US4531320A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Quick-change plastic strip display board
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-10-31
•
Granted: 1985-07-30
•
Expires: 2003-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A display board for displaying a menu of daily fare for restaurants, post exchanges, and the like, wherein the items listed for sale are printed on a long thin flexible plastic strip located in tracks that extend substantially the full width of the display board. The prices for the items listed are printed on a much shorter plastic strip which may be changed instantly and independently of the item strip. Both strips include a smaller width strip of iron ink on their back side, so that both strips are held in place by the same flexible magnetic source strip that is imbedded in the display board in parallel fashion to the display board tracks wherein the plastic strips reside. A clear plastic cover is locked in place over the finished menu to retain the displayed menu and prices until a change in fare is desired, at which time this cover is instantly removable.
Inventors
- 👤 Houston F. James
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 00:51
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F7/00; G09F7/02; G09F7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A display assembly combination for mounting on a support and displaying a menu of items, comprising: a. a display board defining a series of horizontal parallel recessed tracks thereon, b. a second series of horizontal tracks within the confines of the first named tracks, c. a plurality of thin flexible strips containing item names thereon and adapted to engage in said first named tracks, d. a plurality of thin flexible magnetic source stripes adapted to engage in said second named tracks, e. an additional plurality of much shorter thin flexible strips adapted to overlay and engage said first named flexible strips and containing item prices thereon, f. a stripe of iron ink centrally located on the back side of each strip and running parallel to said strip for the length thereof, g. means to conveniently install and remove each strip from its track, wherein said iron ink stripes coincide operationally with said magnetic stripe when all parts are installed, and h. transparent cover means to overlay all said strips and all tracks, i. and means in said display board assembly to quickly install and remove said cover means, and all item and price strips.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A display assembly combination for mounting on a support and displaying a menu of items, comprising: a. a display board defining a series of horizontal parallel recessed tracks thereon, b. a second series of horizontal tracks within the confines of the first named tracks, c. a plurality of thin flexible strips containing item names thereon and adapted to engage in said first named tracks, d. a plurality of thin flexible magnetic source stripes adapted to engage in said second named tracks, e. an additional plurality of much shorter thin flexible strips adapted to overlay and engage said first named flexible strips and containing item prices thereon, f. a stripe of iron ink centrally located on the back side of each strip and running parallel to said strip for the length thereof, g. means to conveniently install and remove each strip from its track, wherein said iron ink stripes coincide operationally with said magnetic stripe when all parts are installed, and h. transparent cover means to overlay all said strips and all tracks, i. and means in said display board assembly to quickly install and remove said cover means, and all item and price strips.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A display board assembly as in claim 1, including self-aligning mounting means between said display board and said support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display board assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first series of adjacent tracks are separated by a thin horizontal member that provides underlining for said item names and item prices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A display board assembly as in claim 3 wherein said cover means includes at least one vertical line that separates data on said board when said cover means is installed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
A display board assembly as in claim 1, wherein said means to conveniently install and remove each strip from its track member includes a defined opening between the end of said strip and the nearest edge of the display board; said opening being sufficient to permit the operator's fingernail to enter and lift said strip from said track.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
A display board assembly as in claim 5, wherein said cover means includes a wide line at each horizontal end thereof to overlay said defined openings to cover said openings from the observer's view.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
A display board assembly as in claim 1 wherein said display board includes projecting tabs on one horizontal surface to receive one horizontal edge of said cover means, and includes a velcro well at the other horizontal surface to receive a cooperating velcro pad on said cover means to secure said cover means in place.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
A display board assembly as in claim 1 wherein said display board is comprised of a single piece of a thin cross-section, semi-flexible plastic material and wherein each track is formed in and is part of said single piece material.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A display board assembly as in claim 8, wherein said cover means is formed from a single piece of clear plastic material having a much thicker cross section than said display board so that said cover means acts to stabilize and strengthen said flexible material display board when installed thereon.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A display board assembly as in claim 7, wherein said velcro well extends below said installed cover means at least a sufficient distance to permit an operator's finger to be inserted therein sufficiently to permit disengagement of said velcro pad from said velcro well and removal of said cover means from said display board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A display board as in claim 1, wherein said stripe of iron ink on the back side of each shorter strip aligns horizontally with said iron ink stripe on said first named strip.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
A display board as in claim 1, including support means for suspending said board from a wall in a precise horizontal attitude, and including means for suspending said board from a wall in a precise vertical attitude.
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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) | 1988-07-29 | 1989-01-28 | 1989-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-29 | 1993-01-28 | 1993-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-29 | 1997-01-28 | 1997-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |