Illuminated pointer for instrument gage
US5797345A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 13, 1996 |
| Grant date | Aug 25, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 13, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S116/35
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Electrical instrument gage that has a pointer indicator member mounted on a rotatable shaft extending from the gage and including an electrically energizable light source mounted on and extending along the pointer portion of the indicator member. The light source is preferably an electroluminescent lamination that contains a pair of flex circuit terminal contacts extending from its base end. The light source is adhesively attached to the pointer portion of the indicator member. The base element of the indicator member contains a socket portion with a cylindrical opening configured to provide a friction fit to the axial shaft extending from the gage. The outer cylindrical surface of the socket contains an electrically conductive area and the gage contains an electrical wiper contact that makes continual electrical interconnection with the conductive portion of the socket over its rotational range. This electrical interconnection provides the power for the light source that is attached to the instrument pointer.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.