US4974353A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Matrix display assembly having multiple point lighting
Assignee: Staver Co Inc
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Filing: 1989-08-28
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Granted: 1990-12-04
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Expires: 2009-08-28
Abstract
Abstract This graphic character matrix display assembly has a support providing a nonreflecting background for a multiplicity of display units arranged for cooperatively displaying the character. Each of the display units comprises a flat display disk having opposite sides. An electromagnet rotates the disk between display position and reversed position. A light source projects a light beam at each disk when the disk is in the display position. The light beam also projects an outline of the disk by backlighting. A tab on each disk projects laterally in the plane of the disk to block the light beam when the disk is in reversed position. The light source may be a single incandescent lamp, plurality of lamps, a light pipe, light emitting diodes or a fiber optic light conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Roy Norfolk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 05:24
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09F; G09F9/00; G09F9/30; G09F9/305; G09F9/37; G09F9/375
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a support providing a nonreflecting background for said display; a multiplicity of display units mounted on said support in an array for cooperatively displaying said character; each of said display units comprising: a flat non-apertured display disk having a light reflecting side and a nonreflecting opposite side; motive means on said support for rotating said disk substantially along the axis of symmetry of said disk between a light reflecting display position exposing said light reflective side and a reversed position exposing said nonflecting side; and an illumination means carried by said support adjacent said disk and arranged to project said light beam forward of said display position and to project an outline of said disk, when said disk is in said display position, said disk having an edge extended portion arranged to block said light beam when said disk is in said reversed position; whereby said character is displayed in ambient reflected light when certain ones of said disks are in said display position, and whereby said character is displayed in the absence of said ambient light by said projected light beams and by silhouettes of said certain disks by said light beams.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a support providing a nonreflecting background for said display; a multiplicity of display units mounted on said support in an array for cooperatively displaying said character; each of said display units comprising: a flat non-apertured display disk having a light reflecting side and a nonreflecting opposite side; motive means on said support for rotating said disk substantially along the axis of symmetry of said disk between a light reflecting display position exposing said light reflective side and a reversed position exposing said nonflecting side; and an illumination means carried by said support adjacent said disk and arranged to project said light beam forward of said display position and to project an outline of said disk, when said disk is in said display position, said disk having an edge extended portion arranged to block said light beam when said disk is in said reversed position; whereby said character is displayed in ambient reflected light when certain ones of said disks are in said display position, and whereby said character is displayed in the absence of said ambient light by said projected light beams and by silhouettes of said certain disks by said light beams.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A graphic character matrix display assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said illuminating means is a lamp.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A graphic character matrix display assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein said illuminating means is a light emitting diode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A graphic character matrix as defined in claim 1, wherein said illuminating means comprises a lamp and a multiplicity of light pipes disposed in a grid, each of said pipes having coplanar free ends for projecting a light beam simultaneously to each of said display units.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
A graphic character matrix as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said disks has a suitable geometrical shape, and wherein said edge extended portion is a tab extending from a part of said disk, said tab being coplanar with the remainder of said disk for effectively blocking said light beam when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A graphic character matrix as defined in claim 1, wherein said illuminating means is a group of lamps clustered together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
57 words
A graphic character matrix as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said disks has a suitable geometrical shape, and wherein said edge extended portion is a tab extending coplanar with the remainder of said disk for effectively concealing said group of lamps and for blocking light beams therefrom when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A display unit for a graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a flat non-apertured display disk having light reflecting and non-reflecting opposite sides; a support for rotatably mounting said disk and for providing a nonreflecting background behind said disk; motive means on said support for rotating said disk substantially along the axis of symmetry of said disk between a light reflecting display position exposing said light reflecting side and a reversed position exposing said nonreflective side; and a light source carried by said support and disposed adjacent said disk to project said light beam forward of said display position and to project an outline of said disk, when said disk is in said display position, said disk having an edge extended portion arranged to block said light beam and to conceal said light source when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
A display unit for a graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a flat non-apertured display disk having light reflecting and non-reflecting opposite sides; a support for rotatably mounting said disk and for providing a nonreflecting background behind said disk; motive means on said support for rotating said disk substantially along the axis of symmetry of said disk between a light reflecting display position exposing said light reflecting side and a reversed position exposing said nonreflective side; and a light source carried by said support and disposed adjacent said disk to project said light beam forward of said display position and to project an outline of said disk, when said disk is in said display position, said disk having an edge extended portion arranged to block said light beam and to conceal said light source when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said edge extended portion of said disk is a tab extending coplanar with the remainder of said disk for effectively blocking said light beam when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said light source is a lamp.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display unit as defined in claim 8, wherein said light source is a free end of a light pipe having a lamp at its other end for generating said light beam.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
A display unit for a graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a flat non-apertured display disk having non-reflecting opposite sides; a support for rotatably mounting said disk and for providing a nonreflecting background behind said disk; motive means on said support for rotating said disk substantially along the axis of symmetry of said disk between a display position exposing one of said non-reflecting sides of said disk, and a reverse position to expose the other non-reflecting side of said disk; a light source carried by said support and disposed adjacent said disk to project said light beam forward of said display position; said disk having an edge extended portion arranged to block said light beam and to conceal said light source when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
A display unit for a graphic character matrix display assembly, comprising: a flat non-apertured display disk having non-reflecting opposite sides; a support for rotatably mounting said disk and for providing a nonreflecting background behind said disk; motive means on said support for rotating said disk substantially along the axis of symmetry of said disk between a display position exposing one of said non-reflecting sides of said disk, and a reverse position to expose the other non-reflecting side of said disk; a light source carried by said support and disposed adjacent said disk to project said light beam forward of said display position; said disk having an edge extended portion arranged to block said light beam and to conceal said light source when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A display unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said edge extended portion of said disk is a tab extending coplanar with the remainder of said disk for effectively blocking said light beam when said disk is in said reversed position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
A display unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said light source is a lamp.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
A display unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said light source is a light emitting diode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
A display unit as defined in claim 13, wherein said light source is a free end of a light pipe having a lamp at its other end for generating said light beam.
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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) | 1993-12-03 | 1994-06-04 | 1994-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-12-03 | 1998-06-04 | 1998-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-12-03 | 2002-06-04 | 2002-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |