US3895380A - Digit display apparatus - Google Patents
Digit display apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US3895380A US3895380A US445104A US44510474A US3895380A US 3895380 A US3895380 A US 3895380A US 445104 A US445104 A US 445104A US 44510474 A US44510474 A US 44510474A US 3895380 A US3895380 A US 3895380A
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- digit
- display apparatus
- light
- elements
- digit display
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
- G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
- G09F9/307—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being incandescent filaments
Definitions
- This invention relates to digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of digit elements. at least the display portions thereof being made of transparent material and each containing a light source such as an electric lamp. are arranged in a basic digit pattern such as a figure 8 form and the lamps of selected elements are lighted to display a desired digit.
- Another object of this invention is to provide an im proved digit display apparatus of the type referred to above in which the light from the light source is caused to reflect randomly thereby making uniform the bright ness of each digit element over the entire length thereof.
- digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of elongated digit elements are arranged in a basic digit pattern such as a figure 8 configuration.
- the display portion of each digit element is made of a transparent material and each digit elements contains a light source whereby any desired digit can be displayed by lighting the light sources of selected digit elements, characterized in that transverse grid lines are formed on the rear surface of each digit elementv
- the grid lines are formed by serrations and the side surfaces thereof may be formed with fine irregularities.
- FIG. I is a front view, partly broken away ofa portion of one embodiment of the novel digit display apparatus embodying the invention.
- FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the display apparatus shown in FIG. I taken along a line lIlI;
- FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a digit element taken along a line IIl-III in FIG. 1.
- the digit display apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a front plate 12 made of transparent material such as a sheet of glass. acrylic resin or the like. and the entire surface of the front plate I2 is covered by an opaque light shielding material 15 except a plurality of digit elements I4 (l-Ia through 14g) which are arranged in the form of a figure 8.
- horizontal digit elements 14a. 14d and 14g are formed with transverse or vertical grooves I7.
- Such grooves can also be termed serrations or a plain grid.
- each lamp I9 In operation. the light emanated from each lamp I9 is guided by the light guide I8 to impinge upon the flat side surfaces of the grooves. The light reflected by the flat side surfaces of the grooves undergoes interference thus forming a type of spectrum which is transmitted through the front plate 12 to the outer side thereof.
- a portion of the light from the source propagates in the direction normal to the grid lines. that is in the longitudinal direction of the digit element. whereby the brightness ofthe digit element is averaged to eliminate the difference between portions close to and remote from the light source. For this reason. it is possible to obtain uniform brightness even when the light source not be located behind the longitudinal center of the digit element.
- each digit element is made of a transparent material and each digit element containing a source of light whereby any desired digit can be displayed by lighting the light sources of selected digit elements.
- the improvement which comprises transverse grid lines formed on the rear surface of each digit element parallel to the short axis of each elongated digit element.
- each said source of light for any said digit element is disposed within a light chamber in the form of a truncated cone. the front face of said truncated cone comprising said digit element and being wider than the portion wherein the said light source is disposed.
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Devices For Indicating Variable Information By Combining Individual Elements (AREA)
- Control Of Indicators Other Than Cathode Ray Tubes (AREA)
Abstract
In a digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of elongated digit elements are arranged in a basic digit pattern, the display portion of each digit element is made of a transparent material and each digit element contains a light cource, whereby any desired digit can be displayed by lighting the light sources of selected elements, transverse grid lines are formed on the rear surface of each digit element.
Description
United States Patent [1 1 Nishina et a1.
[ DIGIT DISPLAY APPARATUS [75] lnventors: Rintaro Nishina, Yoneza va;
Tomokazu Suzuki, Tokyo, both of Japan [73] Assignee: Tamura Electric Works, Ltd.,
Tokyo, Japan [22] Filed: Feb. 25, 1974 [21] App]. No.: 445,104
[30] Foreign Application Priority Data Mar. [4, 1973 Japan v. 48-31674 Mar. 14, I973 Japan 48-31675 [52] US. Cl. 340/378 R; 340/383 [51] Int. Cl. G08b 5/36 [58] Field of Search..... 340/378 A, 382, 383, 378 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,592,645 7/1926 Ramsdell 340/383 [451 July 15, 1975 2,115,906 5/1938 Dickson et 340/383 3.581307 5/l97l McKim et a1. 340/378 R 3,678,458 7/l972 Ljungkull et al..... 340/333 X 3,786,499 l/l974 Jankowski et al 340/378 R Primary Examiner-David L. Trafton Attorney, Agent, or FirmRo1and Plottel 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 1 DIGIT DISPLAY APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of digit elements. at least the display portions thereof being made of transparent material and each containing a light source such as an electric lamp. are arranged in a basic digit pattern such as a figure 8 form and the lamps of selected elements are lighted to display a desired digit.
From the standpoint of commercial value such display apparatus is required to be constructed such that the light emanated by the light source illuminates uniformly the display portion of each digit element for the purpose of eliminating any difference in the brightness at portions located at different distances from the light source and that the lighted lamp cannot be seen clearly. To this end, in the prior construction. the rear surface of the display portion of each digit element is frosted or formed with diamond prism cuts for randomly refleeting light but such construction are not always satisfactory.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly. it is an object of this invention to provide an improved digit display apparatus ofthe type referrcd to above wherein the brightness of respective digit elements can be made uniform throughout the length thereof even when the light source cannot be located at the longitudinal center of the digit element.
Another object of this invention is to provide an im proved digit display apparatus of the type referred to above in which the light from the light source is caused to reflect randomly thereby making uniform the bright ness of each digit element over the entire length thereof.
According to this invention. there is provided digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of elongated digit elements are arranged in a basic digit pattern such as a figure 8 configuration. the display portion of each digit element is made of a transparent material and each digit elements contains a light source whereby any desired digit can be displayed by lighting the light sources of selected digit elements, characterized in that transverse grid lines are formed on the rear surface of each digit elementv The grid lines are formed by serrations and the side surfaces thereof may be formed with fine irregularities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. I is a front view, partly broken away ofa portion of one embodiment of the novel digit display apparatus embodying the invention.
FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of the display apparatus shown in FIG. I taken along a line lIlI;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of a digit element taken along a line IIl-III in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The digit display apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a front plate 12 made of transparent material such as a sheet of glass. acrylic resin or the like. and the entire surface of the front plate I2 is covered by an opaque light shielding material 15 except a plurality of digit elements I4 (l-Ia through 14g) which are arranged in the form of a figure 8. The rear surfaces of vertical digit elements 1411. I41; I41 and I4fare provided with transverse or horizontal grooves 16 as shown in FIG. 3. In the same manner. horizontal digit elements 14a. 14d and 14g are formed with transverse or vertical grooves I7. On the back of each digit element I4 is provided a light guide 18 containing an electric lamp 19 at the bottom thereof. Such grooves can also be termed serrations or a plain grid.
In operation. the light emanated from each lamp I9 is guided by the light guide I8 to impinge upon the flat side surfaces of the grooves. The light reflected by the flat side surfaces of the grooves undergoes interference thus forming a type of spectrum which is transmitted through the front plate 12 to the outer side thereof.
In this manner. according to this invention. a portion of the light from the source propagates in the direction normal to the grid lines. that is in the longitudinal direction of the digit element. whereby the brightness ofthe digit element is averaged to eliminate the difference between portions close to and remote from the light source. For this reason. it is possible to obtain uniform brightness even when the light source not be located behind the longitudinal center of the digit element.
It is evident that the provision of a larger number of grid lines is advantageous. but as it is difficult to provide such a large number of grid lines by cutting it is preferable to use a replica of a diffraction grid as a digit element.
Further. when fine irregularities are formed on the side surfaces of the grooves as by etching process or sandblasting. random reflection of the light is resulted thus increasing the width of the spectrum. This makes more uniform the brightness and the lighted lamp invisible.
What is claimed is:
I. In a digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of elongated digit elements are arranged in a basic digit form, the display portion of each digit element being made of a transparent material and each digit element containing a source of light whereby any desired digit can be displayed by lighting the light sources of selected digit elements. the improvement which comprises transverse grid lines formed on the rear surface of each digit element parallel to the short axis of each elongated digit element.
2. The digit display apparatus according to claim I wherein said grid lines are formed by serrations formed on the rear surface of the digit element.
3. The digit display apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the side surfaces of said serrations are provided with fine irregularities.
4. The digit display apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fine irregularities are formed by chemical process.
5. The digit display apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fine irregularities are formed by physical process.
6. The digit display apparatus according to claim I wherein each said source of light for any said digit element is disposed within a light chamber in the form of a truncated cone. the front face of said truncated cone comprising said digit element and being wider than the portion wherein the said light source is disposed.
Claims (6)
1. In a digit display apparatus of the type wherein a plurality of elongated digit elements are arranged in a basic digit form, the display portion of each digit element being made of a transparent material and each digit element containing a source of light whereby any desired digit can be displayed by lighting the light sources of selected digit elements, the improvement which comprises transverse grid lines formed on the rear surface of each digit element parallel to the short axis of each elongated digit element.
2. The digit display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said grid lines are formed by serrations formed on the rear surface of the digit element.
3. The digit display apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the side surfaces of said serrations are provided with fine irregularities.
4. The digit display apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fine irregularities are formed by chemical process.
5. The digit display apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said fine irregularities are formed by physical process.
6. The digit display apparatus according to claim 1 wherein each said source of light for any said digit element is disposed within a light chamber in the form of a truncated cone, the front face of said truncated cone comprising said digit element and being wider than the portion wherein the said light source is disposed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP1973031675U JPS5335428Y2 (en) | 1973-03-14 | 1973-03-14 | |
JP3167473U JPS49132783U (en) | 1973-03-14 | 1973-03-14 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US3895380A true US3895380A (en) | 1975-07-15 |
Family
ID=26370179
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US445104A Expired - Lifetime US3895380A (en) | 1973-03-14 | 1974-02-25 | Digit display apparatus |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US3895380A (en) |
CH (1) | CH559402A5 (en) |
ES (1) | ES201064Y (en) |
FR (1) | FR2221772B1 (en) |
GB (1) | GB1433068A (en) |
IT (1) | IT1007684B (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2929809A1 (en) * | 1978-07-25 | 1980-02-07 | Sanyo Electric Co | DISPLAY DEVICE |
DE3037500A1 (en) * | 1979-10-06 | 1981-04-23 | Zettler-Elektro-Apparate AG, Näfels | LIGHTING DIODE ARRANGEMENT TO DISPLAY LARGE STRUCTURES |
GR1001482B (en) * | 1993-01-12 | 1994-02-28 | Vasileios Papanikolaou | Luminous indication for the change of gears of mechanically driven vehicles |
US6888757B2 (en) | 2001-10-24 | 2005-05-03 | Saifun Semiconductors Ltd. | Method for erasing a memory cell |
US7221591B1 (en) | 2002-05-06 | 2007-05-22 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Fabricating bi-directional nonvolatile memory cells |
US20070283860A1 (en) * | 2006-06-08 | 2007-12-13 | Jie-Yi Co., Ltd. | Table structure |
US7681347B1 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2010-03-23 | Imageworks Display And Marketing Group | Edge lit sign with illuminated image |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1592645A (en) * | 1922-10-18 | 1926-07-13 | Ramsdell Ada Viola | Illuminated sign |
US2115906A (en) * | 1935-03-23 | 1938-05-03 | Chrysler Corp | Reflector |
US3581307A (en) * | 1968-05-29 | 1971-05-25 | Jack D Mckim | Direct view high intensity readout module having conical light conveyor tube |
US3678458A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-07-18 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Directional signal having refractive indicant areas |
US3786499A (en) * | 1972-11-16 | 1974-01-15 | Fairchild Camera Instr Co | Alpha-numeric display package |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2826680A (en) * | 1956-03-29 | 1958-03-11 | Sears Roebuck & Co | Pilot light assembly |
US3210876A (en) * | 1964-01-10 | 1965-10-12 | Dialight Corp | Luminous devices |
-
1974
- 1974-02-25 US US445104A patent/US3895380A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1974-02-26 GB GB855674A patent/GB1433068A/en not_active Expired
- 1974-02-26 CH CH268574A patent/CH559402A5/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1974-02-26 FR FR7406482A patent/FR2221772B1/fr not_active Expired
- 1974-02-28 ES ES1974201064U patent/ES201064Y/en not_active Expired
- 1974-04-08 IT IT7420902A patent/IT1007684B/en active
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1592645A (en) * | 1922-10-18 | 1926-07-13 | Ramsdell Ada Viola | Illuminated sign |
US2115906A (en) * | 1935-03-23 | 1938-05-03 | Chrysler Corp | Reflector |
US3581307A (en) * | 1968-05-29 | 1971-05-25 | Jack D Mckim | Direct view high intensity readout module having conical light conveyor tube |
US3678458A (en) * | 1970-07-09 | 1972-07-18 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Directional signal having refractive indicant areas |
US3786499A (en) * | 1972-11-16 | 1974-01-15 | Fairchild Camera Instr Co | Alpha-numeric display package |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE2929809A1 (en) * | 1978-07-25 | 1980-02-07 | Sanyo Electric Co | DISPLAY DEVICE |
US4274217A (en) * | 1978-07-25 | 1981-06-23 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Display device |
DE3037500A1 (en) * | 1979-10-06 | 1981-04-23 | Zettler-Elektro-Apparate AG, Näfels | LIGHTING DIODE ARRANGEMENT TO DISPLAY LARGE STRUCTURES |
GR1001482B (en) * | 1993-01-12 | 1994-02-28 | Vasileios Papanikolaou | Luminous indication for the change of gears of mechanically driven vehicles |
US6888757B2 (en) | 2001-10-24 | 2005-05-03 | Saifun Semiconductors Ltd. | Method for erasing a memory cell |
US7221591B1 (en) | 2002-05-06 | 2007-05-22 | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. | Fabricating bi-directional nonvolatile memory cells |
US7681347B1 (en) * | 2006-06-07 | 2010-03-23 | Imageworks Display And Marketing Group | Edge lit sign with illuminated image |
US20070283860A1 (en) * | 2006-06-08 | 2007-12-13 | Jie-Yi Co., Ltd. | Table structure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
FR2221772A1 (en) | 1974-10-11 |
ES201064Y (en) | 1976-01-16 |
DE2409092A1 (en) | 1974-09-26 |
CH559402A5 (en) | 1975-02-28 |
DE2409092B2 (en) | 1976-12-30 |
GB1433068A (en) | 1976-04-22 |
ES201064U (en) | 1975-09-16 |
IT1007684B (en) | 1976-10-30 |
FR2221772B1 (en) | 1977-06-10 |
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