# US 2009/0266293 A1 · Pointer with a Contrasting Edge for a Gauge or Similar, and a Method of Fabricating Such a Pointer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0266293 A1 - Document ID: US20090266293A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 11/794,619 - Filed: 2005-12-27 - Published: 2009-10-29 - Earliest claimed: 2005-12-27 - Assignees: Johnson Controls Technology Company - Inventors: Joel Fournier - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090266293A1 ## CPC - G01D 13/22: Pointers, e.g. settable pointer - B60K 2360/698: Pointers of combined instruments - Y10S 116/06: Pointer structure - G01D: MEASURING NOT SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR A SPECIFIC VARIABLE; ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEASURING TWO OR MORE VARIABLES NOT COVERED IN A SINGLE OTHER SUBCLASS; TARIFF METERING APPARATUS; MEASURING OR TESTING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60K: ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PROPULSION UNITS OR OF TRANSMISSIONS IN VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENT OR MOUNTING OF PLURAL DIVERSE PRIME-MOVERS IN VEHICLES; AUXILIARY DRIVES FOR VEHICLES; INSTRUMENTATION OR DASHBOARDS FOR VEHICLES; ARRANGEMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH COOLING, AIR INTAKE, GAS EXHAUST OR FUEL SUPPLY OF PROPULSION UNITS IN VEHICLES - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract According to an exemplary embodiment, a pointer includes an indicator portion including an arm of transparent material and a margin that projects laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines thereon a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin. The rear face includes a first coating of a first color to cover the central zone only and a second coating of a second color to cover at least the peripheral zone. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pointer for a gauge or the like, the pointer comprising: an indicator portion including an arm of transparent material and a margin that projects laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines thereon a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin, the rear face including a first coating of a first color to cover the central zone only, and a second coating of a second color to cover at least the peripheral zone. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pointer of claim 1, wherein the second coating extends over the first coating so as to cover the entire rear face. ### Claim 3 A method of fabricating a pointer with an indicator portion having a contrasting edge, the method comprising: fabricating an indicator portion of transparent material with an arm and a margin projecting laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin; depositing a first coating of a first color on the rear face so that the first coating covers the central zone; and depositing a second coating of a second color so as to cover at least the peripheral zone. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the second coating is deposited so as to cover the entire rear face. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein the coatings are applied by pad-printing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The pointer of claim 1, wherein the peripheral zone forms a visibly contrasting edge relative to the central zone. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The pointer of claim 1, wherein the second coating covers only the peripheral zone. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein depositing the first coating and depositing the second coating comprise pad-printing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein depositing the first coating comprises sticking a plastic film on the rear face. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The method of claim 3, wherein depositing the first coating and depositing the second coating are conducted in a single operation. ### Claim 11 An indicator of a pointer, the indicator comprising: a transparent arm; a transparent margin that projects from the arm; a rear face comprising a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin; and a colored coating on the peripheral zone to form a visually contrasting edge relative to at least one of a dial adjacent to the pointer and another structure of the indicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The indicator of claim 11, wherein the transparent arm includes a side wall, and the transparent margin projects from the side wall. ### Claim 13 A pointer for a gauge or the like, the pointer comprising: an indicator portion including an arm of transparent material and a margin that projects laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines thereon a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin, the rear face including a first coating of a first color on the central zone only and a second coating of a second color on at least the peripheral zone. ### Claim 14 A pointer for a gauge or the like, the pointer comprising: an indicator portion including an arm of transparent material and a margin that projects laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines thereon a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin, the rear face including a colored coating on at least the peripheral zone to form a visually contrasting edge relative to at least one of the a dial adjacent the pointer and another structure of the indicator. ### Claim 15 A method of fabricating a pointer with an indicator portion having a contrasting edge, the method comprising: fabricating an indicator portion including an arm and a margin projecting laterally from the arm, the indicator portion also including a rear face that defines a central zone corresponding to the arm and a peripheral zone corresponding to the margin; and depositing a colored coating on at least the peripheral zone to form the contrasting edge that contrasts with at least one of a dial adjacent the pointer and another structure of the indicator.