US3568630A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminated indicator means and instrument
Assignee: Lewis Engineering Co
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Filing: 1969-02-26
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Granted: 1971-03-09
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Expires: 1989-02-26
Abstract
Abstract An electrical instrument movement having miniature incandescent lamps which illuminate the instrument dial and pointer, the lamps being removable and replaceable without requiring removal of the dial, mask or pointer. The lamps are carried in clearance openings in a reflector ring disposed behind the dial, and are mounted for removal in lateral directions away from the axis of the instrument.
Inventors
- 👤 Dana J Blackwell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 07:37
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An illuminated indicator means for use with an instrument movement, comprising in combination: a. an illuminable indicator member located in front of and adapted to provide information related to said movement; b. a reflector member located at one side of the axis of the instrument movement and between the same and the illuminable member, said member having reflective surfaces which are angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the instrument movement and having a clearance opening; c. a lamp disposed in the clearance opening of the reflector member and arranged to direct light against an angularly Disposed reflective surface thereof and against the rear of said indicator member to illuminate the same; and d. means mounting said lamp for removal from said clearance opening in a direction away from the axis of the instrument movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An illuminated indicator means for use with an instrument movement, comprising in combination: a. an illuminable indicator member located in front of and adapted to provide information related to said movement; b. a reflector member located at one side of the axis of the instrument movement and between the same and the illuminable member, said member having reflective surfaces which are angularly disposed with respect to the axis of the instrument movement and having a clearance opening; c. a lamp disposed in the clearance opening of the reflector member and arranged to direct light against an angularly Disposed reflective surface thereof and against the rear of said indicator member to illuminate the same; and d. means mounting said lamp for removal from said clearance opening in a direction away from the axis of the instrument movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention as in claim 1, and further including: a. a second illuminable indicator member adjacent and cooperable with the first indicator member; and b. a light-piping member associated with said second indicator member and lamp to conduct light from the latter to said second indicator member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The invention as in claim 2, wherein: a. the light-piping member comprises a body portion and a pair of arms respectively connected to the ends of the body portion and extending at right angles thereto in intersecting normal planes containing the body portion at the intersection thereof; and b. said arms extending respectively toward said second indicator member and said lamp.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
92 words
The invention as in claim 3, and further including: a second lamps; b. said reflector member having a second clearance opening in which the second lamp is disposed; c. said second lamp providing direct and indirect illumination of said first-mentioned indicator member; d. means mounting said second lamp from removal from said second clearance opening in a direction away from the axis of the instrument movement; and e. said light-piping member having a third arm extending from an end of the body portion toward said second lamp to pick up light therefrom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as in claim 4, wherein said third arm is colinear with one of said pair of arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention as in claim 2, and further including: a. a second lamp; b. said reflector member having a second clearance opening in which the second lamp is disposed; c. said second lamp providing direct and indirect illumination of said first-mentioned indicator member; and d. means mounting said second lamp for removal from said second clearance opening in a direction away from the axis of the instrument movement.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention as in claim 6, wherein the reflector member comprises a ring having in one side a deep annular V-section groove the walls of which comprise said reflective surfaces.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
79 words
The invention as in claim 7, and further including: a. a plurality of additional lamps; b. said reflector member having a plurality of additional clearance openings in which the additional lamps are respectively disposed; c. said additional lamps directly and indirectly illuminating said first-mentioned indicator member; d. all said lamps projecting into said V-section groove; and e. means mounting said additional lamps for removal from their respective clearance openings in directions away from the axis of the instrument movement.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The invention as in claim 8, wherein: a. said lamps are disposed in a circle; and b. a pair of concentric insulated conductor rings carried by said reflector member and connected with said lamps to conduct current therethrough.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as in claim 9, and further including spring arms connected to the conductor rings and engaged with bases on the lamps, to effect electrical connection thereto.
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) | 1974-03-08 | 1974-09-07 | 1975-03-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-08 | 1978-09-07 | 1979-03-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-08 | 1982-09-07 | 1983-03-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |