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US4386476A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Edge lighted display sign

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-11-03
•
Granted: 1983-06-07
•
Expires: 2001-11-03
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Abstract

Abstract An edge lighted display sign is disclosed which provides a base portion, defining a housing for a light source and a variable duty cycle oscillator including an exteriorly disposed ratio control device whereby the light source may be controlled from an "off" position, through an "on" "off" blinking range, from a very slow to a very rapid blinking, to a completely "on" position. A longitudinally extending slot is provided along the top length of the base to receive a lower end length of a transparent panel, formed of a clear or translucent glass or a suitable plastic material, whereby the lower edge portion of the glass panel is directly exposed to the light source. In a preferred form, the light source comprises a fluorescent light tube, and a removable bottom panel is provided for the housing to permit access to the light source and the cycle oscillator. A back side of the transparent panel is provided with an opaque coating or covering. Alternatively, the back side may be frosted. The front side of the panel is adapted to receive any type of message, advertising or the like in contrasting colors to the opaque back side. The messages, advertising, etc. may be of a removable or permanent nature.

Inventors

  • 👤 Manfred Schulman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 08:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0081; G02B6/0086; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/18; G09F2013/1872; G09F2013/1877

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 164 words
An edge lighted sign comprising: a transparent panel having a clear front side and a generally opaque back side; a base assembly including a plurality of opposed longitudinal side walls, a plurality of opposed end walls, a top wall and a removable bottom wall panel defining an interior chamber and a longitudinal slot along the length of the top wall thereof, opening into said chamber, for sliding reception of a bottom edge portion of the panel to a predetermined depth within said chamber; a light source mounted within the chamber, adjacent to and beneath a bottom edge of the bottom edge portion; a frame, secured about a pair of opposed side edges and a top edge of the panel; means to define the predetermined depth that includes a plurality of like, top opening vertical slots formed respectively in the end walls for engagement by opposed bottom end side portions of the panel; and means to prevent longitudinal displacement of the panel in the slot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 164 words
An edge lighted sign comprising: a transparent panel having a clear front side and a generally opaque back side; a base assembly including a plurality of opposed longitudinal side walls, a plurality of opposed end walls, a top wall and a removable bottom wall panel defining an interior chamber and a longitudinal slot along the length of the top wall thereof, opening into said chamber, for sliding reception of a bottom edge portion of the panel to a predetermined depth within said chamber; a light source mounted within the chamber, adjacent to and beneath a bottom edge of the bottom edge portion; a frame, secured about a pair of opposed side edges and a top edge of the panel; means to define the predetermined depth that includes a plurality of like, top opening vertical slots formed respectively in the end walls for engagement by opposed bottom end side portions of the panel; and means to prevent longitudinal displacement of the panel in the slot.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 31 words
The edge lighted sign as defined in claim 1 wherein the top wall comprises a plurality of upwardly converging top wall portions, defining the longitudinal slot between confronting upper edges thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 36 words
The edge lighted sign as defined in claim 1 wherein the light source comprises: a fluorescent light tube mounted between a plurality of conventional socket members, secured to an inner side of the removable bottom panel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 35 words
The edge lighted sign as defined in claim 1 further comprising a variable duty cycle oscillator mounted within the chamber in electrical connection to the light source and including an exteriorly positioned ratio control device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 42 words
The edge lighted sign as defined in claim 1 wherein the means to prevent longitudinal displacement of the panel comprises bottom end portions of opposed vertical side portions of the frame which overlie respective outer surface portions, respectively, of the end walls.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 38 words
The edge lighted sign as defined in claim 1 wherein the generally opaque back side is covered by a suitable opaque material of a predetermined color to contrast with colors to be applied to the clear front side.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 17 words
The edge lighted sign as defined in claim 1 wherein the generally opaque back side is frosted.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US1839287A Cited
US2566488A Cited
US2917838A Cited
US2880536A Cited
US2906048A Cited
US3934249A Cited
US4055014A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1986-06-06 1986-12-06 1987-06-07 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1990-06-06 1990-12-06 1991-06-07 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1994-06-06 1994-12-06 1995-06-07 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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