Patent US4517050A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4223377A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4223377A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electra brick
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1978-07-03
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Granted: 1980-09-16
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Expires: 1998-07-03
Abstract
Abstract A brick comprising in combination a body element having oppositely disposed ends and spaced apart surfaces intermediate the ends, with the body element having a pair of elongated cavities extending between the oppositely disposed ends and through the spaced apart surfaces and a channel extending between the cavities. An aperture extends between each cavity and a respective one of each of the ends. Electrical lighting components are mounted in each of the cavities and include a light bulb socket secured to a wall of the cavity, a light bulb secured in the socket, first electrical wires connected to each light bulb socket through the channel, and second electrical wires connected to each light bulb socket and exiting from the body element through each aperture, such that adjacent bricks may be wired together. A light transmitting closure assembly is removably secured to each of the spaced apart surfaces to fully enclose the sides of each cavity in the body element and the electrical lighting components in each of the cavities.
Inventors
- 👤 Henry Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 11:46
CPC Classifications
F; F21; F21S; F21S8/00; F21S8/02; F21S8/024; F21S2/00; F21S2/005; F21V; F21V21/00; F21V21/005; F21V23/00; F21V23/06; F21V27/00; F21V27/02; F21V31/00; F21V31/005; F21V33/00; F21V33/006; F21W; F21W2111/00; F21W2111/02; F21W2111/023; F21W2111/027; F21Y; F21Y2113/00; H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/514; H01R13/66; H01R13/717; H01R13/7177
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
367 words
A brick, comprising in combination: a. a body element having oppositely disposed ends and spaced apart surfaces intermediate said ends, b. said body element having a pair of elongated cavities extending between said oppositely disposed ends and through said spaced apart surfaces said cavities being separated by a wall intermediate said end and extending between said surfaces, c. a channel extending between said cavities and through said wall, d. an aperture extending between each said cavity and a respective one of each said ends, e. electrical lighting components mounted in each of said cavities and including: (1) a light bulb socket secured to said wall of said cavity, (2) a light bulb secured in said socket, (3) first electrical wires connected to each said light bulb socket through said channel, and (4) second electrical wires connected to each said light bulb socket and exiting from said body element through each said aperture, such that adjacent bricks may be wired together in end to end relationship, f. a light transmitting closure assembly removably secured to each of said spaced apart surfaces to fully enclose the sides of each said cavity in said body element and said electrical lighting components in each of said cavities, said assembly including: (1) a peripheral recess on each of said spaced apart surfaces circumferentially of each of said cavities, (2) at least one pair of brackets in each of said cavities having a threaded aperture therein, (3) a sealing gasket in each of said recesses and substantially conforming to the shape of said cavity, (4) a translucent lens extending in each said recess in abutting engagement with said gasket, and (5) at least one pair of screws extending through each said lens and received through said threaded aperture in each of said brackets, such that said lens may be removed as required and wherein, g. a chamber on an external surface of one of said ends, said chamber communicating with said cavity by means of said aperture, said chamber adapted to receive therein a pair of caps for coupling together respective second electrical wires of adjacent bricks and to constitute means facilitating the disposition of said bricks in end to end, abutting relationship.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
367 words
A brick, comprising in combination: a. a body element having oppositely disposed ends and spaced apart surfaces intermediate said ends, b. said body element having a pair of elongated cavities extending between said oppositely disposed ends and through said spaced apart surfaces said cavities being separated by a wall intermediate said end and extending between said surfaces, c. a channel extending between said cavities and through said wall, d. an aperture extending between each said cavity and a respective one of each said ends, e. electrical lighting components mounted in each of said cavities and including: (1) a light bulb socket secured to said wall of said cavity, (2) a light bulb secured in said socket, (3) first electrical wires connected to each said light bulb socket through said channel, and (4) second electrical wires connected to each said light bulb socket and exiting from said body element through each said aperture, such that adjacent bricks may be wired together in end to end relationship, f. a light transmitting closure assembly removably secured to each of said spaced apart surfaces to fully enclose the sides of each said cavity in said body element and said electrical lighting components in each of said cavities, said assembly including: (1) a peripheral recess on each of said spaced apart surfaces circumferentially of each of said cavities, (2) at least one pair of brackets in each of said cavities having a threaded aperture therein, (3) a sealing gasket in each of said recesses and substantially conforming to the shape of said cavity, (4) a translucent lens extending in each said recess in abutting engagement with said gasket, and (5) at least one pair of screws extending through each said lens and received through said threaded aperture in each of said brackets, such that said lens may be removed as required and wherein, g. a chamber on an external surface of one of said ends, said chamber communicating with said cavity by means of said aperture, said chamber adapted to receive therein a pair of caps for coupling together respective second electrical wires of adjacent bricks and to constitute means facilitating the disposition of said bricks in end to end, abutting relationship.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A brick as in claim 1, wherein said body element is of a substantially rectangular configuration.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A brick as in claim 1, wherein said recess is of a depth such that said lens is substantially flush with its mating one of said surfaces.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A brick as in claim 3, wherein said screw is countersunk to extend in a plane substantially flush with the outer surface of said lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
A brick as in claim 1, wherein: a. each said recess is oval in shape, and b. each said lens is of similar oval configuration.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
36 words
A brick as in claim 1, and including a sealing O-ring extending in each said aperture between said cavity and one of said ends, each said O-ring adapted to engage one of said second electrical wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
A brick as in claim 1, wherein each said light bulb socket includes a base, and said base is embedded within the wall of said cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
A brick as in claim 1, wherein each of said brackets includes a flange extending in substantially parallel spaced relationship to the inner surface of said lens, said threaded aperture extending in each said flange.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
A brick as in claim 1, wherein each said lens is fabricated from plexiglass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
323 words
A brick, comprising in combination: a. a body element having oppositely disposed ends and spaced apart surfaces intermediate said ends, b. said body element having at least one elongated cavity extending between said oppositely disposed ends and through said spaced apart surfaces, c. an aperture extending between said at least one cavity and said ends, d. electrical lighting components mounted in said at least one cavity and including: (1) a light bulb socket secured to a wall of said cavity, (2) a light bulb secured in said socket, (3) first electrical wires connected to each said light bulb socket through said aperture, such that adjacent bricks may be wired together in end to end relationship, e. a light transmitting closure assembly removably secured to each of said spaced apart surfaces to fully enclose the sides of said at least one cavity in said body element and said electrical lighting components in said at least one cavity, said assembly including: (1) a peripheral recess on each of said spaced apart surfaces circumferentially of said at least one cavity, (2) at least one pair of brackets in said at least one cavity having a threaded aperture therein, (3) a sealing gasket in each of said recesses and substantially conforming to the shape of said cavity, (4) a translucent lens extending in each said recess in abutting engagement with said gasket, and (5) at least one pair of screws extending through each said lens and received through said threaded aperture in each of said brackets, such that said lens may be removed as required and wherein, f. a chamber on an external surface of one of said ends, said chamber communicating with said at least one cavity by means of said aperture, said chamber being adapted to receive therein means for coupling together respective first electrical wires of adjacent bricks and to constitute means facilitating the disposition of said bricks in end to end, abutting relationship.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
323 words
A brick, comprising in combination: a. a body element having oppositely disposed ends and spaced apart surfaces intermediate said ends, b. said body element having at least one elongated cavity extending between said oppositely disposed ends and through said spaced apart surfaces, c. an aperture extending between said at least one cavity and said ends, d. electrical lighting components mounted in said at least one cavity and including: (1) a light bulb socket secured to a wall of said cavity, (2) a light bulb secured in said socket, (3) first electrical wires connected to each said light bulb socket through said aperture, such that adjacent bricks may be wired together in end to end relationship, e. a light transmitting closure assembly removably secured to each of said spaced apart surfaces to fully enclose the sides of said at least one cavity in said body element and said electrical lighting components in said at least one cavity, said assembly including: (1) a peripheral recess on each of said spaced apart surfaces circumferentially of said at least one cavity, (2) at least one pair of brackets in said at least one cavity having a threaded aperture therein, (3) a sealing gasket in each of said recesses and substantially conforming to the shape of said cavity, (4) a translucent lens extending in each said recess in abutting engagement with said gasket, and (5) at least one pair of screws extending through each said lens and received through said threaded aperture in each of said brackets, such that said lens may be removed as required and wherein, f. a chamber on an external surface of one of said ends, said chamber communicating with said at least one cavity by means of said aperture, said chamber being adapted to receive therein means for coupling together respective first electrical wires of adjacent bricks and to constitute means facilitating the disposition of said bricks in end to end, abutting relationship.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
75 words
A brick as claimed in claim 10 wherein said end of said brick opposite to said one end comprises a projecting configuration including electrical terminal means, said configuration having a shape complementary to said chamber, said configuration and chamber constituting male and female elements respectively by which like bricks are joined in end to end relationship, said terminal means of said configuration cooperating with corresponding terminal means of said chamber to complete an electrical connection.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
66 words
A brick as claimed in claim 11 wherein said configuration comprises an enlarged head portion connected to said end opposite said one end by a neck portion and said chamber is correspondingly shaped and opens to one of said spaced apart surfaces, said head portion cooperating with a corresponding part of said chamber to prevent separation of joined bricks other than by relative transverse movement thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A brick as claimed in claim 12 wherein said configuration is of T section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
A brick as claimed in claim 12 wherein opposite ones of said spaced apart surfaces are provided with interengaging connecting means permitting the connection of said bricks in side by side and stacked relationship.
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) | 1983-09-16 | 1984-03-17 | 1984-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-09-16 | 1988-03-17 | 1988-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-09-16 | 1992-03-17 | 1992-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |