US3559616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated instrument pointer
Assignee: Lewis Engineering Co
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Filing: 1969-11-12
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Granted: 1971-02-02
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Expires: 1989-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A pointer of light-conducting plastic comprising a shank portion from which there extends in opposite directions respectively a tail portion and a head portion aligned with the tail portion. The shank portion has prism surfaces by which light directed into it is redirected along the head and tail portions to illuminated aligned portions thereof. A translucent shield is disposed between the head and tail portions and covers the prism surfaces to be lighted by some of the light directed against the surfaces, whereby there is presented to view an uninterrupted, relatively great effective illuminated pointer length. In another embodiment of the invention the shield is opaque, whereby the viewer sees an interrupted pointer illumination.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald E Protzmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 14:45
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D13/00; G01D11/00; G01D11/28; G05; G05D; G05D11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
Illuminated indicator means for an instrument, comprising in combination: a. a source of light; b. a light-piping member for conducting light from said source to a transfer point; c. a pointer of light-conducting plastic, having head and tail portions and a shank portion located intermediate said head and tail portions and adjacent said transfer point to receive light from the light-piping member; d. said shank portion having prism surfaces for dividing and redirecting light received by the shank portion along said head And tail portions respectively; and e. said head and tail portions having light-colored coatings on their undersides.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
Illuminated indicator means for an instrument, comprising in combination: a. a source of light; b. a light-piping member for conducting light from said source to a transfer point; c. a pointer of light-conducting plastic, having head and tail portions and a shank portion located intermediate said head and tail portions and adjacent said transfer point to receive light from the light-piping member; d. said shank portion having prism surfaces for dividing and redirecting light received by the shank portion along said head And tail portions respectively; and e. said head and tail portions having light-colored coatings on their undersides.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
An illuminated indicator means as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the head portion of the pointer has a greater length than the tail portion; and b. the prism surface which redirects light into the pointer head portion has a greater area than the prism surface which redirects light into the pointer tail portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An illuminated indicator as defined in claim 1, and further including: a translucent shield carried by the pointer, covering the shank portion and prism surfaces thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
44 words
An illuminated indicator means as defined in claim 1, and further including: an opaque shield carried by the pointer, covering the shank portion and prism surfaces thereof whereby the head and tail portions of the pointer together appear as an interrupted bar of light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
An illuminated indicator means as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the head and tail portions of the pointer have front surfaces disposed in a common plane which is normal to the pointer axis; b. the rear surfaces of said head and tail portions being included with respect to said front surfaces; and c. said head and tail portions tapering to thin extremities.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
63 words
An illuminated indicator means as defined in claim 1, wherein: a. the head and tail portions of the pointer have rear surfaces disposed in a common plane which is normal to the pointer axis; b. the front surfaces of said head and tail portions being inclined with respect to said front surfaces; and c. said head and tail portions tapering to thin extremities.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
An illuminated indicator means as defined in claim 1, wherein: the front of the shank portion of the pointer has a generally V-shaped notch the walls of which comprise said prism surfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-01 | 1974-08-03 | 1975-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-01 | 1978-08-03 | 1979-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-01 | 1982-08-03 | 1983-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |