Visual display device
US5165772A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 18, 1992 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 18, 2012 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF21S43/247
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A visual display device (10) is especially suited for use as a center-high-mounted stop-light (CHMSL) for an automobile rear window which slants downwardly from the horizontal by a small angle. The device (10) includes a linear light source (12) which preferably emits red light. A display panel (14) has a light receiving edge (14a) extending parallel and adjacent to the light source (12) and first and second opposing surfaces (14b, 14c). The second surface (14b) slants toward the first surface (14c) in a direction away from the edge (14a) and is formed with steps (14d) having walls (14e) which are angled toward the edge (14a) such that the peak output light propagating through the display panel (14) from the edge (14a) is refracted horizontally out of the panel (14). The walls (14e) of the steps (14d) are formed with laterally spaced depressions (14f) for lateral dispersion of light. In addition to use as a CHMSL, the display device (10) can be employed in other applications in which a uniform, linear light source is required.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.