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US4641442A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Display units

Assignee: Development Finance Corp of New Zealand
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Filing: 1985-06-12
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Granted: 1987-02-10
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Expires: 2005-06-12
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Abstract

Abstract A display unit for displaying indicia such as advertising material has a light box in which there are a series of lights. The box has a reflective surface capable of passing light outwardly from inside the box but reflecting light applied exteriorly of the surface. Indicia are mounted within the box carrying translucent and washed areas. Lighting of the lights displays the indicia and extinguishing the lights results in a mirrored surface only being apparent. Modification include making the masked areas of a reflective material to give a repeated reflection effect when the lights are lit.

Inventors

  • 👤 Alan M. Filmer

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 21:05
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/04; G09F13/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim 154 words
A display unit comprising a light box containing a series of light units, one surface of said light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, but which gives a darkened glass effect when light is directed towards the sheet of material from exterior of the light box, indicia bearing means including translucent and masked areas mounted within the light box, the construction and arrangement being such that on the light source within said light box being illuminated, said indicia will be displayed through said sheet of material and when said light box is not illuminated, said sheet of material will give a darkened glass effect wherein said masked areas have a reflective surface and said sheet material has a reflective surface both said reflective surfaces defining walls of a space between them, giving a multi image view of indicia when illuminated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 154 words
A display unit comprising a light box containing a series of light units, one surface of said light box comprising a sheet of material which in use will transmit light from the interior of the light box outwardly, but which gives a darkened glass effect when light is directed towards the sheet of material from exterior of the light box, indicia bearing means including translucent and masked areas mounted within the light box, the construction and arrangement being such that on the light source within said light box being illuminated, said indicia will be displayed through said sheet of material and when said light box is not illuminated, said sheet of material will give a darkened glass effect wherein said masked areas have a reflective surface and said sheet material has a reflective surface both said reflective surfaces defining walls of a space between them, giving a multi image view of indicia when illuminated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 24 words
A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light box is divided into compartments, each compartment having a different light source therein.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 20 words
A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said translucent areas comprise sheets of a transparent substantially sealed envelope.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 21 words
A display unit as claimed in claim 3 wherein the translucent areas of said indicia bearing means comprise a photographic transparency.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 82 words
A display unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein said light box is provided with a groove in the sides and ends thereof adjacent the surface to which said sheet material is fixed and a surround is provided comprising an angle member with a further flange, the further flange fitting in the groove in the light box and being held therein by screws or other fasteners, said sheet of material and said indicia bearing means being held in position by said surround.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

GB191328350A Cited
US1683263A Cited
US2200021A Cited
GB527266A Cited
US2588545A Cited
US2745678A Cited
US4139955A Cited
US4279088A Cited
US4388130A Cited
US4380880A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-02-09 1990-08-11 1991-02-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-02-09 1994-08-11 1995-02-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-02-09 1998-08-11 1999-02-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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