Abstract: An illuminated annunciator as in a gear selector has gear designation letters always lit and a ring around each letter selectively lit to indicate the active gear range. A generally conical light pipe with a conical central cavity has at one end an annular emitting surface adjacent the ring and at the other end it is illuminated by an LED. Another LED within the conical cavity illuminates the letter directly as well as via reflection from the wall of the cavity.

Abstract: A brake light device for a motor vehicle comprises at least one brake light formed in accordance with prescribed regulations and having a light source, at least one auxiliary brake light and at least one light conductor connecting the auxiliary brake light with the prescribed brake light so that light from the light source of the prescribed light is supplied to the auxiliary brake light.

Abstract: Transient voltage surge suppression (TVSS) meter adapter status indication perceptible by a nearby observer. When TVSS over-voltage protective means is on-line, a visible and/or audible signal is generated within the meter adapter housing and is transmitted to the exterior. Light emitted by an indicating lamp connected in series with the over-voltage protective element is transmitted to the exterior by means of a translucent rod to which the lamp is juxtaposed extending through the meter adapter housing wall and terminating just outside. Sound emitted by a buzzer similarly located is transmitted through the housing wall upon demand of an an observer outside, who actuates a normally open switch in series with the buzzer by juxtaposing a small magnet against the housing wall.

Abstract: This invention relates to an indicating instrument for a vehicle or the like in which a pointer-indicated driving condition such as vehicle speed and rotation speed of an engine is formed by light, and to an indicating instrument system having the above indicating instruments. The structure of the indicating instrument is that a front surface having graduations is spherical such that the front surface sticks out forwardly as it is far from the rotation shaft and a light source is disposed in front of the dial and out of the graduations. Further, the indicating instrument system of the present invention indicates a cylindrical lens for converting beam from a point light source to a substantially linear beam; first and second reflecting plates for dividing the substantially linear beam into divided beam; and third and fourth reflecting plates for reflecting the divided beams each to a dial as a pointer indicating the graduations on the dial to a plurality of pointer forming portions.

Abstract: An add-on vehicle light monitor includes a light pipe formed of a light coupling transparent material and having an input end and an output end. The light pipe is configured to be supported upon the vehicle body at a position in which the input end is approximate to the to-be-monitored light source and the output end is viewable by the vehicle driver or operator. In one embodiment, an aperture is formed within the vehicle taillight lens to permit the input end to be inserted into the vehicle light assembly. In an alternate embodiment, the input end is fabricated so as to be flush mountable to the light assembly lens without the need for forming an aperture therein.

Abstract: In a meter for an automobile comprising a meter case, a pointer driven by a meter drive unit, a dial plate having a display area and a graduations, characters and patterns display part formed on a base, the dial plate having a ground color providing a background to permit recognition of the position of the pointer, and an illumination lamp located on the rear side of the dial plate mounted in the meter case so as to illuminate the dial plate from the rear side or from the front side through a light guide member, at least one of the display area and the display part of the dial plate is formed by evaporation of a metal film permeable to light.

Abstract: An instrument with an illumination ring that edge-lights an opaque dial face with increased light flow by augmenting the conductivity of both the light receiving portion of the ring and a bevel for deflecting light laterally across the face. The increased light flow is accomplished by an extended annular wall portion spaced from the edge of the dial face.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a device for the detection of imminent gas depletion of a liquified gas tank, comprising a bundle of fiber optics (22), one end of which, forming an observation surface is visible from the outside of the tank, and other end of which, placed inside of the tank, is in optical contact with a flat surface of a transparent element (20), comprising, on its opposite surface, at least one dioptricelement (26). According to the invention, the lateral walls of the element (26) form with said surface an angle, preferably obtuse, the dimensions of which are such that it is capable, as long as there is liquid gas remaining in the reservoir, of being covered, almost totally, by a mensicus formed of a liquid gas condensate, which thus prevents any total reflection on said surface, of the rays directed by the fiber beams.

Abstract: A pointer for use with an analog meter movement providing a luminous indication of the meter position. The present invention provides an analog meter movement indicator which selectively directs a laser light or other collimated beam across the contoured face or dial or an analog meter, wherein the selective movement of the light beam and the resulting luminous image is provided by a selective movement of an optical deflector mounted on the shaft of the meter movement. The optical deflector is optically energized by an externally mounted, stationary light source. As the meter movement shaft is rotated, the luminous beam image moves over the dial face according to the signal applied to the meter movement. The resulting instrument provides a dramatic indication of analog meter signal presentation.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a control unit, especially for setting heating, oling and/or ventilation systems in motor vehicles. Sliding members are guided between two end positions in an oblong body. Setting members, e.g., louvers or motors, are adjusted by means of these sliding members via transmission means. A step-down unit is provided as the transmission means, which consists of a first toothed rack molded onto the sliding member and of a second toothed rack molded onto the body, and a gear which is mounted rotatably between the two toothed racks and moved when the sliding member is moved. The gear is connected to an adjusting means, e.g., a rod, which in turn operates the setting member.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting the position of the pointer of a gauge. The system includes a stationary light source which is positioned adjacent the pointer. A lens receives the light from the light source and redirects the light in at least one elongated light beam directed toward the pointer. In the preferred embodiment, the light source is located along the pointer's axis of rotation and the lens bends the light rays 90.degree. to form at least one arcuate light beam. A plurality of elongated light beams can be used and variations of different shapes of light beams can readily be used by so designing the lens means. A light sensitive detector is positionable in the gauge itself and is movable along a guided path on the opposite side of the pointer than is the light source. The guided path generally follows the particular shape of light beams that is directed toward the needle.

Abstract: A meter useful in vehicles, having a dial plate, a swivel pointer made of a transparent material and an electrical light source such as a miniature light bulb to illuminate the pointer by light transmitted therethrough. A root portion of the pointer is bored to provide therein a cavity, and a hood member mounted on the dial plate has a shade portion above the cavity. The light source is attached to the hood member so as to be disposed in the cavity in the pointer. The hood member is detachably secured to the dial plate by a set of metal connectors which serve also as electric connectors to establish a circuit for energizing the light source.

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.

Abstract: In order to correct errors in the reading of a graduated scale, especially on a compass card driven by a damped gyroscopic system, the scale is juxtaposed with a block having slits simultaneously alignable with different scale graduations and illuminable by respective light sources within the block. The light sources can be selectively energized by a rotary switch whose bank contacts are connectable via a changeover switch to either of two groups of light sources for positive or negative deviations from a reference position; the slit so illuminated serves as a pointer by coacting with a confronting scale graduation.

Abstract: Thermal actuating or like apparatus in which a sight conduit is comprised in a valve housing enabling the changing position of a thermal actuator within the housing to be observed from outside the housing. A fiber optic device acts as the sight conduit and provides for a display externally of the housing of color coded or like markings on the actuator. In one aspect thereof, the invention makes possible a substantially continuous comparison of the operations of redundant actuators so that an operator or user of the apparatus may be alerted to failure of one of the actuator units.

Abstract: An indicator gauge has a flat light conducting prism with an upper beveled surface positioned between the translucent dial and movement of the indicator. The prism receives light from a source located in the rear portion of the gauge and laterally of said movement, such that light is reflected downwardly by the beveled edge through the prism to illuminate the dial and pointer. A second annular prism may also be provided with a beveled surface so as to reflect light from the source across the face of the dial.

Abstract: A radio receiver and magnetic tape player combination having a radio control mechanism and a housing with an opening to receive a magnetic tape cartridge, includes a dial door and station indicator mounted in the housing and movable between a first position wherein the opening is closed and a second position clear of the opening to permit entry of the cartridge. The dial door and station indicator includes indicia therein to indicate the frequency to which the radio receiver is tuned, and an angled reflecting surface positioned adjacent the indicia. A pointer, movably mounted in the housing and operatively connected to the radio control mechanism, includes a reflecting surface on one end. When the pointer is illuminated by a light source mounted in the housing, the reflection from the reflecting surface of the pointer impinges upon the beveled surface to cause the pointer to appear on the background indicia within the dial door to indicate the frequency to which the radio receiver is tuned.