US3926142A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Meter
Assignee: Yazaki Corp
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Filing: 1974-10-04
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Granted: 1975-12-16
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Expires: 1994-10-04
Abstract
Abstract A meter for use in a multi-speed vehicle for indicating both the rotating speed of the engine and the running speed of the vehicle by a single pointer. The meter comprises a character drum of polygonal cross section, and speed scales corresponding to individual gear positions of the multi-speed vehicle are provided on the different side faces of this character drum. This character drum is suitably rotated to expose the desired one only of the speed scales in a display window formed in the dial of the meter so as to prevent the operator from reading other speed scales.
Inventors
- 👤 Keiji Okamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:16
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P1/00; G01P1/07; G01P1/08; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/37
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
208 words
A meter for use in a multi-speed vehicle for indicating both the rotating speed of the engine and the running speed of the vehicle by a single pointer, comprising a meter body, a dial, a display window formed in said dial, a character drum of polygonal cross section incorporated within said meter body and provided on a plurality of side faces thereof with respective speed scales corresponding to the individual gear positions of said vehicle, means for causing rotation of said character drum so that the speed scale corresponding to the specific gear position at which said vehicle is operating can solely be exposed in said display window, said means for causing rotation of said character drum including a push knob at the exterior of said meter body adapted to be moved linearly, means for converting linear movement of said push knob into rotating movement of rotary elements thereby causing rotation of said character drum, said converting means including a ratchet wheel fixed to one end of said character drum, a ratchet pawl urged in response to the linear movement of said push knob thereby causing rotation of said ratchet wheel, and a ratchet spring urging said ratchet pawl toward said ratchet wheel to maintain firm engagement therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
208 words
A meter for use in a multi-speed vehicle for indicating both the rotating speed of the engine and the running speed of the vehicle by a single pointer, comprising a meter body, a dial, a display window formed in said dial, a character drum of polygonal cross section incorporated within said meter body and provided on a plurality of side faces thereof with respective speed scales corresponding to the individual gear positions of said vehicle, means for causing rotation of said character drum so that the speed scale corresponding to the specific gear position at which said vehicle is operating can solely be exposed in said display window, said means for causing rotation of said character drum including a push knob at the exterior of said meter body adapted to be moved linearly, means for converting linear movement of said push knob into rotating movement of rotary elements thereby causing rotation of said character drum, said converting means including a ratchet wheel fixed to one end of said character drum, a ratchet pawl urged in response to the linear movement of said push knob thereby causing rotation of said ratchet wheel, and a ratchet spring urging said ratchet pawl toward said ratchet wheel to maintain firm engagement therebetween.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
A meter as in claim 1 where said converting means include a gear rotatably carried on said character drum, a rack gear on said push knob engaging said gear, and said ratchet pawl being pivotally positioned on said gear to engage said ratchet wheel and move it in one direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A meter as claimed in claim 2 wherein a pair of parallel spring means are provided for engaging and holding one end of said character drum therebetween while permitting rotation of said drum so as to position said character drum normally in any one of a plurality of predetermined positions.
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) | 1978-12-15 | 1979-06-16 | 1979-12-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-15 | 1983-06-16 | 1983-12-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-15 | 1987-06-16 | 1987-12-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |