EP0503400A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Measuring instrument indicator with a luminous pointer
Assignee: Marelli Europe SpA
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Filing: 1992-02-28
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2012-02-28
Abstract
Abstract An indicator comprising a pointer (7) made of transparent material and turning about an axis concentric with the center of a dial (5) bearing the scale (6) of a measuring instrument. Near the center, the dial (5) is fitted with at least one LED (36, 37) at which the hub (11) of the pointer (7) presents an annular groove (32). The hub (11) comprises a truncated-cone-shaped reflecting surface (18) for reflecting along the hand (8) of the pointer (7) part of the light emitted by the LED (36, 37). The hub (11) also comprises a flat surface (19) for reflecting part of the light emitted by the LED (36, 37) and refracted by the conical surface (39) of a recess (38) in a portion of the groove (32).
Inventors
- 👤 Antonio Poppa
- 👤 Roberto Franzosi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:12
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D11/00; G01D11/28; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/10; B60Q3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
A measuring instrument indicator with a luminous pointer, comprising a fixed, substantially round dial (5) with a scale (6); and means for lighting said dial (5); said pointer (7) comprising a hub (11) forming one piece with an indicator hand (8); and said hub (11) turning about an axis through the center (C) of said dial (5); characterised by the fact that said lighting means (36, 37) are located adjacent to said hub (11), and that said pointer (7) is made of transparent material; said hub (11) comprising at least one surface (18, 19) which is illuminated by the light emitted by said lighting means (36, 37) through said transparent material, and which reflects a substantial part of said incident light towards said hand (8).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
24 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 1, characterised by the fact that said material is a thermoplastic resin, preferably a methacrylate or polymethyl methacrylate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that said lighting means comprise at least one light-emitting diode (36, 37).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterised by the fact that said lighting means comprise at least one incandescent lamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
56 words
An indicator as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims from 1 to 3, characterised by the fact that said lighting means (36, 37) are fitted to said dial (5); said hub (11) presenting, at said lighting means (36, 37), an annular groove (32) for conveying part of said light on to said surface (18, 19).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 5, characterised by the fact that said surface is a portion (18) of a surface of revolution about an axis parallel to the axis of said hub (11); said portion (18) having a square-law curve radial section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 6, characterised by the fact that said portion (18) is located on said hub (11) on the opposite side to said hand (8), and forms a shoulder (28) on said hub (11).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, characterised by the fact that said hub (11) also comprises a flat surface (19) for reflecting the light emitted by said lighting means (36, 37) when said hand (8) is located substantially towards the position of said diode (36, 37).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
An indicator as claimed in Claim 8, characterised by the fact that said groove (32) presents a vaulted surface (34); a portion (34') of said vault (34), adjacent to said hand (8), presenting a recess (38) with a substantially conical surface (39) associated with and directing to said flat surface (19) the light emitted by said lighting means (36, 37).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
An indicator as claimed in one of the foregoing Claims, wherein said scale (6) presents a center line; characterised by the fact that two lighting elements (36, 37) are provided for emitting light of two different wave lengths; said lighting elements (36, 37) being located at two angles and in two opposite portions of said scale (6) in relation to said center line. 11. An indicator as claimed in Claim 10, characterised by the fact that said pointer (7) turns through an angle of at least 200°; said lighting elements (36, 37) being located roughly 120° apart, and offset roughly 30° towards the zero of said scale (6).
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