Interchangeable face gauge for an automobile

• US 10,330,505 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2016
• Issued: 06/25/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2015
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cheng Jie Wu, Enrique J. Baiz, Osvaldo Izquierdo
• Original Assignee: Cheng Jie Wu, Enrique J. Baiz, Osvaldo Izquierdo
• Inventors: Baiz, Enrique J., Izquierdo, Osvaldo, Wu, Cheng Jie
• Primary Examiner(s): Seo, Justin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Courson, Tania C
• Application Number:
  US15/295,516
• Publication Number:
  US 20170191856A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 116 621- 624, 116305, 116334, 116DIG 46, 116DIG 47
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/151 Instrument output devices for configurable output
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/34 Backlit symbols
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/688 Frames or decorative parts
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/691 Housings
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/698 Pointers of combined instruments
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/828 Mounting or fastening exchangeable modules
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 2360/96 by assembling
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/00 Instruments specially adapted for vehicles; Arrangement of instruments in or on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/20 Output arrangements, i.e. from vehicle to user, associated with vehicle functions or specially adapted therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/214 Variable gauge scales, e.g. scale enlargement to adapt to maximum driving speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 35/50 Instruments characterised by their means of attachment to or integration in the vehicle B60K35/231 takes precedence
• 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 13/04 Construction

Abstract

An interchangeable face gauge structure for automobile gauges comprises a gauge body, a face gauge, a retainer ring and an outer cover. The gauge body and outer cover are combined by means of assembling, which causes the outer cover to be dismountable from and re-mountable on the gauge body. The face gauge is additionally mounted on the surface of the light directing panel on the gauge body, which allows the face gauge to be replaceable with one of the type to the liking of the user after the outer cover is dismounted from the gauge body, improving the variability and visual effect of the gauge body. Further, with the convenience of the outer cover being easily mountable on the gauge body, the user is allowed to replace and mount parts by themselves, adding to the practicality of the structure.

Claims

1. An interchangeable face gauge structure for an automobile gauge, comprising:

a gauge body;

at least one positioning bulge positioned on at least one side of the gauge body, the at least one positioning bulge extending outward from a plane defined by a light directing panel that is nested on one side of the gauge body;

a pointer traversing a perforation in a central portion of the light directing panel; and

a combo peripherally fixed with the gauge body;

at least one notch formed on an external circumference of the face gauge, the at least one notch nesting with the at least one positioning bulge causing the face gauge to be rotationally fixed to the light directing panel;

a through-hole formed in a center of the face gauge;

a retainer ring secured at one side thereof with an upper circumference of the face gauge, the other side of the retainer ring fixed with a see-through plate;

an outer cover capping an external circumference of the see-through plate, the retainer ring and the light directing panel; and

at least one junction adapted to form an assembly with the combo of the gauge body,

whereby the outer cover is dismountable from and re-mountable to the gauge body.

2. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one nested button bulge disposed on a first side of the retainer ring, the at least one nested button bulge operable to nest with the at least one positioning bulge on the gauge body in a sequential order;

a stopper and a circular rabbet disposed on a second, opposite side of the retainer ring, the stopper and circular rabbet receiving a see-through plate to be mounted;

a stepped nesting section extending peripheral to the see-through plate;

a stopper hole formed an adapted set to be nested with the stopper; and

a circular bulge disposed in the see-through plate facing an edge of the retaining ring, the circular bulge operable to nest with the circular rabbet.

3. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 2, wherein one side of the outer cover is indented to define a pressing section adapted to be placed against the stepped nesting section of the see-through plate, whereby the see-through plate and the retainer ring are fixable with the gauge body.

4. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 3, wherein the combo of the gauge body includes at least one screw lock hole, and wherein the junction of the outer cover includes at least one punched hole, whereby the outer cover is fastenable to the gauge body with at least one bolt.

5. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 3, wherein an outer thread section is formed on the combo of the gauge body, and an inner thread section is formed on the outer cover at an inner diameter thereof to define the junction, whereby the outer cover is fixed with and secured to the gauge body through of screw locking.

6. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 2, wherein the combo of the gauge body includes at least one screw lock hole, and wherein the junction of the outer cover includes at least one punched hole, whereby the outer cover is fastenable to the gauge body with at least one bolt.

7. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 2, wherein an outer thread section is formed on the combo of the gauge body, and an inner thread section is formed on the outer cover at an inner diameter thereof to define the junction, whereby the outer cover is fixed with and secured to the gauge body through of screw locking.

8. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 1 further comprising an inner rubber ring disposed about an inner edge of the retainer ring.

9. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 8, wherein the combo of the gauge body includes at least one screw lock hole, and wherein the junction of the outer cover includes at least one punched hole, whereby the outer cover is fastenable to the gauge body with at least one bolt.

10. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 8, wherein an outer thread section is formed on the combo of the gauge body, and an inner thread section is formed on the outer cover at an inner diameter thereof to define the junction, whereby the outer cover is fixed with and secured to the gauge body through of screw locking.

11. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 1, wherein the combo of the gauge body includes at least one screw lock hole, and wherein the junction of the outer cover includes at least one punched hole, whereby the outer cover is fastenable to the gauge body with at least one bolt.

12. The interchangeable face gauge structure of claim 1, wherein an outer thread section is formed on the combo of the gauge body, and an inner thread section is formed on the outer cover at an inner diameter thereof to define the junction, whereby the outer cover is fixed with and secured to the gauge body through of screw locking.

13. An interchangeable face gauge structure for automobile gauges, comprising:

a gauge body;

at least one positioning bulge positioned on at least one side of the gauge body, the at least one positioning bulge extending outward from a plane defined by a light directing panel is nested on one side of the gauge body;

a perforation in a central portion of the light directing panel for providing connection of a pointer; and

a combo set peripheral to the gauge body;

at least one notch set on an external circumference of the face gauge, the at least one notch nesting with the at least one positioning bulge causing the face gauge to be rotationally fixed to the light directing panel;

a through-hole in a central region of the face gauge;

a retainer ring is secured on one side to an upper circumference of the face gauge, the other side of the retainer ring secured to a see-through plate;

an outer cover capping an external circumference of the see-through plate, the retainer ring and the light directing panel;

a junction is set to form an assembly with the combo of the gauge body, allowing the outer cover to be dismountable from and re-mountable on the gauge body;

at least one nested button bulge disposed on a first side of the retainer ring, the at least one nested button bulge operable to nest with the at least one positioning bulge on the gauge body in sequential order;

a stopper and a circular rabbet disposed on a second, opposite side of the retainer ring, the stopper and circular rabbet allowing a see-through plate to be mounted;

a stepped nesting section extending peripheral to the see-through plate;

a stopper hole set to be nested with the stopper;

a circular bulge disposed in the see-through plate facing an edge of the retaining ring, the circular bulge operable to nest with the circular rabbet; and

an inner rubber ring disposed about an inner edge of the retainer ring.

14. The interchangeable face gauge structure for automobile gauges according to claim 13, wherein several screw lock holes are set on the combo of the gauge body, and several punched holes on the junction of the outer cover, to be locked with bolts.

15. The interchangeable face gauge structure for automobile gauges according to claim 13, wherein an outer thread section is set on the combo of the gauge body, and the outer cover includes an inner thread section set from its inner diameter to form the junction, whereby the outer cover is combined with and secured on the gauge body by means of screw locking.