US4020203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Luminous marking in an indentation of an object
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-03-27
•
Granted: 1977-04-26
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Expires: 1995-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A luminous mark on an object is provided by a phosphor and a source of nuclear radiation in an indentation of the object, the materials being held in place by a transparent cover closing said indentation.
Inventors
- 👤 Oscar Thuler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:40
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/42; F; F41; F41G; F41G1/00; F41G1/32; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S428/00; Y10S428/913; Y10T; Y10T428/00; Y10T428/21; Y10T428/215; Y10T428/216; Y10T428/22; Y10T428/31504; Y10T428/31511; Y10T428/31525
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Luminous marking on an object, said object having an indentation therein, comprising a phosphor in said indentation, a source of nuclear radiation in said indentation and an artificial, transparent sapphire crystal shaped to conform to the mouth of said indentation and to form a seal for confining said phosphor and source of nuclear radiation within said indentation and for preventing entry of corrosives or acids from the exterior, the outer surface of said sapphire crystal being essentially flush with the outer surface of said object at said indentation.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Luminous marking on an object, said object having an indentation therein, comprising a phosphor in said indentation, a source of nuclear radiation in said indentation and an artificial, transparent sapphire crystal shaped to conform to the mouth of said indentation and to form a seal for confining said phosphor and source of nuclear radiation within said indentation and for preventing entry of corrosives or acids from the exterior, the outer surface of said sapphire crystal being essentially flush with the outer surface of said object at said indentation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said phosphor is an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of ZnS, CdS and mixtures thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said source of nuclear radiation is a metal carbonate containing C 14 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said metal carbonate is BaCO 3 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said crystal makes an interference fit with the mouth of said indentation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
42 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said object is annular and at least the interior surface of said indentation in said object is of a material selected from the group consisting of nickel, silver and a corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 5, wherein the interior of said indentation is reflective.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, further comprising a sealed glass capsule, said capsule containing said phosphor and said source of nuclear radiation, and an inorganic binder for holding said phosphor against the wall of said capsule, said capsule fitting within said indentation, and a resilient material between the bottom of said indentation and said capsule.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 8, wherein said source of nuclear radiation is selected from the group consisting of tritium and krypton.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 8, wherein said capsule is biased against said resilient material by said sapphire crystal.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
62 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said indentation is an aperture passing completely through said object, said transparent sapphire crystal sealing one end of said aperture, and further comprising a glass capsule enclosing said phosphor and source of nuclear radiation, and an organic resin positioned proximate the other end of said aperture for holding said capsule within said aperture.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 11, wherein said organic resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resin and silicone resin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 11, wherein said phosphor is selected from the group consisting of ZnS, CdS and mixtures thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 11, wherein said source of nuclear radiation is selected from the group consisting of tritium and krypton.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The luminous marking as defined in claim 1, wherein said indentation is cylindrical in cross-section and said sapphire is a disc.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-04-25 | 1980-10-25 | 1981-04-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-04-25 | 1984-10-25 | 1985-04-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-04-25 | 1988-10-25 | 1989-04-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |