Luminous pointer

• US 5,320,063 A
• Filed: 03/22/1993
• Issued: 06/14/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
• Inventors: Ogura, Hiroyuki, Oikawa, Takahiro, Sugita, Masaya
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuchlinski, Jr., William A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WORTH, WILLIE M
• Application Number:
  US08/035,308
• Time in Patent Office: 449 Days
• Field of Search: 116/286, 116/287, 116/288, 116/327, 116/328, 116/DIG. 35, 368/226, 368/228, 368/238
• US Class Current: 116/288
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 3/14 lighting through the surface to be illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings

Abstract

Disclosure is a luminous pointer made of a light emission element of the inorganic substance dispersion type, high in accuracy of reading, and low in cost. The light emission element of the inorganic substance dispersion type is shaped as a rod, and includes a linear metal core, an electrically-insulating reflective layer made of an enamel and disposed on the core, a fluorescent light emission layer which is made of an enamel and a fluorescent substance dispersed therein and is disposed on the reflective layer, an electroconductive film disposed on the light emission layer and capable of being electrically connected to the core, and an outer electrically-insulating layer disposed on the film. The film has at least one slit which has a width smaller than the diameter of the luminous pointer and extends as a luminously visible portion in the longitudinal direction of the film. An intermediate electrically-insulating layer made of an enamel may be provided between the light emission layer and the film. The film is manufactured by applying an electroconductive paste or plating with a metal. In the light emission layer, the dispersed fluorescent substance may be provided only near the slit of the film.

Claims

1. A luminous pointer comprising:

liner metal core;

an electrically insulating reflective layer disposed on said liner metal core, said electrically insulating reflective layer being made of enamel;

a fluorescent light emission layer formed on at least a portion of said electrically insulating reflective layer;

an opaque electroconductive film provided around said fluorescent light emission layer, said electroconductive film having at least one slit portion which has a width smaller than a diameter of said luminous pointer, said electroconductive film and said liner metal core being electrically connected to a power source; and

an outer electrically insulating layer having a transparent light emission portion, is formed on said electroconductive film, wherein when voltage is applied by the power source to said electroconductive film and said metal core light is emitted by said light emission layer and passes through said at least one slit portion and said light emission portion.

2. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electroconductive film is made of one of an electroconductive paste and a plated metal.

3. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 1, wherein said fluorescent light emission layer is made of enamel and a fluorescent substance which is located near said at least one slit portion of said electroconductive film.

4. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 2, wherein said fluorescent light emission layer is made of enamel and a fluorescent substance which is located near said at least one slit portion of said electroconductive film.

5. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

an intermediate electrically insulating layer provided between said fluorescent light emission layer and said electroconductive film, said intermediate electrically insulating layer being made of enamel.

6. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said electroconductive film is made of one of an electroconductive paste and a plated metal.

7. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 5, wherein said fluorescent light emission layer is made of enamel and a fluorescent substance which is located near said at least one slit portion of said electroconductive film.

8. A luminous pointer as claimed in claim 6, wherein said fluorescent light emission layer is made of enamel and a fluorescent substance which is located near said at least on slit portion of said electroconductive film.