Analog display having electroluminescent pointer
First Claim
1. An analog display having a dial and a movable pointer positioned adjacent said dial for indicating a measured value, wherein said pointer comprises:
- (a) an elongated EL lamp having a first end and a second end, said lamp including as consecutive layers(i) a transparent substrate;
(ii) a transparent, front electrode;
(iii) an electroluminescent layer; and
(iv) a rear electrode;
(b) a first conductive pin extending through said lamp near said first end and through said dial;
(c) means for making contact with said rear electrode;
(d) wherein said first conductive pin is electrically connected to said front electrode;
(e) wherein said electroluminescent layer and said rear electrode including a hole larger than said first conductive pin to prevent said first conductive pin from shorting said front electrode to said rear electrode; and
(f) wherein said lamp pivots with said first conductive pin for indicating said measured value.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An analog display includes a dial and a movable EL pointer positioned adjacent the dial for indicating a measured value. The pointer is an elongated EL lamp having a conductive pin extending through one end of the lamp and about which the lamp pivots. The pin is mechanically secured to the lamp and is electrically connected to the front electrode of the lamp. A hole larger than cross-sectional diameter of the pin is formed in the rear electrode and in the phosphor layer to prevent the pin from shorting the front electrode to the rear electrode. A conductive spring rests on the pin to provide electrical power to the front electrode. Power is supplied to the rear electrode either through a conductive ferrule attached to the rear electrode or through a resilient wiper. The wiper can be attached to the pointer or to the face of the dial. For plural pointers, concentric conductive pins are used with a sliding contact for the rear electrodes.
28 Citations
16 Claims
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1. An analog display having a dial and a movable pointer positioned adjacent said dial for indicating a measured value, wherein said pointer comprises:
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(a) an elongated EL lamp having a first end and a second end, said lamp including as consecutive layers (i) a transparent substrate; (ii) a transparent, front electrode; (iii) an electroluminescent layer; and (iv) a rear electrode; (b) a first conductive pin extending through said lamp near said first end and through said dial; (c) means for making contact with said rear electrode; (d) wherein said first conductive pin is electrically connected to said front electrode; (e) wherein said electroluminescent layer and said rear electrode including a hole larger than said first conductive pin to prevent said first conductive pin from shorting said front electrode to said rear electrode; and (f) wherein said lamp pivots with said first conductive pin for indicating said measured value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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Specification