Disclosed is an indicator which includes a scale plate having a ground color, a pointer rotatably mounted on the scale plate and indicia such as numerals and scales arranged on the scale plate for indicating a specific value in cooperation with the pointer. The pointer includes an upper surface on which a fluorescent part having fluorescent brightener therein is formed, and the area of the fluorescent part of the pointer is smaller than that of the upper surface of the pointer. Each of the indicia has a contour defined by a normal ink having a different color from the ground color of the scale plate and a fluorescent part having fluorescent brightener therein formed in the contour of each indicia. The area of the fluorescent part of the indicia is smaller than that of the indicia. This indicator further includes an unltraviolet light source for illuminating the fluorescent parts of the pointer and the indicia so as to fluoresce only when the ultraviolet light source is turned on, whereby suppressing that the indicia and pointer become too bright and distracting for a driver when illuminated by the ultraviolet light source.
An interior illuminating apparatus for a vehicle includes an interior rear-view minor which is connected and fixed to an interior ceiling of the vehicle for observing the rear. An LED is provided in a vicinity of the interior rear-view mirror at a forward position in a traveling direction of the vehicle and radiates ultraviolet light on a center part of an instrument panel. An operating unit adapted to receive the ultraviolet light from the LED is provided in the center part of the instrument panel. The apparatus includes a starting switch for actuating the LED on and off. The operating unit has fluorescent layers coated thereon and containing a substance which emits fluorescence when irradiated with the ultraviolet light from the LED.
A weighing apparatus including a load receiving platform, a dial, and a moving indicator. The dial includes a face bearing various indicia for indicating the weight of a load placed upon the platform. A magnifier is operatively associated with the indicator for magnifying only a limited portion of the face of the dial in proximity to the indicator. A lamp, carried by the indicator, illuminates a limited portion of the face of the dial in proximity to the indicator. A switch actuates the lamp upon placement of a load upon the platform.
An instrument panel assembly (10) having a transparent intermediate substrate (42) inside its housing (16) on which is applied a phosphor coated indicia (40) for giving the appearance of a depth dimension when energized by a UV light source (36). Multiple intermediate substrates (42, 48) can be positioned at different level within the interior region of the housing (16), each containing various indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) which emits luminescent light when irradiated by the UV light source (36). Multiple UV light sources (36, 52) can be set to project UV radiation of different wavelengths into the housing (16) with each of the phosphor coated indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) being selected from material types which are responsive to only one of the various UV wavelengths, so that each indicia (40, 46, 56, 58) can be selectively energized to display warnings, information messages, or the like.
A jewelry design including a mounting made of a precious jewelry metal, a plurality of fluorescent diamonds having at least medium blue fluorescent intensity which are set in the mounting to form a message, and a plurality of non fluorescent diamonds set within the mounting adjacent the fluorescent diamonds, such that when the mounting is viewed under standard light the fluorescent diamonds are not discernable from the non fluorescent diamonds and the message is not visible, and such that when the mounting is viewed under ultraviolet light the fluorescent diamonds emit visible blue light to form and reveal the message.
An automobile gauge in which the needle thereof is brightened so that the ability with which the driver can see and confirm the position of the needle is enhanced. A pigmented layer is formed on the indicator portion of the needle. Bulbs and a light-guiding plate disposed on the reverse surface of a dial, or a light emitting element provided at the back of the needle introduces light so as to brighten the needle. Because the indicator portion of the needle is shaped into a substantially long and slender cylinder, the light irradiated and guided into the indicator portion advances toward the end of the indicator portion while the total reflection thereof is repeated. Most of the irradiated light reaches the end of the indicator portion because very little of the irradiated light dissipates outside the needle. The entire indicator portion can be thereby brightened uniformly.
