Patents by Inventor Thomas C. Breihof

Thomas C. Breihof has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9311835
    Abstract: A lamp support assembly, retrofit kit, and method are provided for lighting a sign from an interior thereof. The assembly can be used as a drop-in replacement for high-voltage gas-discharge tube lamps such as high-output fluorescent lamps, and may be used to retrofit signs originally built for gas-discharge tube lamps with low-voltage, high-efficiency lighting such as LED lighting. The assembly includes an elongate support member for supporting electric lamp units, with end caps at opposite ends of the support member for engaging the original electro-mechanical mounts (or replacement mounts) in the sign. Thus, the lamp support assembly can be supported in the sign in a similar manner as gas-discharge tube lamps, and can be powered by a low-voltage power source, which may replace a higher-voltage power source in the case of a retrofit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: SignComp, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Breihof
  • Patent number: 9208701
    Abstract: An outdoor sign assembly includes a perimeter framework with fluid-directing channels to direct water off of the sign during inclement weather, and further includes individually removable sign face panels that are configured to support individual indicia members including lettering, numbers, symbols, designs, or the like, including internally-lighted indicia. The sign face panels cooperate with the framework to direct water around and off of the sign assembly, and may be placed in side-by-side arrangement to achieve any desired length. During assembly or disassembly, the sign face panels are held relatively securely to the framework, even before mechanical fasteners are fully tightened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: SignComp, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Breihof
  • Publication number: 20140259827
    Abstract: An outdoor sign assembly includes a perimeter framework with fluid-directing channels to direct water off of the sign during inclement weather, and further includes individually removable sign face panels that are configured to support individual indicia members including lettering, numbers, symbols, designs, or the like, including internally-lighted indicia. The sign face panels cooperate with the framework to direct water around and off of the sign assembly, and may be placed in side-by-side arrangement to achieve any desired length. During assembly or disassembly, the sign face panels are held relatively securely to the framework, even before mechanical fasteners are fully tightened.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: SignComp, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Breihof
  • Patent number: 8595966
    Abstract: A sign assembly includes a substantially rigid framework such as a rectangular or other shaped frame, and a flexible display sheet, typically of cloth or fabric material. The display sheet wraps around an outer portion of the framework and enters a channel, where it is retained at a flexible retainer element disposed in the channel. Optionally, the flexible retainer element may be a strip of resilient sheet material defining one or more slit or slot patterns and/or openings that are configured to releasably engage portions of the display sheet. A cover element may be used to cover the channel and to present a finished appearance along the outside portion of the framework.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: SignComp, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Breihof
  • Publication number: 20120124874
    Abstract: A lamp support assembly, retrofit kit, and method are provided for lighting a sign from an interior thereof. The assembly can be used as a drop-in replacement for high-voltage gas-discharge tube lamps such as high-output fluorescent lamps, and may be used to retrofit signs originally built for gas-discharge tube lamps with low-voltage, high-efficiency lighting such as LED lighting. The assembly includes an elongate support member for supporting electric lamp units, with end caps at opposite ends of the support member for engaging the original electro-mechanical mounts (or replacement mounts) in the sign. Thus, the lamp support assembly can be supported in the sign in a similar manner as gas-discharge tube lamps, and can be powered by a low-voltage power source, which may replace a higher-voltage power source in the case of a retrofit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: SIGNCOMP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Breihof
  • Publication number: 20120085008
    Abstract: A sign assembly includes a substantially rigid framework such as a rectangular or other shaped frame, and a flexible display sheet, typically of cloth or fabric material. The display sheet wraps around an outer portion of the framework and enters a channel, where it is retained at a flexible retainer element disposed in the channel. Optionally, the flexible retainer element may be a strip of resilient sheet material defining one or more slit or slot patterns and/or openings that are configured to releasably engage portions of the display sheet. A cover element may be used to cover the channel and to present a finished appearance along the outside portion of the framework.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: SIGNCOMP, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas C. Breihof