Illuminated instrument dials

Claim 2

In an instrument having a dial, a miniature electric bulb for illuminating the dial and means for supplying current to said bulb, the improvement comprising an element of supple lighttransmitting material having at least a hollow portion for receiving the bulb, a housing in the instrument adjacent the dial and accessible from the outside of the instrument, said element being removably fitted in said housing, two sharp edged terminals in the housing positioned to pierce the supple material of said element when fitted in the housing, contact means within said element positioned to make contact with the terminals when the element is fitted in the housing.

Claim 3

The instrument of claim 1 including a transparent covering for the dial with an edge of the transparent covering forming a wall of the housing.

Claim 4

The instrument of claim 1 in which the instrument has a casing around the dial and the housing is an elongated groove in the casing adjacent at least part of the periphery of the dial.

Claim 5

The instrument of claim 1 in which the instrument has a casing around a dial of circular shape and the housing is an annular groove surrounding the dial, the element being an annular tubular member.

Claim 6

The instrument of claim 1 including a bezel ring, said housing being positioned adjacent at least part of the periphery of the dial and the element is an elongated tubular member.

Claim 7

The instrument of claim 5 in which said bezel ring surrounds a circular dial.

Claim 8

The instrument of claim 1 including calendar means viewable in the dial between the center and periphery thereof, said element and housing cooperating to locate the bulb at a peripheral position adjacent said calendar means.

Claim 9

An instrument comprising a dial, a hollow element made of flexible light-transmitting material, a miniature electric bulb located in said hollow element, said element being shaped as a loop around said dial, said instrument having a casing and a glass covering said dial, said casing having a circular groove around the glass and adapted to receive said hollow element, a removable bezel ring, said groove being open on the outer face of the instrument and being covered by said removable bezel ring, said groove being opened to the edge of the glass to provide a passage for light toward the dial, and sharp terminal means in said groove to pierce the element and provide current to the bulb.

Claim 10

An instrument comprising a dial, a hollow element made of flexible light-transmitting material, a miniature electric bulb located in said hollow element, said element being shaped as a loop around said dial, said instrument having a casing and a glass covering said dial, said casing having a circular groove around the glass and adapted to receive said hollow element, a removable bezel ring, said groove being open on the outer face of the instrument and being covered by said removable bezel ring, said groove being opened to the edge of the glass to provide a passage for light toward the dial, and sharp terminal means in said groove to pierce the element and provide current to the bulb.