US3567994A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Illuminative display device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-07-02
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1989-07-02
Abstract
Abstract An illuminative display device for use in advertising comprises a ballast which includes a transformer, a first connector having terminals which are connected to the ballast transformer input and output windings, and a second connector having terminals connected to a group of lamps which are included in the device and are illuminated during the operation of the device. Two additional terminals on the second connector are connected to a voltage supply source. When the first and second connectors are joined, the source voltage is brought directly to the input terminals of the transformer, and the output terminals of the transformer are connected to the lamps. The structure enables ready service and repair of the various components in the device without the difficulties generally encountered because of the high voltages produced and because of the difficult location of the display device. A third connector, with which a ballast tester is associated, is adapted to be substituted for the second connector when testing of the ballast transformer is to be carried out.
Inventors
- 👤 Harry Weiss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:07
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; F; F21; F21V; F21V23/00; F21Y; F21Y2103/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
In an illuminative display device, the combination of a ballast comprising a transformer having input and output terminals, a first connector having a plurality of terminals, means for electrically connecting said input and output terminals on said transformer to said terminals on said first connector, a plurality of lamps each having terminals, a second connector having a plurality of terminals, means for electrically connecting said lamp terminals to terminals on said second connector, and means for electrically connecting two additional terminals on said second connector to a voltage supply source, said first and second connectors being adapted to be joined together such that said transformer input terminals are connected through said first connector to said two additional terminals on said second connector and said transformer output terminals are connected through said first and second connectors to said lamps which are thereby actuated to provide illumination, said first and second connectors also being adapted to be easily separated whereupon said two additional terminals are disconnected from said transformer input terminals, thereby facilitating the repair or replacement of said transformer and said lamps.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
In an illuminative display device, the combination of a ballast comprising a transformer having input and output terminals, a first connector having a plurality of terminals, means for electrically connecting said input and output terminals on said transformer to said terminals on said first connector, a plurality of lamps each having terminals, a second connector having a plurality of terminals, means for electrically connecting said lamp terminals to terminals on said second connector, and means for electrically connecting two additional terminals on said second connector to a voltage supply source, said first and second connectors being adapted to be joined together such that said transformer input terminals are connected through said first connector to said two additional terminals on said second connector and said transformer output terminals are connected through said first and second connectors to said lamps which are thereby actuated to provide illumination, said first and second connectors also being adapted to be easily separated whereupon said two additional terminals are disconnected from said transformer input terminals, thereby facilitating the repair or replacement of said transformer and said lamps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
127 words
The device of claim 1, in which the terminals of said first connector are male projecting terminals, and the terminals on said second connector are female receptacle terminals, and in which two male terminals on said first connector project a shorter distance outwardly from the connector relative to the other male terminals thereon, said two male terminals being connected with said two additional terminals on said second connector when said first and second connectors are joined whereupon when said first and said second connectors are separated said two short terminals on said first connector are disconnected from said two additional terminals on said second connector prior to the disconnection of the other terminals on said connectors, thereby to substantially prevent exposure to spark generation at said terminals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the device of claim 1, a ballast case enclosing said transformer, said first connector being secured to said ballast case, and said second connectOr being flexibly connected to said lamps and movable into and out of contact with said first connector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1, in which said lamps are fluorescent lamps, and in which there are at least two lamps.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination with the device of claim 1, a ballast tester comprising a plurality of signal devices, a third connector having a plurality of terminals adapted to be joined to said first connector, means for electrically connecting said signal devices to said terminals on said third connector, and means for connecting the two additional terminals on said second connector to the input terminals on said transformer without connecting said first and second connectors, whereupon when said third connector is joined to said first connector said signal devices are connected to the output terminals of said transformer and are actuated if said transformer is operative and are not so actuated if said transformer is defective, whereby the operative condition of said transformer is quickly determined.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the device of claim 5, a transparent member adapted to be manually held, and said signal devices comprising a plurality of lamps positioned behind said transparent member so as to be visible therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
The device of claim 6, in which said means to connect the additional terminals on said second connector to said transformer input terminals on said first connector comprises a fourth connector having two terminals adapted to be joined to said additional terminals, and means for connecting said terminals on said fourth connector and two terminals on said third connector, said two terminals on said third connector being adapted to be connected to the input terminals of said transformer when said third connector is joined to said first connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
In the device of claim 2, a ballast case enclosing said transformer, said first connector being secured to said ballast case, and said second connector being flexibly connected to said lamps and movable into and out of contact with said first connector.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 8, in which said lamps are fluorescent lamps, and in which there are at least two lamps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
124 words
In combination with the device of claim 9, a ballast tester comprising a plurality of signal devices, a third connector having a plurality of terminals adapted to be joined to said first connector, means for electrically connecting said signal devices to said terminals on said third connector, and means for connecting the two additional terminals on said second connector to the input terminals on said transformer without connecting said first and second connectors, whereupon when said third connector is joined to said first connector said signal devices are connected to the output terminals of said transformer and are actuated if said transformer is operative and are not so actuated if said transformer is defective, whereby the operative condition of said transformer is quickly determined.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
In the device of claim 10, a transparent member adapted to be manually held, and said signal devices comprising a plurality of lamps positioned behind said transparent member so as to be visible therethrough.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
88 words
The device of claim 11, in which said means to connect the additional terminals on said second connector to said transformer input terminals on said first connector comprises a fourth connector having two terminals adapted to be joined to said additional terminals, and means for connecting said terminals on said fourth connector and two terminals on said third connector, said two terminals on said third connector being adapted to be connected to the input terminals of said transformer when said third connector is joined to said first connector.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |