With Scale Reading Aid Patents (Class 116/304)
  • Patent number: 10090124
    Abstract: [Object] To enable to visually recognizing information displayed on an outer circumferential surface of a member from an axial direction of the member and capable of switching selection elements while viewing the device from the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Junko Katsuraku, Koya Nomoto, Shuji Fujita, Tsunetoshi Samukawa
  • Patent number: 10066848
    Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of sub-base assemblies for substrate-mountable devices and related methods. In an exemplary embodiment, a sub-base assembly includes a cover, a base, and a circuit board having a plurality of wire terminals for receiving wiring passed through the base and circuit board. At least one light source is mounted on the circuit board and is operable, before the wiring is connected to the wire terminals, to direct light toward the wire terminals through the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Thomas B. Lorenz, William D. Rhodes, Alan Cobourn
  • Patent number: 9265695
    Abstract: Described is a medication recording device for optically enhancing the view of markings on the device. The device includes a bottle cap for connection with a prescription container. Markings indicative of at least one of a time and date are connected with the bottle cap. A prescription recording magnifier (such as a lens) is connected with the bottle cap and positioned over the markings such that the markings can be viewed through the prescription recording magnifier to optically enlarge the markings. This allows a larger portion the population with visual impairment to take advantage of new advances in home medication monitoring. Additionally, the medication recording device can be thrilled to include two lenses, where both lenses that are thrilled or shaped such that the viewing focal point of both lenses converge to a single focal point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventor: James Fralick
  • Publication number: 20140174335
    Abstract: A dual colored pointer arm for an instrument gauge constructed of a clear material and having a coated bi-color top surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2012
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicant: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Vyacheslav Borisovich Birman, Tao-Chuan Wang, Curt Ollila
  • Publication number: 20140145839
    Abstract: An instrument cluster assembly suitable for installation into a vehicle to display information to an operator of the vehicle. The assembly includes a reconfigurable display, a mirror, and a pointer. The reconfigurable display is configured to display an image. The mirror is oriented to reflect the image toward the operator. The pointer is movably overlying the minor such that the pointer is effective to indicate a feature of the image to the operator. The pointer may be mounted on a rotatable shaft passing through a hole in the minor such that rotation of the shaft is effective to orient the pointer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: STEPHEN C. BLACKMER
  • Patent number: 8544406
    Abstract: A meter device is disposed on an upper surface of a fuel tank that is disposed between a steering handlebar and a rider's seat. The meter device includes a dial substrate having a scale and a pointer that is rotated by a drive portion and points to the scale corresponding to a measurement output. The pointer includes a ridge that extends in a longitudinal direction and a spine portion having two surfaces that cross each other so as to form the ridge. An angle ?, at which the two surfaces forming the ridge cross each other, is formed into an acute angle, so that a side farther from the ridge as viewed from a side of a rider is not visible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Daisuke Fujihira, Tomohiro Kudo, Kunihiko Fukui, Makoto Hattori, Yutaka Kikuchi
  • Patent number: 8112897
    Abstract: A monitoring device assembly and method may include a primary interface for attaching to a monitored device, and a monitoring device mechanically coupled to the primary interface that captures an image of the monitored device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Scott Valoff, Marcus Kramer, Eric Gawehn
  • Patent number: 8082874
    Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a method for managing the display of a rotary indicator on a digital screen, the method making it possible to permanently display in a window at least one value of the indicator in the form of characters, the values scrolling vertically in the window, a distance d defining a spacing between two characters of two successive values. The distance d varies between a value dmini when two successive values are visible in the window and a value dmaxi when a single value is visible in the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: Thales
    Inventors: Philippe Chesne, Brigitte Steiger
  • Patent number: 7647881
    Abstract: A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies
    Inventor: Karen M. Kraus
  • Patent number: 7275497
    Abstract: A viewed component of a vehicle instrument cluster includes a housing and a first dial structure. The first dial structure includes an outer boundary presenting a first radial portion supported by the housing and a face portion presenting a second radial portion offset within the first radial portion. The face portion includes a series of indicia thereon. A second dial structure is supported between the housing and the first dial structure. The second dial structure presents an inboard plurality of graduations. A plurality of connecting portions extend between and couple the outer boundary and the face portion of the first dial structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Denso International America, Inc.
    Inventor: Takahira Kato
  • Patent number: 7040175
    Abstract: An improved pressure reading structure for a pressure gage is disclosed, comprising a data plate, a rotable pointer and a protection casing. The data plate includes a central area and an extended area next to and connected to the central area, both of the areas being positioned on different planes to serve as an upper area and a lower area thereof respectively. In addition, the rotable pointer has a first end mounted above the central area of the data plate, a second end mounted above the extended area of the data plate, and a needle relative to the data plate to form a space. Accordingly, tire pressure can be read from different view angles, and also, use of the pressure gage becomes more convenient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Inventor: Tien-Tsai Huang
  • Publication number: 20030221606
    Abstract: A dual scale gauge, such as a speedometer, for a motor vehicle. The gauge includes a mechanical indicator, an overlay, a first light source, and a second light source. The mechanical indicator moves in response to a sensed condition of the motor vehicle. The overlay is positioned behind the indicator. The overlay includes first and second scales that are only visible when illuminated. The first light source illuminates the first scale when the gauge is operated in a first mode. The second light source illuminates the second scale when the gauge is operated in a second mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2002
    Publication date: December 4, 2003
    Applicant: Volvo Trucks North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Jon Quigley, Michael Blackard
  • Publication number: 20030116079
    Abstract: A dial plate includes a substrate having a curve with an opening formed at the center; and an indicating member attached onto the curve of the substrate. The indicating member is a planar ring-shaped transparent resin film having an indicating portion with a scale consisting of characters and symbols and a recess portion formed partially. In this configuration, the dial plate can provide a new shape with a scale indication with a sense of depth. A mater including such a dial plate can be also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: YAZAKI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Sugiyama, Yoshiyuki Furuya
  • Patent number: 5896231
    Abstract: An apparatus is provided for magnifying a display surface of an indicator and forming an image of the display surface at a forward place distant from a driver and other passengers in a motor vehicle. The apparatus comprises an indicator (11), a concave mirror (15), and a half mirror (13). The concave mirror (15) and the half mirror (13) serve to enlarge an image (20) of a display surface (12) of the indicator (11) and form the enlarged image at a forward place distant from a driver and passengers in a vehicle. The apparatus is provided with a cylindrical lens portion (14) by which the magnifying power of the image (20) in right and left directions is set at 1.2 to 2.5 while the magnifying power in up and down directions is set at 1.2 to 1.6.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Kansei Corporation
    Inventor: Kohki Oikawa
  • Patent number: 5452680
    Abstract: An indicator for a gauge, such as a floor scale. The indicator includes a semi-circular dial and a two-pronged needle indicator that is free to rotate 360.degree. within the gauge with only one of the two prongs being used at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Sunbeam Corporation
    Inventor: Donald R. Ivy
  • Patent number: 5353736
    Abstract: This invention relates to an instrument for a vehicle in which a front cover is attached to a front face of an instrument case for protecting inside of the instrument. An instrument for a vehicle according to the present invention comprising: a meter; a case for accommodating the meter; and a prism disposed at a front portion of the case for regulating amount of light which is emitted from the prism upward by bending light emitted from the meter downward, the prism also acting as a front cover of the case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Sasaki, Yoshihiro Tsuji
  • Patent number: 5161480
    Abstract: An indication display unit for a vehicle provides a driver with a circular meter indication by an analog meter having a scale disposed along with a circumference and an indication needle disposed inside the circumference, which is made in consideration not only from the function's point of view as is conventionally done, but also from the view point of the decorative design as well so as to produce many user's long-awaited new type of interesting meter indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1992
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Furuya, Kunimutsu Aoki, Tadashi Iino
  • Patent number: 5044304
    Abstract: An indicator gauge is disclosed, which comprises a housing; a dial board installed in the housing; and a pointer arranged in such a manner that an elongate pointing portion moves over a front face of the dial board. A narrow band of fluorescent substance is centrally located longitudinally along the full length of the pointing portion. The narrow band is bordered on each side along the full length by remaining areas of the pointing portion free of any fluorescent substance to create a contrasting appearance for maintaining a distinction between the band and indicia on the dial board when subject to ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet lamp is arranged in front of the dial board and the pointer to excite and thus cause the fluorescent part of the pointer to emit visible light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: Kanto Seiki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kiyoshi Tomita
  • Patent number: 5040480
    Abstract: Disclosed is an indicator which includes a scale plate having a ground color, a pointer rotatably mounted on the scale plate and indicia such as numerals and scales arranged on the scale plate for indicating a specific value in cooperation with the pointer. The pointer includes an upper surface on which a fluorescent part having fluorescent brightener therein is formed, and the area of the fluorescent part of the pointer is smaller than that of the upper surface of the pointer. Each of the indicia has a contour defined by a normal ink having a different color from the ground color of the scale plate and a fluorescent part having fluorescent brightener therein formed in the contour of each indicia. The area of the fluorescent part of the indicia is smaller than that of the indicia.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: Yazaki Corporation
    Inventors: Minoru Iwazaki, Noriaki Ohta, Hiroyasu Shiratori
  • Patent number: 4895455
    Abstract: A replacement cover is provided for a wall mounted, circular thermostat. The replacement cover engages the rotatable sub-assembly of a wall mounted, circular thermostat and provides a transparent convex lens for enlarging the appearance of temperature indications. In a preferred embodiment a lamp is mounted in the replacement cover to illuminate the temperature indications for easier reading. The lighting circuit includes a battery, a lamp bulb and a normally open switch which can be closed by the operator/viewer of the thermostat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1990
    Inventor: David Horning
  • Patent number: 4435993
    Abstract: A control knob to shaft assembly including a rotatable, bifurcated shaft, the bifurcation spanning the diameter of the shaft and having a central cylindrical bore interconnecting two open slots, one of which has a width larger than the other. There is also provided an escutcheon plate in a plane that intersects the longitudinal axis of the shaft at an acute angle and has an opening therethrough. A knob is received in the escutcheon plate opening and has a first portion larger in diameter than the escutcheon plate opening, a second portion having two projecting spaced parallel legs with a yoke connecting and spanning the legs. The yoke has a central ball shaped portion with a diameter slightly smaller than the cylindrical bore in the shaft and is received in the cylindrical bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Allen W. Scott
  • Patent number: 4244317
    Abstract: Present parameter value indicators are wasteful of space and expense and have parallax error if viewed at an angle. This invention is a vertical strip bargraph comprising separately illuminated squares of different colors to indicate values of the parameter without parallax error and economical of space and expense.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 13, 1981
    Assignee: Canadian Marconi Company
    Inventor: Sol Rauch
  • Patent number: 4223553
    Abstract: A meter for displaying the operating efficiency of a motor vehicle, which includes a pointer movable across an instrument face, is provided with an opaque screen covering the face and having a transparent window exposing a portion of the face corresponding to operating efficiencies of the vehicle while operating at a constant vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1980
    Assignee: Volkswagenwerk Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Ernst Fiala