Abstract: A compact switch mechanism operating a contactor array and having a lighted display.

Abstract: A compact switch mechanism operating a contactor array and having a lighted display.

Abstract: A compact switch mechanism operating a contactor array and having a lighted display.

Abstract: A compact switch mechanism operating a contactor array and having a lighted display.

Abstract: A mirror assembly including a viewable primary cover with a free surface, the primary cover made of optically clear molecular cross-linked material and opposite the primary cover a secondary cover made of optically opaque cell cast polymer with ultraviolet absorbing pigments, between the covers a reflective portion applied to the secondary cover.

Abstract: A ruggedized placard utilizes a multilayer construction including a clear primary layer or cover and an indicia layer, the indicia being viewable through the clear primary layer.

Abstract: A transparent cover or shield of variable thickness prevents glare using particular dimensions in particular applications.

Abstract: A ruggedized placard utilizes a multilayer construction including a clear primary layer or cover and an indicia layer, the indicia being viewable through the clear primary layer.

Abstract: A transparent cover or shield of variable thickness prevents glare using particular dimensions in particular applications.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical monolith having inclusions for diffusing light.

Abstract: An optical panel display with one or more signal zones selectively illuminated by a light source such as a light emitting diode light source.

Abstract: An optical device includes an optical monolith having inclusions for diffusing light.

Abstract: A method is provided for suppressing a predetermined portion of an optical spectrum emanating from a light emitter. The optical spectrum illuminates an illumination area. The method includes the steps of fabricating a filter having a spectrophotometric transmittance and varying the spectrophotometric transmittance of the filter. The filter is positioned between the light emitter and the illumination area, such that the filter absorbs the predetermined portion of the optical spectrum.

Abstract: A display system includes a light source which is disposed within a housing and a display panel. The display panel includes inner and outer layers. Both the inner and the outer layer contain a light absorbing pigment and a light scattering particulate. The outer layer of the panel contains a greater quantity of pigment than the inner layer. The inner layer of the panel contains a greater quantity of light scattering particulate than the outer layer. The inner and outer layers of the panel having the same optical density. If desired, indicia may be provided between the inner and outer layers of the display panel. In order to increase the viewing angle at which the indicia is visible to an observer, the indicia is formed with sloping minor side surfaces which flare outward from the inner panel toward the outer panel.

Abstract: An improved display system includes a plurality of light sources which are electroluminescent devices, such as light emitting diodes. The light emitting diodes have an intensity of 0.5 with a light dispersion angle of 24.degree. or less. An optical device creates a plurality of dispersion patterns from the light emitted by each of the light emitting diodes. The dispersion patterns have a viewing angle of 50.degree. or more. The optical device includes a plurality of linear grooves having side surfaces which cooperate to create a plurality of separate dispersion patterns from the light emitted by each light emitting diode. The dispersion patterns from the light emitted by one light emitting diode are disposed along a line which extends perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the grooves.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for illuminating a display, such as a lens, includes a source of nonwhite light of a first color at an energy level which can be perceived by the human eye. The nonwhite light of a first color is reflected from a reflector to obtain white light. In one embodiment of the invention, the nonwhite light source was a solid state device (light emitting diode) which produced blue light at a high-energy level and green and red light at relatively low energy levels with the result that the green and red light could not be perceived by a human eye simultaneously with the blue light. The light from the solid state light source was reflected from a reflector having a gold (yellow) reflecting surface. The light reflected from the reflecting surface interfered with light emitted directly form the solid state light source with a chromatic shift of light energy. The resulting light from the reflector was white light.

Abstract: An improved display system includes a selectively energizeable light source which is disposed within a housing. A panel, formed of transparent material, is connected with the housing and has an outer side surface which is exposed to ambient light and an inner side surface which is exposed to light from the light source when the light source is energized. Indicia is disposed between the light source and the panel. The indicia is observable through the panel when the light source is energized and is obscured when the light source is de-energized. An array of pyramidal projections are disposed on the outer side of the panel. The array of pyramidal projections extend across the indicia so that light from the light source passes through the pyramidal projections to enable the indicia to be observed when the light source is energized. The panel is formed of a polymer. The surfaces of the pyramidal projections are repaired by a thin film of a monomer of the same composition as the polymer forming the panel.

Abstract: An improved display system includes a prism having a pair of light receiving faces which intersect at an apex. The prism has a light emitting face from which light transmitted. The light emitting face of the prism has a series of parallel linear V-shaped grooves with side surfaces which intersect to form a series of parallel linear ridges which disperse rays of light. A display panel is disposed adjacent to the prism and has a rear side with indicia thereon. The indicia can be read from a front side of the display panel, even in bright sunlight, when a pair of light sources are energized. However, when the light sources are not energized, the indicia on the display panel cannot be observed. A divider panel separates the light sources to enable an observer to determine when one of the light sources is burned out. Reflectors direct light from the light sources toward the light receiving faces of the prism.