US4139955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Display device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1976-04-08
•
Granted: 1979-02-20
•
Expires: 1996-04-08
Abstract
Abstract A display device which imparts to the observer an illusion of depth. The device includes a partially silvered front mirror, illuminating means disposed behind this front mirror, and a fully silvered rear mirror positioned behind the illuminating means such that its reflective surface is parallel to and facing the partially silvered front mirror. The illusion of depth results from the successive reflections of the light from the illuminating means between the two mirrors, establishing a series of virtual images which appear to extend back into the device.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl M. Reiback
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 22:42
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/12; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S362/00; Y10S362/806; Y10S362/811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An illuminated display device comprising: a partially silvered front mirror; a rear fully silvered mirror, at least a portion of said rear mirror being in spaced apart confronting relation with at least a portion of said front mirror for defining a volume between said mirror confronting portions; a housing in supporting relation with said front and rear mirrors for supporting said front and rear mirrors in said confronting relation; and illuminating means supported and distributed within said volume along the periphery thereof, said illuminating means comprising a plurality of discrete point light sources spaced along said periphery, whereby light from said point sources reflected back and forth between said front and rear mirrors creates an illusion of depth when viewed through said front mirror.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An illuminated display device comprising: a partially silvered front mirror; a rear fully silvered mirror, at least a portion of said rear mirror being in spaced apart confronting relation with at least a portion of said front mirror for defining a volume between said mirror confronting portions; a housing in supporting relation with said front and rear mirrors for supporting said front and rear mirrors in said confronting relation; and illuminating means supported and distributed within said volume along the periphery thereof, said illuminating means comprising a plurality of discrete point light sources spaced along said periphery, whereby light from said point sources reflected back and forth between said front and rear mirrors creates an illusion of depth when viewed through said front mirror.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
11 words
Display device of claim 1, wherein said mirrors are parallel planes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said mirrors are in parallel planes and said plurality of peripherally positioned discrete light sources are positioned in a plane parallel to said two mirrors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Display device according to claim 3, wherein said plurality of peripherally positioned discrete light sources are approximately equidistant from each other.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
Display device according to claim 3 wherein said mirrors are in register.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said housing is secured to the peripheral edge portions of said front and rear mirrors, said housing having a peripherally extending groove between said front and rear mirrors, said illuminating means being mounted in said groove.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Display device according to claim 6, further comprising a strip of deformable material disposed in said groove, said illuminating means being secured in said deformable material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
Display device according to claim 7, wherein said deformable material is compressible and said compressible material is press-fitted in said groove.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
Display device according to claim 7, wherein said deformable material is secured in said groove by means of an adhesive.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
51 words
Display device according to claim 7, wherein said deformable material is provided with a plurality of apertures; and wherein said illuminating means is comprised of a plurality of discrete spaced apart light sources, and wherein said discrete light sources are secured to said deformable material by being press-fitted in said apertures.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said partially silvered front mirror conducts between about 50% and 5% of incident light and reflects substantially the remainder.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said partially silvered front mirror conducts about 10% of incident light and reflects substantially the remainder.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
Display device according to claim 1, further comprising means secured within said housing for selectively absorbing a portion of the light spectrum emitted by said illuminating means and for transmitting substantially all of the remainder thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
Display device according to claim 13, wherein said selective absorption means is a dichroic coating applied to one surface of at least one of said mirrors.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
Display device according to claim 13, wherein said selective absorption means is a colored transparent coating applied to one surface of at least one of said mirrors.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
Display device according to claim 14, wherein said dichroic coating is applied to said rear mirror.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said mirrors comprises a transparent glass substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said mirrors comprises a transparent flexible sheet substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said mirrors is curved.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said rear mirror is curved.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said rear mirror is in non-parallel relation to said front mirror.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
12 words
Display device according to claim 1, wherein said housing means is opaque.
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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) | 1982-02-19 | 1982-08-21 | 1983-02-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-02-19 | 1986-08-21 | 1987-02-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-02-19 | 1990-08-21 | 1991-02-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |