Visual indicator

• US 4,829,820 A
• Filed: 10/15/1987
• Issued: 05/16/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: LTJ Enterprises Incorporated
• Original Assignee: LTJ Enterprises Incorporated
• Inventors: Johnson, Thomas C., Johnson, Lenard W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Will, Thomas B.
• Application Number:
  US07/108,791
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 73/290 R, 73/296, 73/323, 116/109, 116/227, 116/DIG. 7, 116/270, 116/276
• 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. Additional embodiments (50, and 70) are also disclosed.

Claims

1. A visual indicator, comprising:

a transition mount having opposite ends;

a conical lens secured to the one end of said transition mount, said lens having inside and outside surfaces;

a resilient diaphragm secured between said lens and said transition mount to define a sealed chamber with said lens;

a filler plug disposed within the sealed chamber, said plug being movable toward and away from said lens;

said plug having a conical front side facing the opposite complementary inside surface of said lens, and a back side;

means for normally biasing said plug away from said lens;

means defining at least one passage for fluid communication across said plug;

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

actuator means including a stem operatively associated with said diaphragm and extending out the other end of transition mount for actuating said plug toward said lens in order to displace said liquid and thereby visually expose said plug through said lens.

2. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said lens is substantially transparent.

3. The indicator of claim 1, 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 stem of said actuator means.

6. The indicator according to claim 5, wherein said pressure plate is pivotal.

7. The indicator of claim 1, further including:

a plate secured to the other end of said mount; and

a resilient cover secured to said plate over said actuator stem.

8. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said diaphragm is secured to the stem of said actuator means so that said plug is normally biased away from said lens by said diaphragm.

9. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said plug is of contrasting color from said opaque liquid for high visibility.

10. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said liquid comprises an antifreeze solution of propylene glycol, water, and dye.

11. The indicator of claim 1, wherein said transition mount includes a plurality of vent holes.

12. The indicator of claim 1, wherein the other end of said transition mount is externally threaded, and further including a locking nut thereon.

13. A visual indicator, comprising:

a transition mount having opposite ends;

a lens secured to one end of said transition mount;

a resilient diaphragm secured between said lens and said transition mount to define a sealed chamber with said lens;

a filler plug disposed within the sealed chamber, said plug being movable toward and away from said lens;

adjacent surfaces of said lens and said filler plug being generally conical;

said plug including an apex and circular periphery, with holes extending through said plug and grooves intersecting the holes and extending between the apex and periphery for fluid communication across said plug;

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

actuator means including a stem operatively associated with said diaphragm and extending out the other end of said transition mount for actuating said plug toward said lens in order to displace said liquid and thereby visually expose said plug through said lens.

14. The indicator of claim 13, wherein said transition mount extends through a hole in the wall of a storage bin, and wherein said actuator means includes:

a resilient collar disposed between said transition mount and the outside of the bin wall; and

a locking nut threaded onto said transition mount in engagement with the inside of the bin wall.

15. The indicator according to claim 14, wherein said actuator means further includes;

a housing threaded onto the other end of said transition mount;

a pivotal arm having an upper end disposed within an opening in said housing and a lower end depending therefrom;

means for pivotally supporting the upper end of said arm within said housing;

said arm including a raised portion adjacent the upper end thereof for engaging the stem of said actuator means;

a second resilient diaphragm disposed between the other end of said transition mount and said housing for sealing purposes;

a resilient bellows connected between said housing and said arm; and

an angled material-bearing plate secured to the lower end of said arm.

16. A visual indicator, comprising:

means including a conical lens and a resilient diaphragm defining a sealed chamber therebetween, said lens having inside and outside surfaces;

a filler plug disposed within the chamber, said plug being movable toward and away from said lens;

said plug having a conical front side facing the opposite complementary inside surface of said lens, and a back side;

means for normally biasing said plug away from said lens;

means defining at least one passage for fluid communication across said plug;

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

an actuator stem associated with said diaphragm for actuating said plug toward said lens in order to displace said liquid and thereby visually expose the plug; and

means for slideably supporting said actuator stem for movement toward and away from said diaphragm.

17. The visual indicator of claim 16, wherein said lens is substantially transparent;

and wherein said lens, filler plug, and actuator stem are constructed from plastic.

18. The visual indicator of claim 16, wherein said plug includes an apex and circular periphery, with holes extending through said plug and grooves in the front side thereof intersection and extending between the apex and periphery for fluid communication across said plug.

19. The visual indicator of claim 16, wherein said actuator stem has opposite ends, with the end adjacent said diaphragm being enlarged and the other end being of non-circular cross-section to minimize friction with said supporting means.

20. The visual indicator of claim 16, further including:

means for actuating said actuator stem.