US3705291A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for making perforated sign templates
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-03-23
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Granted: 1972-12-05
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Expires: 1991-03-23
Abstract
Abstract Artwork for a sign is outlined on paper or other dielectric sheet material with pencil lead or other electrically conductive marking material to form a sign pattern. A pair of spaced apart electrodes are arranged to receive the outlined sheet material between them, and they are energized for intermittent conduction between predetermined areas thereof only when said conductive marking material is interposed between said areas. The sheet material and electrodes then are moved relatively one to the other in a direction to cause small spaced apart portions of the conductive marking material to be interposed sequentially between the electrodes, whereby to cause conduction between the areas of the electrodes intercepted by the marking material and produce a plurality of spaced apart holes in the sheet material along the lines of marking material outlining the sign artwork. In one form of apparatus one of the electrodes of the pair is a single, elongated electrode and the other electrode of the pair comprises a plurality of laterally spaced electrode segments each connected sequentially to a source of intermittent electric potential to produce sequential conduction between the first named electrode and each of the electrode segments. In another form of apparatus one of the electrodes of the pair is a single, elongated, fixed electrode and the other electrode of the pair is an elongated electrode mounted spirally around an electrically non-conductive rotor. In still another form of apparatus one of the electrodes of the pair is a plate of electrically conductive metal on which the outlined sheet is supported and the other electrode of the pair is mounted on an elongated roller supported by a handle for hand manipulation over the sheet.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence E Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:16
CPC Classifications
B; B41; B41C; B41C1/00; B41C1/14; B41C1/141; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T83/00; Y10T83/04; Y10T83/0405; Y10T83/041; Y10T83/0414; Y10T83/283
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
The method of making a perforated sign template, comprising a. outlining sign artwork on dielectric sheet material with electrically conductive marking material, arranging a pair of spaced-apart electrodes in an electric circuit for conduction between one electrode and different areas of the other electrode at different times and only when said conductive material is interposed between said areas, c. interposing said outlined sheet material between said electrodes, and d. moving the sheet material and electrodes relatively one to the other in a direction to cause small spaced-apart portions of the electrically conductive marking material to be interposed sequentially between the electrodes, whereby to cause conduction between the areas of the electrodes intercepted by the portions of the electrically conductive marking material and produce a plurality of spaced holes in the sheet material along the lines of marking material outlining the sign artwork.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
142 words
The method of making a perforated sign template, comprising a. outlining sign artwork on dielectric sheet material with electrically conductive marking material, arranging a pair of spaced-apart electrodes in an electric circuit for conduction between one electrode and different areas of the other electrode at different times and only when said conductive material is interposed between said areas, c. interposing said outlined sheet material between said electrodes, and d. moving the sheet material and electrodes relatively one to the other in a direction to cause small spaced-apart portions of the electrically conductive marking material to be interposed sequentially between the electrodes, whereby to cause conduction between the areas of the electrodes intercepted by the portions of the electrically conductive marking material and produce a plurality of spaced holes in the sheet material along the lines of marking material outlining the sign artwork.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of the electrodes comprises a plurality of laterally spaced electrode segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the electrode segments are energized intermittently, one at a time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of the electrodes is moved relative to the other electrode and both electrodes are energized continuously.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the sheet material is moved relative to the electrodes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the sheet material is maintained stationary and one of the electrodes is moved relative to the other electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for making a perforated sign tempate from dielectric sheet material having sign artwork outlined thereon with electrically conductive marking material, the apparatus comprising a. a pair of electrodes spaced apart to receive sheet material between them, b. electrical means including a source of electric potential electrically connected to the electrodes for causing conduction between one of the electrodes and different areas of the other electrode at different times and only when electrically conductive marking material on dielectric sheet material is interposed between said areas, and c. moving for moving the sheet material and electrodes relatively one to the other, whereby to effect said conduction and produce a plurality of spaced holes in the sheet material along the lines of marking material outlining the sign artwork.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
126 words
Apparatus for making a perforated sign tempate from dielectric sheet material having sign artwork outlined thereon with electrically conductive marking material, the apparatus comprising a. a pair of electrodes spaced apart to receive sheet material between them, b. electrical means including a source of electric potential electrically connected to the electrodes for causing conduction between one of the electrodes and different areas of the other electrode at different times and only when electrically conductive marking material on dielectric sheet material is interposed between said areas, and c. moving for moving the sheet material and electrodes relatively one to the other, whereby to effect said conduction and produce a plurality of spaced holes in the sheet material along the lines of marking material outlining the sign artwork.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 7 including voltage divider means in the circuit of the electric potential for adjusting the potential to the electrodes.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein one of the pair electrodes comprises a plurality of laterally spaced electrode segments, and the source of electric potential comprises a source of intermittent electric potential and includes means for connecting each of the segments one at a time to said source of intermittent electric potential.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the other electrode of the pair is a single elongated electrode common to all of the segments.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the moving means comprises feed roll means for moving the sheet material relative to the electrodes, and drive means for rotating the feed roll means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein one of the pair of electrodes is supported for rotation relative to the other electrode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rotary electrode is of spiral shape.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rotary electrode is power driven and the other electrode is a single, fixed elongated electrode. 15 The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the rotary electrode is mounted on a handle for manual operation and the other electrode comprises a flat plate upon which to support dielectric sheet material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the rotary electrode mounts a pair of longitudinally spaced rings of electrically non-conductive material for spacing said electrode from the plate electrode.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-05 | 1976-06-05 | 1976-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-05 | 1980-06-05 | 1980-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-05 | 1984-06-05 | 1984-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |