US5696483A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminating indicating apparatus
Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1995-09-29
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Granted: 1997-12-09
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Expires: 2015-09-29
Abstract
Abstract An indicator (10) for providing a prominent and distinct indication of the selected operating mode among a plurality of selectable operating modes of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The indicator (10) comprises a housing (70) with a plurality of indication compartments (82-92) which each communicate with an associated indicator window (152-162). An indicator light source (32-42) is disposed in each of the indication compartments (82-92). Light emitted by an illumination light source (56-60) disposed in an illumination compartment (104) passes through a light filter (106) to provide filtered light to the indication compartments (82-92).
Inventors
- 👤 Syed Mohammed Khalid
- 👤 Lev Abraham Fruitman
- 👤 Matthew Mark Mikolajczak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 07:58
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H63/00; F16H63/40; F16H63/42; F16H2063/423
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An illuminating indicating apparatus for an automatic transmission gear selector in an automotive vehicle comprising: a backlit indication area for displaying a representation of each of the selectable gear positions; a plurality of first compartments respectively corresponding to each said display representation; a first light source disposed in each of said first compartments for providing backlight indication to said corresponding selected display representation in said indication area; a second compartment communicating with said plurality of first compartments; and a second light source disposed in said second compartment for providing backlight illumination to said plurality of first compartments, wherein each selected first light source provides a backlight indication that is perceptibly different from the backlight illumination of said second light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An illuminating indicating apparatus for an automatic transmission gear selector in an automotive vehicle comprising: a backlit indication area for displaying a representation of each of the selectable gear positions; a plurality of first compartments respectively corresponding to each said display representation; a first light source disposed in each of said first compartments for providing backlight indication to said corresponding selected display representation in said indication area; a second compartment communicating with said plurality of first compartments; and a second light source disposed in said second compartment for providing backlight illumination to said plurality of first compartments, wherein each selected first light source provides a backlight indication that is perceptibly different from the backlight illumination of said second light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An illuminating indicating apparatus as in claim 1, wherein a colored light filter is located between said second light source and said first compartments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
An illuminating indicating apparatus as in claim 1, further including circuit means connected to said first and second light sources to energize only a selected first light source when said vehicle is in operation and additionally to energize said second light source when said vehicle is in operation in low ambient lighting conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An illuminating indicating apparatus as in claim 1, wherein the light provided by a selected first light source is dominantly perceptible over the light provided by said second light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
An illuminating indicating apparatus as in claim 4, wherein the light provided from a selected first light source is perceived as both a different color and greater intensity than light provided by said second light source.
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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) | 2000-12-08 | 2001-06-09 | 2001-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-12-08 | 2005-06-09 | 2005-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-12-08 | 2009-06-09 | 2009-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |