Illuminated snap-on gauge pointer assembly
AssigneeDelco Electronics Corporation
InventorMarvin L. Owen
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gauge includes a transparent pointer driven through gears by a stepper motor offset from the pointer axis. An output gear on the pointer axis is transparent and has a first hub supporting the pointer and a second hub aligned with a lamp, so that light is passed through the output gear to the pointer. The first hub has retention pads molded onto its side. The pointer has a tubular sleeve with axial slots to allow expansion and has retention ribs which ride over the pads upon assembly and snap over the pads to secure the pointer in an axially fixed position. The sleeve also has tapered axial ribs which slide between the pads during assembly to angularly orient the pointer.
Claims14
In an instrument panel indicator having a pointer movable about an axis for arcuate travel across an outer face of an apertured panel, a gauge comprising:
- a stepper motor including an output gear, the output gear being driven by the stepper motor;
- support means behind the panel for supporting the stepper motor;
- the output gear being mounted on the support means for rotation about the axis and having a gear hub extending toward the panel;
- the pointer having a hub on the axis extending through an aperture in the panel and coupling with the gear hub;
- and
- the pointer hub and the gear hub together forming a snap connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.