Illumination devices for watches and other instruments

Abstract

A UV emitter is incorporated into a variety of different illumination devices suitable for illuminating indicia associated with dials on watches, gauges and other instruments, as well as ornaments. The indicia is made of a material responsive to UV emissions to render the indicia visible. The devices may be used in motor vehicles and other devices. In addition, a conductor arrangement is also provided that can be used to support the UV emitter under the transparent cover of watches or gauges, with the UV emitter oriented to direct the UV emissions toward the indicia. Embodiments are presented for UV emitters on top of dials with indicia, laterally from the dials, or even under the dials.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In a watch having a case with a dial and a crystal disposed on top of said dial, an illumination apparatus comprising: 
 a light emitter including a lensless semiconductor junction adapted to generate light in the UV region and generating a broad UV light beam; and    at least one indicia disposed on said dial, said indicia being adapted and arranged to become visible in response to said UV light beam.    
     
     
         2 . The illumination apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said light emitter is attached to said crystal.  
     
     
         3 . The illumination apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said light emitter is arranged to direct said UV beam laterally from sidewalls of said case.  
     
     
         4 . The illumination apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said light emitter is disposed under said dial.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said dial is transparent.  
     
     
         6 . An ornamental device comprising: 
 a case having a base and a transparent cover, with an image affixed to said base and visible through said cover, said image including image elements responsive to UV light; and    a light emitter disposed in said base and arranged to form a UV light beam directed to said image.    
     
     
         7 . The ornamental device of  claim 6  wherein said light emitter includes a semiconductor junction adapted to emit UV radiation.  
     
     
         8 . In a vehicle having at least one device, an illumination apparatus comprising: 
 a light emitter including a semiconductor junction without a focusing lens adapted to generate wide UV beam; and    indicia responsive to said UV beam and attached to said device.    
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said device is an instrument having a dial and said indicia is attached to said dial.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said instrument includes a transparent cover extending on said dial and said light emitter is mounted on said cover.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising several light emitters, each emitter generating beams toward said indicia.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the vehicle has a structural member remote from the device and wherein said light emitter is attached to the structural member.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the vehicle has a roof and said light emitter is attached to the roof.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein said device is an instrument having a moving member and said indicia is attached to said moving member.  
     
     
         15 . An illuminating apparatus for a device having a case with a dial and a transparent cover through which the dial is visible, comprising: 
 a conductor arrangement having an arm extending under said transparent cover and having a first end fixed and a second end; and    a light emitter attached to said second end and being supported by said arm in a cantilevered fashion, said light emitter being oriented to direct light toward the dial.    
     
     
         16 . The illuminating apparatus of  claim 15  wherein said case further includes a circuit board disposed under said dial and wherein said arm is electrically coupled to said circuit board.  
     
     
         17 . The illuminating apparatus of  claim 16  further comprising a pin assembly extending from said circuit board and having one end supporting said arm.  
     
     
         18 . The illuminating device of  claim 17  wherein said pin assembly includes a spring biasing said pin toward said arm.  
     
     
         19 . The illuminating device of  claim 16  further comprising a spring extending between said circuit board and said arm.  
     
     
         20 . The illuminating device of  claim 15  wherein said light emitter is further attached to the transparent cover.  
     
     
         21 . A flashlight comprising: 
 an elongated body adapted to hold a battery; and    a UV emitter secured to said body and arranged to selectively produce UV emissions, said UV emitter including a semiconductor junction adapted to generate said UV emissions.    
     
     
         22 . The flashlight of  claim 21  wherein said elongated body has an end, with said UV emitter being attached to said end, and a quartz element attached to said body to protect said UV emitter.  
     
     
         23 . The flashlight of  claim 22  wherein said quartz element is arranged and constructed to shape the beam formed by said UV emissions.  
     
     
         24 . The flashlight of  claim 22  wherein said quartz element is removable from said body.  
     
     
         25 . The flashlight of  claim 21  wherein said body is flexible to allow said flashlight to take a selected configuration.