Patent ID: 6174063
Filing Date: 2001-01-16
Classification: B60K,G01D,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus comprising a base having a mounting surface, a solid state light emitting element having first and second major sides interconnected by a plurality of minor sides, mounting means extending between said mounting surface on said base and at least one of said minor sides of said solid state light emitting element for supporting said solid state light emitting element with said first and second major sides exposed and extending transversely to said mounting surface on said base to enable light to be transmitted from said first and second major sides of said solid state light emitting element, and a housing which encloses said solid state light emitting element, said housing including a display section having a body which is formed of a transparent material and which defines a recess in which said solid state light emitting element is received, said display section of said housing having an opaque inner side surface which is disposed on said body of transparent material and at least partially defines an opening to the recess in which said solid state light emitting element is received, said display section of said housing having a translucent outer side surface which extends parallel to said opaque inner side surface, said solid state light emitting element being disposed in said recess with said major sides of said solid state light emitting element facing toward said body of transparent material to enable light emitted from said major sides of said solid state light emitting element to enter said body of transparent material at a location between said opaque inner side surface and translucent outer side surface of said display section.