Analog indicator with self-luminescent pointer
First Claim
1. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:
- an indicating pointer;
a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer;
means for conducting energy to said luminescent element to cause said luminescent element to emit light; and
a lens disposed in said indicating pointer, said lens having a substantially flat surface and a corrugated surface opposite said flat surface, said flat surface being arranged to receive light emitted from said luminescent element and to refract the light toward the corrugated surface, the corrugated surface being arranged to direct light emitted from said luminescent element and refracted by the flat surface out of said indicating pointer.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A self-luminescent indicator which may be employed in a tachometer, a speedometer, or other such gauges in automotive vehicles. The self-luminescent indicator comprises an indicating pointer, a luminescent element for emitting light, and a lens. The luminescent element is disposed in the indicating pointer. The lens is arranged in the indicating pointer and includes a flat surface through which light emitted from the luminescent element enters and a corrugated surface which projects the light entering the flat surface out of the indicating pointer. With this arrangement, the indicating pointer projects the light having uniform and high brightness to an observer for improving the visibility of pointer deflection over a dial plate.
20 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:
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an indicating pointer; a luminescent element disposed in said indicating pointer; means for conducting energy to said luminescent element to cause said luminescent element to emit light; and a lens disposed in said indicating pointer, said lens having a substantially flat surface and a corrugated surface opposite said flat surface, said flat surface being arranged to receive light emitted from said luminescent element and to refract the light toward the corrugated surface, the corrugated surface being arranged to direct light emitted from said luminescent element and refracted by the flat surface out of said indicating pointer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 13, 15, 16)
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6. A self-luminescent indicator apparatus comprising:
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an indicating pointer having a housing and a cover for covering the housing, the housing including a groove formed therein having a bottom and two opposing side walls, the cover including an opening formed therein; a luminescent element disposed on the bottom of the groove formed in the housing of said indicating pointer; means for conducting energy to said luminescent element to cause said luminescent element to emit light; and a lens interposed between the cover of said indicating pointer and said luminescent element and abutting with top portions of the side walls of the groove formed in the housing, said lens having a flat surface through which light emitted from said luminescent element enters, and a corrugated surface opposite the flat surface which projects the light entering through the flat surface out of said indicating pointer through the opening formed in the cover. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17)
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Specification