US4236480A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Indicator dial and method of making same
Assignee: Mannesmann VDO AG
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Filing: 1978-12-08
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Granted: 1980-12-02
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Expires: 1998-12-08
Abstract
Abstract An indicator dial having at least one scale thereon and having at least one illuminable indication area for providing a visual signal of a physical function, wherein the dial comprises a thin transparent plate having an opaque dye coat on one face thereof with at least one area free of the opaque dye coat and having a translucent dye coat of contrasting color in the area, and the scale being on the side of the plate facing a viewer, whereby the scale is visible at all times, but the indication areas are visible to the viewer only when illuminated from behind the dial. The dial is made by applying the dye coats and scale markings in sequential operations by use of a screen printing process.
Inventors
- 👤 Friedrich Grohl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D7/00; G01D7/02; G01D7/04; B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/20; B60K35/21; B60K35/215; B60K35/28; B60K35/285
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
An indicator dial, comprising: a transparent plate having a front side toward a viewer and a rear side facing away from a viewer with a coating of a first, opaque dye material covering the rear side and having at least one selected area free of the dye material; a second, translucent dye coat of a color contrasting with the first dye coat covering the selected area on the rear side, and defining at least one illuminable indication area for providing a visual indication of a physical function when the indication area is illuminated from the side of the plate facing away from the viewer; scale symbols of a color contrasting with the first dye coat applied on the front side of the plate in the at least one illuminable indication area; partitioned lamp means at the rear side of the plate, positioned to direct light to the at least one illuminable indication area for illumination of the area; and an aperture in the dial for an indicator shaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
An indicator dial, comprising: a transparent plate having a front side toward a viewer and a rear side facing away from a viewer with a coating of a first, opaque dye material covering the rear side and having at least one selected area free of the dye material; a second, translucent dye coat of a color contrasting with the first dye coat covering the selected area on the rear side, and defining at least one illuminable indication area for providing a visual indication of a physical function when the indication area is illuminated from the side of the plate facing away from the viewer; scale symbols of a color contrasting with the first dye coat applied on the front side of the plate in the at least one illuminable indication area; partitioned lamp means at the rear side of the plate, positioned to direct light to the at least one illuminable indication area for illumination of the area; and an aperture in the dial for an indicator shaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
An indicator dial as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the first dye coat is black; the second dye coat has a dark tint; and the scale symbols are white.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
An indicator dial as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the second dye coat is red.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An indicator dial as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the second dye coat is green.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An indicator dial as claimed in claim 2, wherein: the areas free of the first dye coat are shaped as lettering defining the indication means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
An indicator dial as claimed in claim 1, wherein: said front side of the plate is matted.
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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) | 1983-12-02 | 1984-06-02 | 1984-12-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-12-02 | 1988-06-02 | 1988-12-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-12-02 | 1992-06-02 | 1992-12-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |