US4096656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighted message board construction
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-12-03
•
Granted: 1978-06-27
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Expires: 1996-12-03
Abstract
Abstract A lighted message board includes a border of an insulating material with a plurality of conductive layers deposited thereon, and with a plurality of individual lighting elements carried by the border and interconnected with selected ones of the conductive layers. A sequencing and timing circuit is connected with the conductive layers for energizing the lighting element, and for intermittently operating the lighting elements. A transparent layer overlies the border and the lights, and a message panel is bonded to the face of the transparent layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Giacomo Diceglie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 14:48
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/0418; G09F13/0454
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A lighted message board comprising: a support defined by a back and opposing side walls; a sheet of an insulating material within said support and substantially parallel with said back; a plurality of conductive layers deposited on one side of said sheet; a plurality of lighting elements carried by said sheet, each lighting element interconnected with selected ones of said conductive layers; means electrically connected with said conductive layers for energizing said lighting elements; a transparent layer overlying said support across the extremities of said side walls; means for binding the periphery of said transparent layer to the periphery of said side wall; and a message panel carried by said transparent layer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A lighted message board comprising: a support defined by a back and opposing side walls; a sheet of an insulating material within said support and substantially parallel with said back; a plurality of conductive layers deposited on one side of said sheet; a plurality of lighting elements carried by said sheet, each lighting element interconnected with selected ones of said conductive layers; means electrically connected with said conductive layers for energizing said lighting elements; a transparent layer overlying said support across the extremities of said side walls; means for binding the periphery of said transparent layer to the periphery of said side wall; and a message panel carried by said transparent layer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 1 wherein said transparent layer comprises smoked Plexiglas.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 1 wherein said message board is bonded to said transparent layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 1 wherein said message panel overlies said transparent layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 4 further comprising means for hinging said message panel to said transparent layer along one side.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 5 further comprising means for releasably fastening a side of said message panel opposite said one side to said transparent layer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 6 further comprising a storage container carried within said support, said transparent layer including a centrally located hole therein, with said storage container accessible through said hole in said layer by unfastening said message panel and pivoting said message panel about said hinging means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 1 wherein said insulating material includes first and second opposed flat surfaces, said first surface facing said support and having said conductive layers deposited thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 8 wherein said second surface faces said transparent layer, said lighting elements carried by said second surface and having conductive leads extending through said insulating material and interconnecting with said conductive layers.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 9 wherein said insulating material is defined by four sides, each side having a plurality of said lighting elements thereon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 10 wherein said energizing means comprises sequencing circuit means positioned on each side for sequentially energizing said lighting elements on the corresponding side.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 11 further comprising timing circuit means coupled to all of said sequencing circuit means for timing the operation thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
27 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 1 wherein said support includes a structural recess along the backside thereof, and a stand slidably engaged in said recess.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 1 wherein said side wall of said support define a flange at the extremities thereof, said transparent layer bearing against said flange.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 14 wherein said binding means comprises a resilient strip having a generally U-shaped cross-section overlapping said flange and the periphery of said transparent layer.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 14 wherein said sheet includes first and second opposed flat surfaces, said first surface facing said support and having said conductive layers deposited thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 16 wherein said second surface faces said transparent layer, said lighting elements carried by said second surface and having conductive leads extending through said sheet and interconnected with said conductive layers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 17 wherein said sheet is defined by four sides, each side having a plurality of said lighting elements thereon.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 18 wherein said intermittent operating means comprises sequencing circuit means positioned on each side for sequentially energizing said lighting elements on the corresponding side.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
54 words
The lighted message board recited in claim 14 further comprising each said opposing side wall further defining an outward step with respect to the interior of said support and between said flange and said back, said sheet extending across the interior of said support and bearing against said step of each said side wall.
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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) | 1981-06-26 | 1981-12-26 | 1982-06-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-06-26 | 1985-12-26 | 1986-06-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-06-26 | 1989-12-26 | 1990-06-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |