US4761715A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser pointer
Assignee: Beede Electrical Instrument Co Inc
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Filing: 1987-03-25
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Granted: 1988-08-02
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Expires: 2007-03-25
Abstract
Abstract A pointer for use with an analog meter movement providing a luminous indication of the meter position. The present invention provides an analog meter movement indicator which selectively directs a laser light or other collimated beam across the contoured face or dial or an analog meter, wherein the selective movement of the light beam and the resulting luminous image is provided by a selective movement of an optical deflector mounted on the shaft of the meter movement. The optical deflector is optically energized by an externally mounted, stationary light source. As the meter movement shaft is rotated, the luminous beam image moves over the dial face according to the signal applied to the meter movement. The resulting instrument provides a dramatic indication of analog meter signal presentation.
Inventors
- 👤 Bradford L. Brooks
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D13/00; G01D13/22; G01D5/00; G01D5/26; G01D5/28; G01D5/285; G01D7/00; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S116/00; Y10S116/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
A meter comprising: a dial having a plurality of designator means which are placed at predetermined locations per meter values and which reflect light; a collimated light source; a meter movement proximate said dial and controllingly rotating light deflector means according to input signals; media means for conducting light from said light source to said deflector means which in turn will direct collimated light at said designator means thereby indicating the value according to the input signal; and wherein said deflector means is characterized by the absence of any pointing structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
A meter comprising: a dial having a plurality of designator means which are placed at predetermined locations per meter values and which reflect light; a collimated light source; a meter movement proximate said dial and controllingly rotating light deflector means according to input signals; media means for conducting light from said light source to said deflector means which in turn will direct collimated light at said designator means thereby indicating the value according to the input signal; and wherein said deflector means is characterized by the absence of any pointing structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein: said light deflector means is movable about an axis through an angle and rotationally directs said means modulating light through said angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The meter of claim 1 further including means for selective illumination of at least one strip of said surface of said dial.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The meter of claim 3 wherein said light deflector means further provides selective illumination of said surface simultaneously and co-directionally with directing collimated light at said designator means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein said light deflector means comprises one of a prism and a mirror.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The meter of claim 5, wherein said prism comprises a dove prism.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The meter of claim 1 wherein said collimated light source is a laser.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The meter of claim 7 wherein said laser is selectively operable to emit a light beam of different colors.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
The meter of claim 1 further comprising: a plurality of meter movements; a plurality of light deflector means; and an optical splitter providing said media means for conducting light from said collimated light source to each one of said plurality of light deflector means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The meter of claim 9 wherein said collimated light source is a laser.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The meter of claim 1, further including means to provide an array of beams to illuminate an arc section of said dial.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
120 words
An instrument cluster comprising: a plurality of dials each having a plurality of designators on a surface thereof which are placed at predetermined locations per meter values and which reflect light; a collimated light source providing at least one light beam; and a plurality of positioning means each responsive to a signal, each said positioning means being proximate a respective dial, and each controllingly rotating light deflector means according to an input signal, and including media means for conducting light from said collimated light to each said deflector means which in turn directs collimated light at said designator means thereby indicating the value according the input signal, wherein said deflector means is characterized by the absence of any pointing structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
120 words
An instrument cluster comprising: a plurality of dials each having a plurality of designators on a surface thereof which are placed at predetermined locations per meter values and which reflect light; a collimated light source providing at least one light beam; and a plurality of positioning means each responsive to a signal, each said positioning means being proximate a respective dial, and each controllingly rotating light deflector means according to an input signal, and including media means for conducting light from said collimated light to each said deflector means which in turn directs collimated light at said designator means thereby indicating the value according the input signal, wherein said deflector means is characterized by the absence of any pointing structure.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The instrument cluster of claim 12 wherein said collimated light source is a laser.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The instrument cluster of claim 12 wherein said collimated light source is selectively operable to omit a light beam of different colors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2392581A
Cited
US3578973A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-08-02 | 1992-02-01 | 1992-08-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-02 | 1996-02-01 | 1996-08-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-02 | 2000-02-01 | 2000-08-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |