Patent US4169995A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4048738A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display sign and replaceable message
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1976-07-26
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Granted: 1977-09-20
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Expires: 1996-07-26
Abstract
Abstract The sign has changeable indicia; it has a frame enclosing a center area and a plurality of flattened tubular vertically aligned indicia carriers filling the center area of the frame, the indicia carriers being slidably interlocked with each other, and indicia plates slidably received in at least one indicia carrier to present a display message through the front of the sign.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward R. McHenry
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 19:38
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F7/00; G09F7/02; G09F7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A sign comprising a frame means enclosing an accessible center area and having a frame section movable to expose an edge of said center area, a plurality of flattened tubular vertically aligned transparent indicia carriers filling said center area, said indicia carriers each including a vertically extending and protruding rib at one vertical margin thereof, which rib extends longitudinally of said indicia carrier, and a vertically extending recess extending longitudinally of the carrier at the other vertical margin thereof and open at such vertical margin thereof to engage and interlock with the rib of an adjacent one of said indicia carriers, said ribs and recesses of adjacent ones of said indicia carriers being slidably interlocked with each other, and indicia plates slidably received in and positioned by the walls of at least one indicia carrier, said indicia plates being visible through a front wall of said indicia carriers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A sign comprising a frame means enclosing an accessible center area and having a frame section movable to expose an edge of said center area, a plurality of flattened tubular vertically aligned transparent indicia carriers filling said center area, said indicia carriers each including a vertically extending and protruding rib at one vertical margin thereof, which rib extends longitudinally of said indicia carrier, and a vertically extending recess extending longitudinally of the carrier at the other vertical margin thereof and open at such vertical margin thereof to engage and interlock with the rib of an adjacent one of said indicia carriers, said ribs and recesses of adjacent ones of said indicia carriers being slidably interlocked with each other, and indicia plates slidably received in and positioned by the walls of at least one indicia carrier, said indicia plates being visible through a front wall of said indicia carriers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
A sign as in claim 1 wherein said indicia carriers are made of relatively rigid plastic and each including an opaque or translucent rear wall, said indicia carriers being slidable out of said frame means at one margin thereof, said indicia carriers engaging to form a flat self supporting structure defining a plane in which said indicia plates are positioned.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
A sign as in claim 2 where said frame includes means for slidably interlocking with at least the bottom one of said indicia carriers, and where said indicia carriers enclose said indicia plates and form a structure that can withstand weathering conditions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
134 words
A sign having changeable indicia presented thereby and comprising a frame enclosing an open center area and including two generally vertically extending side members one of which is removable, a plurality of flattened tubular vertically aligned indicia carriers filling said center area, said indicia carriers each being of planar shape and being vertically positioned, said indicia carriers being formed with complementary vertically extending rib and groove interlocking means on the top and bottom thereof for slidable interlock with mating means on a vertically adjacent indicia carrier, said interlocking means lying in the planes of said indicia carriers, vertically adjacent pairs of said indicia carriers being slidably interlocked with each other, and indicia plates slidably carried in and by said indicia carriers, said indicia carriers having a transparent front wall and enclosing said indicia plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
134 words
A sign having changeable indicia presented thereby and comprising a frame enclosing an open center area and including two generally vertically extending side members one of which is removable, a plurality of flattened tubular vertically aligned indicia carriers filling said center area, said indicia carriers each being of planar shape and being vertically positioned, said indicia carriers being formed with complementary vertically extending rib and groove interlocking means on the top and bottom thereof for slidable interlock with mating means on a vertically adjacent indicia carrier, said interlocking means lying in the planes of said indicia carriers, vertically adjacent pairs of said indicia carriers being slidably interlocked with each other, and indicia plates slidably carried in and by said indicia carriers, said indicia carriers having a transparent front wall and enclosing said indicia plates.
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) | 1980-09-19 | 1981-03-21 | 1981-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-09-19 | 1985-03-21 | 1985-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-09-19 | 1989-03-21 | 1989-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |