US4590381A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Phosphorescent marking system
Assignee: Games of Tomorrow Inc
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Filing: 1985-06-13
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Granted: 1986-05-20
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Expires: 2005-06-13
Abstract
Abstract A device of phosphorescent material on which luminescent images are formed and retained for a period of time is disclosed. The device includes phosphorescent material in the form of a sheet mounted on a support. The support exposes the top surface of the phosphorescent material to activating light. A shield maintains deactivation of the phosphorescent material. Upon removal of the shield in a dark area, the phosphorescent material may be activated in selected areas to form an image which is retained for a period of time until the phosphorescent material has decayed to an inactivated state of imperceptible level of luminescence. This type of device is particularly suited to amusement and educational items for children. However, it is also useful in industrial applications where writing and communication of information in the dark is necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Max Mendelson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 14:54
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/42; B; B43; B43K; B43K29/00; B43K29/10; B43L; B43L1/00; B43L1/004; B43L1/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
In a device of phosphorescent material on which lumincescent images are formed and retained for a period of time, said device comprising means for supporting said phosphorescent material, said phosphorescent material including a uniform distribution of a phosphor in a carrier, said support means permanently shielding a bottom surface of said phosphorescent material from phosphor activating light, said support means exposing a top surface of said phosphorescent material to phosphor activating light, the improvement comprising means for shielding said phosphorescent material top surface from phosphor activating light, said shield means being positionable over said top surface to maintain said phosphorescent material in a deactivated state and subsequently removable from said top surface to expose said top surface to phosphor activating light, a source of light and means for controlling exposure of selected portions of said phosphorescent material to said source of light to form an image on said inactivated phosphorescent material when said shield is removed, said image being retained for said period of time until activation of said phosphor has decayed to an inactivated state of an imperceptible level of luminescence.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
182 words
In a device of phosphorescent material on which lumincescent images are formed and retained for a period of time, said device comprising means for supporting said phosphorescent material, said phosphorescent material including a uniform distribution of a phosphor in a carrier, said support means permanently shielding a bottom surface of said phosphorescent material from phosphor activating light, said support means exposing a top surface of said phosphorescent material to phosphor activating light, the improvement comprising means for shielding said phosphorescent material top surface from phosphor activating light, said shield means being positionable over said top surface to maintain said phosphorescent material in a deactivated state and subsequently removable from said top surface to expose said top surface to phosphor activating light, a source of light and means for controlling exposure of selected portions of said phosphorescent material to said source of light to form an image on said inactivated phosphorescent material when said shield is removed, said image being retained for said period of time until activation of said phosphor has decayed to an inactivated state of an imperceptible level of luminescence.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device of claim 1, wherein said shield means is a removable sheet of flexible material which is opaque to phosphor activating light.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
A device of claim 2, wherein said support means has a perimeter wall raised above said phosphorescent material, said sheet having an outline corresponding in shape to said perimeter wall, said perimeter wall thereby guiding placement of and locating said sheet over said phosphorescent material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device of claim 3, wherein said phosphorescent material is in sheet form which is mounted on said support means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A device of claim 4, wherein said carrier is a clear plastic inert to said phosphor.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device of claim 1, wherein said source of light is a portable light, said means for controlling exposure of said light source comprising means for focusing light onto a limited portion of said phosphorescent material whereby movement of said portable light permits formation of a desired image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A device of claim 1, wherein said source of light is a portable light, said means for controlling exposure of said light source comprising a template having a design defined by areas which are opaque and transparent to said phosphor activating light, an image being formed by activating light passing through said transparent areas of said template.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device of claim 7, wherein said template is mounted on said portable light source.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device of claim 8, wherein said portable light source comprises means for focusing activating light from said source onto a beam of light, said transparent area of said template being shaped to pass only a portion of such beam of light to form an image on said phosphorescent material.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device of claim 7, wherein said template has translucent areas in combination with said opaque and transparent areas, said translucent areas having varying degrees of transparency to said phosphor activating light to provide an image having shading.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A device of claim 1, wherein said phosphor is selected from the group consisting of zinc sulfide, zinc cadmium sulfide and alkaline earth sulfides.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device of claim 11, wherein said carrier is clear polyvinyl chloride which is extruded into a sheet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device of claim 1, wherein said shield means is adapted to rapidly deactivate said phosphorescent material when activated, said shield means comprises means for directing radiation with a wavelength in the range of infrared to red onto said actuated material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A device of claim 13, wherein said shield means comprises a light filter which is transparent to light of infrared to red wavelength.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A device of claim 14 wherein said light filter is a red plastic sheet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A device of claim 13 wherein said light source is adapted to direct red light onto actuated portions of said phosphorescent material to deactivate selected areas and thereby alter an existing image or form an image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-19 | 1989-11-18 | 1990-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-19 | 1993-11-18 | 1994-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-19 | 1997-11-18 | 1998-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |