Moving pointer with edgewise EL lamp

• US 5,806,954 A
• Filed: 10/06/1995
• Issued: 09/15/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/22/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Durel Corporation (Rogers Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Durel Corporation (Rogers Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Shol, Christopher C., Krafcik, Robert J., Kinnally, Edward L., Butt, James H.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, Y MY QUACH
• Application Number:
  US08/540,058
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 362/23, 362/26, 362/84, 362/31, 116/284, 116/286, 116/287, 116/288, 116/DIG. 6, 116/DIG. 35, 116/DIG. 36
• US Class Current: 362/26
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/33 Illumination features
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2370/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/60 Instruments characterised by their location or relative disposition in or on vehicles arrangements of lighting devices on dashboards B60Q3/10
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 13/28 with luminescent markings

Abstract

A movable pointer includes an elongated, translucent substrate having an EL lamp covering one side of the substrate. The pointer emits light from an adjoining, narrower, front side which is roughened slightly. The ends of the substrate are capped or coated to prevent light emission. A second EL lamp can be attached to a second side of the substrate. The width of the EL lamp can be tapered to provide a pointer which is brighter at one end than at the other. Electrical connection to the EL lamp is made with a compliant ribbon having conductive stripes on one or both sides thereof. The ribbon is mechanically and electrically attached to contacts on the EL lamp.

Claims

1. A gauge including a dial and a movable pointer positioned adjacent the dial, wherein said pointer comprises:

an elongated, translucent substrate having a first side, a second side, and a front side, wherein said front side faces away from said dial;

a first EL lamp attached to said first side, said first EL lamp emitting light into said substrate from said first side and said light emanating from said front side;

said substrate including a first end and a second end, wherein said first end includes a pivot about which said pointer can rotate in a plane substantially perpendicular to said first side.

2. The gauge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said substrate is polycarbonate.

3. The gauge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said substrate has a rectangular cross-section.

4. The gauge as set forth in claim 3 and further comprising a reflective coating on said second side.

5. The gauge as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lamp has a width across said first side and said width increases with distance from said pivot to increase the brightness of said pointer at said second end.

6. The gauge as set forth in claim 1 and further including a second EL lamp attached to said second side, said second EL lamp emitting light into said substrate from said second side and the light from said second EL lamp emanating from said front.

7. The gauge as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first EL lamp produces light of a different color from the light produced by said second EL lamp.

12. The gauge as set forth in claim 1 wherein an area of said front side is less than an area of said first side.

8. A gauge having a moving pointer wherein said pointer comprises:

an elongated, translucent substrate having a first side and a second side;

a first EL lamp attached to said first side;

said substrate including a first end and a second end, wherein said first end includes a pivot about which said pointer can rotate in a plane approximately perpendicular to said first side; and

a ribbon lead which extends from said pointer and which has conductive stripes electrically connected to said first EL lamp.

9. The gauge as set forth in claim 8 wherein said ribbon lead is corrugated to provide a compliant electrical connection to said first EL lamp.

10. The gauge as set forth in claim 8 wherein said ribbon lead includes a thin plastic ribbon having conductive stripes attached to said ribbon and extending longitudinally along said ribbbon.

11. The gauge as set forth in claim 8 wherein said ribbon lead extends longitudinally from said pointer.