US4800466A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illumination device for a front panel
Assignee: Preh GmbH
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Filing: 1988-05-03
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Granted: 1989-01-24
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Expires: 2008-05-03
Abstract
Abstract An illumination device for a front panel with illuminated areas, the lattereing illuminated by an incandescent lamp sitting in a connection base located behind the front panel through at least one light guide. The connection base is placed behind the front panel so that the incandescent lamp points away from the cover member. The lamp extends behind the front panel to the light guides. To make the incandescent lamp easily replaceable without loss of light, a cover member is removably attached to the illumination device such that removal of the cover member permits ready access to the incandescent lamp/connection base.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl-Heinz Bauer
- 👤 Gerold Eckert
- 👤 Rudiger Maidhof
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:59
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60H; B60H1/00; B60H1/00642; B60H1/0065; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/10; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/139; F; F21; F21W; F21W2111/00; H; H01; H01H; H01H19/00; H01H19/02; H01H19/025; H01H9/00; H01H9/18; H01H9/182; H01H2009/183; H01H2219/00; H01H2219/054; H01H2219/062; H01H9/16; H01H9/161; H01H9/162; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/20732; Y10T74/20834; Y10T74/2084
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A front panel and means for illuminating said panel comprising a lamp, light guides placed behind said front panel, said light guides extending at least to said front panel for illuminating said front panel, a connection base for holding said lamp, an adjusting member for rotatable control, and means for conducting electrical power to said lamp, characterized in that said adjusting member for rotatable control further cmprises a rotary knob, a cover member removably attached to said rotary knob, said connection base removably attached to said rotary knob in a latching fit, wherein said connection base is placed behind said cover member such that said lamp projects behind said front panel and towards said light guides, said light guides communicating light projected by said lamp to said front panel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A front panel and means for illuminating said panel comprising a lamp, light guides placed behind said front panel, said light guides extending at least to said front panel for illuminating said front panel, a connection base for holding said lamp, an adjusting member for rotatable control, and means for conducting electrical power to said lamp, characterized in that said adjusting member for rotatable control further cmprises a rotary knob, a cover member removably attached to said rotary knob, said connection base removably attached to said rotary knob in a latching fit, wherein said connection base is placed behind said cover member such that said lamp projects behind said front panel and towards said light guides, said light guides communicating light projected by said lamp to said front panel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 characterized in that said rotary knob aligns said connection base and said cover member such that said connection base and said cover member can be removed in the same direction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 characterized in that said connection base further comprises sides, wherein said latching fit between said connection base and said rotary knob may be unlatched by pressing the sides of said connection base together.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 characterized in that said connection base is capable of guiding light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An illumination device according to claim 2 characterized in that said connection base is capable of guiding light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An illumination device according to claim 3 characterized in that said connection base is capable of guiding light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 characterized in that said lamp further comprises electrical connection means, and said means for conducting power to said lamp further comprises electrical contact means placed between said connection base and the electrical connection means of said lamp, said electrical contact means being disconnected when said connection base is removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 characterized in that said cover member is a hood of said rotary knob.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
An illumination device according to claim 1 characterized in that said illumination device further comprises a base plate placed behind said front panel and said cover member is retained by said rotary knob which is rotatably mounted on said base plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
40 words
An illumination device according to claim 8 characterized in that said illumination device further comprises a base plate placed behind said font panel and said hood is retained by said rotary knob which is rotatably mounted on said base plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
An illumination device according to claim 4 characterized in that said connection base further comprises a light guide formed onto said connection base, said light guide having an end which terminates at an opening of said cover member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An illumination device according to claim 9 characterized in that said connection base further comprises a light guide formed onto said connection base, said light guide having an end which terminates at an opening of said cover member.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illumination device according to claim 9 characterized in that said connection base in concentrically fitted in said rotary knob.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illumination device according to claim 11 characterized in that said connection base is concentrically fitted in said rotary knob.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
An illumination device according to claim 12 characterized in that said connection base is concentrically fitted in said rotary knob.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
An illumination device according to claim 6 characterized in that said electrical contac tmeans comprises at least one contact on said connection base and at least one conductor on said base plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
141 words
A front panel and means for illuminating said front panel, comprising: a cover member; a lamp disposed within said front panel; means for supporting said lamp within said front panel; means for conducting electrical power to said lamp; at least one light guide extending at least to said front panel for transmitting light emitted by said lamp to said front panel; means for rotatably supporting said cover member, said cover member removaly attached to said means for rotatably supporting said cover member; wherein said means for supporting said lamp is placed behind said cover member such that said lamp projects behind said front panel and towards said light guides, said means for supporting said lamp projects behind said front panel and towards said light guides, said means for supporting said lamp attached to said means for rotatably supporting said cover member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
141 words
A front panel and means for illuminating said front panel, comprising: a cover member; a lamp disposed within said front panel; means for supporting said lamp within said front panel; means for conducting electrical power to said lamp; at least one light guide extending at least to said front panel for transmitting light emitted by said lamp to said front panel; means for rotatably supporting said cover member, said cover member removaly attached to said means for rotatably supporting said cover member; wherein said means for supporting said lamp is placed behind said cover member such that said lamp projects behind said front panel and towards said light guides, said means for supporting said lamp projects behind said front panel and towards said light guides, said means for supporting said lamp attached to said means for rotatably supporting said cover member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The illumination device of claim 17 wherein said cover member is rotatable.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The illumination device of claim 17 wherein said means for conducting electrical power to said lamp is disconnected when said means for supporting said lamp is removed from said means for rotatably supporting said cover member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
38 words
The illumination device of claim 17 wherein said means for supporting said lamp within said front panel further comprises a light guide for transmitting additional light emitted by said lamp to the front end of said cover member.
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) | 1992-01-24 | 1992-07-25 | 1993-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-24 | 1996-07-25 | 1997-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-24 | 2000-07-25 | 2001-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |