US3620601A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Head-up display apparatus
Assignee: Smiths Group PLC
•
Filing: 1970-10-23
•
Granted: 1971-11-16
•
Expires: 1990-10-23
Abstract
Abstract A head-up display apparatus for a craft comprises means for projecting a display of information and a partially transparent reflector associated with the display projection means. The reflector has either an operative position in which the projected display is reflected by the reflector to appear in an observer''s line of sight through the reflector or a retracted position out of the observer''s line of sight. The apparatus also includes means for displacing the reflector from the operative position to the retracted position, and means sensitive to radiant energy, the reflector displacement means being controlled in accordance with the radiant energy sensed by the radiation-sensitive means to effect the displacement of the reflector in response to change in radiation sensed by the radiation-sensitive means.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Cyril Waghorn
- 👤 Peter Raymond Turner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B27/00; G02B27/01; G02B27/0149; G02B27/0101; G02B2027/0138; G02B2027/0154; G02B2027/0156; G02B27/0179; G02B2027/0187
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A head-up display apparatus for a craft, comprising a partially transparent reflector associated with means for projecting a display of information and mounted to have an operative position in which the projected display is reflected thereby to appear in the observer''s line of sight through the reflector, said apparatus including means for radiating energy, means sensitive to said radiated energy, said radiation-sensitive means and said radiating means being mounted to provide a change in radiation sensed by the radiation-sensitive means in response to movement of the observer''s head toward the reflector, and means for displacing the reflector from its operative position out of the observer''s line of sight said reflector displacement means including means for initiating said displacement in response to said change in radiation sensed by the radiationsensitive means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A head-up display apparatus for a craft, comprising a partially transparent reflector associated with means for projecting a display of information and mounted to have an operative position in which the projected display is reflected thereby to appear in the observer''s line of sight through the reflector, said apparatus including means for radiating energy, means sensitive to said radiated energy, said radiation-sensitive means and said radiating means being mounted to provide a change in radiation sensed by the radiation-sensitive means in response to movement of the observer''s head toward the reflector, and means for displacing the reflector from its operative position out of the observer''s line of sight said reflector displacement means including means for initiating said displacement in response to said change in radiation sensed by the radiationsensitive means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said radiating means comprises means for providing a plurality of beams of radiation along respective paths spaced apart in the direction of said movement, and wherein the radiation-sensitive means comprises means for sensing each of said radiation beams, at least one of said paths being traversable by the observer''s head during said movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the radiating means comprises individual devices for supplying said radiation beams and the radiation-sensitive means comprises individual devices for sensing said radiation beams.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said radiation beams are substantially parallel with one another.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the radiation-sensitive means comprises a first device mounted to receive a decreasing amount of said radiation during said movement, and a second device mounted to receive an increasing amount of said radiation during said movement, said means for initiating said displacement comprising means for responding to a condition in which there is an increase in the amount of radiation received by the second device and a decrease in the amount of radiation received by the first device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, including means for sensing deceleration of the craft, and wherein said reflector displacement means includes means for initiating said displacement in response to a condition in which the deceleration sensed by said deceleration sensing means attains a predetermiNed value.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflector displacement means comprises resilient means for urging said displacement of the reflector, control means for controlling the resilient means having a first condition for inhibiting operation of the resilient means to effect said displacement of the reflector and having a second condition for releasing the resilient means to effect said displacement, and means for switching said control means from said first condition to said second condition in response to said change in radiation.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said reflector displacement means includes manually operable means for initiating said displacement.
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) | 1974-11-15 | 1975-05-17 | 1975-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-15 | 1979-05-17 | 1979-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-15 | 1983-05-17 | 1983-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |