Illuminated indicator gauge

• US 5,044,304 A
• Filed: 08/21/1990
• Issued: 09/03/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kanto Seiki Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Kanto Seiki Company Limited
• Inventors: Tomita, Kiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US07/569,740
• Time in Patent Office: 378 Days
• Field of Search: 116/62.1, 116/286-288, 116/304, 116/305, 116/327-332, 116/334, 116/335, 116/DIG. 6, 116/ DIG. 35, 116/ DIG. 45, 40/543, 250/463.1, 362/29, 362/30, 362/34, 362/84, 368/226, 368/227
• US Class Current: 116/286
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/20 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 116/36 Illuminated dial and pointer

Abstract

An indicator gauge is disclosed, which comprises a housing; a dial board installed in the housing; and a pointer arranged in such a manner that an elongate pointing portion moves over a front face of the dial board. A narrow band of fluorescent substance is centrally located longitudinally along the full length of the pointing portion. The narrow band is bordered on each side along the full length by remaining areas of the pointing portion free of any fluorescent substance to create a contrasting appearance for maintaining a distinction between the band and indicia on the dial board when subject to ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet lamp is arranged in front of the dial board and the pointer to excite and thus cause the fluorescent part of the pointer to emit visible light.

Claims

1. An indicator gauge for use in a motor vehicle comprising:

a housing having a closed portion, an open portion and an interior;

a transparent cover covering said open portion of said housing;

a movement secured to said closed portion of said housing;

a spindle extending from said movement towards said interior of said housing;

a dial board installed in said housing having a front face which faces towards said transparent cover, said dial board having an opening through which said spindle passes and having a front face with indicia coated with a fluorescent substance;

a pointer connected to said spindle so that an elongate indicating portion thereof swingably moves over said front face of said dial board in response to operation of said movement with said indicating portion extending over a center of rotation of said pointer; and

an ultraviolet lamp arranged at said open portion of said housing in a manner to be exposed to said interior of said housing, said ultraviolet lamp generating ultraviolet rays when electrically energized;

said elongate indicating portion having a single elongate surface oriented toward a driver'"'"'s ordinary viewing position in said vehicle;

a narrow band of fluorescent substance centrally located longitudinally along the full length of said single elongate surface;

said narrow band being bordered on each side along said full length by remaining areas of said single elongate surface free of any fluorescent substance to create a contrasting appearance for maintaining a distinction between said band and said indicia on said dial board when subject to said ultraviolet rays.

2. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1 in which said fluorescent substance is made of a paint mixed with a fluorescent pigment.

3. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 1, in which said fluorescent substance is a composition of an inked base resin and a fluorescent pigment.

5. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 2 in which said fluorescent substance is made of a paint mixed with a fluorescent pigment.

6. An indicator gauge as claimed in claim 5 in which said fluorescent substance is a composition of an inked base resin and a fluorescent pigment.

4. An indicator gauge comprising:

a housing having a closed portion and an open portion;

a transparent cover covering said open portion of said housing;

a movement secured to said closed position of said housing;

a spindle extending from said movement toward said transparent cover;

a dial board having an opening through which said spindle passes, said dial board having a front face with indicia coated with a fluorescent substance;

a pointer connected to said spindle so that an elongate indicating portion thereof can swingably move over said front face of said dial board;

an ultraviolet lamp arranged in front of said dial board and said pointer, said lamp generating ultraviolet rays upon energization;

said elongate indicating portion having a single elongate surface oriented toward a driver'"'"'s ordinary viewing position in said vehicle;

a narrow band of fluorescent substance centrally located longitudinally along the full length of said single elongate surface;

said narrow band being bordered on each side along said full length by remaining areas of said single elongate surface free of any fluorescent substance to create a contrasting appearance for maintaining a distinction between said band and said indicia on said dial board when subject to said ultraviolet rays.

7. An indicator gauge comprising:

a housing having a closed portion, an open portion and an interior, said closed portion comprising a vertical back portion and said open portion comprising an upper horizontal portion and a lower horizontal base portion, wherein said upper portion is longer than said lower portion;

a transparent cover being connected to a front edge of said upper portion and a front edge of said lower portion, said transparent cover covering said open portion of said housing;

a dial board mounted parallel to said back portion adjacent said front edge of said lower horizontal portion, said dial board having a front face with indicia coated with a fluorescent substance;

a movement arranged between said dial board and said back portion and being secured to said back portion with bolts;

a spindle extending from said movement towards said transparent cover through an opening of said dial board;

a pointer connected to said spindle so that an elongate indicating portion thereof swingably moves over said front face of said dial board in response to operation of said movement; and

an ultraviolet lamp arranged at said upper horizontal portion adjacent said front edge of said upper portion in a manner to be exposed to said interior of said housing, said ultraviolet lamp generating said ultraviolet rays when electrically energized and irradiating said dial board and said pointer with said ultraviolet rays;

said elongate indicating portion having a single elongate surface oriented toward a driver'"'"'s ordinary viewing position in said vehicle;

said single elongate surface consisting of first, second and third equal length portions, each of said portions extending throughout the entire length of said single elongate surface;

said first portion of said single elongate surface being of limited width;

said second and third portions of said single elongate surface being located transversely of said first portion and immediately bordering said first portion on each side thereof, respectively;

said first portion of said single elongate surface being entirely covered with a deposited fluorescent substance emitting visible light when receiving said ultraviolet rays;

said second and third portions of said single elongate surface being entirely free of fluorescent substance and being of sufficient width to create a contrasting appearance for said fluorescent substance of said first portion for maintaining a distinction between said fluorescent substance of said first portion and said fluorescent substance of said indicia on said dial board when subject to said ultraviolet rays.