US4872415A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Meter for a vehicle
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1988-01-22
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Granted: 1989-10-10
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Expires: 2008-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A meter is disclosed wherein a light source is disposed behind the face thereof. A light path from the light source is defined in part by a reflective surface on the needle which directs light from the light source onto a portion of the face that is in the immediate vicinity of the needle. The reflecting surface is opaque which causes the needle to appear as a silhouette over the illuminated portion of the face.
Inventors
- 👤 Hiroshi Nakadozono
- 👤 Yusuke Mori
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 02:03
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01D; G01D11/00; G01D11/28; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q3/00; B60Q3/10; B60Q3/14; B60Q3/60; B60Q3/62; B60Q3/64; B60K; B60K2360/00; B60K2360/20; B60K2360/33; B60K2360/336
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
76 words
A meter for a vehicle comprising: an opaque face; light means; a needle for selectively pointing toward a portion of said face, said needle being made of light transmitting material, associated with said light means, and having a shaft which movably supports said needle; and a reflecting section, provided on said needle, for reflecting light emitted from said light means onto said face so as to illuminate a predetermined area around said portion of the face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
76 words
A meter for a vehicle comprising: an opaque face; light means; a needle for selectively pointing toward a portion of said face, said needle being made of light transmitting material, associated with said light means, and having a shaft which movably supports said needle; and a reflecting section, provided on said needle, for reflecting light emitted from said light means onto said face so as to illuminate a predetermined area around said portion of the face.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A meter as set forth in claim 1, wherein said reflecting portion is provided on an opposite side of said needle from said face.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A meter as set fourth in claim 1, wherein said reflecting portion is made of an opaque reflective paint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
A meter for a vehicle comprising: an opaque face; a light source disposed behind said face; a needle for selectively pointing toward a portion of said face, said needle being made of light transmitting material and transmitting light emitted from said light source; a light-guide for guiding light from said light source onto said needle; and a reflecting section, provided on said needle, for reflecting said light guided from said light-guide through said needle onto said face so as to illuminate a predetermined area of the face around said needle so as to cause said needle to appear as a silhouette against said illuminated area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
A meter for a vehicle comprising: an opaque face; a light source disposed behind said face; a needle for selectively pointing toward a portion of said face, said needle being made of light transmitting material and transmitting light emitted from said light source; a light-guide for guiding light from said light source onto said needle; and a reflecting section, provided on said needle, for reflecting said light guided from said light-guide through said needle onto said face so as to illuminate a predetermined area of the face around said needle so as to cause said needle to appear as a silhouette against said illuminated area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A meter as set forth in claim 4, wherein said light-guide having a deflector for deflecting light through said light-guide toward said needle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A meter as set forth in claim 4, wherein said reflecting section is provided on an opposite side of said needle from said face.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
A meter as set forth in claim 4, wherein said needle includes a first reflecting section and a second reflecting section, said first section reflecting light guided through said light-guide toward said second section, said second section reflecting said light reflected by said first section onto the face.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
A meter for a vehicle comprising: an opaque face; light source disposed behind said face; a needle for selectively pointing toward a portion of said face, said needle being made of light transmitting material and transmitting light emitted from said light source; light-guide means for guiding light from said light source onto said needle; and a reflecting section, provided on the side of said needle furthest from said face, for reflecting said light guided from said light-guide means through said needle onto said face so as to illuminate a predetermined area of the face around said needle so as to cause said needle to appear as a silhouette against said illuminated area.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
112 words
A meter for a vehicle comprising: an opaque face; light source disposed behind said face; a needle for selectively pointing toward a portion of said face, said needle being made of light transmitting material and transmitting light emitted from said light source; light-guide means for guiding light from said light source onto said needle; and a reflecting section, provided on the side of said needle furthest from said face, for reflecting said light guided from said light-guide means through said needle onto said face so as to illuminate a predetermined area of the face around said needle so as to cause said needle to appear as a silhouette against said illuminated area.
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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) | 1992-10-09 | 1993-04-10 | 1993-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-09 | 1997-04-10 | 1997-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-09 | 2001-04-10 | 2001-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |