Illuminating instrument panel gauge with indicator and graphics
US5964514A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 12, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB60K2360/693
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An illuminating instrument panel gauge has a movable indicator, a front side for positioning toward a viewer and a back side for positioning away from the viewer. The gauge includes a light source, a subdial surface in front of the light source, a transparent gauge cover in front of and spaced apart from the subdial surface, and graphics corresponding to the movable indicator. The gauge cover has a first surface at the front side of the gauge cover and a second surface at the back side of the gauge cover. Either or both of the first and second surfaces of the gauge cover may be randomly textured. The movable indicator is positioned between the subdial surface and the gauge cover and is preferably closer to the gauge cover than it is to the subdial surface. The graphics are on either the first or second surface of the gauge cover. There may be an overlay between the light source and the indicator which allows light from the light source to illuminate the gauge cover yet hides the light source so that the light source is not visible to the viewer facing the instrument panel gauge. The gauge cover may be curved and, correspondingly, the movable indicator may be shaped to follow the cu…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.