US1687106A - Illuminated display sign - Google Patents

Description

F. B.' RAE ILL1 JMIman@` msnm! SIGN Filed march w, 1926- INVENTOR. en/K KHE y ATTORN S.

Patented Get. 9, y1928.v

' UNITED STATES PATENTLomcE.;

1 FRANK B. RAE, or BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA- ILLUMINATED nIsrLAY SIGN.v

' 'Application filed March so, 1926.v serial No.79a437,

f displayed thereby create the illusion that they are in motion, thereby rendering the sign very effective for advertising or attraction purposes.V l f In carrying out this object I arrange each iigure or character to be illuminated into light and shadow Zones eachot which include a suiiicient portion of figure'or character so as to fully outline it when displayed independently ot the other zone.'V The zones are alternately illuminated in comparatively rapid succession which creates the visual impression that the character or ligure is in motion.

One form which the invention may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated by way ot' example in the accompanying drawings, in which :V

Fig. 1 is a view of the device with the display plate removed showing the manner in which the lighting effect is obtained. i.

Fig; 2is a front elevation ot the sign showing the rela-tive positions of the zones of the ligure illustrated as an example.

Fig. Sis a transverse section through the sign disclosing its construction.

F ig. 4 is a diagrammatic view showing one method oic illuminating the zones alternately.

Referring more particularly to the accompanying drawings7 10 indicates a casing having opaque back and end walls 11, and a dis- A play plate 12. This display plate is supported at its marginal edges by the end walls of the casing at a spaced distance trom the baclr plate 11 in paralleli-sm therewith. Formed on the display plate 12 is a figure or character 14, which is of translucent material so that illumination interiorly ot the casing will illuminate it. The background surrounding the ligure or character is opaque.

Dividing the interior of the casing 10 into compartments are a plurality ot kpartitions 15 which extend between adjacent surfaces of the back wall 11 and plate 12 at right angles to the plane surfaces ot these members. Two of these partit-ions or those indicated at 16 and 17 extend diagonally of the casing, while the other, indicated at 18, extends vertically.

In the present instance the character on the :tace plate is the letter X. It will be noticed that the diagonal partitions 16 and 17 extend exactly through th'efcenter of the legs of the l X, while the vertical partition 18 intersects the letter exactly at its center. These partitions 16, 17 and 18 divide the interior of the compartment into six light-proof compart-` T';

ments 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 and 24. The compartments 19, 21 and 23 are illuminated by light bulbs 19a which are in the same circuit and are adapted to be illuminated in unison. The compartments 20, 22 and 24 are each fitted with an electric bulb 20a, all of which are in the same circuit and adapted to be illuminated in unison.

y, Itfwill be noticed from F v1 that the illu.-V mination in each compartment controls Athe illumination of a certain portion ot' the letter arranged on the display plate 12. r`In other words, the compartment 19 illuminates one- ,half ofthe right-hand V portion oi the letter,

while the compartments 21 and'23 illuminate oneshalf of the left hand V portion of the letter. `Likewise, the compartment -22 controls the illuminationof the otherhalf of the letthand V portion of the letter, while the compartments 2O and 24contr0l the illumination of the remaining portion of the right-hand V portion of the letter.

It will be noticed also that the portions of the letter controlled by the compartments 20, 22 and 24 are vat the left of those portions controlled by the compartments 19, 21 and 23. Thus, in effect, dividing the letter into alight and a shadow Zone. One zonebeing that portion of the letter controlled by the compartments 19, 21 and 23, the other zone being that controlled by the compartments 20, 22 and 24.

Each zone includes sut'icient of the lett-er to form a perfect X when illuminated independently of the other, and in ette-ct the Zones are relatively disposed side b-y side, forming in fact two interwoven letters Xs.

As before stated the illuminating means in the various compartments is so arranged that the compartments of each Zone will be illuminated in unison.

Reference being had to the diagram 25 indiwill be created that the letter is in motion.

It is obvious that the display plate can be arranged on both sides of the sign or that the t sign can be arranged other than vertically as disclosed. Likewise, the invention is applicable to any letter o'l'f the alphabet` or the ligures and characters of any description.

While in the present instance the letter is shown as capable of giving the impression of sidewise movement, by rearranging thelighting, movement other than sidewise may be imparted to the letter.

A sign constructed according to my present y rious changes in its construction may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit olithe invention, as define-d in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

Vl. An illuminated display sign comprising l an opaque display plate having a translucent indiciuin formed thereon, said indicium being divided into Zones each completely forme ing the indicium when illuminated independently, separate illuminating means at one side of the plate Jfor each or' said zones, and

means for illuminating said illuminating means alternately to givethe indicium the appearance of being` in motion.

2. An illuminated display sign comprising a display plate having an indiciumot translucent material formed thereon, said indiciuin being dividedinto two Zones, each zone beingV adapted to completely. outline the indicium when illuminated independentlv. and means for alternately illuminating` saidv zones in comparatively rapid succession to create the visual impression that said indicium is in motion. f i

3. An illuminated display sign compris ing a casing having an opaque display plate, f

an indiciuin formed on said display plate and being translucent, means within the casingdividing said indicium into zones relatively disposed side by side, each Zone being adapted to F completely block ont the indicium when illuminated independently, and means disposedV within the casing Vadapted to alternately illuminate said zones in comparatively rapid succession. f Y

ll. An illuminated display sign comprising a casing having a display plate, an indiciuin `formed on said display plate of translucent material, partitions within the casing dividing said indicium into Zones relatively disposed side by side and each capable of'completely blocking out the indiciuni when being illuminated independently, and illuminating means disposed within the casing and opera-V tive to alternately illuminate said Zones to create the visu al impression that said indicium is in motion. l

'FRANK Bf'niin. f

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