US3692383A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical analog display device
Assignee: Motors Liquidation Co
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Filing: 1971-02-25
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Granted: 1972-09-19
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Expires: 1991-02-25
Abstract
Abstract A bar of light conducting material has notches formed in its rear face. The size of the notches are inclined at progressively different angles so that the efficiency of reflection of light toward the front face progressively varies along the length of the bar. Light filters of different colors are placed at each end of the bar and a lamp is provided adjacent each filter so that colored light is transmitted through the bar from each end to illuminate the sides of the notches so that the display apparent at the front face of the bar is a series of striated colored images. The color reflected from a given notch is a function of the relative intensities of light from the lamps. An electrical sending unit responsive to some condition varies the intensity of each lamp according to the amplitude of the condition. Thus as the condition changes, the striated bands progressively change in color.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald M Herod
- 👤 John C Engelman
- 👤 William J Johnston
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 08:02
CPC Classifications
G; G12; G12B; G12B11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
An optical display device for providing a visual analog readout of a condition being monitored comprising an elongated body of transparent material having a front and a rear face, means for illuminating opposite ends of the body with light of different colors and variable intensity, the relative intensities of the lights of each color being a function of the condition, and a series of notches in the rear face to provide angularly disposed light reflecting surfaces for directing the light from each end toward the front face, whereby the apparent color of light reflected from each notch toward the front face depends upon the relative intensity of the light of each color.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
An optical display device for providing a visual analog readout of a condition being monitored comprising an elongated body of transparent material having a front and a rear face, means for illuminating opposite ends of the body with light of different colors and variable intensity, the relative intensities of the lights of each color being a function of the condition, and a series of notches in the rear face to provide angularly disposed light reflecting surfaces for directing the light from each end toward the front face, whereby the apparent color of light reflected from each notch toward the front face depends upon the relative intensity of the light of each color.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
165 words
An optical display device for providing a visual analog readout of a condition being monitored comprising an elongated body of transparent material having a front and a rear face, means for illuminating opposite ends of the body with light of different colors and variable intensity, the relative intensities of the lights of each color being a function of the condition, and a series of notches in the rear face to provide angularly disposed light reflecting surfaces for directing the light from each end toward the front face, the reflecting surfaces facing one end being disposed at progressively increasing angles relative to the rear face as the distance from the one end increases and the reflecting surfaces facing the other end being disposed at progressively increasing angles relative to the rear face as the distance from the said other end increases, whereby the apparent color of light reflected from each notch toward the front face depends upon the relative intensity of the light of each color.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
165 words
An optical display device for providing a visual analog readout of a condition being monitored comprising an elongated body of transparent material having a front and a rear face, means for illuminating opposite ends of the body with light of different colors and variable intensity, the relative intensities of the lights of each color being a function of the condition, and a series of notches in the rear face to provide angularly disposed light reflecting surfaces for directing the light from each end toward the front face, the reflecting surfaces facing one end being disposed at progressively increasing angles relative to the rear face as the distance from the one end increases and the reflecting surfaces facing the other end being disposed at progressively increasing angles relative to the rear face as the distance from the said other end increases, whereby the apparent color of light reflected from each notch toward the front face depends upon the relative intensity of the light of each color.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
132 words
An optical display device for providing a bicolor visual analog display of a condition being monitored comprising an elongated body of transparent material having a front and rear face, means at opposite ends of the body for internally illuminating the body with light of different colors and variable intensity, the relative intensities of the lights of each color being a function of the condition, means comprising a series of reflectors formed in the rear face for reflecting the light of each color toward the front face, the reflection efficiency of the reflectors progressively varying according to the distance of each reflector from an end of the body, whereby the apparent color of light reflected from each reflector toward the front face depends upon the relative intensity of the light of each color.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
132 words
An optical display device for providing a bicolor visual analog display of a condition being monitored comprising an elongated body of transparent material having a front and rear face, means at opposite ends of the body for internally illuminating the body with light of different colors and variable intensity, the relative intensities of the lights of each color being a function of the condition, means comprising a series of reflectors formed in the rear face for reflecting the light of each color toward the front face, the reflection efficiency of the reflectors progressively varying according to the distance of each reflector from an end of the body, whereby the apparent color of light reflected from each reflector toward the front face depends upon the relative intensity of the light of each color.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2591864A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-19 | 1976-03-20 | 1976-09-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-19 | 1980-03-20 | 1980-09-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-19 | 1984-03-20 | 1984-09-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |