US4028828A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighting display system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-02
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Granted: 1977-06-14
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Expires: 1996-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A novel lighting display system for numerous uses consisting of the following members. A mounting board containing two channels across the boards length, each channel carrying one electrical conductor; and plastic numerals, letters, or other characters, which when inserted into the boards channels are securely attached to the board, come in contact with electrical conductors in the channels and become illuminated. The plastic characters are constructed by encasing miniature light bulbs, mounted in parallel electrical circuit on a printed circuit board, in a plastic material. Various characters can be combined to form an illuminated message, word, or series of numerals.
Inventors
- 👤 Albert Chao
- 👤 Ethel Chao
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 18:58
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/28; G09F7/00; G09F7/02; G09F7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
275 words
A lighting display system comprising; a display board to be supported on a wall, desk, or other surface; and a set of letters, numerals, or other characters to be secured to said display board for illumination; said characters comprise a hollow molded translucent top and a flat base of matching configuration having a printed circuit on the top surface thereof; illumination means comprising miniature light bulbs mounted on said top surface of said flat base; said display board having two channels running longitudinally across the surface thereof, conductive strips at the base of each channel and running the length of said channels; said conductive strips attached to sockets at each end of the display board; said sockets thereof are used for connection to an electrical supply or for connecting successive display boards to each other conductive extensions on the rear surface of said base character of a shape complementary to the shape of said channels; said extensions fitting securely in said channels and making adequate electrical connection with said conductive strips in said channels, connecting pins for carrying power from one display board to the next; said connecting pins are conductive and fit into said sockets on adjoining lateral edges of connecting display boards; said connecting pins being removable when unnecessary; clips to strengthen the joint of adjoining boards and slots provided across the top and bottom edges at each end of the display boards; said clips are attached to the adjoining display boards at the top joints and have extensions which fit into said slots on the top and bottom edge of each display board to provide lateral and vertical support to the joint.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
275 words
A lighting display system comprising; a display board to be supported on a wall, desk, or other surface; and a set of letters, numerals, or other characters to be secured to said display board for illumination; said characters comprise a hollow molded translucent top and a flat base of matching configuration having a printed circuit on the top surface thereof; illumination means comprising miniature light bulbs mounted on said top surface of said flat base; said display board having two channels running longitudinally across the surface thereof, conductive strips at the base of each channel and running the length of said channels; said conductive strips attached to sockets at each end of the display board; said sockets thereof are used for connection to an electrical supply or for connecting successive display boards to each other conductive extensions on the rear surface of said base character of a shape complementary to the shape of said channels; said extensions fitting securely in said channels and making adequate electrical connection with said conductive strips in said channels, connecting pins for carrying power from one display board to the next; said connecting pins are conductive and fit into said sockets on adjoining lateral edges of connecting display boards; said connecting pins being removable when unnecessary; clips to strengthen the joint of adjoining boards and slots provided across the top and bottom edges at each end of the display boards; said clips are attached to the adjoining display boards at the top joints and have extensions which fit into said slots on the top and bottom edge of each display board to provide lateral and vertical support to the joint.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said miniature light bulbs are baseless and are mounted in parallel electrical conductive metallic lines printed on said character base; said miniature bulbs being soldered to the surface of the printed circuit; said printed circuit base having two conductive extensions connected to each of the two parallel lines which extensions become positive and negative conductive power tracks of the display board; said printed circuit base and the top molded translucent character are completely sealed together.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1980-06-13 | 1980-12-13 | 1981-06-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-06-13 | 1984-12-13 | 1985-06-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-06-13 | 1988-12-13 | 1989-06-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |