US5165772A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual display device
Assignee: The AT&T MVPD Group LLC
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Filing: 1992-03-18
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Granted: 1992-11-24
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Expires: 2012-03-18
Abstract
Abstract A visual display device (10) is especially suited for use as a center-high-mounted stop-light (CHMSL) for an automobile rear window which slants downwardly from the horizontal by a small angle. The device (10) includes a linear light source (12) which preferably emits red light. A display panel (14) has a light receiving edge (14a) extending parallel and adjacent to the light source (12) and first and second opposing surfaces (14b, 14c). The second surface (14b) slants toward the first surface (14c) in a direction away from the edge (14a) and is formed with steps (14d) having walls (14e) which are angled toward the edge (14a) such that the peak output light propagating through the display panel (14) from the edge (14a) is refracted horizontally out of the panel (14). The walls (14e) of the steps (14d) are formed with laterally spaced depressions (14f) for lateral dispersion of light. In addition to use as a CHMSL, the display device (10) can be employed in other applications in which a uniform, linear light source is required.
Inventors
- 👤 Wei-Yu Wu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:54
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/30; B60Q1/302; F; F21; F21S; F21S43/00; F21S43/20; F21S43/235; F21S43/236; F21S43/237; F21S43/239; F21S43/242; F21S43/245; F21S43/247
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
87 words
A visual display device comprising: light source means; and a display panel having a light receiving edge and first and second opposing surfaces extending away from said edge, said edge being positioned to be illuminated by said light source means; the second surface being formed with steps having walls which are angled toward said edge such that light propagating through the display panel from said edge is refracted out of the display panel through said walls in a direction at least partially away from the first surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
87 words
A visual display device comprising: light source means; and a display panel having a light receiving edge and first and second opposing surfaces extending away from said edge, said edge being positioned to be illuminated by said light source means; the second surface being formed with steps having walls which are angled toward said edge such that light propagating through the display panel from said edge is refracted out of the display panel through said walls in a direction at least partially away from the first surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A display device as in claim 1, in which the second surface slants toward the first surface in a direction away from said edge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A display device as in claim 2, in which: the display panel is designed to be mounted with the second surface disposed above the first surface and said edge at an uppermost position such that the first surface is inclined relative to the horizontal by a predetermined angle; and said walls are angled toward said edge such that said light is refracted out of the display panel through said walls at substantially said predetermined angle relative to the first surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A display device as in claim 2, in which: said light source means comprises a divergent linear light source; and said edge has a convex cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
A display device as in claim 2, in which: said light source means comprises a non-divergent linear light source; and said edge has a concave cross-section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
A display device as in claim 2, in which said walls are formed with a plurality of laterally spaced, curved light dispersing depressions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A display device as in claim 6, in which: said depressions have a predetermined width; and said depressions of each wall are laterally offset from said depressions of adjacent walls by approximately half the width of said depressions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device as in claim 6, in which said depressions have substantially cylindrical shapes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display device as in claim 2, in which the first surface is substantially flat.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A display device as in claim 2, in which the first surface is concave.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
61 words
A display panel comprising: a light receiving edge; and first and second opposing surfaces; the second surface being formed with steps having walls which are angled toward said edge such that light propagating through the display panel from said edge is refracted out of the display panel through said walls in a direction at least partially away from the first surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
61 words
A display panel comprising: a light receiving edge; and first and second opposing surfaces; the second surface being formed with steps having walls which are angled toward said edge such that light propagating through the display panel from said edge is refracted out of the display panel through said walls in a direction at least partially away from the first surface.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
A display panel as in claim 11, in which the second surface slants toward the first surface in a direction away from said edge.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
A display panel as in claim 12, in which: the display panel is designed to be mounted with the second surface disposed above the first surface and said edge at an uppermost position such that the first surface is inclined relative to the horizontal by a predetermined angle; and said walls are angled toward said edge such that said light is refracted out of the display panel through said walls at substantially said predetermined angle relative to the first surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display panel as in claim 12, in which said edge has a convex cross-section.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display panel as in claim 12, in which said edge has a concave cross-section.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
A display panel as in claim 12, in which said walls are formed with a plurality of laterally spaced, curved light dispersing depressions.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A display panel as in claim 16, in which: said depressions have a predetermined width; and said depressions of each wall are laterally offset from said depressions of adjacent walls by approximately half the width of said depressions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display panel as in claim 16, in which said depressions have substantially cylindrical shapes.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display panel as in claim 12, in which the first surface is substantially flat.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
A display panel as in claim 12, in which the first surface is concave.
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) | 1995-11-24 | 1996-05-25 | 1996-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-11-24 | 2000-05-25 | 2000-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-11-24 | 2004-05-25 | 2004-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |