Patent · US Expired

Backlit indicia on a painted surface

US6454422B1 · kind B1 · utility

11Cited by
9References
11Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateOct 26, 2000
Grant dateSep 24, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 26, 2020

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB60Q3/14
  • WIPO fieldTransport
  • WIPO sectorMechanical engineering

Abstract

An article (10) comprises a transparent material (42) having interior and exterior surfaces (44 and 46). A coating of paint (48) is applied to the exterior surface (46) of the transparent material (42). Indicia (12) are formed in the coating of paint (48) by a plurality of interrelated line segments (50). Each line segment (50) of the plurality of line segments (50) extends parallel to each other line segment (50). The article (10) further comprises a light source (40) actuatable for directing light against the interior surface (44) of the transparent material (42) and through the line segments (50) to illuminate the indicia (12). The indicia (12) are discernible from the coating of paint (48) when illuminated by the light source (40) and are indiscernible from the coating of paint (48) when not illuminated.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.