US3883966A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual display apparatus
Assignee: VALMAT SIGNS AND SIGNALS Ltd
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Filing: 1973-09-26
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1993-09-26
Abstract
Abstract A visual display apparatus providing a readily changeable message. The apparatus includes a base, a first member fixedly supported on the base, a second member supported on the base for translational movement relative to the first member, and a mechanism for providing such translational movement, the members having thereon various colored stripes and transparent spaces so that in a first relative position no message is clearly displayed, but in a second relative position the desired message is visible. Each member is removably secured to the base by means of a slot and bar arrangement. In one embodiment, a motor and eccentrically rotatable disc provide movement to the second member relative to the first member. In a second embodiment, the movement is provided by means of a relay and switch, and in a third embodiment the movement is provided by an eccentrically mounted disc actuated by turning a key. The required movement is very small so that the sign can be effectively turned ''''ON'''' and ''''OFF'''' quickly and easily. The message content can be easily changed by removing and replacing at least one of the first and second members.
Inventors
- 👤 Vernon A Ludwig
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 17:44
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/08; G09F11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
334 words
A visual display apparatus comprising: a substantially planar, upstanding base; a first member having stripes thereon, said stripes being alternately of a design color and a background color; a second member having thereon spaced stripes of the background color and transparent spaces between said spaced background stripes; said second Member further having thereon design information comprising a plurality of spaced design colored stripes located in some of said transparent spaces, and a plurality of spaced transparent portions located in some of said background stripes; means, coupled to said base, for supporting said first and second members at a lower portion of said base and adjacent each other in overlying, upstanding arrangement for relative movement; and means for moving said members relative to each other between a first position wherein the design colored stripes of the first member are aligned with the design colored stripes on the second member and a second position wherein the design colored stripes of the first member are between the design colored stripes of the second member so that in the first position no message is displayed but in the second position a message is clearly displayed, said means for supporting said first and second members including a first bar rigidly connected in substantially horizontal position to said base and upon which the bottom edge of said first member rests, a second bar connected in substantially horizontal position to said base for translational movement and upon which the bottom edge of said second member rests, the lower of said bars projecting forwardly of said base a distance greater than the upper one of said bars, a pin extending outwardly from said base at a position above said first bar, said first member having a slot extending inward from the bottom edge thereof for the reception of said pin, and an arm rigidly connected to said second bar and extending upwardly therefrom, said second member having a slot extending inward from the bottom edge thereof for the reception of said arm.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
334 words
A visual display apparatus comprising: a substantially planar, upstanding base; a first member having stripes thereon, said stripes being alternately of a design color and a background color; a second member having thereon spaced stripes of the background color and transparent spaces between said spaced background stripes; said second Member further having thereon design information comprising a plurality of spaced design colored stripes located in some of said transparent spaces, and a plurality of spaced transparent portions located in some of said background stripes; means, coupled to said base, for supporting said first and second members at a lower portion of said base and adjacent each other in overlying, upstanding arrangement for relative movement; and means for moving said members relative to each other between a first position wherein the design colored stripes of the first member are aligned with the design colored stripes on the second member and a second position wherein the design colored stripes of the first member are between the design colored stripes of the second member so that in the first position no message is displayed but in the second position a message is clearly displayed, said means for supporting said first and second members including a first bar rigidly connected in substantially horizontal position to said base and upon which the bottom edge of said first member rests, a second bar connected in substantially horizontal position to said base for translational movement and upon which the bottom edge of said second member rests, the lower of said bars projecting forwardly of said base a distance greater than the upper one of said bars, a pin extending outwardly from said base at a position above said first bar, said first member having a slot extending inward from the bottom edge thereof for the reception of said pin, and an arm rigidly connected to said second bar and extending upwardly therefrom, said second member having a slot extending inward from the bottom edge thereof for the reception of said arm.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving includes a camming member mounted for rotation on said base, said camming member having a distance Y between the center of its rotation to the outer periphery of said camming member; and two extensions coupled to said means for supporting in a position such that one is on each side of said camming member, adjacent sides of said extensions being spaced by a distance X which is less than twice distance Y.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the distance between said first and second positions is equal to twice distance Y minus distance X.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A visual display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for moving includes a lever pivotally mounted to said base at the center thereof, said lever being pivotally mounted to said means for supporting at one end and coupled to a relay at its other end.
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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |