GB1293268A - Moving pointer instrument assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

1293268 Indicating-apparatus FORD MOTOR CO Ltd 10 June 1970 28083/70 Heading G1J [Also in Division G3] In an assembly of instruments each with a transparent pointer 18 or 40 on a spindle, light is directed from a common source 21 into each pointer adjacent its spindle, so that light travels along the pointer away from its spindle, and at least part of each pointer is painted so that some of the light travelling along it is scattered out of the pointer. Applied to a motor vehicle instrument assembly light is directed to a speedometer pointer 40 by a light guide 26 and to pointers 18 of water temperature gauge 17 and fuel gauge 16 by a light guide 29 with branches 32, 33. The end 34 of each branch is bevelled and painted white to direct or scatter light through its lower surface into the upper surface of the pointer 18 at its spindle end 35 where it is bevelled and painted white to direct or scatter light along the pointer. Arcuate slots 38 in an opaque shield 36 painted matt black allow the ends 37 of the pointers 18 to be viewed whilst obscuring the light guides and spindle ends. The light guide 26 includes a wedge 39 extending behind the speedometer pointer 40 whose spindle 42 passes through a hole 43 into the pointer hub 43a whose upper surface is painted white. An opaque plastic bezel 46 and matt black disc 41 shield the light guide and spindle from view and white painted areas 47, 48.and inner hub surfaces direct light into and along pointer 40. In a similar manner three pointers in a clock Fig. 10 (not shown) may be illuminated. Colour effects may be obtained by the use of coloured paints or coloured plastics.