US4878387A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automotive instrument
Assignee: Yazaki Corp
•
Filing: 1988-01-28
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Granted: 1989-11-07
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Expires: 2008-01-28
Abstract
Abstract An automotive instrument having a meter scale plate and an indicator lens which are arranged in a side-by-side fashion on the same display panel. A light-shielding projecting wall is provided on the rear side of the meter plate constituting the display panel, so as to prevent the light illuminating the meter scale plate to leak into the area of the indicator lens. A light-shielding structure is provided on a case of the instrument so as to shield the end of the light-shielding projecting wall, thereby preventing the meter illuminating light from leaking to the area of the indicator lens.
Inventors
- 👤 Masahiro Muramatsu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 19:10
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K35/00; B60K35/60; B60K35/20; B60K35/21; B60K35/28; B60K35/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
In an automotive instrument having a case, a meter plate providing a display panel and carrying a meter scale plate and at least one, indicator lens, wherein said meter scale plate and indicator lens are arranged in side-by-side configuration and separated from the meter plate by a gap, and a light source for illuminating the meter scale plate, the improvement comprising: a light-shielding projecting wall projecting from a rear side of said meter plate, so as to prevent a portion of light from said light source for illuminating said meter scale plate from leaking through said gap to reach said indicator lens; and a light-shielding structure positioned transverse to the projecting wall and the light source for illuminating the meter scale plate, so as to prevent the remaining portion of light from said light source for illuminating said meter scale plate from leaking through said gap to reach the indicator lens.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
In an automotive instrument having a case, a meter plate providing a display panel and carrying a meter scale plate and at least one, indicator lens, wherein said meter scale plate and indicator lens are arranged in side-by-side configuration and separated from the meter plate by a gap, and a light source for illuminating the meter scale plate, the improvement comprising: a light-shielding projecting wall projecting from a rear side of said meter plate, so as to prevent a portion of light from said light source for illuminating said meter scale plate from leaking through said gap to reach said indicator lens; and a light-shielding structure positioned transverse to the projecting wall and the light source for illuminating the meter scale plate, so as to prevent the remaining portion of light from said light source for illuminating said meter scale plate from leaking through said gap to reach the indicator lens.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
An automotive instrument according to claim 1, wherein said light-shielding structure is an integral part of said case.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
US3161062A
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US4236480A
Cited
US4447860A
Cited
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Cited
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Cited
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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) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |