US4949489A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Edge-lit multiple image display device
Assignee: RUDELL ELLIOT (DBA RUDELL DESIGN)
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Filing: 1989-07-11
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Granted: 1990-08-21
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Expires: 2009-07-11
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed an edge-lit multiple image display device. The device utilizes a plurality of internal-reflecting-light sheets which are provided in a stacked array. Images are formed on the surfaces of the sheets with a coating of a material that changes the density on the internally reflecting surface of its respective sheet. A light source is provided to illuminate the edges of the stacked array of sheets, with a light shield that can be moved to selectively direct the light to one edge at a time of the edges of the sheets in the stack. As the light shield is moved to selectively and alternatingly illuminate the edges of selected sheets in the stacked array, the images displayed on each of the edge-lit plates becomes illuminated, appearing and then disappearing as the light source is applied and then removed from the edge of its respective plate. This can be used to provide an animated display.
Inventors
- 👤 Elliot A. Rudell
- 👤 Roger J. Gardner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:01
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0013; G02B6/0023; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0058; G02B6/006; G02B6/0075; G02B6/0076; G02B6/0081; G02B6/0086; G02B6/0088; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/18; G09F2013/184; G09F2013/1845; G09F2013/1868
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
197 words
A children's and drawing toy for the sequential display of two or more temporary and removable images which comprises: a. a light source; b. at least two thin plates having opposite planar surfaces of an internally light-reflecting material secured together by attachment means, said plates being positioned in a superimposed, stacked array with at least one edge of each juxtapositioned to a respective edge of the other and adjacent to and coextensive with said light source, said attachment means permitting said plates to be moved out of said stacked array, exposing and providing access to the planar surface of each plate whereby images of light transmitting coatings may be applied and removed therefrom; c. at least two images, each formed as a removable light transmitting coating having a sufficient density to cause the loss of the internal light refraction of said plate and temporarily adhered onto one of the planar surfaces of a respective one of said plates; and d. means to selectively and sequentially illuminate each of said juxtapositioned edges of said plates to thereby illuminate and selectively display said images sequentially, thereby providing a children's drawing toy for the creation and display of animated images.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
197 words
A children's and drawing toy for the sequential display of two or more temporary and removable images which comprises: a. a light source; b. at least two thin plates having opposite planar surfaces of an internally light-reflecting material secured together by attachment means, said plates being positioned in a superimposed, stacked array with at least one edge of each juxtapositioned to a respective edge of the other and adjacent to and coextensive with said light source, said attachment means permitting said plates to be moved out of said stacked array, exposing and providing access to the planar surface of each plate whereby images of light transmitting coatings may be applied and removed therefrom; c. at least two images, each formed as a removable light transmitting coating having a sufficient density to cause the loss of the internal light refraction of said plate and temporarily adhered onto one of the planar surfaces of a respective one of said plates; and d. means to selectively and sequentially illuminate each of said juxtapositioned edges of said plates to thereby illuminate and selectively display said images sequentially, thereby providing a children's drawing toy for the creation and display of animated images.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said means to selectively illuminate comprises: a. a light shield surrounding said light source with a narrow optical window to develop a narrow band of light; and b. means to move said optical window between said juxtapositioned edges of said plates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 2 wherein said light source :s tubular and said light screen is a cylinder concentrically mounted about said source and wherein said optical window is a longitudinal slot in said cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 3 wherein said cylinder is mounted for rotational movement about said light source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 2 including at least one optical color filter mounted adjacent said light window to provide a band of colored light.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
51 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 5 wherein said light filter is cylindrical with a plurality of cylindrical color sections of varied colors and is mounted for rotational movement about said light source whereby a selected one of said color sections can be rotated between said light source and said window.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said plates are glass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said plates are of a transparent rigid plastic.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said plates are mounted in parallel relationship in a stacked array.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 including preprinted art panels with means to transfer said panels to said plates as said images.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said light source and screen, and said plates are contained within a surrounding housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 11 wherein said plates are pivotally mounted in said housing for movement to provide access to their planar surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 12 wherein the top of said housing has an opening to provide a recess which receives said plates.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 13 wherein said plates are mounted for pivotal movement in said recess whereby the uppermost of the plates can be pivoted to expose the planar surface of the subjacent ones of said plates.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 14 wherein said light source is tubular and is contained within said housing.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said light source is a fluorescent bulb.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said light source is an incandescent bulb.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said coating is a wax coating.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said coating is a water base wax coating.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The children's drawing toy of claim 1 wherein said plates are separated from each other by a separation gap at least about 0.5 inch, sufficient to provide clearance therebetween for said coating.
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) | 1993-08-20 | 1994-02-19 | 1994-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-08-20 | 1998-02-19 | 1998-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-08-20 | 2002-02-19 | 2002-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |