat diaphragm over substantially the entire area of said diaphragm;

a substantially opaque liquid disposed within the chamber between said lens and said plug in order to normally block visibility of said plug; and

an actuator stem secured at one end to said diaphragm and plug and extending through a bore in said transition mount for actuating said plug toward said lens in order to displace said liquid and thereby visually expose the plug.

2. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said lens is substantially transparent, and wherein said filler plug and liquid are of contrasting colors.

3. The indicator of claim 1, and wherein said lens, transition mount and filler plug are formed from plastic.

4. The indicator according to claim 3, wherein said actuator stem is formed from plastic.

5. The indicator of claim 1, further including:

a pressure plate secured to the other end of said actuator stem.

6. The indicator of claim 1, further including:

a plate secured to the other end of said mount, the other end of said actuator stem extending through a central opening in said plate; and

a resilient cover secured to said plate over the other end of said actuator stem.

7. A visual indicator, comprising:

means including an arcuate lens and a resilient, normally flat diaphragm defining a sealed chamber;

said lens having inside and outside surfaces;

a filler plug disposed within said chamber and secured to said diaphragm, said plug being movable with said diaphragm toward and away from said lens and being normally supported by said diaphragm in a position away from said lens;

said plug having an arcuate front side facing the opposite complementary inside surface of said lens, and a flat back side normally engaging said flat diaphragm over substantially the entire area of said diaphragm;

a substantially opaque liquid disposed within the chamber between said lens and said plug in order to normally block visibility of said plug;

an actuator stem secured at one end to said diaphragm; and

means for actuating the other end of said stem to urge said plug toward said lens in order to displace said liquid and therby visually expose the plug.

8. The indicator of claim 7, wherein said lens is substantially transparent.

9. The indicator of claim 7, and wherein said lens and filler plug are formed from plastic.

10. The indicator according to claim 9, wherein said actuator stem is formed from plastic.

11. The indicator according to claim 10, wherein said filler plug and liquid are of contrasting color.

12. The indicator of claim 7, further including:

a pressure plate secured to the other end of said actuator stem.

13. The indicator of claim 7, wherein said diaphragm is secured between said lens and one end of a transition mount which includes a vent passage therein opposite the sealed chamber.

14. The indicator according to claim 13, further including:

a plate secured to the other end of said mount, the other end of said actuator stem extending through a central opening in said plate; and

a resilient cover secured to said plate over the other end of said actuator stem.

15. A visual indicator, comprising:

means including an arcuate lens and a resilient diaphragm defining a sealed chamber;

said lens having inside and outside surfaces;

an actuator stem secured to said diaphragm and extending therethrough;

a filler plug disposed within said chamber;

a snap-connection interconnecting one end of said actuator stem and the inside surface of said filler plug, said plug being movable with the diaphragm and said actuator stem toward and away from said lens and being normally supported in a position away from said lens;

said filler plug having an arcuate front side facing the opposite complementary inside surface of said lens;

a substantially opaque liquid disposed within the chamber between said lens and said filler plug in order to normally block visibility of said plug; and

means for actuating the other end of said stem to urge said plug toward said lens in order to displace said liquid and thereby visually expose the plug.

16. The indicator of claim 15, further including:

a pressure plate secured to the other end of said actuator stem.

17. The indicator of claim 15, wherein said diaphragm is secured between said lens and one end of a transition mount which includes vent passage therein opposite the sealed chamber.

18. The indicator according to claim 17, further including:

a plate secured to the other end of said mount, the other end of said actuator stem extending through a central opening in said plate; and

a resilient cover secured to said plate over the other end of said actuator stem.