US4106231A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low level light indicator
Assignee: Eaton Corp
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Filing: 1976-12-06
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Granted: 1978-08-15
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Expires: 1996-12-06
Abstract
Abstract The following specification discloses a low level lighting indicator readout or display of the type having a lighting source such as incandescent lamps that have been placed in a heat sink. The incandescent bulbs or lamps are connected to a logic network, so that one or a plurality of bulbs can be lit by the logic network in order to cause a particular display to be registered. The display is registered by means of the lamps passing light through a series of conductive light tubes such as fiber optic members that emanate therefrom to form a series of optical readouts in the form of dots, or segments, such as bar displays. The termination of the light pipes provide a matrix in the form of a dot pattern that can be driven to create various displays in the form of alpha numeric representations or other symbols. A specialized diffuser comprising this invention having miniaturized particles or spherical glass beads on the surface thereof at the interface between the lamps and the light pipes, allows for a transmission of light therethrough at low level voltages on the lamps.
Inventors
- 👤 Douglas K. MacNiel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 19:16
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305; G09F9/302; G09F9/3023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
The improvement in a readout having a light source therein and means for conducting said light from said source to a display surface comprising: a source of light comprising a plurality of incandescent lamps; means for holding said source of light; means for connecting said incandescent bulbs to a power source; a plurality of narrow elongated solid light pipes in proximate relationship to said light source that serve to receive light from said light source; a relatively thin diffuser film between said source of light and said light pipes comprising a substrate of translucent material to permit the passage of light from said light source therethrough while at the same time modulating the light by diffusion; a matrix cast around said light pipes for holding said light pipes; and, a surface at which said light pipes terminate to provide a display in the form of the terminal portions of said light pipes at said surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
The improvement in a readout having a light source therein and means for conducting said light from said source to a display surface comprising: a source of light comprising a plurality of incandescent lamps; means for holding said source of light; means for connecting said incandescent bulbs to a power source; a plurality of narrow elongated solid light pipes in proximate relationship to said light source that serve to receive light from said light source; a relatively thin diffuser film between said source of light and said light pipes comprising a substrate of translucent material to permit the passage of light from said light source therethrough while at the same time modulating the light by diffusion; a matrix cast around said light pipes for holding said light pipes; and, a surface at which said light pipes terminate to provide a display in the form of the terminal portions of said light pipes at said surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a heat sink for said incandescent lamps.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said light pipes comprise solid plastic elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 3 further comprising: a means for mounting said readout within a panel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 1 wherein: said diffuser film comprises a plastic film with glass particles on the surface thereof held in a plastic matrix on the surface of said film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
An improved readout for providing a display on the face thereof having a light pattern of a predesignated symbol which can be designated on a fixed basis or provided by a logic network comprising: a plurality of incandescent bulbs; a heat sink for said incandescent bulbs; means for connecting said incandescent bulbs to a power source; a plurality of light pipes in proximate relationship to said incandescent bulbs for receiving the light from said incandescent bulbs; a mounting means cast around said light pipes for holding said light pipes; a surface on said mounting means for terminating said light pipes; and, a diffuser directly interfacing said incandescent lamps and said light pipes wherein said diffuser comprises a plastic film.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
119 words
An improved readout for providing a display on the face thereof having a light pattern of a predesignated symbol which can be designated on a fixed basis or provided by a logic network comprising: a plurality of incandescent bulbs; a heat sink for said incandescent bulbs; means for connecting said incandescent bulbs to a power source; a plurality of light pipes in proximate relationship to said incandescent bulbs for receiving the light from said incandescent bulbs; a mounting means cast around said light pipes for holding said light pipes; a surface on said mounting means for terminating said light pipes; and, a diffuser directly interfacing said incandescent lamps and said light pipes wherein said diffuser comprises a plastic film.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 6 wherein said light pipes comprise: fiber optical elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
The improved light or readout as claimed in claim 7 further comprising: a base for mounting said incandescent lamps in said heat sink which is attached to said heat sink; and, terminals extending from said incandescent lamps adapted for connection to the means for providing power to said incandescent lamps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: mounting means for holding said improved readout within a panel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said terminals consist of a plurality of pins depending from said incandescent bulb mounting base.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The improved readout as claimed in claim 9 wherein said heat sink comprises: a metallic material having a plurality of openings into which said incandescent bulbs are placed.
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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) | 1981-08-14 | 1982-02-13 | 1982-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-08-14 | 1986-02-13 | 1986-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-08-14 | 1990-02-13 | 1990-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |