Patent US3574449A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3574449A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
K for individual plastic face panels of internally illuminated sign box
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-04-29
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1989-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A CHANNEL SEAM LOCK FOR REMOVABLY SECURING TOGETHER PANELS OF AN INTERNALLY ILLUMINATED SIGN BOX OR THE LIKE.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerome Rosenberg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 09:23
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; E; E04; E04F; E04F19/00; E04F19/02; E04F19/06; E06; E06B; E06B3/00; E06B3/54; E06B3/5427; F; F16; F16B; F16B5/00; F16B5/0004; F16B5/0032; F16B5/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
A seam lock for securing together a plurality of translucent panels arranged in edge-to-edge abutting relationship to form a sign face for an internally illuminated sign, comprising locking means on adjacent marginal edges of said panels for releasably locking adjacent panels together, said locking means comprising a material capable of passing light therethrough and constructed to minimize refraction and diffusion of light passing through said panels in the vicinity of said locking means to preclude shadows and discoloration and the like in said sign face.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
44 words
A seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 2, wherein said locking means is made of a translucent material and comprises channel members having preselected corner radii such as to minimize refraction and diffusion of light passing therethrough.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
126 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 2 wherein said locking means comprises first locking means carried by adjacent marginal edges of the panels and second locking means simultaneously interengaging and interlocking with said first locking means to releasably hold the panels in said edge-to-edge relationship, said first locking means comprising a web portion and an outer flange extending at substantially right angles from an edge of said web portion, the outer surface of said flange being affixed to the back of a panel adjacent a marginal edge thereof with the webs of adjacent locking means extending substantially perpendicularly and in back-to-back relationship from the back of adjacent panels, said second locking means interengaging and interlocking with said web portions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
48 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 4 wherein said first locking means is generally U-shaped with an inner flange extending substantially perpendicularly from the opposite edge of said web, said inner flange being interengaged and interlocked with said second locking means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
103 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 5, wherein said second locking means comprises a generally C-shaped locking channel member having an outer wall and two depending sidewalls extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite edges of said outer wall, each of said sidewalls having an inwardly directed flange means extending parallel to said outer wall and terminating short of each other, defining inwardly facing recesses, each of said recesses slidably receiving an outer flange of two adjacent generally U-shaped locking members thereby releasably holding said U-shaped locking member sin back-to-back relationship and their respective panels in edge-to-edge relationship.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 4, wherein the juncture of said outer flange with said web is radiused, the radii having been selected such that refraction and diffusion of light passing through said panel in the vicinity of said channel member is minimized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 2, wherein said locking means is made of plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 2, wherein said first means are clear acrylic, said second means is white acrylic, and said panels are plexiglas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 7 wherein the inner radius at said juncture is approximately twice the outer radius at said juncture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 6 wherein the combined length of a pair of adjacent inner flanges is less than the width of said outer wall whereby substantial clearance is provided at the ends of said outer flanges in said recesses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Seam lock for securing together a plurality of panels as defined in claim 2 wherein, said first means is cemented to its respective panel.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |