Abstract: A back lighting device is formed as an assembly of a frame, light waveguide, lamp and terminal assembly and a diffuser sheet. In one embodiment, the lamp and terminal assembly is received in a pocket through a rear opening in the frame and includes terminals having leg portions that are seated on seat portions in the pocket that optimally align a lamp member of the lamp and terminal assembly with an edge of the waveguide to provide optimum light transmission into the waveguide. The diffuser sheet covers the rear of the waveguide and extends across the rear opening of the pocket to limit the escape of light from the pocket and the waveguide to the rear of the back lighting device. The diffuser and frame are preferably molded of a white glass filled material that provides good diffusion of light reflected therefrom and reflects a maximum amount of diffused light back into the waveguide for transmission through a front surface for back lighting of a liquid crystal display or other light receiving member.

Abstract: A miniature crossed coil gauge is provided having an oriented rare earth magnet fixedly mounted on a rotary shaft for supplying a magnetic flux directed transverse to the shaft axis. The gauge housing provided by an upper and lower bobbin surrounds the magnet and supports the rotary shaft. A first and second coil are wound about the gauge housing in a crossed coil orientation encircling the magnet. A flux ring is disposed around the first and second coils axially aligned with respect to the magnet. The magnet has sufficient strength and the flux ring is mounted in sufficiently close proximity to the first and second coils to redistribute the flux supplied by the magnet so that the magnetic flux measured at the surface of the coils is substantially increased relative to the magnetic flux density measured with the flux ring removed.

Abstract: An instrument panel having analog gauges with pointers illuminated independently of the light source illuminating the scale indicia. Light is transmitted into the pointer via a facet having an inclined reflective surface through which a gauge motor output shaft passes. The facet may be integrally formed in the light distribution layer which illuminates the scale indicia or a separate discreet component. A novel telltale used in conjunction with an instrument panel having a light distribution layer is also provided which illuminates the telltale indicia by passing light through the light distribution layer without affecting the illumination of other indicia in the graphic layer. Method of manufacturing analog gauges as well as method for using an analog gauge to transmit information to a viewer.

Abstract: A back lighting device includes a light waveguide having generally planar upper and lower surfaces, a light module having a lamp member encapsulated between the upper and lower surfaces, a specular reflective material applied about the waveguide lower surface, and a light extracting material applied about the waveguide upper surface. The waveguide can be mounted in a user specific frame to allow high volume usage of a common waveguide element.

Abstract: A back lighting device includes a light waveguide having generally planar upper and lower surfaces, a light module having a lamp member encapsulated between the upper and lower surfaces, a specular reflective material applied about the waveguide lower surface, and a light extracting material applied about the waveguide upper surface. The waveguide can be mounted in a user specific frame to allow high volume usage of a common waveguide element.

Abstract: An instrument panel includes analog gauges with pointers illuminated independently of the light source illuminating the scale indicia. Light is transmitted into the pointer via a facet having an inclined reflective surface through which a gauge motor output shaft passes. The facet may be integrally formed in the light distribution layer which illuminates the scale indicia or a separate discreet component. A novel telltale used in conjunction with an instrument panel having a light distribution layer is also provided which illuminates the telltale indicia by passing light through the light distribution layer without affecting the illumination of other indicia in the graphic layer. Method of manufacturing analog gauges as well as method for using an analog gauge to transmit information to a viewer is also molded.

Abstract: A miniature crossed coil gauge is provided having an oriented rare earth magnet fixedly mounted on a rotary shaft for supplying a magnetic flux directed transverse to the shaft axis. The gauge housing provided by an upper and lower bobbin surrounds the magnet and supports the rotary shaft. A first and second coil are wound about the gauge housing in a crossed coil orientation encircling the magnet. A flux ring is disposed around the first and second coils axially aligned with respect to the magnet. The magnet has sufficient strength and the flux ring is mounted in sufficiently close proximity to the first and second coils to redistribute the flux supplied by the magnet so that the magnetic flux measured at the surface of the coils is substantially increased relative to the magnetic flux density measured with the flux ring removed.

Abstract: A three-piece instrument cluster assembly including a circuit board, a light sheet assembly and a retainer for retaining the circuit board and light sheet assembly. The light sheet assembly is positioned between the circuit board and retainer. The instrument cluster assembly is provided with at least one alignment element and corresponding alignment receivers for mating engagement with each corresponding alignment element for aligning the circuit board, the light sheet assembly and the retainer.

Abstract: A projectile impact indicating target for sport shooting includes a frame, a projectile impact sensor mounted on the frame for sensing projectile impact, and an impact indicator releasably restrained by the projectile impact sensor for indicating projectile impact with the target.

Abstract: Sand-based biodegradable articles, such as planar frangible targets and formed three-dimensional tableware and food containers, are disclosed. The articles are made formed of a mixture of sand and a decomposable binder, the binder preferably comprising by weight 30-40% starch, 20-30% salt, 1-3% oil and water. The articles are preferably coated with a decomposable waterproof sealant.

Abstract: A miniature telltale module which combines a plurality of telltale functions into one unit and provides reduced cost per function. The module uses a miniature rotary actuator, a series of interconnected images and a single light source. The actuator allows a wide tolerances at the inputs while still precisely selecting the image positions. The actuator has a unique locking device (or brake) which automatically engages when power is removed. This feature allows the control circuitry to select an image with a momentary pulse and then remove the power from the actuator. Power consumption is thereby minimized since no power is required by the device except when changing the image to be displayed.

Abstract: An instrument display method and system for use in a passenger vehicle has a number of advantageous features including particularly novel, compact, inexpensive and inherently stable electric motors. A first motor includes a rotor assembly having a shaft and a cylindrical magnet which is positioned about a stator assembly to rotate thereabout. The shaft extends through a stator of the stator assembly, a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), and an indicia bearing layer. A mask such as a needle pointer is secured to the shaft of the rotor assembly at the indicia bearing layer to convey the value of instrument data to the passenger. A light emitting panel receives light from the VFD and transmits the light to other positions along the display system where other substantially identical electric motors move their needle pointers to likewise convey additional data to the passenger. The first motor is surface mounted directly on the back of the VFD which has electrical conductors formed therein.

Abstract: A miniature electric motor is provided including stator and rotor assemblies wherein the rotor assembly has a magnet and a shaft adapted to be coupled to a load to move the load and wherein the magnet is positioned about the stator assembly for rotating without the stator assembly. The stator assembly includes a stator having a plurality of branches made of a magnetic material angularly positioned with respect to each other and a plurality of coils wound about their respective branches. The shaft extends through the stator and also, preferably, through a brake which supplies pressure to the rotor assembly to thereby supply a braking force to the rotor assembly after the load has been rotated to a desired position.

Abstract: A disposable food container formed of sand and a decomposable binder. The disposable food containers are suitable for holding, storing and exposing food to heat in both conventional and microwave ovens. The decomposable binders contain 20 to 40% by weight of a binder selected from the group consisting of starch, grain flours and mixtures thereof, 20 to 30% by weight salt, 1 to 3% by weight oil and water. The containers are covered with a coating to prevent the transmission or absorption of liquids.