US1990639A - Indicator - Google Patents

Description

vFeb. 12, 1935. w, w. bEWHURsT INDICATOR v Filed Feb. 28, 1933 A'TToP/VEV.

Patented Feb. 12), 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE INDICATOR Application February 28, 1933, Serial No. 658,903

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to indicators and, more particularly, to illuminated indicating devices applicable to radio receivers and analogous apparatus.

- Known radio receivers usually include, in addition to the conventional tuning dial control knob, various auxiliary control devices such as, for example, volume controls, tone controls whereby either the high or low frequencies are accentuated, and interstation noise Suppressors for silencing the receiver during movement of the tuning dial between stations.

The additional control elements are usually manually actuated by means of knobs with which are associated pointers or the like to indicate on, off, high, or low positions of the various control devices. Obviously, the visibility of conventional pointers is somewhat poor when the in locations Where the light is dim, thus necessitating close observation to ascertain the positions of adjustment of the various auxiliary control devices. Furthermore, such pointers add nothing to the ornamental appearance of the radio receiver cabinet.

It is, therefore, an objct of my invention' to provide improved indicating means in conjunction with auxiliary control devices of the character specied which will enhance the appearance of a radio cabinet.

A further object of my invention is to provide n illuminated indicating device in connection ned whereby, when a cabinet contained radio receiver is energized, the effective operating position of the auxiliary controls will become immediately visible to the operator.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved indicating means in conjunction with auxiliary control devices of the character specied whereby, when a cabinet contained radio is (Cl. 11G-124.4)

energized, a variable shaft of light will immediately appear in connection with each of said auxiliary controls and thereby indicate a position of adjustment in the adjustable range of said auxiliary controls.

A further object of my invention is to provide improved indicating means in connection with auxiliary control devices of the character specied whereby, when a radio receiver is energized, a translucent path of contrasting colors arranged in co-operative relation with each one of said controls will become illuminated whereby a line of demarcation between said colors will indicate a position of adjustment in the working range of said controls.

Another object of my invention is to provide improved indicating means in conjunction with auxiliary control devices of the character specifled whereby, when a radio receiver is energized, a translucent path of colors suiiiciently different to show a line of demarcation therebetween and arranged in cooperative relation with each one of said controls will become illuminated, said lines of demarcation being automatically adjustable simultaneously with and in accordance with an adjustment of said auxiliary controls. y

A further object of my invention is to provide a translucent path of different colors in conjunction with each of the control devices hereinbefore mentioned whereby, when a radio receiver is energized, a line or spot of light will appear to extend across or in each of said paths and thereby indicate the minimum, maximum, or any inbetween position of adjustment of said cqontrol devices.

Another object of my invention is to provide a translucent, variably colored path in conjunction with each auxiliary control device of the character specied whereby, when a radio receiver is energized, a portion of each of said paths will become illuminated, the illuminated portion of each path corresponding to the positions to which said control devices have been adjusted or set.

A still further and more specific object of my invention is to provide an illuminated toneindicator for a radio receiver whereby changeable color effects are produced which indicate the tone shading of the reproduced music, or the like.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention resides in the novel construction, combination. and arrangement of parts, the novel features of which are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. 'I'he invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of a specific embodiment, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of a fragmentary portion of a radio receiver .control panel illustrating a preferred embodiment of my invention,

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. l with the panel removed to more clearly illustrate my invention,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a of Fig. 1,

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a form of my invention, and

Fig. 6 is a sectional view of Fig. 5.

Referring more particularlyA to the drawing, wherein similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout, there is shown in Fig. 1 a fragmentary portion oi a control panel 10 forming a part of a radio cabinet not shown. The control panel 10 is provided, in addition to the usual tuning dial escutcheon plate and control knob (not shown), with at least three substantially parallel irregular openings 11, l2 and 13 which are' closed by means of flat rectangular escutcheon plates 14, and 16 suitably attached to the rear face of the panel 10 by means of screws, rivets, or the like, as indicated at 17. The escutcheon plates 14 and 16 are each provided with a circular clearance opening 18 and a vertically disposed elongated slot 19 spaced from, but in central alignment with, the axial center of the openings 18 as clearly shown in Fig. 1.

A sheet of translucent material 20 such as celluloid, for example, preferably although not necessarily light green in color, and of a size sufcient to cover the slot 19 is suitably secured to each rear face of the escutcheon plates 14 and 16 and over the respective slots 19 therein by means of rivets, or the like as indicated at 21.

The intermediate escutcheon plate 15 is preferably provided with two parallel, spaced, circular, clearance openings and an elongated slot 23 between said openings, the respective end portions 24 of the slot 23 being inclined with respect to its intermediate portion 25 and arranged radially of the said openings. A sheet of translucent material 26, such as celluloid for example, is also secured to the rear face of the escutcheon plate 15 and over the slot 23 by means of suitable rivets or the like as indicated at 27. The translucent sheet 26 is provided with a plurality of parallel, vertically arranged stripes of different colors, preferably a yellow stripe 27, an intermediate red stripe 28 and a blue stripe 29. One marginal edge of the yellow and blue stripes overlaps the adjacent marginal edge of the red stripe to provide a relatively narrow stripe 30 of orange color between the yellow and red stripes and a similar stripe 31 of violet between the red and blue stripes whereby said colors are merged to provide a rainbow effect for a purpose hereinafter described.

A plurality of. variable circuit control elements sectional view taken on the line 4-4 modified taken on the line 6-6 32 having an operating shaft 33 projecting laterally therefrom, are secured centrally of and along the front side or wall of a radio receiver chassis 34 in a manner well known in the art and with the respective operative shafts 3,3 extending forwardly through the chassis 34 and the shaft clearance openings formed in the escutcheon plates 14, l5, and 16 mounted on the panel 10.

A light source 35 is also secured to the-chassis 34 with each of the control elements 32 positioned adjacent the opposite ends 36 of the chassis 34. An additional light source 37 is secured to the chassis 34 centrally between the two intermediate control elements 32 and within a suitable cup-shape housing 38, as clearly shown in Fig. 2.

A masking screen or disc 39 of celluloid or the like, for example, mounted on a suitable hub or sleeve 40 concentrically therewith is secured on each of the control operating shafts 33, adjacent the opposite ends 36 of the chassis 34, between each light source 35 and each of the escutcheon plates 14 and 15 by means of a suitable set screw 41 carried by each hub 40. The discs 39, normally transparent, are partly colored to` produce va translucent substantially circular. area 42 of such adesign that a spiral line of demarcation 43 is formed between the translucent area 42 and the transparent portion indicated at 44, whereby when the discs 39 are rotated in response to the shaft 33, a corresponding line of demarcation is produced by reflection across the slots 19, when illuminated, for visibly indicating a minimum, maximum, or any in-between position to which the circuit control elements 32, adjacent the opposite ends 36 of the chassis 34, may have been adjusted, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

In order that `the line of demarcation, which is adapted to be reflected across each of the slots 19, shall appear substantially at right angles to the vertical edges defining the slots 19, the light sources 35 are disposed at an angle to the vertical edges of the slots 19 and preferably inclined toward each other.

As viewed in Fig. 2, the disc 39, at the left hand end of the receiver chassis 34, must be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to increase the adjustment of the circuit control element 32, with which it is associated, toward maximum position while the disc 39 at the opposite end of the chassis 34 is rotated in a counter-clockwise direction to decrease the range of adjustment of the circuit control element 32, associated therewith, toward minimum position. The respective spiral lines of demarcation 43 formed on the discs 39 are shown in Fig. 2 in the respective positions assumed thereby after the discs 39 have been rotated to their maximum position of adjustment in a clockwise direction in response to the operating shafts 33. In this position, a minimum amount of illumination will appear in the slot 19 to the left, as viewed in Fig. 2, and a maximum amount of illumination in slot 19 at the extreme right as viewed in Fig. 2.

Referring now to the intermediate escutcheon plate 15, light source 37 and intermediate circuit control elements 32 associated therewith, it will be observed from an inspection of Fig. 2 of the drawing that two intermediate' right and left hand cam-shape masking screens 45 co-operate with the slot 23. The masking screens 45, of any suitable opaque material, are secured on the operating shafts 33 of the intermediate circuit control elements 32 so as to occupy a position between the light source 37, secured to the receiver chassis 34, and the slottedescutcheon plate l5 carried by the panel l0.

As vviewed in Fig. 2, theleft hand masking screen 45 is shown in the position occupied thereby after it has been rotated to the limit of its movement in a clockwise direction in response to its operating shaft 33 whereby thehighest edge portion 46 ofthe left-hand masking screen 45 is positioned between one inclined end portion 24 Cil slot 23 will be illuminated and screen 45 is associated. The

of the slotl 23 and the light source 37. Consequently, the said inclined end portion 24 will appear totally opaque and visually indicate a minimum low adjustment o f the circuit control element 32 with which the left-hand masking screen 45 is associated. The opposite masking screen 45 is shown in the position occupied thereby after it has been rotated to the limit of its movement in a clockwise direction in response to its operating shaft 33 whereby the lowest edge portion 47 of the opposite masking screen 45 remains substantially between the light source 37 and the opposite inclined end portion 24 of the slot 23. Consequently, substantially the entire inclined opposite end portion 24 of the visually indicate a maximum high adjustment of the circuit control element 32 with which the right-hand masking intermediate portion 25 of the slot 23 remains unobstructed in any position of either one or both of the masking screens 45. Accordingly, when both of the screens 45 have been so rotated that they shut off the least light from the slot 23, all the colors, namely, yellow, orange, red, violet and blue, printed on the translucent sheet 26 will be visible and indicate the maximum retarded position of adjustment of the left hand intermediate control element 32 and the maximum advanced position of adjustment of the opposite intermediate control element 32 as viewed in Fig. 2. However, when the masking screens 45 have been so rotated that they shut oi the most light from the slot 23, the intermediate portion 25 of the slot 23, showing the red portion 28 of the translucent sheet 26, will remain illuminated and, thereby, visibly indicate the maximum advanced position of the left hand intermediate control element 32 and the maximum retarded position of the opposite control element 32. The arrangement of the elements so far described being such that the illumination of the respective slots extends in proportion to the relative adjustment between the masking members 39 and 45, and the respective light sources 35 and 37.

In the modied form of my invention illustrated in Figs. and 6, I substitute for each of the escutcheon plates 14 and 16 hereinbefore described, a similar escutcheon plate 48 which is provided with a curved or arcuate slot as indicated at 49. A disc of translucent material 50 provided with a plurality of colored areas similar to the section of Celluloid 26 associated with the slot 23, is secured to the rear face of each escutcheon plate 48 and over the curved slot 49 with the colored areas vertically arranged.

A cup-shape member 51 adapted to house each light source 35 adjacent the opposite ends 36 ofthe receiver chassis 34 is secured to the front side of the chassis concentrically with the operating shaft 33 of the circuit control elements 32 also adjacent said opposite chassis ends 36. In conjunction with each cup-shape member 51, I provide an opaque masking disc 52 of any suitable material having a short, narrow slot .53 formed therein adjacent its peripheral edge and extending radially of the axial center thereof which is secured on each of the opposite end operating shafts 33 in lieu of the masking screens or discs 39 hereinbefore described. Each of the masking discs 52 is so positioned and secured to its respective operating shaft 33 that the open end of each cup-shape member 51 is substantially closed, each disc 52 being then positioned between each light source 35 and escutcheon plate 48.

Yadvanced or increased 3 'I'he slot 53 in each masking disc 52 is formed on a radius substantially equal to the radius of the curved slot 49, whereby, when each disc 52 is rotated in response to its operating shaft 33, light passing through each slot 53 will cause an illuminated image of each slot 53 to move along the path of each of the curved slots 49 and visibly indicate a position to which the circuit control elements 32, adjacent the opposite ends 36 of the chassis 34, may have been adjusted.

In the modified form of my invention, Figs. 5 and 6, the light sources 35 adjacent the opposite ends of the chassis 34 are, preferably, arranged in a vertical position within the cup-shape members 51 and a small shield 54'of translucent material extended into the light source receiving opening 55 formed in the periphery of the cupshape member 51, between the light source 35 and the slotted opaquemasking disc 52, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. The opaque masking screens 45 arranged intermediate the length of the receiver chassis 34 remaining the same as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

From a consideration of the herein described invention, it will be readily apparent that any position of adjustment to which the various circuit control elements 32 may be set is not only visibly indicated by shutting oi more or less of each light source 35 from each of the slots 19 and the slot 23, but a color indication is also given, particularly in connection with the intermediate slot 23. For examplewhen all the colors of the translucent material 26 associated with theescutcheon plate 15 and slot 23 appear illuminated, the left hand intermediate circuit control element 32, as viewed in Fig. 2 will have been set to maximum retardedor decreased position n of adjustment and the opposite intermediate control element 32 will have been set to its maximum position of adjustment. Conversely, if only the red intermediate portion of the translucent material 26 appears illuminated, the left-hand intermediate control element 32 will have been set to its maximum advanced or increased position of adjustment and the opposite intermediate' control element 32 will have been set to its maximum retarded or decreased position of adjustment.

While I have shown and described the masking screens as preferably being cam-shape in conguration, it is to 'be expressly understood that said members may be circular in form and eccentrically mounted on their respective operating shafts 33 or, instead of being circular or substantially circular in configuration, I may also utilize wedgeshape masking membersA which may be moved transversely of a slot. The masking screens may also be in the form of a rectangular plate which may be disposed in centralI alignment with an elongated'slot and made mov- Yable rectilinearly relatively thereto to expose more or less of the slot.

Although I have shown certain specific em-l ibly indicating the extent of control exercised by n said first named means, 'said last named means comprising a member having an arcuate slot therein, member and slot, a light source disposed to illumir-ate said translucent means, and an opaque masking member having an opening therein operable by said first named means and disposed between said arcuate slot and light source whereby an image of said opening is caused to appear along said slot.

2. In a radio receiver, plurality of controllable elements, means for actuating said elements, means associated with said last named means for indicating the extent of control exercised by said first named means, said last named means comprising a lmember having an elongated slot therein the opposite end portions of which are disposed at an angle with respect to the intermediate portion thereof, variably colored light permeable means associated with said member and slot, a light source disposed to illuminate said permeable means, two opaque masking members, each having a spiral peripheral edge, operable by said first named means and disposed between said light source and said slot at the respective ends of the slot for variably intercepting the light along said slot from the ends thereof toward its intermediate portion as either one `of said controllable elements is moved in a predetermined direction.

3. In a radio receiver, a controllable element, means for actuating said element, means associated with said last named means for indicating the extent of control exercised by said rst named means, said last named means comprising a member having an opening therein, means permeable to light associated with said member and opening, a light source disposed to illuminate said permeable means, and a masking member having a cam-shape transparent area and a cam-shape translucent area to denne a spiral line of demarcation therebetween operable by said first named means and disposed between said opening and light source whereby a `correspondiing lineof demarcation is reflected across said opening.

4. In radio apparatus, a controllable element, means for actuating said element, means for. visibly indicating the extent of control exercised by said first named means, said last named means comprising a member having a curved slot therein, a translucent shield associated with said member' and said curved slot, a light source, and an opaque masking disc having an elongated slot therein disposed between said translucent shield and said light source and operable by said first named means whereby an image of said elongated slot is caused toappear along said curved slot.

5. In a radio receiver or the likea controllable element, manually .operable means for controlling the element, an escutcheon plate having a slot therethrough, a color screen permeable to light covering the slot, a light source so disposed as to cause light therefrom to pass through said screen translucent means associated with said and said slot, a spiral light-obturating device mounted for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the escutcheon plate and being disposed between said plate and said light source, the said obturating vdevice being dened by the boundary between two portions of a planar element that have diiering light-transmission characteristics, andl means for causing said device to rotate in accordance with the operation of said manually operable means whereby the degree of obturation of the light visible through said slot is a measure of the adjustment of the controllable element.

6. In a radio receiver or the like, a controllable element, manually operable means for controlling the element, an escutcheon plate having a slot therethrough, a color screen permeable to light covering the slot, a light source so disposed as to cause light therefrom to pass through said screen and said slot, a spiral light-obturating device mounted for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the escutcheon plate and being disposed between said plate and said light source, the said obturating device being dened by the boundary between two portions of a planar element that have differing light-transmission characteristics, the inner portion thereof adjacent the axis of rotation being substantially transparent, and means for causing said device to rotate in accordance with the operation of said manually operable means whereby the degree of obturation of the light visible through said slot is a measure of the adjustment of the controllable element.

7. In a radio receiver or the like, in the order given, a light source, a rotatably mounted spiral light-obturating vdevice defined by the boundary between two portions of a planar element that have differing light-transmission characteristics, a slotted plate in juxtaposition to the device, the

slotl lying in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the device whereby, when the said device is rotated about the axis of the spiral, light from said source is so variably occluded before reaching the slot as to give an indication `of 'the angle through which the device is rotated.

8. In a radio receiver or the like, in the order given, a light source, a rotatably mounted spiral light-obturating device defined by the boundary between two portions of a disc that have differing light-transmission characteristics, the inner portion thereof adjacent the axis of rotation being substantially transparent, a slotted plate in juxtaposition to the device, the slot lying in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of rotation of the device whereby, when the said device is rotated about the axis of the spiral, light from said source is so variably occluded before reaching the slot as to give an indication of the angle through which the device is rotated.

WALLACE W. DEWHURST.

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